It was surreal. It was unsure when did they got out of the haze, but the moment they escaped the breath of the enchantress they came across other paths again. They stand still, unsure which path they should go.

“Should we split up?” Alastor asked.

Those words are considerable, but that would draw more risks on their line. At the end, it was Linda who will make the call.

“All right, then.” Linda declared. “The question now is, which is which?”

“Simple.” Alastor turned around them. “You and Ken would go left and me, alone venture the right way.”

He was about to go but Linda stopped his shoulder from going further.

“Are you sure? If we just think about it, maybe…”

“Are you worried about me? Is it because I am Mana Folder?”

“It’s not that.”

Even if he was considered the low-ranking level class of warrior, Linda is still regarded him as a capable person and as a fellow warrior. He’s capabilities of improvising plan in the middle of battle and creativity despite being clearly outwitted never cease to amaze her.

“We don’t know who’s we dealing with. Perhaps sticking together is still the best idea.”

Alastor ignored her and went anyway.

“Don’t worry.” Alastor said. “The more ground we cover, the closer we get to the answer we sought.”

Ken intercepted before Linda retort back to him, “Just leave him be. He’s right, the more ground we cover, the closer we get to the answer.”

Ken wasn’t going to let himself left hang without giving a proper send off. He was a jest to the bone, after all.

“If the monsters scared the hell outta you, don’t hesitate to scream like a little girl!” Ken shouted.

And of course, Alastor is not someone who will let that slip out of his ears. “I’m not you!”

“Pisspot.” Ken grinned.

The road Alastor followed slightly bend to the right. It seems so normal for the next second until it came strange.

He has no idea what just happened. Moments ago, the road was straight, he can smell the humid grass lingering on his nose, the road is unpaved but no clumps of rocks had let him trudge over the course of his strolling.

No matter how he shook his head, the distorted view won’t stop to bugger him. He continued to walk, swaying similar to a drunk person, except that he’s under the spell of someone.

Hotness shot up. He felt that everything inside him is burning. The trees, the road, and the grass had left his vision in pitch black. That feeling last only for 10 seconds, but it feels like forever for him.

The first thing came to his sight is the clearing. He’s sure that he was walking down the long road not too long, but he felt that he’s in strange place that he was not sure if this is part of the planet.

The long road is far beyond him as is standing now in clearing, a slate. In the very center of the slate, there’s a man lay in the large flat stone observing his pocket watch. He’s wearing dark red coat and underneath he wore like he’s a noble. His hair is white as the moon. He slid his pocket watch when he noticed Alastor staring at him. Alastor saw some grains of bread and some foods that he barely knew.

“I was wondering when will you come.” Finally, he broke the silence and cracked a grin.

The man’s appearance can be either describe that probably has the mind of adult or has the attitude of child. Nevertheless, he posed a threat, clearly base when the flat stone finally disappeared and saw the bones of monsters laying in the ground.

“And you are?”

“Your consequence.”

Alastor’s brows queried.

“Suspicious face, sketchy. Hmm, you’re the one who’s pestering the don of the house.” Alastor declared.

“My, my. Aren’t you a judge one?”

“Still, you’re the one who sends off the monster to pest the villagers.”

His grinned turned to a shade of seriousness.

“I take that you’re a tamer?”

“A tamer? Quite far fetch.”

Alastor shakes his head and dismiss his words. “It seems that you’re a liar as well.”

A silence took over a while and then the man nodded on his statement.

“I can’t blame you for your ignorance, after all, the hunter clan’s abilities are not known to the public.”

“What are you talking about?”

“For your information, I am a Tribunal Hunter.”

Alastor who was unfamiliar with term, raised a brow, “The fuck you talking about?”

The man appeared to be disappointed and glanced away.

“So, you really are ignorant.” He coldly said.

Alastor bent, his sword withdraws from his scabbard.

“Sorry pal. I don’t give a shit of whatever you are.”

“Before we engage in combat, may I know your name?”

“Are you high right now?”

“It’s a common courtesy between two warriors. But if you insist not to tell, then… my name is Hannibal.” He bowed down.

“Don’t care.”

Alastor dashed. His sword swung vertically. Hannibal caught Alastor’s sword with his palms and hold it tightly. Alastor couldn’t believe that he was force in contest between strength by Hannibal.

“Oops. Gotcha.” He grinned like a child. “Missed. Am I the only one who’s getting bored here? No?”

Alastor gritted his teeth and turn his sword, overpowering Hannibal’s grip.

Hannibal spun over behind and pulled his dagger out of his coat. Alastor felt and heard the hiss of blade and quickly guide his sword at his waist, blocking Hannibal’s blade. Alastor lurched forward, prancing away. Gaining a clear view, Alastor had a glimpse of the blade. The blade is incredibly large for its size. The double edge resembles his, but the pattern is wavy and roughly around 2 feet. Despite the odd appearance, his blade is still sharp compared to him that is blunted by the monsters before.

“Between our blade, who’s going to break first?”

Hannibal’s sadistic smile crept and licked the blade up to its tip.

“A simple question yet requires a surplus of effort to prove.”

“Why don’t you come closer and find out.”

Alastor welcomingly said.

“You don’t have to say.”

The two clashed. They exchange bout. Evenly and sharply crossing their blade at each other. The two are on par so it seems. Alastor evaded his attack and lurched back waving his sword at Hannibal. Of course, his attacks were nothing special and quickly Hannibal bent over and evaded.

“That’s a close one.”

Hannibal said and panted as he balances back to his feet. He dashed and surprised Alastor with his speed. Alastor’s instinct kicked and automatically deflected Hannibal’s attack. His eyes widened witnessing Alastor’s quick response.

“What was that?” Hannibal amusingly asked. “I never knew someone so quick to react. You may be special or an expert.”

Alastor was astonished too. He had never felt that chilling moment. His pulse took over him and without registering to his mind, he quickly blocks the enemy’s attack.

“But don’t get easy.”

Just 3 feet away from Alastor’s behind, the ground cracks and a beninghol, but half the size of the leader crawled out and leaped over Alastor. Alastor’s perception began to change again and his left hand automatically raised itself and conjured a shield magic. The monster bounces off and knocked out.

“Again? What was that?” Hannibal cackles as he pushed his blade. “That must some kind of an Inquiara Magic. How amusing. Skipping chanting is impressive too, although I doubt about the quality of the magic conjured.” Using the shield as foothold, Alastor gathered his strength and pushed back. He managed to draw distance and swung his blade. Hannibal went sideways and was about to plunged his blade to Alastor, but Alastor deflected and guide Hannibal’s falling flat on the shield. Hannibal’s cheeks turn red as he turns around.

“That is not funny. My face is my main benefit.” Hannibal’s wave his blade and destroyed the shield. “Now let’s level up the playing.”

It wasn’t much as a brag that he managed to skip the chanting, but the strength quickly receded for Hannibal to easily break. It was taught to him back in the Glade that skipping chanting requires an enormous amount of will and focus to create it perfectly. But Alastor’s magic only temporarily perfected it. Surely, he had done it before specially when he fought Theo. Alastor’s abilities were pushed to its limits that his senses dulled distinguishing between reality and the world of unconscious.