Chapter 48: The Briefing
"So, what should we do now?" Frank asked.
"It failed to kill you last night, but it won't give up. It'll only stop once you're dead."
"Last night, it underestimated us, which is why we escaped. It'll strike again soon, and we must be ready. Next time, we have to kill it. If it escapes and goes into hiding, it'll be a real problem."
"Shapeshifters aren't like other monsters. If it truly wants to hide, finding it will be impossible. It'll lurk in the shadows like a viper, waiting for us to slip up and then kill us all."
"I was careless yesterday. In my current state, I can't fight. We'll have to rely on you, Dean," John said, turning to Dean.
John hadn't expected to encounter a shapeshifter last night. His gun was loaded with regular bullets, and he only had a silver dagger. If he had brought silver bullets, he could've killed the shapeshifter on the spot.
But it wasn't John's fault. Silver bullets are expensive and custom-made, unlike regular bullets available in stores. Unless a hunt is planned, hunters usually carry standard ammunition.
"I understand," Dean nodded.
"Regular weapons won't kill a shapeshifter. Only silver can harm it. I'll go get our gear," Dean said, quickly leaving.
"Dean has hunted many monsters with me, but he's never worked alone. He's young, prone to impulsiveness, and doesn't always think things through. Frank, I need you to watch his back," John said, acknowledging Frank's experience despite being a few years younger.
"You're too kind. This is about survival for me, too. That shapeshifter wants me dead," Frank replied.
"What exactly do you guys do? From what you said, it sounds like you've killed many of these creatures. Are there a lot of monsters in this world?" Frank asked, curious.
Frank had seen plenty of monster movies and heard urban legends, but he never expected such creatures to exist in reality.
If there were many monsters, Frank needed to be more cautious, especially since he wanted his kids to have a safe life.
In human society, wealth can ensure a comfortable life. But against supernatural monsters, wealth means nothing. A shapeshifter could take your place, kill you, destroy the evidence, and take over your life, as 'Frank' did to Officer Eddie.
In that sense, Eddie's grudge made sense.
"We're hunters, specializing in killing dangerous supernatural creatures."
"There are many monsters, but not too many. They hide among people, and someone you drink or dine with might be a disguised monster. Most just want to live peacefully and don't cause trouble. After all, this world is human-dominated, and compared to humanity, monsters are endangered species."
"Many monsters fear exposure. But occasionally, some harm humans, and those are our targets," John explained.
Hearing this, Frank felt relieved.
Monsters are rare, and the odds of encountering a harmful one are even lower. Many people may never see a monster in their lifetime.
Instead of worrying about supernatural monsters, it's more practical to be wary of human criminals, who are far more numerous.
Humans, more than supernatural monsters, are the most dangerous.
"So, are you like the FBI or CIA but dealing with supernatural events? Are hunters like secret agents?" Frank speculated.
"No, we aren't affiliated with the government. Hunters are ordinary people, and many of us are fugitives. I was wanted after failing to properly dispose of a werewolf's body, which the police found," John said.
John was a wanted man, with a fake identity, which is why he couldn't go to a hospital despite his injuries.
"So, hunters are self-organized, and anyone can become one?" Frank was surprised.
"That's right. Most hunters are victims of monster attacks, seeking revenge by becoming hunters," John said, a hint of sadness crossing his face.
"Becoming a hunter is simple: find and kill monsters. But you need to know how to kill them."
"For example, a shapeshifter can't be killed with regular weapons. Only silver can harm it. Ghosts can be repelled with salt and iron, but to destroy them, you must find and burn their remains with salt. Vampires require beheading, and so on," John explained the basics of fighting various monsters.
Talking with John, Frank was amazed to learn about the variety of monsters in the world.
"Monsters have existed throughout history, but information was scarce. Knowledge was passed by word of mouth or written in books, often dismissed as fantasy."
"Now, the internet makes it easier to research monsters and find rare books," John noted.
"But with so many monsters, surely the government knows? Aren't there departments to handle them?" Frank asked.
"I don't know if the government is aware. So far, I've never encountered officials dealing with supernatural cases," John said.
"However, some hunters come from families with a long tradition of hunting monsters. One group possesses unique abilities: their eyes see through all illusions, making them immune to monster disguises. They're called the 'Grimm,'" John explained.
"Grimm, like the fairy tales?" Frank asked, surprised by the connection.
"Yes, the Grimm fairy tales originated from the Grimm family, serving as educational material on monsters," John confirmed.
"Huh?" Frank was taken aback, having mentioned it offhandedly.