The Bounty Hunter

January 27th, 2089

Terra’s POV

Alren and Khoreena are both dead.  The cursed stiletto and the wizard’s bane poison I purchased were both exorbitantly expensive and one use only.  A year’s worth of savings those items cost me, but they saved me two potentially difficult fights so it was worth it.  The last one on the list is Elna Dupoi, a.k.a Erica West.  That dwarf is in London and has an impressive compound that is impervious to stealthy infiltration.  I can’t move against her there, so I had made plans beforehand. 

The Royal family holds a royal masquerade ball every year to celebrate the crown princess’s birthday.  It is a grand event and has been ever since England had returned to being an absolute monarchy.  Elna will without a doubt be there, and that will be my opportunity.  I managed to sneak myself onto the list so I will walk right into the ball and assassinate her at the first opportunity.  I have changed into a rather slick looking tuxedo sans bowtie and a kitsune mask.  I handed my invitation over at the door, and took in the magnificent scenery. 

There were scores upon scores of stylishly dressed individuals with a variety of masks chatting with each other.  There were two rules at this ball:  you are not allowed to remove your mask nor are you allowed identify yourself.  The goal is to allow for anonymity so that everyone can talk equally to one another.  This also allows the royal family and the crown princess in particular the rare opportunity to be informal. 

There are rumors that this ball is in fact hosted so that the crown princess can choose a husband.  It would explain why the guest list is filled with so many noble sons, heirs to wildly successful corporations and other influential young men that could be married into royalty.   It took me 4 bribes, 9 mind control spells and 2 forgeries to get my name on the invitation list. 

Security was extremely thorough, and I had no chance of bringing any type of weapon into the venue.  *Sigh* It’s times like these where my lack of a dimensional storage really hurts.  So I’ll have to use magic.  I have greatly improved with my stealth casting in preparation for today so I actually believe I can manage it.  And since Elna is a dwarf, I don’t have to bother with investigating all the masked guests. 

While walking through the chandelier lit halls on a soft Persian carpet, I kept scanning the guests.  Bingo.  Out in the ballroom, I could see a shorter woman of a little over 4 feet chatting with some other guests.  I started lining up a particularly nasty spell that would induce a series of strokes, but before I could get a clear shot Elna walked out onto the dance floor.  In order to get closer without arousing suspicion I need a partner…  There! 

I see a young woman with a pseudo-Venetian opera mask on reluctantly talking with a pudgy guy with a smiling mask on.  Based on her posture it’s obvious that she wants to escape.  She’s the closest person who isn’t in a group that I can pick.  I secretly prepared a bewitching spell to place on her as I walked over.  I cut in front of the pudgy guy and told the woman “You seem bored.  Why don’t you join me for a dance?”  I held her hand without waiting for a response and pulled her over onto the dance floor. 

My bewitching spell was ready to go if I felt resistance.  To my surprise though, I didn’t have to use it.  Wow, she must have really wanted to escape from that guy.  We were dancing quite elegantly for a while in silence.  Thanks to all my experience from Japan’s Rising Idol, I’ve become quite proficient at dancing.  Finally, the girl spoke as I slowly maneuvered us towards Elna. 

“You are quite the odd one aren’t you.  After so boldly snatching me away, you haven’t said a thing.  Most men would be busy chatting me up by now.”  She said.  I focused back to her and for the first time really looked at her.  She was wearing a daring crimson dress with gold trimmings that matched well with her sleek platinum blonde hair that cascaded over her bare shoulders.  Her eyes were a dark blue and she had bright red lips.  The rest of her face was obscured by her gold mask, although her confidence was that of a beauty’s. 

We’re closing in on Elna’s position, so I just need to keep the conversation going for a couple more songs.  This ballroom is way too big.  “I only asked you to dance, thus we’re dancing.  I do what I say, nothing more and nothing less.”  I replied “Fufufu, that’s an interesting way of thinking.  It must be nice to be able to be so free with yourself.”  “Ho, is life that stifling for you?”  “Yes, my family has big expectations for me after all.  My life has been completely scripted since I was born.” 

This woman then started gloomily complaining to me about everything that’s tough with her life of luxury in a family with high expectations for her.  She talked for quite a while and at this point we have come close enough to Elna and I’m just about ready to launch my attack.  Let’s end the conversation and the dance here so I can brush past Elna on my way off the dance floor and finish her.  “If you’re not happy with your life do something about it.” I interrupted her in mid-sentence.  “It’s not that simple.”  “Yes it is.  If you claim to have the resolve and desire to change, then prove it.  Simply listening to your whining is boring for me.”  “But what about my family?”  “Who cares?  Live your life the way you want.  That’s what counts.” 

The song ended and I made to leave but to my surprise this girl held onto my hand.  “But…”  Haa, so she’s still hesitating.  Time for the old stand-by.  I flicked her forehead hard, causing her to let go of my hand and rub her forehead while glaring at me with watery eyes.  I then patted her head.  “No buts.  You can either accept the obligations placed upon you by your family or you can’t.  Figure out what the hell you want and then go get it.  Enough with the passiveness.” 

I left the stunned girl to figure out her emotions.  I walked off the dance floor and as Elna came up on my right I was about to unleash my lethal magic.  To maximize the potency, I’ll transmit it through touch.   Right as I was about to make contact and end my three day killing spree… a bomb exploded.