Elder Blood Witcher

The next day Reima gears up and takes a look a the bounty board in the middle of town, not much mention of monsters apart from some missing people near the bridge that leads into the city, Indit Sazi is rather busy isn't he... Reima shrugs and decides to take the contract, from the information provided it's probably an Ogroid of some sort.

Reima "Some sort of Ogre making it's home under a bridge... I feel like I'm in a fairy tale.

He exits the city and goes to the end of the bridge, he looks for large heavy tracks but instead finds around 18 small tracks. Nekkers.

"Must be a nest nearby for a number this large, how has no one been alerted of this yet?"

Reima goes back and buys supplies to make a couple grapeshot bombs and some Ogroid Oil.

By the time he finishes making them it's noon, Reima decides to set off and get it done before nightfall or anymore people are taken.

He finds himself back to where the tracks lead from the bridge, He applies the Oil to his blade before following where the tracks lead. The path he follows twists and turns down towards the underside of the massive bridge, the further he goes the more bones, animal scraps and blood stains he spots.

He reaches a ledge that overlooks the dried up riverbed at the bottom, searching for a small mound he eventually finds what is likely to the be the nest, piles of bones, hide and other inedible things surround the small mound.

Reima sighs before mentally preparing himself for combat with up to 18 vicious midgets with claws... He casts a Quen shield and approaches, silver sword in hand.

The Nekkers, presumably noticing presence by his light steps burst from the mound like puss from a wound. After around half are out of the mound they start crawling quickly towards him.

Now while Nekkers aren't physically very powerful, their swarming tactics and small sharp claws could render most things dead in seconds.

Reima almost cuts entirely through the first one that dives at him claws first. The others give a shriek and frenziedly and haphazardly swinging their small arms around them, while some injure each other most get atleast one hit on Reima which makes the Quen shield light up in response.

He cuts another down bisecting it completely but receives a headbutt that breaks his Quen shield and various cuts and scratches from the following claws.

He rolls to the side and casts Igni and catches half the group, the other half continues swiping at him, cuts an wounds continue to open as he takes attacks. "What I wouldn't give for Ciri's clone attack!"

He spots a Nekker about to attack him from the back with Observation Haki and performs a desperate stab behind him without looking. He manages to stab it in the heart but dodges away quickly due to it's friends continued assault.

Reima gets increasingly more angry as he receives wounds, eventually he losses it and just forgoes defence and starts swinging, whether or not he hit them didn't matter to him.

After finally calming down he falls on his arse and breaths heavily while surrounded by the corpses of his foes. "That was close... I need more experience huh... Probably shoulda brought some swallow aswell." He stands haggardly and apathetically drops a grapeshot into the Nekker nest before collecting the right claw from each corpse. He begins to walk back to the city, blood spreading under his clothes creating dark spots.

He reaches the gates where the guards are curious and worried about his appearance.

Guard "You fight an army or something Witcher?"

Reima "Heh, something like that..."

Guard "Guessing twas you causing explosions under the bridge aswell?"

Reima "Yeah, a huge monster nest was under the bridge... You're lucky I turned up or a whole squadron would be required for nest like that."

The guard nods "We thank you then Witcher, I'll have a drink to your health later!"

Reima nods and heads for the Guard house before requesting another audience with Comander Indit Sazi.

He enters the room where the Commander waits and drops a sack filled with 18 Nekker claws.

Reima "You had a Nekker infestation under your bridge... I would like to claim the reward for my troubles" He gestures at his blood stained clothes and claw marks.

Indit Sazi "Yes, it wouldn't do for our new Witcher to go hungry..." He checks the bag, confirming what Reima said is true and tosses him a sack of Ducat's. "300 Ducats for a successful hunt... Thanks for you work, Witcher."

Reima looks wide eyed at the gold and questions the Commander, "300? That's about the same as the reward for the two gangs?"

Indit Sazi looks amused, "Anyone can stab a human if the situation requires it, but it would take a substantial force and equally substantial potential losses to hunt monsters. Just to destroy a... Nekker? nest the size that was under the bridge would require around 30 men, take into account their potential injuries and the odds of actually finding the nest and you would find it to be much larger than 300 Ducats..."

Reima nods in understanding, "I see, thank you for having me Commander."

Indit Sazi nods in response and gestures for him to leave.

Reima visits the herbalist and acquires various herbs that will assist the healing of his wounds and stumbles back into the Inn, he takes a warm bath before applying a herbal paste to his wounds and meditating before he sleeps.