Eternal Undying Chronicles

Chapter 152 Warlock

The rumbling intensified as another flaming sword hurtled toward them, slicing through the air with blazing intensity. Snow melted and hissed away upon impact, and Alicarde tightened his hold on Malefica, harnessing his gravity manipulation to soften their fall.

They plummeted, narrowly dodging the cascade of debris and rocks crashing around them, and landed with a resounding thud. Alicarde quickly checked Malefica; they were both unscathed.

Without delay, he grabbed her hand and sprinted into the forest, weaving between trees until they found cover under the thick canopy. Hidden in the shadows, Alicarde activated his HUD, using its visual scan to assess their attacker.

"Hmm... is that... a man?"

Peering up at the waterfall they'd tumbled down from, he caught sight of a figure standing at the top—a man with dark hair, clad in a flowing blue robe. Even with zoom capacity, he could barely make out the man's features, though he appeared strikingly handsome. More concerning, however, was the man's magic energy.

Alicarde could sense his overwhelming reserves of magical power.

Malefica, hearing his description, tensed.

"He's a warlock."

"A male witch?" Alicarde asked, glancing at her.

She nodded, her tone grave.

"They're rare... but those born as warlocks often surpass witches in power within their bloodlines—unless they're up against a truly exceptional witch."

Alicarde smirked.

"And I assume he's one of those people I'm not allowed to kill?"

Malefica nodded briskly.

"Yes... so we need to leave, now."

He tightened his grip, glancing back up the waterfall.

"Is he going to fly down with magic?"

"No," she replied, keeping her eyes on their surroundings.

"It's too risky any competent mage would avoid flying in an exposed area like that—he'd be an easy target for spells."

With a sigh, Alicarde adjusted his hold on her. He leaped to the nearest tree, bounding swiftly from branch to branch, moving through the forest as a blur. The thought of summoning Wrath crossed his mind, but he dismissed it; they couldn't afford to leave tracks or embers behind.

"Where to now?" he asked, glancing down as they reached a safer stretch of forest.

"We need specific ingredients... herbs and bear grease," Malefica replied, scanning the woods.

He narrowed his eyes, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his tone.

"All that talk about not killing, and an innocent bear still has to die?"

Malefica sighed, shaking her head.

"It's the way it has to be... unfortunately."

Alicarde smirked, leaping to another tree.

"For us or the bear?"

She gave him a sideways look, gripping his shoulder tighter.

"Just keep going... and stop, stop here."

Digging his gauntlets into a thick tree branch, Alicarde halted abruptly.

"What is it?"

She pointed to a faintly glowing mushroom growing on a nearby trunk, pulsing with magical energy.

"That's a rajva mushroom—exactly what I need."

Not entirely understanding its use, he set her down and climbed to retrieve it, handing it over as soon as he returned. She carefully tucked it away, glancing around.

"Let's walk for a while; I think we've put enough distance between us and the warlock."

"Sure," he said, following her as they scoured the snowy forest.

Thanks to the witches' manipulation of the environment, they quickly found the herbs she required. Now, all that remained was the bear.

"We'll find one by asking around," she said.

Alicarde sighed.

"One of these animals is about to snitch on the bear... poor thing doesn't stand a chance."

They found a raven and she called out to it.

The bird answered, and after a brief exchange, Malefica nodded in satisfaction.

"There's one nearby, living in a hollowed tree."

Not long after, they reached a tree marked with deep claw scratches—the bear's den. Malefica took a step back, nodding toward the entrance.

"This is it... go ahead."

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Witches are the kind priestesses of the forest," he said, lacing his words with sarcasm.

"Just do it," she replied, shifting her weight uncomfortably.

He crept forward, catching the low rumble of the bear's growl from within the hollowed tree. Emerging from the shadows was a massive brown bear, its heavy paws scraping against the ground, eyes glinting with a warning.

Alicarde raised a hand apologetically.

"Yeah, sorry, buddy. I hate being woken up early too, but my professor's a really demanding witch."

The bear let out another guttural growl, but before it could move, Alicarde waved his hand, activating his [Flux Field]. The gravity around the bear shifted, dragging it forward into the open. With a sharp gesture, he tightened the field until the bear's neck snapped cleanly, its body collapsing to the ground with a final, low rumble.

"Rest in peace," he muttered, bowing his head slightly. Enjoy exclusive content from empire

Malefica approached, murmuring a soft prayer over the bear's body. She extended her hand toward him.

"Now, let's get the bear grease."

Alicarde looked at her hand, confused.

"What... what do you want?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Your sword. Hand it over—I need to cut it open."

He smirked, passing her the blade.

"Not exactly a ladylike thing to do, but whatever."

With no further comment, she crouched down, set the sword to the bear's hide, and began to extract what they needed.

Alicarde watched her cut open the bear, removing the organs and meticulously processing the carcass. He sighed, wanting to offer her a hand.

"Can I help?"

"No, I think you are better off dealing with that guy."

Alicarde was confused until he turned around to find the warlock from earlier leaning against a tree, a faint smile on his face. He hadn't even sensed his presence.

Malefica didn't look his way, focusing on her task.

"Deal with him, but don't kill him." She raised her head from her work and looked at Alicarde.

"No need to worry about me; my boon will protect me."

The warlock stood where he was, his eyes fixed on Alicarde as he tilted his head, a silent gesture for them to move further from her.

Alicarde wordlessly agreed, and soon they stood face to face in the woods.

The warlock's eyes were filled with cold killing intent.

"I am Adonis, son of Adela. I have been ordered to kill you."

"I am... the Reaper," Alicarde said, considering for a moment whether to give his name or title but ultimately changing his mind.

The warlock nodded, raising his hand.

"Shall we begin?"

Alicarde smiled under his hood.

"I'll try not to kill you."