So I Became a Witch and Started Doing Daily Quests Chapter 54 : Howling Moon Direwolves

Chapter 54: Howling Moon Direwolves

“In the Misty Forest, magic beasts that prefer to live in groups are likely to be Howling Moon Direwolves or kobolds… but based on our current position in the forest, it’s most probably the forr.”

The group had already been walking for over an hour, but given their pace, they were still only on the outskirts of the Misty Forest and hadn’t truly entered its depths.

Kobolds, being intelligent creatures adept at burrowing and concealnt, usually lived in underground caverns deep within the forest.

They wouldn’t expose themselves so brazenly near the forest’s edge.

Only the Howling Moon Direwolves, who practiced “Moon Worship,” would appear in groups at this ti.

“What you said matches what I was thinking. If we really do run into a pack of Howling Moon Direwolves, it might not be life-threatening, but it would certainly complicate our plans.”

Though not intelligent beings, Howling Moon Direwolves were cruel by nature and bore grudges.

If even one escaped, it might return later with the more powerful Howling Moon Alpha.

If it ca to that, with only their apprentice-level strength, even working together, it would be hard to take down an Alpha possessing the physical strength of a quasi-wizard.

“So, Janna, your idea isn’t to use the [Siren Chanting] spell to interfere with the direwolves’ minds, is it?”

Having already familiarized himself with everyone’s spell capabilities, Richard Eva quickly made the connection to Janna’s mind-affecting sound-based magic once he accepted her hypothesis.

“That’s right. At night, under the enhancent of moonlight, the direwolves’ sense of sll increases dramatically. Right now, we’re far enough away and concealed by illusions, so we haven’t been detected. But if we get closer, our scent would be like fireflies in the dark to them—likely to be discovered… However, they’re quite vulnerable to ntal spells, so I want to use that to hypnotize and disrupt them.”

“She’s right.”

Lo Silverfox, who had remained silent until now, nodded in agreent after hearing Janna’s analysis.

“I didn’t expect you to be so knowledgeable about forest creatures, even down to the traits of Howling Moon Direwolves.”

“I don’t have much experience, I just got full marks on the written exam in Introductory Biology.”

Upon hearing that, the others—who had long forgotten their first-year apprentice coursework—genuinely admired Janna’s studiousness.

“A real monster among rookies.”

Richard Eva muttered under his breath, then refocused on the night’s plan.

“Here’s the plan: I’ll scout ahead and check the exact situation with the beasts. If it really is Howling Moon Direwolves, Lo, keep casting illusions to hide us. Soro, when we’re about a hundred ters away, give us a warning. Janna, have the [Siren Chanting] spell ready, and as soon as Soro gives the signal, cast it imdiately… Oh, and everyone rember to block your hearing to avoid being affected by Janna’s spell. Anything to add?”

“No.”

With the plan swiftly settled, Richard Eva ford a spell gesture and chanted silently.

As the spell took shape, a palm-sized black bat slowly erged from the shadows.

“Go!”

Without breaking the gesture, Richard Eva’s eyes turned skyward as the bat flew off, his pupils turning a chilling white.

“They’re Howling Moon Direwolves… twenty-one in total… all lying in ambush on both sides of the shrubbery… no Alpha present.”

Still casting, Richard Eva kept his head raised as he relayed the fragnted intel.

Whoosh—

As the bat returned to the shadows, Richard Eva exhaled deeply, and his eyes returned to normal.

“The pack is lying in ambush for prey. More nurous than I expected… but it doesn’t hinder the plan. Let’s begin.”

With his confirmation, the group nodded. Except for Janna, everyone temporarily sealed their hearing with magic.

“False form, overlapping illusions.”

Reinforcing the illusions, their already blurry figures beca even more indistinct, lding silently into the woods.

“We’re here.”

The ssage flowed directly to their ears. Upon hearing Soro’s warning, Janna, already prepared, began her incantation.

“La—la la—”

Her voice was ethereal, like the wind whispering through the trees.

With the [Voice of the Heavens] talent enhancing it, the bewitching tones of [Siren Chanting] rippled through the forest like gentle waves.

“Awooo… ooo…”

The mont they heard it, the frontmost direwolves tried to raise an alarm. But the spell’s effect took hold instantly.

With only a faint whimper, the lurking direwolves lost focus and vigilance, their minds clouded by the enchantnt.

One by one, they slipped into a shallow sleep under its ntal influence.

Creak—creak—

Seeing the plan succeed, Janna gestured to the others. Understanding her signal imdiately, they quickened their pace, stepping over fallen branches and leaving the direwolves’ ambush point behind.

“All clear.”

No longer sensing the direwolves’ scent, Soro Flare patted Janna on the shoulder, indicating she could stop casting.

The others also lifted the magic sealing their hearing.

“Didn’t expect it to go this smoothly. Looks like I’ll need to revisit Introductory Biology once we’re back at the academy… Watch out!”

Soro Flare hadn’t even finished speaking when a bright green viper, as thick as a wrist and flicking its tongue, lunged at Janna.

Before she could react, a flash of fire erupted—an intense heat spell incinerating the snake into ash.

“Thanks.”

Looking at the snake’s charred remains, Janna offered Soro Flare a sincere thank-you.

“It’s just mutual support.”

For an apprentice with Plant Affinity, detoxifying venom was easy. But getting bitten would still be painful.

“Sorry, this snake must have detected us through heat-sensing. That’s why my illusion didn’t work on it…”

Seeing that Janna had nearly been hurt, Lo Silverfox, responsible for concealing them, looked clearly embarrassed.

As he reinforced his illusion, he apologized.

“It’s fine. The snake’s venom isn’t strong. Even if it bit , it wouldn’t pose much threat to an apprentice with Plant Affinity.”

Richard Eva nodded in agreent.

“All right, it’s getting late. We need to pick up the pace… Lo, I’ll need you to keep maintaining the illusion. We’ll rest once we reach Misty Hollow…”