The Witch Hunter System

Shortly after, Hecate shifted her attention to the Dreamcatchers, asking, "I need three of you to stay back and guard Sir Vaan's safety with your life. Any volunteers?"

"Those who volunteer will be exempted from punishment when we return," Hecate stated.

Surprisingly, none of the nine Dreamcatchers were really to volunteer.

"Mistress, I'd rather return to the territory and cultivate—Er, I mean accept my punishment," Fourth Dream voiced shyly.

"Same here, Mistress. This place is not as good as home," Ninth Dream chimed as her gaze wandered around.

Although much of the area had collapsed from battles, she could see that the buildings in the distance weren't as developed or visually appealing. The same would undoubtedly apply to other things.

How could she enjoy staying in an underdeveloped world?

"I bet the food here wouldn't be great either, Mistress. I prefer to go home," the gluttonous Seventh Dream added after careful consideration.

Given the low levels of mana and backward development of magic, she concluded the Great Ratholos Empire lacked the knowledge to produce high-quality ingredients and mouth-watering food.

Staying in Pangea would be a greater punishment than enduring the frigid cold of the Blizzard Hell Prison.

Clap, clap!

Hecate casually clapped, saying, "Great, I'm glad to see three enthusiastic volunteers. Fourth Dream, Seventh Dream, and Ninth Dream – You three will stay back. The rest of you will follow me back."

"Er…. Mistress?"

"You got something to add, Fourth Dream?"

"N-No…"

Fourth Dream's shoulders drooped in defeat, knowing she couldn't go against Hecate's decision. She could only blame herself for being too eager to voice an opinion.

Seventh Dream and Ninth Dream also felt shattered after understanding they had to stay back.

"Protect Sir Vaan well and serve him like how you would serve me. He is someone I treat with the highest regard. Who knows, you might find some fortuitous opportunities following Sir Vaan during this period," Hecate left some words of consolation for the three Dreamcatchers.

However, they didn't seem convinced.

Shortly after, Fourth Dream, Seventh Dream, Ninth Dream watched Hecate and the other Dreamcatchers leave with envious gazes.

Nevertheless, after Hecate and the others left, the three Dreamcatchers immediately fixed their attitude and turned to Vaan.

"Sir Vaan, please feel free to call out to us when you need us and be assured that no harm will befall you with us three around. We will protect you diligently in secret," Fourth Dream stated, adding, "You can call me Fourth Dream."

"I am Seventh Dream, Sir Vaan. Please call me whenever you have good food to share—Ack!" Seventh Dream was suddenly whacked on the head by Fourth Dream.

"Quit messing around," Fourth Dream said sternly.

"Fine…" Seventh Dream replied sulkily.

"I'm called Ninth Dream, Sir Vaan," Ninth Dream introduced herself before briefly pausing, gazing at the desolated area.

"I don't ask for much. I only hope you will treat us like civilized beings and provide us a place to stay, even if it is just a shed with hay to lay on…"

"Also, I prefer to work from evening to morning hours… So, please try not to call for me during after morning to evening hours…" Ninth Dream requested, seemingly pitifully.

"I'll try to keep that in mind, Lady Ninth Dream. Don't worry about sleeping in a shed with hay. We're not savages," Vaan assured with a smile, amused by the group of three.

One was a glutton, and the other was a night owl. Only Fourth Dream seemed to be the sensible one among them.

"Time to work," Fourth Dream stated.

Shortly after she grabbed Seventh Dream and Ninth Dream, they all disappeared from sight instantly.

However, Vaan could still see them moving to a less conspicuous spot despite being invisible to everyone else. Nothing could be hidden from his Fourth Dimension Sense.

It seemed the three Dreamcatchers intended to guard him from the dark and draw attention to themselves. No doubt, they had noticed they stood out a lot with their pairs of beautiful black wings, not to mention they themselves were pretty like fabled elves.

'Although they are reluctant, it seems they follow Hecate's orders quite faithfully—Uh…'

Just when Vaan felt some respect for the three Dreamcatchers, he saw the most serious one, Fourth Dream, taking out a packet of playing cards and distributing the cards to the other two.

"…"

Vaan was speechless.

It had not even been a few minutes since Fourth Dream told him they would protect him diligently in secret. He could certainly see how diligent they were.

Nevertheless, Vaan did not expose them immediately. He was fascinated with observing their divine power. The effect of invisibility wasn't just limited to their bodies but also their area.

It was an invisible barrier that also included sound insulation, preventing the noises within from escaping outside and exposing their hidden location.

However, Vaan could hear them just fine.

Fourth Dream displayed quite a rowdy and energetic demeanor in her game of cards, which was not present when she was in front of him. Her solemn elegance was just an act of formality, while this side of her seemed to be her true self in normal times.

"Double ten? Nice! Double Jack! Take that!" Fourth Dream slammed a pair of cards down and guffawed, "Muahahaha! I'm out of cards first! I don't have to take care of the first shift!"

Evidently, the trio was competing in cards to determine the order of their shift.

Vaan smiled wryly.

It wasn't an understatement when Hecate said their experience and maturity would be inferior to his.

They seemed quite playful despite being exalted Late-stage Rank 6 Divine Beings.

Hecate had certainly left quite the dynamic trio to him. Vaan wondered if the other Dreamcatchers also had such peculiar personalities.

'I guess I'll tease them a bit now,' Vaan thought with amusement.

"Aiyo, Lady Hecate left three powerful divine bodyguards to protect me, but they disappeared so quickly. Why do I feel like they ran off somewhere to play cards?" Vaan seemingly mumbled to himself.

However, the dynamic trio immediately froze in the middle of their heated card game.

Shortly after, Fourth Dream emerged from her invisibility state and coughed awkwardly, "Ahem, that's a serious accusation you have there. Please don't question my professional ethics."

"Oh," Vaan uttered nonchalantly before saying, "I'm just casually spewing nonsense, Lady Fourth Dream. No need to take it seriously."

Fourth Dream didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his comment.

Why was his casual nonsense so darn accurate?