Winters took a deep breath and prepared to use a spell again. He planned to wait for the robed man to come closer before launching out to engage in close combat, then use the Hair Burning Spell once more at close range.
He comforted himself mentally, "Anyway, after my tricks, that bastard surely can't catch up with the elderly traveler. If worse comes to worst, I'll jump into the water."
The robed man strode to Winters's front, and Winters, bracing himself for action, waited until the man's sword tip was about to sweep over his head when, out of nowhere, a thunderous boom resounded on the pier.
The loudness of the blast was incomparable even to the strongest thunderclap. Winters felt as if he had placed his ear against the muzzle of a thirty-two-pound cannon when someone ignited the gunpowder within.
The thunderous roar left Winters dizzy and ringing in his ears, and the robed man involuntarily covered his ears as well.
