John looked out the window with a blank expression.

He was seated on the back end of their carriage next to Mary while Ashur sat beside Mr. Meyers.

The group wasn’t too far away from Mural Town, they could still see the outline of the buildings from a faraway distance.

Things had been pretty quiet so far since leaving the town but that didn’t bother John.

If anything, he preferred that, it gave him time to organize his thoughts in peace.

[I really hope Loyd is all right... From a little of what Ashur told us at the beginning of our ride he sounds plenty strong. Based on his feats I can gather he's probably stronger than me. Just hearing his mission completion ratio makes me seem like a novice at best when compared to his… I'll do my best of course but it's still troubling to think about.]

All of a sudden, the carriage was brought to a halt, which brought John’s inner thoughts to a halt as well.

“Sorry about the sudden stop, something’s a bit further ahead in the middle of the road!” After hearing the riders warning, the 3 Adventurer’s raised their guards instinctively.

Mr. Meyer asked in a slightly worried tone, “Do you know what that something in our path could be?”

There was a pause before the rider spoke again, “Not too sure but it looks like a person, just lying there…”

“Hmm.” Mr. Meyer had his head down, deep in thought.

Ashur turned towards Mr. Meyer, “What do you think we should do sir?”

There was a bit of silence before Mr. Meyer raised his head, seeming to have made a decision in his mind.

“I’d like you to go and check it out, however one should stay just in case.”

Ashur nodded, “Right since this could be a trap after all. I think the best course of action is for just one of us to go while two of us stay here to guard you.”

It was quiet for a moment, the three adventurer's were each thinking intently on who would make the most sense to investigate on their own.

“I’ll go.”

Ashur stood, turning to open the door but he couldn't; he was stopped by Mary right before he could touch the nob.

She shook her head, “That’s not smart. If the enemy knows you're here, that's what they’d want you to do. I’m sure it's not a debate to say you’re the strongest person here right now so you leaving would be a higher risk than either me, or John going to investigate.”

Ashur looked like he was about to disagree but stopped himself, sitting back down. They were now seemingly back at where the conversation started.

John stood before more discussion could be had, “Don’t worry, I’ll go.”

Mary looked up at John with a look of slight surprise. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay behind with Ashur?" She inquired, "You seemed pretty determined on not leaving his side, at least from how you acted back in Mural Town.”

“I’m positive it's the right move. For one, I’m assuming you're a ranged fighter Mary? Based on what you did back there with those chains.”

“Not completely, I’m decent in close combat but if I had to choose between close and long-range, I would choose long.”

John smiled, “I thought so. If I went, you could always support me with those chains of yours. Also, if I didn’t make it, you two would just lose your weakest link.”

Mary frowned and was about to respond with what would most likely be a disagreeing notion, but Ashur spoke up first.

“If that’s what you analyzed then I support that plan, John.”

“Thanks, Ashur.” John turned to get out the carriage but was stopped when his arm got grabbed from behind.

He turned to see it was Ashur grabbing his arm, wearing a determined look on his face.

“There’s one thing I don’t support about your plan however.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t support how you believe yourself to be the weakest link, thinking it wouldn’t matter if we lost you. Analyzing things from a logical perspective like you did is fine; but that’s only until you think of yourself as a pawn that can be sacrificed easily, that’s something I don’t support. If we lost you things would be more difficult." Ashur gave a small sigh, "Long story short I’m telling you to be careful; we need you.”

John turned away from him so he was facing the door; giving a thumbs up as he stepped out of the carriage, “Will do.”

John was now walking down the path and as he did so he looked further ahead hoping he could see this ‘thing’ in the road the rider had spotted.

The lighting outside the carriage was getting dimmer, seeing how it was close to sunset. John gazed up ahead and he did indeed see something. It wasn't super visible however, seeing how it was slightly darker now.

He raised his guard while approaching and when he finally reached it, what he saw made him sick.

He saw the corpse of a man, lying there, with many severe injuries.

The most severe were his face which had many bite marks and was so disfigured he wouldn't believe the person had a normal face before. The man was also missing limbs like his left foot or a whole arm.

There was no blood around him however which stuck out to John as strange, almost as if he didn't die by the tree and was brought there.

But, the thing that stuck out the most to him was the man having... an adventurer’s card?

[Hmm the picture shows a handsome looking guy with blonde spiky hair, he has black eyes... interesting. It says his name is…Loyd Silve-]

John jolted up instantly in a panic. Turning around towards the carriage shouting as loud as possible.

“It’s Loyd! He's dead! We’re in danger this was a tra-”

In an instant he heard metal whooshing from behind him followed by a clinking sound.

John turned behind in confusion to see a chain that was right in front of him, he also saw a robed figure holding a sword.

The sword had been blocked by the chain which made the clinking sound John heard before.

[Wow, Mary saved my skin just now. Looks like it was the right call to go instead of her.]

The robed figure whose blade had been deflected by the sudden chain backed up, slightly wary.

John shouted out, “Thanks Mary!” before getting in a fighting stance.

[I would go back towards the carriage immediately, but I don’t want to look away from this weirdo for one second. They snuck up on me and even though my guard was down due to my shock at the situation they’re still fairly skilled. I know this robed guy is at least stronger than those random thugs I ran into at the beginning of this mission.]

“So, what do you want buddy?” John asked antagonistically.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The robed figure’s voice was deep and raspy, as he spoke in a labored tone. “It’s very simple. The death of your employer, Mr. Meyer. We were hired for a job and so we’re going to do it.”

“Ha, well good luck with completing your job. As long as I’m here I refuse to let you get past me!”

Mary was peering outside the carriage, watching over John as he charged towards the robed figure.

Mary sighed, [I’m sure he can handle himself for a bit now since he’s aware of the enemy. I had a thought that something like this might happen though! Also, John confirmed that Loyd was dead. I wonder how Ashur is taking it…]

Mary turned around to see Ashur who was sitting in a crossed arm position.

She started to say something but right before she could, she sensed bloodlust aimed at the carriage. She immediately activated her gift, covering the carriage all over with chains as a form of defense.

In that instant she heard a clunk along with feeling a sharp vibration bouncing off her chains.

She knew multiple adversaries had attempted to cut the carriage but couldn’t, due to her defensive maneuver.

“Ah!” a scream could be heard from outside the carriage.

[Wait, I forgot about the rider!] She thought, panicked,

“Don’t worry about that, Mary.” Ashur’s sudden statement caught Mary’s full attention.

“I’ll handle all the adversaries outside; you just guard the carriage.”

With that, Ashur stood up, turning to walk out the carriage door. “I’ll be done shortly Mr. Meyers.”

Mr. Meyers nodded, “Be safe.”

Mary was about to tell Ashur it was a bad idea to go alone but stopped herself.

She recognized that look in his eye, it was one of determination and resolve.

His determined expression reflected his thoughts perfectly; no matter what she would possibly say he wouldn’t listen.

His mind was completely set, no matter her possible insight on a different plan it would fall deaf on his ears. He had complete belief that his choice of action was correct, that's what his expression told her and so; she submitted.

The robed man standing in front of John quickly got in a squatting position and in an instant, seemed to disappear.

John's eyes darted around, trying to find the figure in a hurry. He scanned and scanned but couldn’t find where he went.

John felt extreme bloodlust however, so he knew the robed man didn’t simply run away. He was definitely planning some kind of sneak attack on him.

[He’s incredibly fast and despite me charging at him I lost sight of him… let me try something.]

John closed his eyes and dropped his fighting stance, standing seemingly defenseless and taking a deep breath before exhaling.

All of a sudden- he felt a warm sensation all around him- he was focused.

[Ha, if I can't see my attacker, all I have to do is sense him. I hope this works, I haven't done this in a while…..There!]

Right that second John opened his eyes and turned behind him as the robed figure swung down with his blade.

John caught the blade with his hand and in one movement gave a quick counter punch straight to his gut.

This sent the figure flying back a bit which gave John time to assess the situation. His hand was bleeding from catching the figure’s blade, but it wasn’t a serious injury.

John decided to take his newfound free moment to turn back towards the carriage and what he saw surprised him.

He saw Ashur, boldly facing eight enemies. One of them holding the rider as a hostage. Mary wasn’t outside with Ashur but John noticed her chains, covering the carriage.

Ashur pulled out a small dagger from his hip, shortly getting into an unorthodox stance.

It seemed to have no form yet when he took the stance, he gave off a fierce aura.

The robed figures slightly stepped back warily and for some reason; John started sweating slightly despite being on Ashur’s side.

[Wow, that pressure he’s giving off is incredible. If I was facing him, I’d be worried. Not only does he give off a mean aura, but his stance also has no openings despite its unorthodox nature.]

Ashur suddenly glanced towards John before shouting. “Behind you!”

Ashur’s yell snapped John out of his thoughts and right in time too.

The second John turned; the robed figure was in his face once again. But this time he was a little more prepared.

The robed figure still had the blade, swinging at him multiple times. But John was able to skillfully dodge the slashes, before rushing at the figure.

John went for a jab, aimed at his face but the man easily dodged.

The robed man scoffed, “Honestly, I feel like this game of cat and mouse might go on for a while. Why don’t I fight you fair and square?”

In that instant the figure dropped his blade, getting in a boxing-like stance.

John smirked, “Glad you get it.”

--

Ashur scanned all around him. [So, the 2 closest to me have daggers concealed under their robes but I don’t sense much aura from them so that’s good. The 4 in the middle are pretty weak as well but the last 2 are strange. While they’re clearly in front of me I can’t sense their presence or auras. That means one of two things, they're either purely support members who have little fighting abilities or, their skillful enough to hide their power. What makes things worse is the rider is being held captive by those 2 in the back...]

In an instant Ashur rushed to the 2 'weaklings' in the front and they barely had time to react.

One pulled out his dagger, but it proved useless; Ashur knocked it away with his blade before cutting the man clean in two.

Next he slashed at the other beside him, decapitating him instantly.

“Argh, get him! He’s just one man!” One of the 4 men standing in the middle shouted out, as an attempt to boost morale.

It proved fruitless however once Ashur dashed past them effortlessly. The rider was now in grabbing range, so he leaped to grab out but-

Wham!

Ashur was sent flying far away from the rider.

After landing, he looked back- to see who his attacker was and when he saw the being standing before him he couldn’t help but stand in awe.

[Wow, that thing is incredible.]

What Ashur saw was a beast that had reptile-like legs and forearms along with claws. It opened its mouth, salivating to reveal rows of sharp teeth, it also had a spiked tail. Despite it’s menacing features and it being twice the size of him, Ashur was mainly focused on it’s dangerous and murderous aura.

[Alright so, this is a variable that isn’t too favorable. I’m sure I could take that beast but since there's pesky pugs around as well It might be more difficult, especially since I want to save the rider.]

He got in his unorthodox fighting stance once more.

[6 assassins plus that beast... I’ll just do what I can, looks like the only way past this situation is through it!]

--

John and the robed man traded blow after blow now. John would strike his stomach, just for the man to reply with a fierce counter.

Neither gave an inch and while John was starting to feel battered, spitting blood after taking one of the man's blows, he could tell that he had an edge when it came to hand to hand combat.

John slugged the robed man, stunning him for a second- this was his chance! John arched his arm back to try and give a finishing blow.

But to John’s surprise- in a split second- the robed man seemed to disappear before his punch could connect.

Panicked- John looked left and right in a hurry but he didn’t spot his robed adversary. Just as he started to close his eyes attempting to sense his prescience again; Suddenly- he felt a flash of pain coming from his abdomen.

He looked down to see a dagger jabbed through his stomach.

The instant he processed that he’d been stabbed, he twisted to deliver a powerful sidekick behind him which sent the robed man back a couple feet.

John clutched his stomach which was now oozing blood. [The cut went through definitely but luckily it's not anywhere vital. I think I barely reacted in time to shift out his way subconsciously.]

The robed man chuckled. “You're a fool. Did you really think I was going all out!? Not to mention the whole fighting fair and square bit.”

John smirked nervously while slowly backing up; attempting to gain distance from the man. “Guess that was a rookie mistake.”

Without another word the man disappeared again but this time, John focused instantly; closing his eyes once more- to heighten his senses.

Once he got a lock on the man, he opened his eyes and raised his left hand; catching the blade right before it stabbed into the back of his head.

The robed man was suspended in mid-air holding the dagger. Now was his moment!

John had gripped the dagger with so much force that his hand bled before flinging the robed man back; and while the robed man was able to land properly, after he looked up he couldn't spot John anywhere.

[Did he just use my technique!?] The robed man started sweating as he furiously tried scanning all around him. The last thing he saw were some trees in the clearing but-

“Huh?” The robed man spoke out. “Why are the trees handing upside down…. oh…. I see. He got me.”

The robed man’s head was completely twisted, the top of his head facing the ground while his chin faced the sky.

It happened in an instant, but not only did John seemingly copy his vanishing technique- but he also killed him so fast his brain still had time to process.

--

Mary was peering through the slight gaps in the chains covering the carriage; she had witnessed John and the hooded man’s fight.

She stared in disbelief as she watched the man fall, lifeless, John standing over him.

Mary thought to herself. [John’s better than I thought. For a second it looked like he’d lose. I’m surprised at not only how he copied that man’s technique but also how brutal he was. I knew he was determined to complete his job, seeing how he was willing to sacrifice a kid earlier but he’s pretty hardcore. That aside though… that just leaves Ashur.]

Ashur yelled out, “Come! All of you at once! As long as I draw breath I refuse to let you past me!"