“It was a lot of money for a giant spider, but it was nothing for what we eventually faced. If that crafty albino feels the need to put such a ridiculous amount on this Franks, then I know something is wrong.” Like most of the Hunters who had been at ICMHP, he’d come to hate the man known as Stricken. He’d paid Grimm Berlin well for their victory, but then had left them to die in the aftermath. Besides, Grimm Berlin had donated the Nachtmar bounty to the families of the Hunters who had died at the Last Dragon. It was not so much, once it was spread out among that many grieving widows.

“That bounty was wired into Grimm Berlin’s bank account quickly. There’s no reason to think this will be different. Think of what we could do with that!”

The word had spread. All of his Hunters had drifted over to listen. The men were waiting for him to make a decision. Their spouses did not understand what was going on, but they had seen this look before. Around them, thousands of normal people went about their business, blissfully unaware that the men who protected them from the supernatural were here, facing a sudden, difficult decision. “Ah, Miesen, we were just there. I’ve not even kissed my wife yet.”

“Do you wish us to stand down, Klaus? You know we will defer to your wisdom.”

They would follow his orders without question. That was what happened when you were one of the most experienced Monster Hunters alive. “No . . . We will go back.”

Miesen raised his voice. “You hear that, everyone? The biggest bounty ever will be ours.”

There were some exaggerated weary groans, but also an undercurrent of excitement. There were also some very angry wives and some Hunters who had some explaining to do.

“Gather around, men.” To Klaus Lindemann, it wasn’t even about the money. With such a reward, there would be quite the competition among the world’s best Hunters. Whoever succeeded in this endeavor would become a legend. The men were listening. “The Nachtmar surprised us. This time we will be ready for anything. I want everyone that is not actively on a mission to report for duty. Tell them to get here now. Kurt, go get us a flight. I want something fast and I want it ready as soon as possible. Christian, call the armory. Have them bring a full complement of equipment. Anything that the US State Department will not allow across the border, we will arrange for a replacement to be purchased in America.”

Even a five-year-old could sense the sudden tension. “What’s going on?” Hannah asked.

He hugged his daughter tight. “I’m sorry, Hannah, but I must go away again. There is work to be done.”

Macau, China