"For a sacrifice to bring along extra sacrifices, how utterly interesting." The man's tone was loud enough for all of them to hear as they drew closer.
"It's him, he's the Thornsleeper I saw in my dream." Krazel pointed out with a shaky finger as soon as the man came into view.
'That's not right, we're suppose to have the same dream, but the person I saw was a different person. Does it mean we're dealing with more than one Thornsleeper? But that has never happened before' Hanon observed the figure with weary eyes.
"Is something the matter?" Noticing his distracted look, Aeloria asked.
"No, I'm fine. Just stay close."
'So that's a Thornsleeper, he doesn't look as terrifying as I thought he would.' Zilel thought, observing the man while taking a defensive step towards Krazel.
Almost before any of them had the chance to make any moves, the man in black cloak threw three black round pills the size of an eyeball in scattered directions in their midst.
They barely had the time to react as the scattered pills exploded into a fuliginous cloud of mist.
"Spread out, quickly." Hanon yelled, but it was too late. The merchant, the guard, and even Aeloria, were all lying on the ground.
"The pills were made from kalimos flower, the strongest hypnotic flower. It is then mixed with machnilla herbs, the tail of a black scorpion, eight talons of a mountain eagle and the heart of a new born." The man in the black cloak looked at Hanon with a sour expression, the only one standing because of his pathway.
"The heart could be a sheep's or a cow's, as long as they are new born it's fine. But I prefer one of my kind."
'To think he would describe such inhumane act with a calm face, just what kind of terrible things have they been doing?' Krazel stared at the Thornsleeper in terror as the man continued to speak.
"The ingredients are mixed and dried, after which they are grinded into powder, condensing it into an exploding pill which is the last step. When inhaled, it does not creat illusory images but rather, it disrupts the minds command to the other parts of the body, making one's own body useless." He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping over the struggling merchant.
'I thought I had built up my resistance of drugs to the maximum, so why am I affected?' Zilel looked at the cloaked man in frustration, gritting his teeth and trying to move, but his body did not respond.
Aeloria's expression was calm, she did not struggle or try to stand, she simply lay on the ground and observed.
"What I'm trying to say is that, it's unfair that we go through all the trouble to collect these ingredients only for it to be ineffective against a Protector." The man's expression turned dark as he stared at Hanon who had yet to say a word from the start.
'I see, so that's why Protectors were the only group that hunted Thornsleepers. Because they were resistant to their tricks. The reason he wanted to come alone was because of this?' Zilel watched Hanon and wondered if he was the same coward who couldn't beat the man from the street.
"Which pathway do you tread?" Hanon asked at last, his gaze never leaving the man in front of him.
"Normally I wouldn't tell you, but I will make an exception, you're all going to die anyway." He stepped forward as he introduced himself.
"My name is Kromel, a Thornsleeper following Qoue, pathway of the night viper."
"You will protect me, right? I can trust you, can I not, sir Hanon?" The merchant looked terrified as he stared at Honon, but the expression on the face of the Protector left him hopeless.
Aeloria looked at Hanon, and saw the sheer terror on her companion's face. 'He was so confident, but when he heard the man's name, his expression changed.'
"Judging by your expression, I believe you've heard of me." Kromel asked, looking at the terrified Protector.
"You're the Hunter? The one who only targets Protectors?" Hanon asked, his voice wavering for a moment.
"Looks like you are well informed. Then, would you be kind enough to offer me your head?" Kromel said with a smile stretched across his face.
"Hunter? You mean the Hunter was a Thornsleeper?" Zilel asked in terror. How could he forget the terrifying rumors of the man who hunted kings, and prominent figures.
"Offer you my head? I was only surprised for a moment because I didn't think I would be meeting such a wanted person here. However, it's still changes nothing, you are not an unexpected variable, after all." Hanon took a deep breath as he took a step forward.
"Will you be alright?" Aeloria's voice called out below.
It was only then that they noticed, the maiden was completely calm. She lay on the ground as though she was sunbathing.
'This maiden, she's unbothered by the situation, it's as though she sees this as minor inconvenience.' Kromel looked at Aeloria with an observant gaze.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine..." Before Hanon could, finish, Kromel dashed forward aiming for Aeloria. 'People like her are unpredictable, it's best I take care of her first to clear any unwanted doubts.'
Hanon was quick to react, he dashed between Kromel and Aeloria, blocking the man's path.
'I'll attack from above, the moment he blocks, I'll use that distraction to stab him with the small dagger hidden in my belt. That will not kill him, but it would at least give me an opening to take out the maiden.' Kromel continued his advancement with a full plan in mind.
He planted one foot to the ground when he was a single pace away from Hanon, slamming his other foot to the side of his jaw. Hanon lifted one arm in an attempt to block, however, his weak body laughed at the plan.
The man slammed his foot into Hanon's jaw before his arm made its way up to his chin, sending the Protector flying like a loose pebble. Hanon flew back, slamming his side into the great oak.
Kromel stopped and stared in shock, and so did everyone.
'What? Why is he so weak. I'm sure he's a Protector though.' Kromel's plan to attack Aeloria was overtaken by the sheer shock that a grown man could be sent flying with a single kick that was supposed to be a feint.
Krazel had a hollow expression. Earlier, he was confident when the man was resistant to the pill attack. But the Protector he put so much trust in was sent flying by a kick even he could block.
'I almost had my hopes up, guess he is the same person from the street fight.' Zilel had a disappointed look as he stared at the man who's face was now smeared with blood.
'I was afraid something like this would happen, just when I decided to put my trust in him, he went and did it again.' Aeloria looked at Hanon with an almost blank expression.
"What kind of trickery is this? Surely there has to be an explanation behind your action." Kromel was deeply confused. They had prepared thoroughly for a terrifyingly strong Protector, to think an average person could take on the same person with one arm tied behind their back, he refused to believe that.
"Looks like you were much stronger than I anticipated," Hanon said, wiping the blood from his mouth while pushing himself up with trembling hands.