September 30, 2028260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdR7EYiDRk
@8:17 A.Mcopyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzcSesu412
This is the first time I woke up without any nightmare showing its ugly head. And I was very thankful for it. I turned to stare at my window and saw bright daylight.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJCSAnw3Q7
Oh shi-.. I’ve slept in.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kUHH0i02i
Yawning, I stood up from the bed and followed daily routine like eating, showering, and other stuff people do in the morning. 50 curl-ups, 50 sit-ups, 50 push-ups. I tend to do it so that it’ll keep my body in good condition.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzS5r7yWbz
I went to my living room and sat in my beat-up couch, which squeaked in protest. Then, I reached for my ledger and scanned the bounty page. No acceptable prize. And everything in the bounty page were species I already caught. But this can’t be all the monster out there. After all, I still haven’t found the perfect match.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCjBuTY1XP
September 30, 2011260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4tEafBME9
@9:13 A.Mcopyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8392LQ33R5
“Please, don’t!” Someone begged. “Don’t take her!”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKEeQ6mo2x
I was clutching the back of the shirt of the man who spoke. I hid behind him, looking for protection. But somehow, I knew it was useless.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2ahDFbCG8
He was pushed to the ground as I was pulled roughly.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPcBSYsV2j
I cried, “Please don’t take me!” I begged.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p4FEUM0iP
“Shut up!” Someone slapped me and I fell to the ground. Though I was quickly pulled up and thrown in someone’s shoulder. I kicked and I thrashed.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhRIzuoL65
And I could hear my older brother’s screams and shout; begging them to release me.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyU6aM4CI7
Then, I heard a gunshot.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDEItCsmgp
copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJw1oaVabe
September 30, 2028260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxC2Eg0XUS
@9:20 A.Mcopyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JvRs5mQQs
I jumped up from the couch and stared wildly at my surroundings and my hands poised for attack. But my house was empty. So, I shook my head and sat back down. So much for a nightmare-free day.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK1QQcDVOl
I picked my phone up and dialed the only number I knew; Sky’s. He picked up on the third ring.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L4zMtKIEW
“Hello?” He grumbled.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEFsv8xRYo
“Hey, just woke up?” I asked.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU8mKZynVn
“Nah, I was asleep. . ‘til you called. Up all night hunting.”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ9NzVgjDU
Oopss. “Oh, okay then. Go back to sleep.”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAyV243AV2
“Thanks, ‘night, beautiful.” He answered sleepily.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgX8CH8b53
Blush creeping up my cheeks, I answered. “It’s morning already, Sky.”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO2HBBDRVg
“Then, good morning.” He corrected before hanging up.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpWL370EUE
copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcRk7Upbuk
Now, what am I going to do? Bored out of my mind, I picked my ledger up and randomly picked a hunt to occupy my day. Anything beats staring at my ceiling all day. So, my stylus landed on:copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuBbCdTKoY
Wanted: Dead260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHispM4S8l
Bounty: 500 silver260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjSUmxamu5
Species: Shrimpolim260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMucxyjydd
Warning: Fast. Poisonous260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1Vvtlhydp
Location: Dead Water260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvJMp5kAsO
copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXMREnthfp
Shrimpolims are an easy catch. Though, hunters rarely sign up for it since it lives under the water and they couldn’t be bothered to swim. Besides, most people can’t breathe long enough in the water to find its hive let alone catch it. And if you were smart enough, you won’t wear air tanks. It will only slow you down. But I was not most people. So, I signed my name. And it was the only name on it.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1BpmJjLVO
I armed myself. Putting a dagger on my belt, on each side of my waist. Then another two at my back, forming an x. I took a rope and hanged it on my left side. Two more daggers were hidden on each boots I was wearing. Lastly, I took my jacket and wore it before stepping out.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ajHlVVfGk
September 30, 2028260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHAaT8IdGV
@1:37 P.Mcopyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvh0nVoQdD
I dived in the water holding my daggers. Better safe than sorry. I swam and swam for hours, which is no fret since I can breathe under water. I looked for any possible dwelling of a Shrimpolim. I turned a hundred stone upside down. Still, no luck.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLFSb2BvOx
I felt water rushed behind me. I quickly turned and saw a Shrimpolim swimming away. I kicked and followed after it. It was fast though I didn’t had trouble getting up to its pace. And in no time, I was directly behind it.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUHCC3yyif
Shrimpolim looked like shrimp (duh?). But a thousand times more bigger. And I’m not exaggerating. It was 7 feet long, bend and all. Its pleopod and pereopod as sharp as knife. Its shell as hard as a turtle’s. The only way to kill it is to stab it in its mouth, which is definitely crazy dangerous since it only open its mouth when it’s ready to release its poison or to pull it towards land, which is almost impossible for most humans because of its rapid swimming. But like I said, I’m not most humans. I tied the rope in one of my dagger and stabbed it in its tail. It shrieked and tried to swim away but I swam towards the shore and pulled it behind me.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvK9w85UYi
Upon reaching the shore, I gave one more hard pull at the rope and the Shrimpolim jumped out of the water. It landed on the ground, struggling but after a minute or two it stopped moving. Now, all I got to do is bring it to the headquarters.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf4d7gfJL3
I started walking and eventually I reached the headquarters before it even got dark. People were looking at me strangely. ‘Cuz who wouldn’t when you got a giant shrimp on your back? I’d stare at me.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5YYIB2g9k
I nodded at the guard and he greeted me with a salute. I wasn’t comfortable with it but no matter what I say he still does it. I, honestly, don’t know why. He pushed open the door for me and I entered the headquarters.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Qhbmpggn
The inside was a replica of a hospitable. White. Clean. And it smell strongly of antiseptic. I moved towards the counter and placed my catch in front of a man. 27 in age. Just a couple of inches taller than me. His blonde hair gelled and fixed. His blue eyes laughing. He looked up from his paperscopyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡzODD1LThuF
“Gretel!” He beamed. Showing his white teeth.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLKkKsVMJ5
“Hey, Jack,” I greeted back. “Here’s your Shrimpolim.” I gestured towards the mutant shrimp I just put on his table.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f6XwhkVyB
“Yeah, I can see it.” His eyes grew as he took in the monster before him. “You caught this? Alone?”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7pWLrHFJc
“What? Are you doubting my abilities?” I faked a gasp. “Who do you think I am?”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Y4oIxkvg
“Gretel, of course. The best hunter there is.” He replied. Then, with a laugh he added. “Didn’t you just signed up for this today? I heard Shrimpolim are hard to find.”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCvvA1NUWm
“Huh,” I scoffed. “Not for those who knows where to look.”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfuUcfmTU5
He laughed loudly and a bunch of people turned to stare at us. Some hunters and others like Jack, who work at this headquarter. I turned and gave them my beat-it-or-else look. The workers quickly rushed away but the hunters gawked at me with recognition.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f94jyMQSi
“Jack,” I called when I turned to look at him. “Hurry up with the pay with yah? You didn’t told me there’s a bunch of newbies here.”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hUCNuDBpA
He laughed again as he started to record my catch.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUQrP2HbWB
“I don’t know what you hq-ers tell these newbies about me but I don’t like attention. So, hurry up!”copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Rq6bZT2R
“For the record there is no word ‘hq-ers’.” I rolled my eyes at him, he obviously enjoyed my discomfort. “And we don’t tell them any lies. Just the truth. You sign for a hunt and delivers it on the same day. They idolize you, because really? Gretel no one can do that but you.” He explained.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡc996LWBpx0
“Just hurry up!” I urged him with a roll of my eyes.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvVPXKSEWO“Here,” He handed me a ledger to sign and I did. Then, he gave me a pouch. I quickly took it and exited out of the building as fast as I could without looking like I’m running from something.260Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTXnoqIFZV
