The Witch Hunter System
chapter-818

After Vaan ended his spiritual meeting with Hecate, his main consciousness returned to his body, and he regained awareness of reality.

Although he was still holding Ninth Dream's delicate hand, it was no longer cool to the touch. On the contrary, it was very warm as Ninth Dream herself had turned red like a tomato. However, no movement came from her body; she was frozen still like a stone statue. Only a whirlpool of chaotic thoughts and emotions raged within the windows of her unfocused gaze.

Despite standing face to face, Ninth Dream subconsciously avoided meeting Vaan's gaze. She did not dare look into his eyes.

In fact, Ninth Dream wanted nothing more than to disappear on the spot.

However, she wasn't sure what to say to Vaan in order to escape his clutches. Her heart was palpitating with anxiety just by thinking about it. Even though she knew she had to say something and break away, she couldn't form any words on the tips of her tongue.

She wasn't in the right state of mind to think or act.

Suddenly, Vaan rubbed Ninth Dream's soft hand with his thumb, and an electrifying sensation ran down her body in that instant, causing her to shiver.

At the same time, Ninth Dream broke out of her dilemma as she couldn't help but look at Vaan in shock.

"Are you alright, Lady Ninth Dream? Was the spiritual connection draining? It looks like your body is cooking up a fever," Vaan feigned concern as he gauged the temperature of her forehead with his free hand, increasing their skinship.

Ninth Dream felt another rush of that electrifying sensation upon contact, and her heart skipped a beat.

In the same instant, she also broke away from Vaan in a jittery state. She felt shy and embarrassed, yet strangely enough, she didn't hate the feeling as much as before. It made her confused and lost.

Was she broken?

"Ahem, I-I'm alright. I appreciate your concern, Sir Vaan, but there's nothing to worry about," Ninth Dream replied after a slight cough.

Once she started speaking, she found it easier to continue.

"Um... Sir Vaan, about what you said to Lady Hecate... The secret peeking and naughty knowledge stuff... Err, does that mean you... um, have you..." Ninth Dream bit her lip as she found it difficult to finish her question.

"Hm? Did I mention something like that to Lady Hecate? How come I don't remember? You'll have to speak more clearly if you wish to help me remember, Lady Ninth Dream," Vaan softly chuckled.

Ninth Dream opened her mouth, but no words came out. She could only stare at Vaan with a dumb look.

Although she wanted to know if he had seen her bare body, it wasn't exactly something she could just straight-up ask him. Furthermore, after hearing his reply, she found it more difficult to press the issue.

Despite suspecting Vaan was deflecting the topic, Ninth Dream truly wanted to believe that he had forgotten everything.

However, she was only seeking comfort if she tried to convince herself that was the case.

"If you don't remember, then don't worry about it..." Ninth Dream bit her lips as she reigned in her curiosity. Shortly after, she said, "Since there's no further business, I will return to my post."

"Alright," Vaan nodded with a smile.

Right then, he watched Ninth Dream disappear before his eyes as if a misty or cloud-like spatial distortion swallowed her body whole.

During the past several days, he had seen the three Dreamcatchers use their invisibility spell so many times that he had already understood how it worked like the back of his hand.

The Dreamcatchers' invisibility spell was not as simple as a deflection of light. In fact, it had nothing to do with manipulating light. After all, what they used was dream power.

What Ninth Dream actually did to become invisible was create a dreamscape copy of the area and superimpose it, hiding her true self between the virtual and the reality.

As such, people outside the affected dream area couldn't see her unless they could see through her dream power like him.

Nevertheless, after Ninth Dream hid inside her dream field, she suddenly paused when she noticed Vaan's eyes were still on her. After checking that her invisibility spell was functioning, she moved a bit.

However, Vaan's gaze also followed her movement.

Ninth Dream was immediately startled by his eye movement. After a short pause, she found This gaze following her when she moved again.

She could doubt all she wanted, but the undeniable truth was before her; it was no mere coincidence.

"Um... Could it be that you can see me, Sir Vaan?" Ninth Dream asked in a tiny, small voice.

"No, I definitely can't see you, Lady Ninth Dream. What makes you think that?" Vaan answered mischievously.

Ninth Dream immediately felt like her world was collapsing; she was absolutely mortified.

If her invisibility spell was actually working as intended, then she shouldn't be seen or heard by anyone outside of her dream field. As such, the look of horror on her face when Vaan replied to her question was quite evident.

Not only could he hear her, but he could also see her!

Swoosh!

When the truth was laid bare to her, Ninth Dream failed to cope with the situation. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame, causing her to immediately flee the scene in a panic.

"Hahaha..." Vaan chuckled with amusement.

Although he could have continued to tease Ninth Dream and the other two, he wouldn't want their innocent hearts completely crushed by the accumulated guilt and shame.

As such, he had to know when to stop.

"Now then, what should I be doing?" Vaan thoughtfully pondered as his gaze swept the surrounding terrain.

Although he had spent several days of dual cultivation in the area, the subterranean region had always remained a mystery. Even the witches and dragons failed to learn anything despite scouting the underground world a few times.

All they knew was the subterranean region was a single enclosed space without any connecting passageways leading to other large caves and pocket spaces.

In other words, the huge underground space was completely dug out by the Earth Spirit Worm. It was not formed by any other elements.