A typical supernatural hunter (Art by tian zi)
| “ | They're not something we vampires should ignore. Walk a mile in human shoes, you'll find them ordinary. But when that human dedicates themselves to the fight, they become something else, something dangerous even to us. It's not just us but from werewolves and other monsters too. Sometimes, they have their reasons. A personal vendetta or misguided sense of justice. But not all seek to end us. Some believe in redemption, penance, and can even ally with us if the cause is right. | „ |
| ~ Helena Sinclair |
A Hunter, also referred to as a Slayer, is a title given to individuals who hunt down and slay malevolent supernatural creatures in order to protect humans from monsters, demons, ghosts and other such entities.
Overview
They usually are just typical humans who, unlike others, are aware of the supernatural world. One of the most recurring reasons to go into the hunter lifestyle is a tragedy in their lives that involved the supernatural. However, there are other reasons to decide being a supernatural hunter, such as being raised as one.
Hunters are stationed almost all over the world and while many would travel in order to track a supernatural phenomena that is occurring in a specific part of a country some remain within their homeland due to the constant rising of unnatural entities that roam about their abode. Hunters can also gather into groups and form organizations dedicated to the destruction of the forces of darkness. These organizations hold far more resource, weaponry, and power (though it varies) than a single hunter and some have been known to even employ supernatural entities to fight on their behalf as well acting as their trump cards.
Description
Inhuman Hunters
Most if not many hunters are comprised of cambions, vampires, werewolves, or even those that are fully demon or monster. The inhuman hunters have their own reasons for hunting down other beasts or even their own kind depending on the individual. It is also shown that supernatural hunters typically pass their knowledge onto their children, as they could be killed by supernatural creatures that look for revenge or could appear. When they do so, a family of supernatural hunters is formed.
Human Hunters
As a particularly vulnerable species, human hunters must be in peak physical condition and possess an extensive knowledge of the supernatural and mythology before combating the supernatural. Human hunters across the ages have relied on a variety of methods to overcome the various supernatural entities that threaten their existence, ranging from weapons and firearms to magic and technology. Interestingly, most human hunters are capable of performing near-superhuman feats of strength, speed, and agility with one example being Sekiro Tsugikuni who was a mere mortal but was regarded as a "monster" even by other yōkai for his legendary feats.
Abilities
Hunters are skilled fighters, proficient with firearms, shotguns and melee weapons they might acquire. They even carry supernatural weapons like Devil Arms whenever a situation is in need of one. When weapons are scarce and they are in a dangerous situation, they use hand-to-hand combat or whatever is available as a weapon. They also appear to be proficient trackers and possess prudent tactical skills and an instinctive ability to "read" behavioral characteristics and manipulate people. In addition, they need to be virtuosos of escape, evasion and silent movement, when the situation requires subtlety and stealth, such as surprise attacks.
It has been shown they can read and recall Latin incantations, which can be used to summon, exorcise, and vanquish demons. Aside from Latin, some hunters are also able to read and/or recite other languages. Also, it's been seen that most of them have journals, or books, with information, details and methods to kill the different creature they must face. Veteran hunters possess massive and in-depth knowledge on supernatural lore, and often keep the hunter community updated on any new or recent developments.
Notable Hunter Groups
- Devil May Cry
- Belmont Clan - Defunct
- Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense
- Hellsing Organization
- Order of the Silver Cross
- Kisatsutai
- Order of the Sword - Defunct
- Hunters of Artemis - Defunct
- School of the Wolf - Defunct