The Witch Hunter

-WITCH HUNT-

Chapter One- "The First Mortal Who Smiled At Me."

5 years later ...

*Inhale ... exhale. *

I turned my attention to a lifeless little black rabbit-shaped doll sitting on the rectangular table in front of me. I am now trying to bring him to life using the magic I learned from the library of this temple. The reason why I do this is so that I can talk to someone here at my place of residence.

It has been five years since the witch hunt began here in the country of Derkarr and I found myself here in Morrel's temple. I remember I was about to die then but Morrel's guardian animal, Baal, saved me- a talking tiger.

Even though Baal can speak, we can't talk much except when there are serious topics that we need to talk about.

So here I am doing what I can to create dolls that can talk. Case in point ... a few years later, despite my diligent research, all my efforts to come up with the doll I was hoping for still came to nothing.

It's okay to get back to reality.

I pointed my left palm at the lifeless doll lying on the table, and suddenly my palm glowed and a faint light enveloped the doll. A few more seconds passed and the light disappeared from my palm and also from the doll.

I waited for a few seconds for it to move ... and after a few seconds, it started to get up and argue face to face. My eyes lit up, hoping he could speak.

"Pyupyu!" -the only thing he said. I was slapped in the face in no time in extreme frustration.

"Hays, my work is wrong again." I just told myself.

"Pyupyu?" the doll asked quietly.

"No ... I'll just call you Failur because you're wrong." I said irritably. Failur was jumping.

"PYU! PYU!" he seems to be annoyed ... Hmm, is it possible that the doll I made got emotional? It's just new ah.

"All right, you're not that sloppy." I said. But Failur is still arguing.

Alas, I guess I need more knowledge to perfect a talking doll.

Anyway, it's going to be dusk. I need to find a hog that Baal and I will cook for later. I immediately left the temple and made my way to Misty Forest.

I'm not too worried that someone will be stranded here because this forest is known for having wild animals that attack mortals who dare to come here. That's why I'm free to move around here.

I was still singing along the grassy part of the forest when I was suddenly stopped. Finally, I saw the target too! I immediately hid behind an acacia tree and watched the prey slowly approach.

When he was within my reach, I then raised a wand and wanted to cast a sleep spell on my prey ... but I think I underestimated it too much because it felt my presence and immediately turned around and ran away.

Aba! The food is running away!

I also ran away and tried to chase the boar.

"Come here! I won't hurt you! Well, I'll just cook you fast!"

I think he understood me when I was a wild boar because he ran even faster. Oh, it's delicious!

'I didn't realize that I had already entered the Misty Cave after chasing the boar. But I didn't hesitate to be amazed at the beauty of the net because I spotted our food gradually moving away.

Nooooo ... Baal is still hungry. He only gets more stuck.

"Aha! You're late!" I said don to the boar when I cornered him. I was ready to hit him with a spell when he suddenly disappeared in front of me and went through a hole that I didn't immediately notice because of the thick grass surrounding the corner.

I even tried to beat the boar to prevent it from entering but I was too late. The clever creature has already entered the hole, or their secret hideout.

"Ouch!"

Huh? Did I hear anyone speak?

A man's voice I heard speak! I can't be wrong. It's like the closeness is just because of that voice ... and then I just realized that I was sitting on a creature when my two eyes met ... his even -colored eyes were staring intently at my pink ones. eyes.

I thought it must have happened when I fell earlier when I tried to defeat the pig ramo earlier. That's why my fall hurts!

"Uhm, the awkward neto noh?"

Suddenly the young man with orange eyes spoke!

"Huh?" wrinkled-when I said.

"Ah eh ... You know, we'll just see each other and then our faces are so close. Hehe." he said a few words.

Only then did I understand what he wanted to say, so I hurriedly stood up and apologized.

"Hahahaha! That's okay! No problem." he said laughing. I didn't know what to say so I just kept quiet.

Wait ... isn't he a mortal ?! I don't feel any magic in him. What is he doing here !?

But he is the first mortal I have met since 5 years past ...

"Oh! By the way, I'm Lance. And, you are?" his enthusiastic self -introduction. I am still silent. I shouldn't be talking to mortals like him

"Charm." I sparingly answer. Hays, what am I doing. I need to leave.

"Nice to meet you Charm! Your name is nice." smiling she said. I was stunned there.

He is also the first mortal to smile like that in 5 years ...

"Oh hey, I think I'm a little bothered by you. I'm done taking a nap so I need to leave too. I'm also looking for something." he still said enthusiastically. This mortal does not seem to lose energy.

He was about to turn around to leave but I suddenly spoke up.

"It's dangerous to go here. So just be careful." I said. He confronted me repeatedly.

"Thanks for the concern Charm. But I can do it myself." he said

"Oh hey. I'm leaving. I hope we meet again." more net.

And the young man with golden hair and orange eyes left for good.

I don't know why, but I feel that ... he will be an important part of my life.

-TO BE CONTINUED-

Witch Hunt

Chapter Two- The Stone of Life

I have made many dolls and moved five, but not one of them can speak. Maybe I still lack the magic I have ...

So he researched nails in the vast library of the temple and found in a thick Sorcery Book about the Soul Stone which is located in the underground cavern of Misty Cave. It is also called the Stone of Life because of its net power to raise the dead. That's all, it's only one and can only be used once.

Maybe that's the answer to making a doll that can talk like a human

After Baal had breakfast, I immediately left the temple and went straight to Misty Cave. A few monsters are also guarding the cavern so I might be able to fight back in time.

I was just at the entrance of the cave when I unexpectedly met the young man I also saw yesterday ... I guess his name is Lance if I remember correctly.

"Charm ?! What are you doing here?" Maybe Neto's face is shocked when he sees me again and again.

"You're the one I should ask that." I told him. I looked at him intently. Isn't he afraid of the scattered wild creatures here that hate mortals?

"Ah eh ... Hiding. At the same time, I'm looking for something." he replied but his attention was on my back.

"All right, I'm in a hurry. Let's meet again!" he kept silent and then ran into the cave. I still plan to stop him because it is dangerous for a mortal like him to wander here alone.

I turned in the direction the young man had looked earlier and saw in the distance the oncoming soldiers of Vavelia Castle! I was immediately worried and hurriedly entered the cave.

I then wondered if that man was a criminal and why he was hiding from these soldiers.

...

I didn't delay those men anymore and continued my mission to find the Soul Stone. I went straight to the hole where the entrance of the deep cavern was and there was a rope placed down the hole. I kept wondering where the rope came from ... or maybe it's been here for a long time.

I just used the rope to get down, and when I stepped inside the deep cavern, I continued to walk.

"AHHHH!"

I was stunned for a moment when I heard the cry of a creature in danger. And I immediately thought of the one I met earlier.

LANCE!

I walked a little faster ... until I came across Lance lying prostrate and those around him ... mortals too? There are three mortals here and they are all dressed in black from head to toe and they are also wearing black masks.

"Boss! Someone got in here again." said the one on the far left. That is why the attention of their leader in the middle turned to me.

"A woman? What are you doing here sister? Are you lost?" mixed with teasing he said. I want to break the face of this arrogant person.

"What did you do to him?" my casual question while pointing to the young man lying on the ground who had lost consciousness.

"Ahh ... that? We just taught him a lesson because he tried to steal something from us. Tsk tsk." the one on the right said that he was close to Lance.

Huh? I said is this man a thief.

"C-Charm?" I heard Lance's sudden silence while his eyes were half open. It didn't take long either because he also lost consciousness immediately.

"Can I take this creature?" I let their leader at once point in Lance's direction.

"Sure. We're done beating there too, and we'll sell Soul Stone mats." sabi naman nya.

I immediately turned my attention to what he said. How did he get such a sacred thing ??? To my knowledge, is it guarded by a guardian animal?

I don't have the money to buy the Soul Stone from them, which I'm sure they just stole too, so I think I have to take it from them forcibly.

"I have the Soul Stone." I first tried to get through the conversation.

"Ohh ... are you also interested in Soul Stone? Pwes, you have to go through us first!" the leader said arrogantly.

"Easy ... It's just a girl." kantyaw naman nung kasama nya sa kanan.

Since Lance is asleep, I will not hesitate to use my power. I have prepared myself for battle.

I raised my hand, and then a light came out and looked like a wand. After a few seconds, I was holding it.

"Hey! A witch! Our luck!" gladly says the one on the left.

"We already have a lot of money to sell at Soul Stone, plus we'll catch a witch! Oh, all of a sudden we're neto boss!" said the one on the right.

"CATCH HIM!" their leader shouted.

That was a signal for the two alipores to rush, each holding a dagger on the side. Even before they could get close to me, I said that I would use the spell.

"Fire wall!"

It immediately created a large circle of blazing fire around and whoever was hit within 4 meters would literally fly in the air for a few seconds.

And then, my two opponents flew and fell to the ground at the same time while their clothes were on fire. They rolled on the ground to put out the fire.

I turned my attention to their leader who backed away a little when I looked at him sharply.

"H-he-he-that's the Soul Stone you're asking for, just don't kill us please." "begging he said as he handed me the small colored bag he was holding.

I quickly grabbed it from him and cast a spell to put out the fire that was still wrapping around the clothes of his two companions.

"Get out of here before I burn you alive here." I say emphatically that there is a mixed threat as well. When the two got up, they ran away and disappeared from my sight. The wand I was holding after the fight also disappeared from my hand.

I looked at the contents of the bag given to me by the mortal earlier. Finally! I already have the Soul Stone!

Wait, I really need to go back to Lance. I first hid the bag in the sling bag I was wearing and snatched a vial of healing potion that I had made myself for the battles I would face.

I immediately approached him who was still lying unconscious and lifted his head slightly then I gave him the potion.

*Cough cough*

Lance regained consciousness immediately and was shocked to see me open his orange eyes.

"Charm? T-wait, what are you doing here?" he asked in astonishment as he slowly lifted himself.

"I should be the one asking you that." I said again.

It seems like it happened earlier ...

"Wait, where are those three men! I'll teach them a lesson!" When he stood up, he picked up the sword that he probably fell earlier when he lost consciousness. I just noticed it now.

"They have left." I just said. I've beaten them before. ⁇

"Daddy Charm! Let's leave this dangerous place." he said holding my right hand at the same time and pulled me when he started running.

*Dugdug ... Dugdug ... *

Suddenly I felt my heart beating fast along with the heat on my face. I keep wondering why.

What do you want to do with your life?

-TO BE CONTINUED-

Chapter 3: Lance's Comrade

When Lance and I came out of Misty Cave, he just let go of my hand. I also breathed a sigh of relief after that. Earlier, my heartbeat was speeding up and I wasn't comfortable.

"Phew! It's good and we got out safely don." he said smiling.

"Yeah! So you shouldn't come back inside. It's dangerous." I threatened him.

In the blink of an eye, his smile before was suddenly replaced by a serious expression on his face ... and sadness enveloped his talking eyes.

"I don't know."

I heard her reply in a whisper. My forehead frowned.

"Huh? Why?" I'm wondering the question. What is he doing inside and is he willing to risk his life?

A few seconds of silence also intervened between the two before he decided to answer my question.

"My mother's illness is serious." panimula nya. I listened to him quietly.

"She has been unconscious for several months. Several doctors have also seen her but none of them have been able to cure her illness. They also can't determine what serious illness my mother had and why she suddenly became ill."

Then he looked down while continuing to tell the story ...

"Then ... one day, a well -known doctor came to the palace and he was also one of those who looked at my mother. He also tried to cure her, but just like the others .... he also failed to do so this. "

"But he told me something about a mysterious stone that is said to be found in the depths of the Misty Cave that is believed to be able to cure any disease, even raising the dead can be done. I just haven't done my research about it. to this magical stone which is called "The Stone of Life." or the Soul Stone. "

"So ... even though I knew it was dangerous, I still came here for my mother's sake. And while I can't find that stone, I won't stop going here either."

He let out a deep sigh at the last thing he said. I was abducted inside my bag.

"Is this what you're referring to?" I said while showing him a bag with only Soul Stone. His eyes immediately shone when he saw what I was holding.

"Yes, that's right! Wait ... did you get that yet?" he asked me curiously.

"Hmmm. Just. I fought the robbers earlier with the sword you were carrying." I just said. She shouldn't know I'm a witch.

"Wow! Are you good at fighting?" he was still applauded while saying that.

"Hehe, it's not like that." I 'm just sorry. Please don't bother him anymore, I don't know what excuse I can say to make him believe.

All I did was ... I took his right hand and put the bag in my palm.

"Here. It's up to you. You'll need it more than me." I said. Oh well ... then I'll have to think of a way to make a talking doll.

When he received it, he suddenly pulled me closer to him and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you so much Charm !!! I owe you my mother's life." he sincerely thanked saken while still embracing.

*... ... *

My heart is beating fast again! I really don't know what to call this feeling ...

"W-nothing ..." I whispered in response.

A few seconds of silence also intervened before we heard a shout from behind namen who said ...

"LANCE?! WHAT DOES NETO MEAN?!"

Lance was immediately released from his embrace when we heard a shrill voice of a woman behind us.

When both of us looked at each other, an unattractive woman with waist -length black hair appeared and her hands were now crossed while looking at each other. Behind him was a young man with gray hair and an armored soldier who was very tall and of a small stature.

"Calm down Velma! You can look like that. You thought you were Lance's girlfriend."

Finally I also heard the young man with gray hair speak. Lance laughed.

"We've been looking for you for a while sir." said the armored man in a deep and baritone voice. I was surprised when he called Lance "sir".

"So that's why you're secretly coming here, just to meet your secret girlfriend. Oh, you're different too bro!" teasing when with the young man Lance.

"Siraulo! You also think differently bro, it's too far." he said sarcastically with me, and I heard the person he was talking to laugh.

"Guys ... She's Charm, my friend and she's the one who helped me see it." he introduced me then he took the Soul Stone out of the bag. The emerald -colored stone glowed when hit by the sun's rays.

His companions were amazed at what they saw.

"Congrats Lance! You also found the Soul Stone!" Said the woman called Velma earlier and hugged him and immediately let go of the hug.

"I'm happy for you bro". Congratulations also when they were with a man with gray hair and patted his friend on the shoulder.

"Thanks guys." he said. Tas napatingin sya bigla saken.

"Charm, here are my crazy friends since childhood, Velma and Johanne. Then, here are ... let's say my personal assistant Alpha." he also introduced himself to his friends because at the same time he taught them one by one. Velma just stared at me while Johanne smiled at me.

"Nice to meet you Charm!" Johanne greeted me as she reached out her hand in front of me. I looked at it for a few seconds before I shook his hand.

It was interrupted when the one Lance called Alpha suddenly spoke.

"We need to hurry back to the palace sir. Your father may have been looking for you earlier." he said formally

Palace? Is Lance an important person in their area?

"Tsk. Why would they look for me then." Lance was suddenly annoyed after mentioning his father but his energy returned immediately when he confronted him again and again.

"We'll continue Charm. Thank you so much for your help. Someday ... I'll be able to repay your help." His sincere smiles returned to his lips after saying those words.

"Don't think about that too much ... I'm happy to help your mother recover." I said again.

He smiled for a long time and then waved for a moment before he turned his back on me and joined his group. He also waved at his friend Johanne while Velma just stared at me. I really don't know what the problem is with me.

I also waved at them before they completely disappeared from my sight

...

'I didn't realize I was smiling as I walked back to Morrel's temple.

"You're happy today."

Is son of a tiger!

I almost jumped in shock when I suddenly heard someone speak as soon as I opened the door. Baal appeared immediately, the one you know ... the talking tiger guardian animal of this temple.

"Baal helped me! And it's nice to feel that you can help others--" I said with great joy. But after I realized what I had just said, I was immediately stunned and mentally my eyes widened.

Alas, you don't really care at all, Charm! Lagot ako neto ... He will know that I helped mortals.

"Is 'the one you helped' mortal?"

That's it, he asked! I didn't refuse and nodded slowly.

"That's how it is ... I gave the Soul Stone to a mortal to heal his sick mother ---"

And again, I was stopped from speaking by the sudden wrinkled and scary face I was talking to. Okay, super dead really here later.

"Did you know that only a bloody deity can work the magic contained in the Soul Stone ?! Then you gave it to a MORTAL ?!" he asked almost incredulously.

Deity is the correct term for being blessed by those with powers but witch if in the dictionary of mortals.

I sighed at what he said. Hala ... I don't know about don !!! I don't have that information in Morrel's book, or maybe I just missed reading.

Panu na'to? Does that mean net profit is ....

"You need to go to the place of mortals for the Soul Stone to work." it looks like Baal is already reading what's on my mind because he's the one who confirmed the net.

Maybe he really has mind-reading powers that I don't know? I'm sorry Baal, I often think of you!

But seriously, I have to go to Lance to work on the Soul Stone I gave him. I was swallowed up in no time by the thought. If he is really an important person in the city of mortals ... that just means he lives in Vavelia City.

And that city ... is the well-known capital city of the Derkarr country- where the trend of catching and selling such witches takes place ...

-TO BE CONTINUED-