Dean got surprised by the boy's reaction just now. He was at a loss of what to do at that moment. Since the very start, Paul had been showing a nonchalant and lifeless expression, he didn't give the vibe of someone who had a soul anymore. However, there he was, being so much expressive all of a sudden.
"H-Hey, what's it? Are you scared of me? No need to! I really meant it! I just need you to say who did this to you so I can teach them a lesson! I also know some strong people, so--"
Paul began to raise his hand, but so slowly that it seemed like he had one ton of weight on it. Dean stopped to talk right away, just looking at his hand and seeing what he wanted.
The boy finally pointed over Dean's shoulder. Once he did it, still with that expression on his face, a chill ran down Dean's spine. The boy's eyes also widened as he began to think in disbelief.
'That's not the case at all, right? There aren't Dreads right here and now, it can't be! What will I do if that's it? Or, maybe, they are humans. After all, I am not feeling any "Chaos" around. If there is a Dread here, indeed, then it is weak enough for me to take him by myself!'
Dean unsheathed the sword that belonged to Paul while turning to face whatever that was coming. He was going to poise it in front of his body in order to protect him, but before he could even make his guard something grabbed his sword.
He looked at the blade and saw that a chain was tightly attached to it. Dean didn't have the time to do anything else, his sword got pulled with an overbearing strength, being stolen from him.
'It can't be right... Rick?' He thought in astonishment.
The boy looked in front, finally spotting the person who was behind this action.
Rick was walking with that chain he used once in one battle attached to his right arm. The chain had a yellow aura around it that seemed to lighten up that pitch-black place a little bit. Kevin, Hector, and Clay were walking beside him.
All of them had serious faces and their eyes were glazed at Paul and Dean. The latter was looking back and forth to the boy, then to his group. He didn't know what to do, nor what was their impression about that situation, but they probably get everything wrong.
"Ah! It's good to see you all! I went to the stable and saw this boy hurt all over. You said that the other member of the group would be there as well, so I was wondering whether it was him or not..." Dean tried to explain. Nevertheless, his voice got weaker and weaker as the group kept walking silently in their direction.
"Hmm... I think I did a mistake, then? Hehehe..." He rubbed his neck, giving an awkward chuckle.
"No, you are right. He is the other member of our group. I think you two make your acquaintance already." Rick said. The chain began to attach completely to his arm again. The sword fell to the ground being left behind.
"Y-Yes! We need to find out who did it to him! He was so beaten up that he couldn't even get to eat or drink water. He was complete--"
"I am seeing it with my own eyes, Dean. No need to be so anxious." The leader retorted, sighing. He seemed to be annoyed by Dean's blabbering.
'Hey... What's it? Why aren't they worried about hi--' Dean began to connect the points at that moment, which made him get another step back. 'The boy wasn't pointing at them because he was frightened at anything that was coming. When I asked him who did it to him, he was just answering me!'
"Oh, yeah. That's true. I won't be saying anything else. Are we already going, then?" Dean gave a wry smile.
"You talk too much, Dean." Rick sighed again, he didn't let go of his chain anymore.
Dean's breathing began to get steady. He tensed the muscles of his whole body, concentrating on his heart. He felt that comfortable heat inside there, spreading it carefully across his body.
He stayed quiet, finally standing from his crouching position in the most natural way he could.
'I am not believing it. Is it really happening or am I still sleeping?'
When Rick was just a few meters away from him, he stopped, and so did the rest of the group.
"That's a good sword you have there, Dean," Kevin spoke for the first time on that encounter.
"Yes! It's pretty neat. I myself crafted it in the nearby blacksmith. Wanna see it, dude?" He took the sword off his back with his eyes shining in excitement.
Kevin smirked sarcastically.
"Of course." He began to walk near Dean.
'One step, two steps, three...' Dean counted. He was already gathering the "Willpower" in the right parts of his body. It was hard to measure Kevin's distance while doing it.
When Kevin was three steps away from him, the boy stepped forward, unsheathing his sword and using the same motion to deliver a slash in direction to his throat. The blade traveled faster than ever before. Dean's improvement in controlling his "Willpower" was clearly showing off.
For a moment, Rick's group held their breaths and a hint of hope lit up on Paul's heart as he saw that boy retaliating.
However...
"Hehe..." Kevin giggled. "A lesson for you, boy..." He glanced at Dean's blade, which stopped just some centimeters away from his throat. "Someone who never killed a human before won't take a weapon and just do it all of a sudden. You are still too naive to do something like this."
Kevin held the blade casually as if it didn't hurt at all. Dean's hands were shaking and faltering, so it wasn't difficult for him to steal his weapon.
The bulked man gave another step forward, staring at Dean. He seemed three times as big as before.
"To kill humans, you need to suffer more because of them, hate them more, feel that they are more dangerous... However, everything you know until now is how Dreads can be cruel, not humans. You are still incomplete." He muttered.