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A cleanly trimmed beard framed his face marked by a scar that travelled up from the corner of his lips to his cheek.

He wore a fancy black shirt with silver embroidery, a raise collar along with a set of earrings and a necklace. Black suit pants and a pair of shoes to match his dark attire.

"Indeed, Lord Blackthorn. We wanted to ask some questions regarding the Unbound Demonette so that the Hunt can proceed smoothly. After all, several Hunters have already failed to dispatch the beast." Ria nodded with a polite nod.

"Then ask away. I will provide you with as much information as I can though… I am unsure how it would benefit your hunt." He gestured while leaning back on his seat.

"We just wanted to make sure it was indeed an Unbound Demonette and not something similar. Different beasts possess different weaknesses while some may assist the beast instead. Since the Hunters have failed, it clearly meant something had gone wrong so we wanted to verify some facts." Alice interjected as she rested her elbows on her knees.

"The creation of the Unbound Demonette is usually discovered in the wild, it is hard pressed to find it being created within the city, accident or no. So perhaps it was a similar beast that disguised itself as the Unbound Demonette?

"I'm not sure if you are familiar with a certain beast known as the Silver Masquerade. It's a beast that can mimic and act as though it is another beast while displaying similar abilities. However, it will not share the same weaknesses. We're worried that we might be dealing with a beast similar to the Silver Masquerade hence why we need to verify a few details.

I hope Lord Blackthorn doesn't take offence." Alice smiled while Ria paused in surprise.

She didn't expect Alice to be able to speak like this nor act in this manner. Her expectations was simply for her to start questioning the Lord if he was the one behind the creation.

"Ah I see. I have indeed heard of such beast but I assure you that doesn't seem to be the case." Andruis shook his head.

"When I was transporting the replica statue of my late wife, I was also dealing with a shipment of Abyss Blood that was to be tested with a new generation of the Mechanical Legion. We wanted to see if we could use the speed and power of the Unbound Demonette for our creations.

Unfortunately, one of my servants that had been cleaning the workshop had knocked the vial over and the contents stained the doll." He sighed while massaging his nose bridge.

"I'm unsure what followed after but the doll I commissioned came to life with blades appearing around her body and the distinct smile belonging to the Demonette. It has taken over my old residence and I had the guards seal the place off with the Mechanical Legion so that the others cannot enter by mistake nor could the beast leave."

Seeing the Lord drop his shoulders helplessly, Ria wanted to say something when Alice spoke up first.

"I see. In which case would it be okay for us to investigate the old residence first? Once we see the beast for ourselves, we should be able to make better arrangements for its disposal."

"Of course. If you'd like, I can have my butler show you the way to the house." Andrius offered but Alice shook her head.

"It will be fine. The Guild has already let us know of the location. As long as you let them we're coming everything will be fine."

Thanking the butler for the tea, Alice gestured for Ria to leave as the two made their way out of the mansion.

Watching Alice and Ria leave, the Lord narrowed his eyes for a moment before getting his butler to notify the guards regarding Alice and Ria.

###

"What the hell was that?"

"What the hell was what?" Alice raised an eyebrow while taking a drink from her flask in order to wash away the taste of tea.

"The way you were talking and smiling, didn't feel like the usual… You."

"Of course it didn't. I was copying other people." Alice shrugged.

She had seen the way the barkeep and the owner of the Apothecary had conducted themselves and simply took inspiration. She knew that she was not the most delicate with words hence why she copied the way they acted along with their mannerisms.

To make herself seem more 'normal', trustworthy and professional.

"So what did you think? Is the Lord suspicious or is he not guilty?"

"Something's definitely wrong. From my knowledge, just the blood itself would not 'recreate' a beast using a doll. But we can't rule out the possibility either since the Abyss is changing with each passing day." Alice admitted.

"Hmm… Well let's just see what happens. Honestly I just want the 250 gold reward so we can splurge a little on buying stuff." Ria laughed while Alice couldn't help but agree.

Their main goal in this city was simply to earn some coin and begin the hunt for her third Sigil.

As they made their way to the location of the Lord Blackthorn's old residence, they noticed the increase in guards that patrolled the city.

Hunters dressed in uniform would walk around with a mechanical beast in tow, each with different designs and uses.

Taking this chance, Alice got a better look at the way the blood was being used as fuel and couldn't help but notice countless pipes running to the chest.

'Seems like it mimics blood flow of beasts and people… Once again it ties back to the heart. Why is the heart so important for Abyss Blood?' Alice asked herself.

The robed figure's final hints regarding the secret behind the outbreak and the true nature of heart blood.

Placing her hand on her chest, Alice sighed and shook her head, dismissing the thoughts from her mind for now.

Soon, they reached the mansion. The old residence of Lord Blackthorn stood proud against the surrounding buildings encircled by iron gates carved with ornate designs. The guards and their mechanical partners patrolled the area, making sure that no one could approach without permission.

Upon seeing Alice and Ria, the guards gave them a polite salute as they have been notified about the two. Stepping aside, they allowed the two to enter.

Seeing the large metal doors that sealed the inside of the mansion from the outside world.

Looking at one another, the two nodded before pushing the doors open and stepping into the house.

Darkness filled the space as dust was sent into the air from the opening of the doors.

"Seems like the perfect environment for the Demonette." Ria muttered while snapping her finger and created a small pulsing orb of lightning that shed some light into the house.

She didn't mind the beast targeting her as she is the stronger one between the two of them.

"Take care not to damage anything too important. If we have to pay for damages after we may as well not have taken this commission."

Unsheathing her blade, Alice allowed the red flames to burn freely while making sure they didn't get too close to anything flammable.

Walking over to what seemed to be the lights, Ria could see deep slashes, destroying the mechanism used for turning on the light.

While Ria was investigating the light, Alice started to make her way in while using her blade as a torch. Not only did it serve as a light source but by having it in front of her, she could attack whatever rushed towards them at a moment's notice.

As she made her way deeper into the mansion, she could see traces of old battles. Broken weapons and torches were thrown around the floor. Kneeling down, Alice glanced at the weapons and noticed that despite being broken, they carried a trace of frost upon the edges.

'Seems like they prepared well for this fight. Logic dictates that the Demonette should recoil and break apart based on its weakness. However… Seems like this didn't work.'

"Ria, did the Guild tell us why the other Hunters failed?" Alice asked while checking out the other battle scars.

"Yes they did. A few died before they could let the Guild know anything though."

"Oh? What did they say then?" Alice raised an eyebrow. She was surprised Ria didn't say anything earlier but if she's only bringing it up now then it must not have been that important.

"They said the beast was too fast. Screamed that the light didn't work. Panicked as it broke their weapons apart. Neither light nor cold worked on the beast."

Pausing mid movement, Alice slowly stood up and held her blade beside her. Something was wrong as that was most certainly not Ria speaking.

However, it had her voice and tone of speaking.

"Is that so? Then what worked?" Alice asked while slowly scanning her eyes across the darkness, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tag above the beast.

"Nothing. They died."

Ria's voice whispered out as Alice felt as though it was spoke directly next to her ear.

Slashing out with her blade instinctively, she found herself alone in the darkness.

Even the door they had entered from had disappeared as Alice took a deep breath and calmed her mind.

She remembered the lessons that Allura had thought and with the nature of her second Sigil, Alice did not hesitate to make a cut on her arm before setting her blood aflame.

The fumes from her blood began to clear her mind as the darkness slowly retreated.

Alice could finally see their target hanging from the ceiling, barely illuminated by the light from her flames.

She hung suspended from the ceiling while thin barely noticeable thread dangled from her body. Her white porcelain skin showed countless scars and stiches while blades tore through the surface. Cracks decorated her skin and blood dyed her dress.

The flickering of the flames revealed her ghastly expression of a smiling woman. Her eyelid forcefully pulled open through threads.

[Unbound Demonette (Incomplete) - ✦✦✦]