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LOCATION: SAWMILL
CITY: THE SHADOWED HAMLET
DATE: ??? | NIGHTFALL
Vanessa didn’t have to stay hidden. But by now, half the town had probably noticed the unfamiliar face—and by the time she was done, there’d be ten fewer souls in their world. Better not to give anyone time to start asking questions.
Besides, night had fallen. Stealth came easier in the dark. Especially to Vanessa.
She slipped past the edge of the hamlet and followed the orchard fence until she found a section low enough to hop. Once inside, she crouched in silence, letting the ambient sounds of the orchard settle around her.
After several minutes, she heard a faint whistle. A man pushing a wooden cart loaded with baskets moved slowly along the rows, carefully clipping bunches of grapes and setting them inside. There was a rhythm to his work—simple, focused, even joyful.
Up on the hill, the windows of a small house glowed warmly. A woman moved behind them, tending to two small children.
Vanessa smiled faintly. Yeah. I definitely did the right thing.
Just as she was about to step out and make herself known, she caught movement at the far side of the house. Two men crept into view, moving low and quiet. One pointed toward the orchard. The other tested the front door handle.
They had no idea she was watching.
Vanessa’s expression darkened. Absolutely disgusting. And also—not happening.
She slid Wraithwood from her belt and whispered for Nyssara to stay back. Then she moved, quickly and quietly, into a better position.
She found a clear line of sight and didn’t hesitate. Four spectral arrows flew in rapid succession—two for each intruder. The arrows struck true, dropping them before they reached the front door.
The moment she felt the telltale weight return to her quiver, she stood.
The man in the orchard had seen her. He stood frozen, gripping the shears in his hand. There was fear in his eyes.
Vanessa raised her hands slowly.
“I mean you no harm. But we need to talk. Urgently.”
He nodded warily but didn’t lower his guard.
Vanessa pulled the bag of coins from her armor and held it out.
“I saw a man give this to three thugs earlier. He paid them to kill you—and your family. Tonight. When they didn’t return, it appears he sent two more.”
She placed the bag in his stunned hands.
“They failed, too.”
The man blinked. “Y-you mean… what happened to the first three?”
“Handled,” she said, flatly. “Now I need your help. Who has the means—and the grudge—to hire five killers to wipe out your family and steal your vineyard?”
He stared at the coin purse. “Silas Trenn,” he said at last. “It has to be. Nobles used to love him. Always throwing parties, sucking up to people with land and power. But a few weeks ago… he was drunk. Tripped, knocked over a lantern, spilled his bottle of absinthe—his whole damn vineyard went up in flames before they could contain it.”
Vanessa frowned. “So now he wants to steal yours—and erase the evidence?”
The man nodded. “His family disowned him. He has nothing left. Nothing but desperation.”
“What’s your name?”
“Leor. Leor Jandrel. And thank you. Truly.”
“Keep the money,” she said, pushing the pouch back into his hands. “But I need directions. I’m paying this Silas a visit.”
He told her. She insisted he gather his family and stay inside until daylight.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Then she slipped back into the shadows.
Vanessa reached the estate twenty minutes later. From the rear, she saw charred vines snaking across the fields. The house loomed, candlelight flickering behind wavy glass windows.
Through one, she spotted Silas, waving his arms frantically at a large man. Probably a bodyguard. He kept shouting the name Cronk.
Vanessa sighed and checked her notifications from the previous fight.
---
System Message
You have slain Human, Level 5.
You have slain Human, Level 5.
420 experience points have been awarded.
Sanctioned targets neutralized: 8 / 10.
---
She looked back at the huge man being yelled at by the man who was obviously Silas Trenn.
Figures. Can’t make it too easy now, can we?
She adjusted her gear and started forward, a plan taking shape.
As she approached, Silas's voice grew louder.
“They should have been back by now! I’m not paying anyone else, do you hear me? I don’t have any damn money left!”
Cronk grunted.
“Then go do it yourself.”
“I can’t! It’ll trace back to me!”
Vanessa was about to make her move when Nyssara shimmered into being beside her, unprompted. Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
Nyssara put a finger to her lips and pointed toward a clump of bushes nearby. A silent suggestion.
Vanessa crept into the brush.
Then Nyssara did something new—she made herself visible, fully and deliberately, just outside the window. More solid than usual. She even cocked her head in mock curiosity, pretending to peer inside.
Still beautiful, Vanessa thought, even now.
Inside, Cronk noticed the silhouette and stomped to the door.
The moment it swung open, Vanessa loosed two arrows. Both struck center mass.
Cronk stumbled—but didn’t fall. He roared and charged.
Vanessa holstered Nightweaver over her back and drew her daggers. He was already on her.
The first punch was slow, telegraphed. She ducked under it and stabbed him in the ribs. Rolled back.
He didn’t even flinch.
The second punch landed. He grabbed her arm mid-strike and hurled her like a ragdoll.
She hit hard, skidding across the charred vines. Sharp branches tore into her cheek.
She gasped, rolled onto one knee, nocked an arrow, and fired.
This time the shot went through Cronk’s left eye.
He dropped like a felled tree.
Vanessa felt the arrows return to her quiver. Heard the soft ding of confirmation.
But there was no time to celebrate. One more life needed ending tonight.
She burst into the house.
Silas stood in the foyer, clutching a massive greatsword, clad in poorly-fitted plate armor.
“W-who are you?! How dare you—”
“Shut it, Silas. Leor’s family is safe. You though? Not so much.”
He charged.
His sword came down in a straight arc and embedded itself into a wooden table.
Vanessa didn’t flinch.
No training. No timing. Just a bunch of noise and bluster.
She reached forward, ripping his helmet off, and yanked his head back.
Then she pressed Wraithwood to his cheek and whispered:
“Wraithbind.”
His eyes went wide.
Then black.
He stood frozen, tormented by the visions Nyssara had prepared for him—visions of every selfish, vile thing he had ever done. The people he had hurt and wronged. The selfish actions he took that had consequences for others.
She waited.
Let him suffer through the whole thing.
And just when he began to stir, to come back—
She slit his throat.
Then, Vanessa slipped out of the estate and vanished into the night.
Another man who thought his power would protect him.
Another man who misjudged his position.
Out near the edge of town, where the air was still and the trees felt safe, Vanessa finally checked the last notification.
---
System Message
You have slain Human, Level 5.
You have slain Human, Level 5.
420 experience points have been awarded.
Sanctioned targets neutralized: 10 / 10.
Congratulations, Spectral Huntress.
You have completed your Trial.
All sanctioned targets were eliminated without shedding innocent blood.
Bonus rewarded for maintaining stealth throughout your mission.
You have been awarded the following:
Nyssara’s Oath (Unique Item):
- This ring grants a passive +1 WIS and +1 PER while equipped.
- At key milestones, the ring may evolve. Explore, strive, and improve.
- Effect: Once per day, Nyssara may be summoned in physical form for up to five minutes. While corporeal, Nyssara may:
- Act as a distraction or decoy
- Fight alongside the Spectral Huntress
- Channel abilities through Wraithwood
- While not in physical form, Nyssara remains always available in ghostly form via Wraithwood—unlimited use for companionship, scouting or conversation.
New Skill:
Predator’s Calm (Passive):
- While stalking a marked target, the Huntress moves in total silence.
- If undetected for 10+ seconds, her first attack from stealth cannot miss.
- Stealth attacks with Predator’s Calm deal 15% bonus damage, stacking with existing stealth modifiers.
You have been awarded 750 experience points.
You are now Level 2.
Stat points allocated. +5 free points.
---
Feeling the subtle surge of power as her stats recalibrated, Vanessa released a long, steady breath. Across from her, Nyssara hovered for just a moment longer. They nodded to each other—no words needed.
Then Nyssara faded back into Wraithwood, and Vanessa turned toward the path that had brought her here.
At the edge of the hamlet, the wooden gate awaited. She stepped through and found herself once more on the quiet streets of Grimwatch. The sun was dipping low—twilight rising.
Her Trial was complete.
With a lot on her mind, and an even greater force now beside her, Vanessa made her way back to The Lusty Wench—ready for dinner, camaraderie, and whatever came next.