At dawn in an undisclosed alleyway outside the inn of our protagonist, a group of suspicious looking individuals were gathering for a discussion.
"Hey, why can't we just blow it up and call it a day?"
"Are you dumb. Given how the barrier is so well hidden they likely don't know we are here yet. They likely just put it up as a precaution."
"Yeah, if we just break through it like that they'll know we are here. Additionally, it would attract too much attention. What would we do if they managed to escape and news of this reached the 'Dark Palace' forces. They would stop searching the surrounding villages and gather here instead."
"Hey, don't jinx it like that. You know what they do to the enemies they capture. I would very much like to keep my manhood if you don't mind."
"Let's just observe them from afar and stop any messengers they send out until they leave town. Once there are no witnesses, we'll look for an opportunity to strike."
"Sure, that's fine, but do we all have to just sit and watch. It's so boring here."
"I'm sick of hearing tha-… They're coming out."
Shortly after, nearly all of them disappeared from the alley way. Everyone but one man who assumed the form of an old beggar.
…
"I don't understand why we are heading in that direction. The nearest contact point is in the city of 'Kortal' in the east, so why are we heading to 'Latnos' in the north?"
"Because it's safer this way, so shut up before someone hears you."
"Can't we just pay a messenger to go while we stay somewhere safe and wait?"
"That would be a good way to get yourself killed, now let's go playboy."
"And could you stop calling me that. I have a name you know."
"Sure thing. Then from now on your name will be 'Playus Boyus' a dirty migrant, who was banished from his homeland for seducing every woman he could find."
"What the hell did I do to deserve this?"
"Sexual harassment."
"Whatever do you mean. I've been nothing, but a perfect gentleman."
"Like when you dragged me into your bed."
"What kind of man would I be if I let a pretty young maiden such as yourself sleep on such a dirty floor?"
"Then there was the time you flashed me you junk."
"I would gladly change somewhere else, but someone refused to pay for a separate room."
"Yeah, you."
"Alas, I forgot to bring any money with me as I was attacked by those barbarians."
"I'm your bodyguard, not your wallet. If you want something extra, then pay for it yourself."
"How cruel. And after I so graciously forgave you for stealing my clothes and having your way with me. You still treat me like a piece of trash in the wind."
"Would you stop with that. I told you already; I found you half naked in the river, and I only stripped you down to assess the damage to your body. Anyways, I bought us a carriage, now let's go."
The carriage she was talking about could hardly be considered one. It looked more like a rundown cart used to carry goods rather than people, offering no roof or walls to protect against the elements nor concealing the occupants from any onlookers. As for the beast of burden. It was a sickly almost dying looking horse. Nox was sitting at the front holding the reins as she gestured for me to sit on the dirty pile of hay it had instead of a seat.
"Just you wait" I muttered to myself.
"What was that!?"
"N-nothing, don't worry about it."
…
"Finally, we can get this over with and go home"
"What about the bodyguard? I can't sense any qi from her."
"Who cares, she's just a mortal, let's just go. They are far enough away now."
"Wait, she could still be a master hiding her presence. We should remain cautious. Shadow 3 you go ahead and report this back while the rest of us ambush them."
"You've read to many fairy tales, 'Shoji' my boy"
"Call me Shadow 1. You numbskull. Also, don't call me boy, I'm clearly older than you."
"Fine let's just go already, Shadow 3 go and report this. Meanwhile, Shadow 1, 2 and me will bring back his head. Everyone agreed?"
"Fine. I'll go."