Hitman with a Badass System

Morning arrived with a gentle warmth, casting a soft golden glow over the landscape. Michael, Gaya, and Vedora, perched atop Gaya's shoulder, made their way to the Ironfist Beast Tamers. The guild, known for its expertise in handling formidable creatures, stood imposingly against the backdrop of Sagespire's lush environment.

As they approached the guild's grand entrance, a young elf with bright, curious eyes welcomed them. His gaze lingered on Gaya, sensing something extraordinary about her presence. "Good morning," he greeted them, his voice tinged with reverence.

"Can we meet Borgin now?" Michael inquired, his tone direct yet respectful. The quest from the system weighed on his mind, a secret known only to him.

"Of course, follow me," he said, leading them through the intricate corridors of the guild. Their steps echoed on the wooden floors, hinting at the history and countless stories that had unfolded within these walls.

They climbed the wooden stairs, each step creaking under their weight, reaching a large, ornately carved door at the top. The young elf paused, turning to face them. "Borgin is waiting for you inside," he informed them.

"Thank you," Michael said as the elf nodded and left.

Pushing the door open, Michael stepped into the room, with Gaya and Vedora following closely. Inside, Borgin Ironfist awaited them, his presence commanding yet welcoming. His wide grin revealed a sense of anticipation and respect for the trio.

"Ah, the griffin slayers," Borgin exclaimed, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "Please, sit down." He gestured towards the seats around a large wooden table, intricately carved with images of mythical beasts.

Borgin leaned back in his chair, the creak of the wood echoing softly in the spacious chamber. "That griffin has been a menace for too long," he said, his voice tinged with relief. "Thank you for taking care of it."

Michael, maintaining his composed demeanor, led the conversation. "It's fine. We're happy to help," he replied, his words reflecting a sense of purpose and determination.

With a hearty clap of his hands, Borgin exclaimed, "Wonderful!" His eyes sparkled with curiosity as he leaned forward. "Now, tell me, why did you want to meet me?"

Michael took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "We believe you're the best person to tell us about hydras and hydra breeding," he said, watching Borgin closely.

Borgin's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his face a canvas of intrigue and confusion. "Hydras, you say?" he mused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the unusual request.

"Yes," Michael continued, "we have a keen interest in them."

"Why are you interested in hydras?" Borgin asked, completely unaware of the three-headed serpent sitting on Gaya's shoulder, disguised as an ordinary creature. He had no idea this was not just any hydra, but Vedora itself.

Michael exchanged a quick glance with Gaya, a silent communication passing between them. Sensing an opportunity to weave their narrative into something believable, Michael spoke up. "We have a friend who is doing research on hydras. We owe her a great deal, so we're looking to help her out."

Borgin, his face brightening with understanding, clapped his hands together. "Helping a friend, now that's a noble gesture!" he exclaimed, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"Very well," Borgin said, nodding. He leaned back in his chair, ready to share his knowledge. "There are not many hydra breeders out there. It's an expensive and risky line of work, but there are two giants spearheading the breeding business."

As Borgin reached for a bottle of ale, he offered, "Do you want some?"

Michael and Gaya shook their heads politely, declining the offer. Borgin poured himself a cup, took a sip, and continued with a more relaxed tone. "One is the White Lotus Clan, based right here in Goldspire. They're relatively new but have made quite a name for themselves."

He paused, savoring another sip of his ale. "And the other," Borgin continued, "is the Kraken Clan. They are the oldest in the business, based in the kingdom of Aurumvale." He looked at them intently. "Aurumvale, as you might know, is under the domain of Luxor, the God of Wealth. His blessings have made the kingdom a hub for many such rare and lucrative ventures."

Michael nodded, absorbing the information. Borgin's insight was proving invaluable, and the mention of Aurumvale and the Kraken Clan sparked a new line of inquiry in their quest.

Borgin leaned forward, his expression turning serious as he delved into the details. "Now, the White Lotus Clan focuses on creating hydras through spells, modifying other beasts, like several-headed serpents." His gaze drifted to Vedora, perched atop Gaya's shoulder in disguise. "Just like the one you have there," he noted with a hint of curiosity.

Continuing, Borgin explained the clan's methods. "In just a few decades, the White Lotus Clan has flooded the market with artificially created hydras, what they call 'bred hydras.' These creatures are primarily sold to nobles who want them as pets or for sport."

As Borgin spoke, a low growl resonated softly, almost imperceptibly. It came from Ayag reacting to the notion of her kind being bred for fun and sport. The growl was a mix of disdain and anger, feelings stirred by the thought of such noble creatures being reduced to mere playthings for the wealthy.

Borgin, seemingly unaware of Ayag's reaction, took another sip of his ale, waiting to see if Michael and Gaya had any more questions or comments about the information he had just shared.

Gaya, her curiosity piqued, leaned in and asked, "What about the Kraken Clan? What is their approach to hydra breeding?"

Borgin nodded appreciatively at her question. "Ah, the Kraken Clan, they are the old school," he began. "They might breed fewer hydras compared to the White Lotus Clan, but they focus on more naturally bred hydras, the kind that are revered for their purity and strength."

Michael, intrigued by this distinction, asked, "Are there any hydras that aren't created by breeding in this world?"

"Good question," Borgin replied, his eyes reflecting a depth of knowledge. "Indeed, there are sightings and accounts of hydras that aren't bred in labs. These are especially reported in the Infinite Sea region and some pocket dimensions. But no one has managed to catch such a creature."

At this revelation, Ayag and Sarba's eyes lit up, a mixture of shock and realization dawning upon them. The thought that they might not be the last of their kind brought a flicker of hope to their ancient eyes.

Borgin continued, unaware of the internal stirrings of Vedora's heads.

"Even I haven't seen a natural hydra. Those who might have, didn't live to tell the tale." He paused, taking a moment before adding, "As for the Kraken Clan, their specialty lies in breeding hydras using the skeletal remains of the legendary Vedora." He let the words sink in. "This is what makes the hydras created by the Kraken Clan extremely rare, powerful, and expensive."

The room grew quiet as the gravity of Borgin's words settled in. The mention of Vedora's skeletal remains stirred something deep within the disguised hydra, a sense of history and legacy intertwined with their current form and identity.

Remembering a piece of hidden knowledge shared by someone special, Michael's thoughts momentarily drifted. He recalled learning that Andohr had unearthed the body of Vedora, a legendary creature that lived five thousand years ago and met its end at the hands of his previous self. This knowledge, shrouded in mystery and time, added a layer of complexity to his current quest. (remember the special someone mentioned)

Borgin's words snapped Michael back to the present. "The Kraken Clan," he said, "has specialized in taking even the smallest bone fragments of Vedora's skeleton and using them to create hydras."

"How are they doing it?" Gaya inquired, her curiosity piqued by the mystical process.

Borgin chuckled, a sound rich with both amusement and wisdom. "Isn't that the golden question?" he mused. "No one really knows how they do it, but the hydras they create can cultivate like us and grow as strong as dragons."

"You see, no one asks such questions because the Kraken Clan pays well. In fact, the Beast Tamers have been tasked several times with retrieving skeletal remains of Vedora." He leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly.

"And here I thought Beast Tamers would only tame beasts." Michael, his tone light and slightly amused, remarked.

"Hahaha," Borgin laughed heartily at this. "True, true. But it's also true that these bone fragments radiate immense power, even after five thousand years since Vedora's death. They attract all kinds of beasts and monsters, making them a valuable and dangerous commodity." His eyes glinted with a mix of respect and caution for the power these ancient remains held.

Borgin leaned back in his chair, a sense of pride evident in his voice. "Since all kinds of monstrosities come to absorb the energy from the bones, we go there to ensure these monsters don't damage the goods," he claimed. His tone suggested a blend of duty and challenge in dealing with these creatures.

In response to Borgin's words, Gaya smiled. But her smile masked the undercurrent of displeasure.

"What do you do with the monsters and beasts that come for the bones?" Her position as the Goddess of Monsters made her particularly sensitive to the fate of these creatures, and Borgin's casual tone about handling them stirred a hidden anger within her. Oblivious to her true identity, Borgin laughed heartily. "We cage some of them," he said, "and kill those that are too unruly to be caged and sold." His words were matter-of-fact, reflecting a business-like approach to dealing with these powerful beings.

Gaya's smile didn't waver, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of disapproval. Borgin's straightforward admission, while typical of a beast tamer's life, clashed with her innate connection to these creatures. As the Goddess of Monsters, the thought of them being caged or killed for mere convenience was a hard pill to swallow.