In a flash, John appeared in front of the man before sending his arm which had a red sphere formed on it, straight at the man's head.

The man who saw this, tried to avoid, but he wasn't fast enough, without deflecting or blocking it, the man took the magic attack straight at his cloaked head.

*Boom!*

High amounts of wind pressure flowed to the back of the alley, as the man fell on to his knees and collapsed to the ground.

John turned back wondering if anyone noticed the explosion. He made sure to cast silentium right before it did explode and contained most of it, so it should have been fine.

No one had noticed. Upon seeing this, John looked back over to the man who laid on the ground and stretched out his hand towards him, but when he did.

The man's body dispersed into thin air, leaving a trace of dark air behind. Seeing this, John let out a sigh before turning around.

The man who he had just attacked was now behind him near the exit of the valley.

"Wow... That was close...

" Said the man

He seemed to be keeping a certain distance away from John, indicating that he probably wouldn't be able to keep up this spell that he has been using.

John who noticed this, began to slowly walk towards him and the man simply stayed on his spot as he said

"Wait a minute, I'm not done talking to you.

"

However, to this, John simply asked

"Where are they?

"

The closer John got, the worse it would get for the man. Seeing this, He slowly submerged himself in the shadow near him.

But rather than stopping him, John quietly watched as he stopped moving. There was something off about John, something the man could sense.

"I just want to have a talk.

" Said the man

His voice could be heard all across the alleyway as it was covered in shadows everywhere due to the height of the buildings beside it.

Hearing this, a small grin was formed on John's recently expressionless face as he said

"Go on.

"

The man who heard this, had expected a reply like that. So without waiting for long, he went straight into it.

"Join us. You meet the requirements.

" Said the man

John who heard this, asked

"Requirements?

"

"That's right, you possess the ability to use the dark element... On top of that, you can use magic without chanting... And you're able to use the Lost sacred treasure of time... It's amazing...

"

John continued to listen without saying a word

"You probably have many questions... All I can tell you now is that you'll be treated highly and be able to have access to whatever you desire. If you join us, you'll have power, money, women, anything you'd like. This was the message I was told to relay to y-

"

Before the man could finish, he was interrupted by John who had started laughing.

"Haha... Hahahaha... Ah... You're in no position to offer me anything.

" Said John as he covered his face with his hands

His eyes were losing it's colours and turning a pitch black, but at the same time it was being suppressed by something.

"Sit back, quietly.

" Said John as he moved his hand away from his face

His eyes were now back to normal.

"Regarding your offer... I'll decline.

" Said John without moving from his spot

Hearing this, the man quickly replied

"It's pointless trying decline Even if you say no to me, they'll just keep sending more and more people after you. And if we don't do it, others will. How many groups do you think are after you? One...? Five...?

"

The man continued to talk without a care in the world and with a feeling of safety as he believed that John wouldn't be able to find nor catch him.

"over 10 well known groups are... One of them is the dark mage guild... We can give you safety... We can give you what you want... So stop being stubborn and just accept it.

"

After saying this, the man let out a small laugh as he said

"If you don't, then, we won't just be forcefully taking you... We'll be taking everyone you care about. From you to your party to anyone you care about... Including those three who you travel with... We'll force them to work for us to the point where-

"

In that instant, the sound of a clock's tick was heard and lightning clouded John's body before he disappeared from the man's sight, before appearing in an area where there was a shadow.

Seeing this, the man panicked for a moment, but before he could say anything else. John submerged sent his arm straight to the shadow on the ground, submerging it in the process before he grabbing a hold of something and pulling it out.

"Wha-

"

The man was suddenly pulled straight out of the ground and without letting go of him, John stared at him, face to face.

And as he did, the man could feel the fear in him start to come out. John was unleashing so much bloodlust that the man could barely breathe.

"Wait... Even if you kill me, they'll just send another after, there's no reason to...

"

John interrupted the man once more as he began to tighten his grip over the man's throat

"You... What did you just say? That you would do...?

" John asked

His eyes were now once again, slowly getting clouded in darkness, he could feel a bulge in his skull as if something was trying to come out

But once again, he suppressed that darkness as he continued to tighten his grip and let out a sigh

The man was trying to say something, but he could no longer breathe. He was trying to push John away, but the difference in power was as like the difference between a lake and an ocean.

"S...

"

Before he could finish, his eyes closed and he fainted. Seeing this, John let go of his neck and grabbed on to the man's robe before pulling it back.

"....

"