"The beast rumors are true?"

"The beast rumors are true?"

He stares back at her for naught but a moment, before letting out a soft and wholehearted chuckle.

"True? Of course they are true. Beasts will take to these streets girl. They will kill man, woman, and child. They would not hesitate to kill a lass such as you either."

Jessica felt her throat dry and constrict. She could feel her hands shaking, but summoned her resolve to inquire further. She had to know, and a hunter of the night was not likely to drop on her doorstep again like this.

"Is it the blood? Does the bad blood turn...others...mad?"

The hunter stared at her, pausing before turning his body around completely to face her. His wound seemed to have healed completely as far as Jessica could see; there were no visible marks or bruises showing that this hunter had even had his life endangered by a beast just now. He responded slowly, leaning his head to one side as he chose his words carefully.

"Aye, the church says it is the bad blood. I would be inclined to believe them if I were you. After all, secrets of the night are not for those light of heart, weak in physique, or frail of mind." His eyes seemed to burrow into hers, just like they had when he first fell against the ground. Before, he had assessed her to be simply not a beast. Now, Jessica could not help but to wonder if he was scrutinizing her to see if she could be...more.

"Knowledge is a queer and often cursing thing girl. Not many people in Yharnam wish for it. Why do you care about the blood?"