Dark Magus Returns - Chapter 1144

Chapter 1144: Simyon and Safa, Protection
The words Raze had spoken echoed in Simyon’s mind—he needed to protect Safa at all costs.

But the truth was, he didn’t need Raze to tell him. He would have done it of his own will, without hesitation. No matter what happened, he would keep her safe.

When she ran to his side, he instinctively placed his hands around her head, shielding her without thinking of his own safety. It left him completely exposed.

The deafening bang that had become all too familiar rang through the battlefield once again. Safa barely had time to process what was happening when a splatter of crimson shot past her face.

Simyon’s head jerked violently to the side, as if struck by an invisible hammer. His entire body followed the motion, flung across the ground before hitting the hard floor with a sickening thud.

Safa’s eyes widened in horror as she saw him lying there, blood pooling from the top of his skull, his body unmoving.

“Simyon… Simyon… Simyon!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice cracking with pure desperation.

Not long after, Liam came skidding across the floor, arriving just in time to see Simyon’s battered form. He extended a hand, about to say something—when suddenly, a powerful force erupted from within Safa.

A sphere of glowing light magic expanded outward, encompassing everything around them. The moment the energy engulfed Simyon, his wounds began to close at an unnatural speed. The blood stopped flowing, flesh mended itself, and the open wound on his skull started sealing right before their eyes.

‘I can see it with my system—Simyon is still alive!’ Liam thought, his heart racing. ‘But this power… This is all her doing, right? She must have thought he was dead. I need to tell her that dumb guy is still breathing before she burns herself out!’

Just as Liam was about to shout, movement in the corner of his vision caught his attention. He barely had time to react before a massive golem’s tail came crashing down toward him. He leapt back, barely dodging in time.

When he looked behind him, his stomach dropped. Every single golem he had taken down moments ago… was back on its feet.

‘No way… Don’t tell me this is Safa’s doing too?!’

Diving to avoid another strike, Liam felt a searing pain as a golem’s blade nicked his arm. But the pain quickly vanished, replaced by a soothing warmth. He looked down—his wound was healing. Right in front of his eyes, the cut sealed itself as if it had never been there.

‘Wait a second… This power—it’s not just healing them, it’s healing us too!’ Liam realized. ‘The light magic is so strong, it’s almost like anything inside this energy field is… immortal.’

Testing his theory, Liam drove his sword straight through the chest of a golem. The attack was clean, precise—but the creature barely staggered before standing firm once more. Liam’s brows furrowed.

‘So it works on them, but it works on us too… This magic… how much energy is she using to maintain it?’

As if answering his question, Simyon stirred. His head lifted from the ground, and he found himself staring into Safa’s tear-filled eyes.

“Safa… all of this… it’s you?” Simyon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I don’t want you to die… I don’t want anyone else to die!” Safa sobbed, collapsing into his chest, her body shaking.

Simyon wrapped his arms around her, his grip firm. He held her as tightly as he could, his fingers digging into the fabric of her clothes.

Watching from a hidden vantage point, Garlon’s lips curled into an intrigued smirk.

‘This level of light magic… it’s unheard of. Not only is she an exceptional talent, but she possesses the God Eyes as well—a rare, unique trait,’ he mused.

To test the limits of her power, Garlon casually raised a hand. With a flick of his fingers, a golem’s head exploded into fragments—but before the pieces could even hit the ground, the creature regenerated instantly, as if nothing had happened.

‘So, it really is absolute. Anything within this barrier of hers is invincible… for now.’

His gaze flickered back to Safa. ‘But… such an ability is consuming an immense amount of energy. No matter how talented she is, this level of magic won’t last forever. When it ends… she’ll be the first to fall.’

Meanwhile, Simyon cradled Safa in his arms, feeling the warmth of her body—except, her skin wasn’t warm at all. It was cold. Ice cold.

‘She’s suffering…’ Simyon realized. ‘This has to be like Qi. The more she pushes herself, the more it’s damaging her.’

His fingers brushed against her cheek, his grip tightening. ‘This much magic… it’s not good for her body. She’s… dying.’

“She’s dying!” Liam suddenly shouted. Though he was still fighting off golems, he kept looking back, his panic rising. “I know I talk a lot of crap, but I wouldn’t lie about this! My system is telling me—her heartbeat is slowing down! If she keeps this up, she’s going to die! DO SOMETHING!”

A decision had to be made.

Simyon made it.

He gently placed his forehead against Safa’s. “Safa… thank you for everything. And please, when you wake up… tell Raze thank you for me.”

Tears streamed down his face as he whispered, “He allowed me to live a good life. I could never protect my sister… I can’t go back and fix the past. But this time, I won’t live with regret. This time, I’ll protect you.”

Safa barely had time to process his words before she felt a sudden, sharp impact at the back of her neck.

Her consciousness faded instantly. The powerful magic barrier shattered like glass, vanishing into nothingness.

Before she could collapse, Simyon caught her. He held her tightly, securing her in his arms. Then, with his ice-gloved hand, he froze them together—binding her safely to him.

A dark, amused voice cut through the silence. “So… you’ve chosen to protect her.”

Garlon stepped forward, eyes gleaming with eerie confidence. “But it’s useless. We’ve already seen how this ends. All of you will perish. We cannot lose.”

A fresh explosion of pain erupted in Simyon’s skull. Another hit to the head. Then another. And another. Blood poured down his face, but his grip on Safa never loosened.

Again and again, he was struck. His consciousness wavered, but his resolve never faltered. He would not let go. He would not fail.

His body was battered. His breathing slowed. His skin turned cold.

But still…

He held on.