'The black pill!'
The guard instantly remembered the leader's warning.
'B-But, I still-!'
Suddenly, his pupils stopped moving, becoming vacant and glassy.
With mechanical, puppet-like movements, he reached into his sleeve and produced a small black pill, bringing it toward his mouth at a fast speed.
But another hand shot out, catching his wrist before the pill could reach his lips.
"Sorry, but you can't do this."
Vance and the other figure, the Baron Nusayel, turned at the sound of the voice, their attention drawn to the scene.
They saw Lumin snatching the black pill and distancing himself from the guard, whose eyes were slowly regaining clarity and awareness. For a brief moment, recognition and confusion flickered across the man's face.
"!"
Then his expression twisted in agony. His eyes filled with blood, crimson streams spilling from his nose, ears, and mouth. He tried to speak, his mouth opening desperately, but only gurgling sounds emerged as pain overwhelmed him.
