Dark Magus Returns - Chapter 1143

Chapter 1143: Wrong Choice
The three continued to push through the battlefield, moving according to Safa’s rapid instructions. She was giving orders faster than before because she had realized something—by now, they should have reached the Deleter.

The battlefield was large, but it felt as if they were running in circles. That could only mean one thing: the enemy was aware of their movements. He was watching them, manipulating the situation to stay one step ahead. If he was in control, then how could they ever reach him?

The only option was to take risks—move faster, press further, and go directly toward the source of the attacks. Things had been going well so far, with Simyon blocking the oncoming strikes while Safa healed him. But then, the ground beneath them began to shift.

As Liam brought his sword down, slicing a golem cleanly in half, a tremor rippled through the battlefield. A deep, jagged fissure cracked open in front of them, the earth splitting apart.

Just like before.

This was the same kind of fissure that had appeared before the golems first emerged. And right on cue, a surge of them began clawing their way out of the crevice.

Most retained humanoid forms, their bodies constructed from hardened earth, but among them were beast-like golems—larger, more monstrous, and infinitely more dangerous. Without hesitation, they charged at the trio.

Liam acted first. He leapt into the air, landing atop one of the beast golems. With precision, he drove his sword deep into its head. Before it could react, he pulled his weapon free and hurled it toward another creature rushing at Safa. The blade struck true, piercing through the golem’s chest, causing it to crumble into pieces. He landed lightly on his feet, immediately preparing for the next attack.

“To my right!” Safa shouted, her hand still pressed to her temple. She longed to join the fight, to wield her Lux spear, but she couldn’t afford to lose focus. Finding their true enemy was the priority.

Simyon rushed into position, raising his arm to block the incoming attack. His forearm erupted in pain as it was struck once more. At the same time, a golem barreled into him, its massive fist slamming against his hardened body. But Simyon wasn’t one to simply take a hit.

Roaring with effort, he countered, delivering a devastating punch that shattered the golem into fragments, sending shards of earth flying in all directions.

“These things are getting really annoying!” he growled.

Before he could recover, a beast golem lashed its tail across his stomach, hitting him with enough force to send him skidding across the ground.

Unlike the others, this one was stronger.

But Simyon wasn’t one to stay down. Gritting his teeth, he activated the magic in his glove, gripping the golem’s tail as ice formed across it. With his free hand, he smashed down, shattering the frozen appendage.

At that exact moment, Safa sensed the Deleter’s magic shifting again.

“It’s on you!” she shouted.

“What does that mean?” Simyon barely had time to think before searing pain shot through his leg. His knee buckled, nearly sending him to the ground. When he looked down, his breath hitched—blood dripped from his shin, a chunk of flesh missing.

The same kind of wound as before.

“Simyon!” Safa called out, raising her spear. Her instinct was to heal, but before she could cast her magic, a wave of golems surrounded her, blocking her path.

Liam was too occupied fending off the others to intervene this time.

They were being overwhelmed.

Simyon gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep moving. He had no choice—he had to keep fighting. As he prepared for another strike, another blast struck him, this time hitting his already injured leg. His body jerked, but he forced himself to remain standing.

Then, another blow. A golem’s fist crashed into his face, sending him reeling backward. His arms, still raised in a defensive stance, had taken most of the impact, but the sheer force rattled him.

“You think that’s enough?!” Simyon roared. Gathering his strength, he lifted his good leg and delivered a crushing kick, obliterating the golem in front of him. Without stopping, he activated his lightning-infused body, darting through the battlefield.

One golem.

Then another.

Each one crumbled as he tore through them, pushing himself beyond his limits.

But then—

That same pain.

This time, worse.

His leg nearly gave out beneath him, and when he glanced down, his stomach twisted. The wound had deepened—he could see exposed flesh.

His body, his hardened defenses—they weren’t enough.

Simyon collapsed onto one knee, struggling to stay upright.

“SIMYON!” Safa screamed.

Light erupted from her spear, a swirling blend of Qi and magic. It was the same combination of power Raze had used before. With a single swing, she severed the head of a golem, its body disintegrating instantly.

She rushed toward Simyon, sliding to her knees beside him. His arms were still shielding his head, tucked tightly against his chest.

More golems surged forward. Safa swung her spear again, releasing a blast of pure light magic. The force sent the creatures tumbling backward, their bodies breaking apart as the energy tore through them.

“I’ll heal you right away!” she declared, lowering her spear toward his leg.

But she had made a mistake.

For the first time, she had removed her hand from her temple.

Her focus had been on healing Simyon—not on the enemy still lurking in the distance.

“Safa, no!” Simyon shouted. Without thinking, he moved his arm in front of her face, shielding her. He couldn’t see the attacks coming, but based on the pattern so far, they would be aimed at him again.

But what if this time they weren’t?

What if the entire strategy had been a ruse—forcing Safa to expose herself?

Simyon didn’t hesitate. He extended his arm away from his own head, covering hers instead.

From afar, Garlon couldn’t suppress his grin.

“Wrong choice, kid.”

****