The weather was cold and the fog covered their surrounding in the morning. They were packing up their stuff on the horses when they heard a strange whistle-like noise.

They looked around when Arborus walked up to Catherine and whispered something in her ears. They walked closer to Joseph she leaned closer to him and whispered.

"He says it's not natural fog and I also got traces of mana in it, so there might be something dangerous out there."

"I see. We should be as fast as we can if that is the case. I hope there are no demons around here."

"I hope the same. If it's a demon that made the fog, they might be natural predators in this kind of area, which is dangerous."

"I see."

Catherine and Arborus walked back to their horses. Meanwhile, Joseph packed up the last bag on his horse, then turned around and didn't see the two others. He took a few steps before speaking.

"Guys? Are you two here?"

There was no answer, just the deafening silence.

'I don't like this.'

As he tried to back to the horse, it was gone as well.

'What is happening?'

He drew out his sword and wand, then heard the Charles in his head.

'Be prepared! Something is moving in the mist!'

'Where exactly?'

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'Unfortunately, I can't tell you.'

Joseph closed his eyes and concentrated. He didn't feel anything around him, but he knew that he can trust in the sword.

'I've never used any sensing magic, but my skill should help with it.'

For a moment he felt something further away from him, but just as he felt the sensation, it disappeared.

After a few seconds, he felt like something was coming towards him, so he stepped sideways.

In the silence hissing of an arrow flying by him felt like a car driving by with high speed.

'This feels strangely familiar. Is this the same person from before? But what are they doing and why are they targeting me?'

He was concentrating and dodging arrow after arrow for a minute when he heard a laugh from a deep voice.

"Hahaha! You've improved quite a lot after the last time. But it doesn't matter!"

He felt an arrow coming from the front, but as he was trying to dodge it, the sword moved his hand and hit another arrow coming from his right side.

'What are you doing? That one was an illusion!'

'How?'

He heard the guy speaking again.

"You even saw through that one? I can't believe it!"

Joseph shot a magic arrow in the direction he heard the voice coming from. The guy laughed again mockingly.

"Where are you shooting? I'm on the other side!"

Joseph was standing still until another arrow came from his left. He jumped towards it and passed through the illusion.

After a few more shots the arrows stopped and he felt someone moving around once again.

'Was he staying in one place?'

He turned around and shot a magic arrow into the fog once again. He heard a low thumping noise, but it seemed like he more likely hit a tree than his opponent.

A sword came from behind him and went for the back of his neck, only to be stopped by a shimmering blue light.

They both stopped for a moment from the surprise.

The guy didn't think his attack would be stopped, but Joseph was shocked by something else. He saw a window with an unbelievable message.

[Alert!

Damage deflected. The attack made a lot of magical energy stored in the medallion dissipate. 1274 points lost from the medallion's defense power, 3130 left.]

'What was that?!'

As the guy was jumping back Joseph shot three magical arrows into his body, but they didn't even leave a scratch on his cloak.

'He has magical resistance? What is this guy?'

He tried to sense him and charge his wand at the same time. After a few seconds, it was successful and the guy didn't attack in that time either, but he felt like he was still in danger, so he held his wand in front of his chest and readied his sword for an attack at the same time.

'This will be annoying.'