Advance

-They're close. I can feel it

Jeyson Arostarea vaulted over a rock as he continued to sprint through the vast expanse of undisturbed trees.

The tall trees and their leaves covered the ground completely, causing little to no sunlight to shine on the ground. Hiding Jeyson who is miniscule compared to them.

"Haaaarggh"

-I can hear it from here.

Jeyson had run past an extremely huge beast. It was a beast big enough to make even the most skilled of mercenaries - such as himself, to be wary of it.

He gritted his teeth and sharpened his senses. He must be quick, the more time he wastes, the higher the chance those monsters would escape.

-I can feel it.

His senses detected something faint in the distance. It had an alluring sensation and gave a tender touch on his skin.

Magic Flow.

With each step he took, the more intense the sensation became.

He doesn't know where he is, nor where he is heading.

All he knew is that the Magic Flow is coming from that way.

The sensation continued to intensify until a man appeared in Jeyson's sight.

Jeyson stopped running and hid behind a tree. Keeping an eye on the man while staying hidden.

He equipped his bow and arrow and locked his focus towards him.

"Hah. That troll is fast. I couldn't catch up to it.. well at least I can still hear it."

-Wait. So that huge beast is a troll?

The words of the bald man in a black robe shook Jeyson. He wasn't able to clearly discern what was that huge humanoid beast he saw, so he thought it was anything else - anything but a troll.

A shocked Jeyson no longer had his mind in the right place. His eyes in rage as he gritted his teeth revealing himself loading the bow and pointing it at the man.

"What do you mean 'Troll'?"

Jeyson used a fair amount of his strength to utter these words. He abhors the idea of even speaking to the likes of these Monsters.

The man stopped moving and stood still, surprised by this sudden encounter.

"Who are you?.. Wait.. You're!-"

"I don't do my jobs halfway."

Jeyson replied, the man immediately recognized Jeyson's clothing and the little silver hair coming out of his hood.

The man came into realization towards how Jeyson ended up here. His face became angry as he slowly lifted both of his hands, palms facing forward.

"The dead weight must've snitched. That idiot."

"Don't worry, you're all going to meet him in hell soon enough."

Jeyson reassured him, not letting the bow leave it's aimed target.

The man finds himself in a disadvantage. He rolled his eyes to see if there are any terrain advantages, which unfortunately for him, there isn't.

His standing in a small free plane of land not covered by any trees, even if he were to try and dodge, the bow would hit him before he could react.

As the man was surveying his surroundings, Jeyson opened his mouth and spoke in clear volume.

"So. Why are you alone? Where are the other monsters?"

The man doesn't have any intention of telling him anything, because he knew his opponent's ruthlessness. If he tells Jeyson, he would most likely still be killed. So he formulated a quick plan and replied.

"What would benefit me if I tell you?"

"You'll die a painless death."

He knew this was coming. He twisted the peculiar ring he is wearing on his middle finger so the top of it won't face Jeyson.

Jeyson didn't notice him as he was completely focused on the face of the man. He concentrated just enough to subtly activate his Dark Magic.

The man still locks eye contact with Jeyson. But at the same time, dark matter is flowing through behind his hands ready to execute his ability.

Jeyson didn't immediately shoot, which tells the man that even the Magic Flow of his subtle action was completely hidden from his opponent.

Though, he still tried to continue to bargain.

"How about, If you let me go, I'll tell you everything you need to know."

Jeyson thought long and hard. Not moving a muscle from the stance as he did so. The man became visibly impatient and spoke.

"So?"

Jeyson knows there are no downsides for him in agreeing. In fact, agreeing would save him much more time because of the information the man might give.

However his pride is reluctant in allowing him to agree to what this monster is proposing, he gritted his teeth at the thought. but then he remembered something.

-I need to stop what they're doing.

With this thought, he eventually swallowed his pride and opened his mouth to speak.

"Why are you alone?"

The man made a smirk impossible for Jeyson to see from the distance between them.

He didn't recall his dark matter. He couldn't let his guard down against Jeyson who wouldn't hesitate to kill him if he made a wrong move.

What's more is that he hasn't detected any Magic Flow from Jeyson, fooling him that Jeyson is a master of Magic.

He focused his eyes on Jeyson while concentrating just enough to retain the dark matter and spoke.

"I was told to follow the troll to see what it does, but it seems I failed because you intercepted me."

"Who ordered you?"

"Some guy called Relon."

"Where is he?"

The man turned his head behind as he heard that and replied.

"He is deeper in the forest, hiding from danger like the coward he is."

-There.

Jeyson had heard what he needed. His mind became slightly at ease hearing that. With an unchanging expression, he released a relieved breath and spoke.

"Take me to him."

Silence filled the expanse. The man's facade slowly crumbles as he realizes he has been cornered.

"So? Are you going to take me to this Relon or do you feel like dying?"

Jeyson's expression intensifies as he threatens him. The man's face became visibly distressed with sweat running down his face.

The man is in trouble, both of the choices he had in the situation would lead to something bad happening to him.

Either he takes him to Relon or he doesn't. Both of these choices would have their own consequences.

"No. Just give me a moment."

He said as he tried to stall as much time as he could to manipulate his dark matter, moving them into the sleeves of his robe. He couldn't risk recalling his dark matter so he had to hide it in a place where his opponent couldn't see it.

It took approximately a minute, Jeyson became visibly impatient and he looked like he would shoot anytime.

"Follow me. This way."

He reluctantly complied with his order. He turned, facing the direction he came and started to walk, leading him to Relon.

Although Jeyson is getting what he intended, he doesn't have the leisure to take it slow.

"Faster."

"Let me go at my own pace."

"You won't even have a pace when I shoot your legs. Move it."

Though he is in position powerless against Jeyson, he was fuming at the sight that the man still had the guts to reply to him in such a manner. Jeyson's grip on the bow's string strengthened, it's taking every ounce of will in himself to not shoot him after hearing that reply.

The man on the other hand is just as irritated as Jeyson. The man gritted his teeth and made an annoyed face that Jeyson couldn't see, trying not to get himself killed.

-What a jerk.

He thought as he continued to walk at an increased speed.

Jeyson and the man continued to walk deeper into the forest, where they would find Relon. Jeyson knows he is responsible for the troll's abnormal increase in size, and he must put a stop to it.

-Hold on a little longer, guys.

Silence.

No words were exchanged between the two for the entirety of the journey.

Each step they took forward, the troll's scream that can still be heard occasionally, slowly died down.

The Magic Flow intensified every step they took, which made Jeyson confirm that he wasn't misleading him.

Jeyson maintains his focus towards the man he is using to lead him to his remaining targets, not to say that the man isn't one.

Although the agreement was to let him go, he had no intention of honoring it. Once the man expended his uses, Jeyson will dispose of him.

-Monsters don't deserve to be spared.

Jeyson reminded himself not to show mercy. He never has and never will. Those who are affiliated with monsters have become the target of Jeyson's revenge.

The man occasionally glanced behind to see if his opponent had let down his guard. Only to see that he hadn't stopped aiming his bow at him since they met.

-This guy is persistent.

He thought, continuing to move forward. It appears that his Magic Flow isn't detected because he knew that if he was doing anything suspicious he would get shot immediately.

Eventually, Jeyson heard deep groaning in the distance and the sensation of Magic Flow was incredibly dense.

Jeyson knew this was the place.

He kept his position still and waited for the man he was threatening to be unwary of him.

The man is lost in his thoughts. He is leading a man capable of overpowering 4 of his comrades towards their safe spot, where they were still recovering from their losses.

With each step they're getting closer, it's natural that he'd try to come up with some sort of defense.

Jeyson sees the man is no longer facing him, he slowly lowers his bow to see if it baits any reaction from him.

Nothing.

They went on for a while with Jeyson's bow lowered and there was no reaction. Jeyson spotted a rock in front of him and kicked the ground and the rock with it, causing enough noise to get anyone's attention.

Still nothing.

-Idiot let his guard down.

Jeyson took this as the perfect chance. He slipped away into the trees, hiding his presence. In hiding, Jeyson prepares his bow and follows the man trying his best not to make any.

The man who is still lost in his thoughts still hadn't come up with a plan, he released a frustrated sigh. However he noticed something amiss.

He wasn't reprimanded by what he did, which he thought was weird. He then glanced behind to see if his opponent was still there. Much to his surprise, he isn't.

He turned around completely, noticing that the person threatening him to bring him to Relon had vanished.

He frantically surveyed his surroundings. Nothing. He gulped his saliva, not prepared for this outcome, he began running towards Relon, he didn't know what his opponent would do so he took the easiest route.

During his haste towards Relon, he finds that he had no choice but to manifest his Dark Magic.

"Form!"

As he said that, the Dark Matter that had been hiding in his robe oozed out and father onto his right hand.

When all of the Dark Matter gathered, he gripped his hand, this caused all the dark matter on his hand to splatter.  The man stiffened his arms and concentrated on the peculiar ring, causing it's head to glow.

Immediately after the ring glowed, all the splattered Dark Matter froze in mid air. The man then opened his hand again, recalling all the Dark Matter in great speed.

The Dark Matter that came back formed a handle-like rectangle on the man's arm. The Dark Matter connected and formed a circle centered from the back of hand with a radius length halfway towards his elbow.

The Man had manifested his weapon, a dark shield.

-I have to warn Relon.

He thought, as he sprinted deeper into the dense expanse of trees.

Little did he know. That his opponent - Jeyson Arostarea, was observing him, waiting for the man to lead him towards his main target.

-Relon? Was his name?

-I'll kill him.

Jeyson thought as he tailed the sprinting shieldman.

____________

*huff* *huff*

A bald man with a dark shield on his hand exhaled loud breaths as he sprinted through the forest.

The man knew that the event that happened just now, would have dire consequences.

However, he has a goal. Accomplishing this goal would reduce the losses that he might suffer from.

Report this incident towards the acting leader.

The Magic Flow from the Control Stone and groans from the corrupted trolls intensified with each step he takes. Signalling that he is close.

Not long after, two men wearing the same black robe as him entered his sight.

Those two men are Relon, the acting leader of this mission, he is holding a peculiar object with the shape of a round grey stone with engravings in his hand. This object is the Control Stone, the one that places the trolls under the wielder's control.

The other man is his comrade, a man with decent hair length, wearing a blue headband.

The man wearing the blue headband is sitting down on the ground due to his right thigh being injured from a battle with the silver haired hooded man from before. The injury is caused from him being outmaneuvered and had his leg shot by his comrade.

Although he is injured, his injury was covered up by a Dark Magic spell that nullifies the pain. However this spell isn't as reliable as natural healing.

"Relon!"

The shieldman calls Relon, to which attracts the attention of Relon and his comrade with a headband.

"The hell? Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to he making me a story"

Relon, who had ordered the shieldman to watch over the trolls earlier, was angry from his subordinates' sudden return.

The shieldman, who is out of breath from the continuous sprinting, tried to make out words to answer.

"I'm sorry... but we have... an emergency."

"What now?"

Relon rolled his eyes hearing this. However the shieldman who knew the severity of the situation, replied to Relon.

"The hooded man.... he's back."

"WHAT? HOW DID HE FIND US?"

""Grrrrr""

He screamed hearing this, causing him to lose a little concentration required to use the Control Stone, resulting in the trolls regaining themselves for a moment.

The man with the headband also made a baffled face like Relon, this was a situation that none of them had seen coming.

"The guy you left behind must've snitched."

The shieldman replied, regaining his breath.

Hearing this, Relon lashed out.

"That.. BASTARD!"

Relon's expression became irritated as he kicked a stone. The stone he kicked hit the trolls' side stomach resulting in a visible injury to the troll. However due to being under the effects of the Control Stone, the trolls were unresponsive.

The two men looked at Relon, both of them just waiting to receive orders. The man wearing a headband looked up at Relon, who was still irritated, and asked.

"So what do we do now?"

Relon took deep breaths. He remembers his order by Dermon and decided the best course of action was to abide by it.

"We could make our escape but Dermon still hasn't arrived, and he knows this is the rendezvous point."

Relon spoke in a clear manner, though far from being calm. He looked at his two remaining comrades and continued.

"We'll defend our position here until he comes. As soon as he arrives, he is the one in charge."

He shifted his sights towards the Control Stone and gripped it.

"Yes."

"Understood."

Hearing this, the two men nodded and answered with a clear voice.

The man wearing a headband stands up, the shieldman looks at him and speaks.

"You can fight right?"

"Of course I can, my leg is all better now."

He replied with a confident smile as he concentrated on the hand which had his ring. Oozing Dark Matter that formed into a sword

Hearing this, Relon rolled his eyes and snarked at him.

"Don't get cocky, you lost against him."

"Hey, it won't happen again." The swordsman replied with a embarrassed manner.

"Yeah, yeah."

It was then.

"Huh.."

Relon sees something from the trees, it seemed to be pointing at the bald shieldman.

*shoot*

He heard that sound and immediately knew what it was.

An arrow was shot towards the bald shieldman who is facing backwards.

"IDIOT WATCH OUT!"

Relon immediately reacted. He stretched out his vacant hand towards the arrow.

"AWAY!"

A small ball of Dark Matter was shot at the arrow from the palm of Relon's vacant hand.

The ball of darkness travelled at enough speed for it to collide with the arrow. The ball of darkness vanished, the arrow that touched the ball also vanished along with it

The shieldman and the swordsman didn't even notice what happened even when it's over. They were confused and looked at Relon.

Relon stared at the place the arrow came from and screamed.

"COME OUT!"

Hearing that, the two men also looked towards the direction Relon was looking.

Silence.

It was as if he retreated. Relon let down his hand and spoke to himself.

"Did.. he.."

It was calm, but only for a moment, for a faint sound slowly became louder.

As if someone is approaching them.

*crack* *crack* *crack* *crack*

A man became visible from the midst of the trees.

A hooded man, a man wearing nothing but light blue and a brown hood.

A man whose silver can be seen slightly sticking out of his hood.

Relon had his guard up, the two men gulped their saliva at his sight.

The man approaching them placed both of his hands behind his back, holding onto the handles of two blades stationed behind it.

*shing* *shing*

Relon, the Shieldman and the Swordsman.

Confronted with Jeyson Arostarea.

Jeyson, who will finally lay his judgement upon them, uttered only one word.

"Monsters."