High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2328: Chapter 549: Observer

The crackling sound of bones echoed in this not-so-large tavern.

The air seemed to be burning, exuding a scorching aura, while the fireflies clinging to the ceiling tried their best to curl up, retracting their bellies, unwilling to shed any light.

But this didn’t make the room any dimmer.

Because at the same time the bugs extinguished their light, the magic torches originally mounted on the tavern’s walls flared up, replacing those glowing fruits and insects, instead brightening the room even more.

In the center covered by firelight, the once chubby, smiling Varis, resembling a Maitreya Buddha, had changed his appearance. His body had forcibly doubled in height amidst the crackling of bones, his head nearly poking into the ceiling, and his skin cracked due to rapid physical change, turning into sections of keratinous shining armor. Blood flowed between the gaps of the armor, like streams of scorching magma. On his previously bald head, long white antennae swayed, resembling a plume of bright silver hair.

Unfortunately, Mr. Varis didn’t seem interested in letting everyone admire his transformed appearance.

Boom!

With a gust of wind, the nearly dwarf-like giant Varis crashed through the walls of the Sakura Pub, frantically fleeing outside. Even though he retained little rationality now, the fear of the Northern District Witch and the instinctual warning from within him crazily alerted him to the terror of the witch standing on the stairway.

”Damn!”

Zheng Qing cursed under his breath as he glanced over the others restrained by his companions, making a swift decision: ”Absolution, target Varis! Bo Fu Clan battle formation ready!”

The longsword in Blue Bird’s hand turned, and with a light tap, his figure floated outwards. Dylan was even faster, like a phantom, swiftly disappearing from everyone’s sight.

Then Xin, Zheng Qing, Xiao Xiao, five hunters followed the gust of wind, rushing out of the tavern like a hurricane, all in the blink of an eye. Some guests huddling in the corners hadn’t even reacted yet.

”Truly... not the slightest concern for other people’s property.”

The Northern District Grand-Wizard standing on the stairway sighed heavily, looking with some heartache at the wall of his house that had been broken: ”...I wonder if the Trident Sword can provide some compensation.”

”Great Sage.”

The Northern District Witch who just handed over the materials bowed slightly, reporting rapidly yet methodically: ”Patrol teams one, two, and seven are on a mission in the Silent Forest; teams three and five are patrolling other streets in Beta Town; teams four, six, and eight are on holiday having a rest. Only the newly formed team nine...”

”That’s enough.”

Korma waved his sleeves, his figure suddenly disappearing, leaving only a lingering echo: ”Let team nine have some training. And by the way, give the frightened guests a discount coupon and escort them out through the side door.”

Zheng Qing didn’t know that the Absolution Hunting Team missed out on several discount coupons because they ran too fast.

He was caught in astonishment with his other companions.

After rushing out of the tavern, Zheng Qing didn’t see Varis break through the courtyard fence and chase the retreating figure down Gu Diao Street; instead, he saw about ten Northern District Wizards waving their law books, casting spells to trap Varis in a small garden outside the tavern.

No, at this moment, calling this garden a ’small garden’ was inappropriate.

Zheng Qing immediately noticed that the garden outside Sakura Pub seemed extraordinarily spacious. The cherry trees in the four corners of the courtyard, which once appeared somewhat tall, now seemed like four clumps of pink bushes. The fences, gates, and barriers of Gu Diao Street had completely vanished in the night, leaving only shadowy outlines.

In the night sky, the silver-white moonlight seemed to have gained intelligence, gathering obediently in the center of the garden, illuminating the area where the Northern District Wizards were fighting. The surrounding edges were relatively dark with little moonlight, giving Zheng Qing the inexplicable feeling of standing below the stage, watching an intense fight scene being performed above.

”Not an illusion.” Dylan was the first to confirm.

”The grass on the ground feels real.” Xin Fat Man, squatting on the ground, struggled to stand up, a green grass stem in his mouth and a wriggling katydid in his hand: ”The bugs are real too.”

He deftly flicked the katydid away.

”Most likely the Protect Legal Formation of the Gini Cottage, with some space-extension effect.” Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses, his voice hoarse, his face somewhat pale, a side effect from consuming a potent magic potion.

Zheng Qing looked at Varis’ large, white-bearded head not far away and touched the Colt Silver Python hanging at his waist, hesitating whether to take a shot at him — not to explode his head, just to break one leg, which would quickly end this small-scale battle.

”Don’t get involved, leave it to them.”

A familiar voice beside him lightly interrupted the young cost student’s hesitation. Zheng Qing suddenly turned to see Korma standing quietly beside and behind him. Although still wearing the silver-gray long dress, she seemed shrouded in shadow, the light around her distinctly distorted, giving the impression of viewing through a lens where distance shifted suddenly.

Perhaps sensing the boy’s surprised gaze, the Witch slightly tilted her head: ”Sorry, I was still on the second floor and didn’t expect such an accident... After all, this is the North District, and such matters are best left to the Northern District Wizards.”

Very abruptly, Zheng Qing felt her head tilt to be quite cute, unwittingly imagining the scene of another witch or a little white cat tilting their head.

Then he immediately realized this thought was inappropriate, sheepishly withdrawing his gaze.

”Ahem, no, no problem at all.” The leader of the Absolution Hunting Team cleared his throat twice, agreeing with the Northern District Great Wise Person’s request, but emphasized: ”However, Mr. Varis is involved in a black magic case and needs to be handed over to the Trident Sword later.”

”We have no problem with that either.”

Korma’s lips curled into a pleasant answer: ”Being able to assist in the Trident Sword’s investigation is an honor for the Northern District Wizards... Hope you can slightly emphasize this in the post-incident investigation report.”

Zheng Qing understood and nodded.

This was an opportunity to enhance the influence of the Northern District Wizards. With some post-event public relations work, it could positively affect the continual improvement of the Northern District Wizards’ image.

While nodding, his gaze suddenly focused.

At the edge of the onlookers — not all guests chose to leave the tavern; many, mainly students from the First University, enthusiastically followed, observing this unexpected battle — at the onlooker’s edge, Zheng Qing saw a figure cloaked in black, his face hidden under a hood, holding a notepad in his arms, gripping a feather pen as if taking notes.

His exposed hand wore gloves identical to those of Crow No.3.