[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-witch-hunter-system":3,"chapter-the-witch-hunter-system-the-witch-hunter-system-chapter-270":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Witch Hunter System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1517639,1970,"Chapter 270 A Moment of Silence","the-witch-hunter-system-chapter-270",270,"\u003Cp>Hester and Astoria were greatly surprised by Vaan’s transformation, but they could only ask questions later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Vaan said, dragging the battle would attract more attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wouldn’t be in a good position if more dragon-type beasts were drawn to their battle when they already had difficulty dealing with one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, the Magma Wyrm wasn’t stupid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vaan’s transformation gave off a certain pressure that made it feel threatened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyrm roared to intimidate and deter him. But at the same time, it was also using its dragon roar to summon its kin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s calling for others,” Vaan narrowed its eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vaan and Astoria dashed toward the wyrm from two different directions with their weapons tightly gripped in their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the wyrm ignored Astoria and focused on Vaan, viewing him as the greater threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next instant, the wyrm swept its tail end at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful, Teacher Raphna!” Astoria immediately warned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vaan naturally saw the incoming attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of evading, Vaan chose to take the attack head-on for two reasons; to test the extent of his defense and to allow Astoria to strike a decisive blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyrm wouldn’t just sit still and wait to be hit. They had to look for openings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Raphna!” Astoria cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyrm’s tail swing slammed into Vaan, but he endured it with little to no damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the ground he stood on couldn’t withstand the tremendous force and gave way, causing his feet to plow the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vaan was pushed over two dozen yards before he came to a stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m fine!” he shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyrm cried after Astoria struck its eye in the same instance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it managed to close its injured left eye, protecting it from being cleaved by Astoria’s greatsword, the powerful force behind her swing still inflicted a great deal of pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like its injured left eye was being crushed under the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, Astoria swung her greatsword at the wyrm’s left eye several more times after seeing the first attack did little damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyrm cried under the barrage of attack and shook its head repeatedly before slapping her away with its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After shaking Astoria off, it immediately dived into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Vaan had his Rank 4 Black Sword wedged in between the scales on the wyrm’s tail end. Thus, he was dragged underground with the wyrm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyuuu!” Topaz panicked after Vaan disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, Tia. We’ll definitely find him,” Astoria calmed her before urging, “Let’s follow them before we lose them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyuu!” Topaz agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Hester, check on Lord Aeliana and the Volcan Wolf. I’ll take care of things here,” Astoria instructed before she jumped into the tunnel with Topaz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hester naturally didn’t refuse and immediately headed over to Aeliana’s location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was aware of her own strength; she wasn’t strong enough to hurt the Magma Wyrm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she followed Astoria and fought in the limited tunnel space, she was more likely to lose her life than contribute to the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometime later, Hester reached Aeliana’s general location before she spotted her with the Volcan Wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the wolf’s broken body was restored, it wasn’t moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is it, Lord Aeliana?” Hester asked with a bad feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Aeliana shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It didn’t make it,” Aeliana said with a sigh before adding, “The wyrm’s attack shattered all of its bones and organs. Although I managed to restore its body, it didn’t last long enough to survive during the healing process.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Hester heard that, she immediately felt sad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was rare to come across a loyal beast, and its life was lost just like that—All because she allowed it to follow the group in the middle regions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a short-lived companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Its death is on me,” Hester said with a sad sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two ladies underwent a moment of silence for the fallen wolf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after, Aeliana said, “Don’t take it too hard on yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was prepared to die when it chose to follow us. It served its purpose and died a noble death. We can only honor it by giving it a proper burial or returning its body to its kin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, where’s Headmaster Astoria and Lord Vahn?” Aeliana asked shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir Vahn was dragged underground by the Magma Wyrm, and Headmaster Astoria went to chase after them,” Hester explained with her gaze fixed on the wolf’s motionless body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Aeliana heard that, she simply responded, “Oh, I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Aren’t you worried for them, Lord Aeliana?” Hester glanced at her with furrowed brows when she noticed the lack of concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, Aeliana casually shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lord Vahn will deal with it,” Aeliana confidently claimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had the utmost trust in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Vaan continued to be pulled by the Magma Wyrm as it plowed through the earth like water, reaching deeper and deeper into the subterranean region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he could feel the earth’s temperature rising. He instantly knew the Magma Wyrm was returning to the magma pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since its kin didn’t come for help despite its repeated roar, they most likely didn’t hear it, being so deep underground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it would be a different situation if the Magma Wyrm returned to its nest and called for help directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ba-dump! Ba-dump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he was under the Lycan Transformation, his heart continued to beat powerfully. But within the adrenaline-like blood rush, there was also a hint of excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Safety first had been his motto, but there was no such thing as safety in the Thousand Fog Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of being worried about the unknown, he looked forward to it with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A game of chess could only be played when the first step was taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a sense of thrill in solving problems as they arise rather than solving all his problems before they become problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was more willing to take risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No doubt, it was a change brought by his staggering growth in strength. The strong had more freedom of choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ve changed, huh?’ Vaan silently reflected.\u003C\u002Fp>",1017,"2026-06-06T05:27:57.812Z",1,"novelbin.me","dfce802846f538280c71b5cf724c747be1094c0b15f4648ce69674919b8ce22a","the-witch-hunter-system-chapter-271","the-witch-hunter-system-chapter-269",1230,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-witch-hunter-system-cover.jpg"]