A sinister voice came from behind Winters, "We noticed you guys the moment you entered and kept heading further inside; do you no longer wish to live?"
From the narrow passage behind, seven or eight masked thugs wielding short knives and wooden clubs studded with iron spikes had emerged, eyeing Winters and his two companions with ill intent.
Behind that human-like bear, several secret doors were pushed open, and another four or five thugs emerged.
Field, Moritz, and Winters also drew their weapons. Winters counted quickly in his mind and estimated that there were around fourteen people in total. They were at a severe disadvantage in numbers, but in the confined space, the enemy might not be able to fully exploit their advantage. The most challenging to deal with was the muscular man; a war hammer like his would render even a full suit of plate armor useless.