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Dread Mage
Chapter 202 - Unnecessary Hurdles

Chapter 202 - Unnecessary Hurdles

"These witches can barely defend themselves. What made them come here of all places?" Vell thought, his grip tightening on his staff as he held the wolves at bay.

Like all undead creatures, the wolves were vulnerable to holy magic. The light seared their decayed flesh, forcing them to retreat momentarily.

Vell had no particular obligation to protect the witches; their survival wasn’t his concern. But Sonder’s safety was another matter entirely. That was his responsibility.

When Sonder and the witches had put enough distance between themselves and the snarling pack, Vell raised his staff and cast an orb of white light through the barrier.

The wolves circled it cautiously, sniffing at the glowing sphere. It exploded in a sudden flash, disintegrating the creatures into ash.

Out of earshot from the others, Vell muttered, “Do we really have to do this? I was in another forest not too long ago, and I nearly burned it down for less trouble than this.”

A voice drifted through the air, fleeting and weightless, like the rustling of leaves. “This isn’t your fight.”

The voice was familiar, softer than he remembered.

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“What of the girl?” he said quietly, his words sharp. “I am bound to protect her. She is mine.”

There was no reply, only the faint groaning of branches overhead.

Moments later, Sonder approached him, her expression a bit concerned. “Is something wrong?”

I don’t know,” he admitted, shrugging lightly. “But we should keep moving.”

Ahead, the witches had regrouped, their leader, the green witch, trying to rally them. Her voice trembled slightly despite her efforts to sound confident.

“The wolves are only the beginning. We must stay together if we’re to reach her.”

One of the younger witches whimpered, cradling her burned hand from a failed spell. “I thought she was supposed to find us. Why hasn’t she shown herself yet?”

“Maybe she’s watching,” Vell suggested, his tone neutral. “Testing you. Seeing if you’re worth her time. No powerful magic is granted freely.”

The witch in green turned to him, her frown deepening. “And what about you? Why are you here?”

“I have my own reasons,” he said curtly. “But let me make one thing clear: I’m not here to babysit a coven that can barely cast a barrier.”

Her eyes flashed with irritation, but she said nothing.

Sonder tugged on his sleeve, whispering to him. “They’re scared, Vell. Maybe don’t—”

Vell met her gaze, her milky eyes soft but insistent. He considered and then exhaled heavily. “Alright,” he muttered.

He turned back to the group.

“If you want to survive,” he said, his tone steady, “keep moving. If you can’t, turn back. The forest doesn’t care either way.”

The witches exchanged uneasy glances. At last, the witch in green straightened her shoulders, her face set with determination.

“We’ll manage,” she said coldly.

Vell nodded once, satisfied, and turned back to the path.

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