So I Became a Witch and Started Doing Daily Quests

Chapter 148: The Grotesque-Faced Tree Demon Form

[Barrier-Breaking Blood Crocodile] was an aquatic creature that lived in the Illusory Swamp.

With formidable defense and immense strength, it also possessed the ability to dispel illusions and most mental-control-type witchcraft, making such magical beasts extremely difficult to kill.

However, when that face—so exquisite it could only be described as “perfect”—suddenly appeared before the eyes of the butcher Watson, who bore the bloodline of the [Barrier-Breaking Blood Crocodile], it was as if his soul had been struck by lightning. In an instant, the murderous intent that had filled Watson’s mind was completely replaced by that face.

“Pa———”

A long whip materialized.

At the very moment the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft was struck by the Mental Charm Witchcraft, the pre-prepared [Soul Lash] witchcraft quickly condensed in Janna’s hand.

As the whip lashed down, the intense pain originating from the depths of the soul caused the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft to let out a blood-curdling scream.

“Damn it! It’s Mental Charm Witchcraft—how could I possibly be affected by Mental Charm Witchcraft!?”

The searing pain had already drenched Watson’s face in cold sweat. His soul nearly torn apart, Watson could no longer focus his Spirit Power to cast any witchcraft.

“Damn that White Coral Apprentice—”

Lailai gave Watson no time to breathe. Countless emerald-green vines, like snakes ready to devour, quickly climbed his limbs.

At the same time, thorns laced with paralytic toxins emerged from the ground like daggers, piercing directly through Watson’s legs, completely stripping him of the ability to move.

“Well done, Laura.”

As a precaution, after executing a full combo of mental control spells, Janna had also secretly summoned the Thornflower Sprite and had it hide underground, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Sure enough, after the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft was struck by Janna’s precise and brutal [Soul Lash], he lost the ability to cast spells within a short time.

Coordinated with her own [Vine Bind] and the Thornflower Sprite’s [Thorny Vines], the opponent was entirely incapacitated.

“It seems that a near-extraordinary level of Charisma indeed significantly boosts the [Mental Charm] witchcraft.” Although Janna had already understood the terrifying control power of [Mental Charm] when she tested it on the Celestial Finch,

What she hadn’t expected was that even on a bloodline-side Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft with [Barrier-Breaking] ability, the charm effect would still be so overwhelming.

Although not quite as utterly submissive as the Celestial Finch had been under [Mental Charm],

This level of effectiveness still greatly satisfied Janna.

“Roar——”

Just as Janna prepared to snatch the opponent’s Nameplate, a beastly roar erupted suddenly from Butcher Watson’s mouth.

Seeing the opponent’s pupils shift completely from emerald to crimson, Janna knew he had entered a berserk state.

“As expected, all bloodline-side apprentices end up following the same pattern.”

This Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft was no different than Soro Flare, who bore the bloodline of the [Lava Dragon Lizard].

“Ripala——”

Noting the opponent’s loss of reason, Janna, who had already completed the [Spore Parasitism] witchcraft in advance, immediately activated the parasitic seeds within the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft.

As the parasitic seeds burst open, a massive dose of toxins began spreading through Butcher Watson’s bloodstream, reaching all his limbs.

“Roar—”

Scales covered his body, wounds healed.

Watching the black witch apprentice, now fully transformed into a beastly form, Janna realized that her toxins were temporarily ineffective against a bloodline-side apprentice in [Berserk State].

Unless his [Berserk] state was lifted, Janna’s control-type witchcraft would no longer have any effect against an opponent whose attack, defense, and physique had all been amplified.

“The Berserk State is just a fleeting burst of bloodline energy—a flash in the pan, lasting no more than three minutes. Once it ends, the bloodline-side witch apprentice enters a prolonged period of vulnerability—”

Looking at the crocodile-like beast charging at her, Janna knew that once the three minutes passed, the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft would be utterly defeated.

All she needed to do now was simply fly a bit higher, then quietly wait for victory to come…

Although Janna wanted to do just that, the longer she delayed, the more likely the opponent’s earth-shattering roars would attract other witch apprentices hoping to fish in troubled waters.

“Everchanging Form——”

As the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft closed in, Janna’s figure suddenly expanded. With cracking bark covering her body, a towering treefolk nearly three meters tall with a grotesque face suddenly appeared where she had stood.

Without hesitation or flourish, a massive fist the size of a barrel, covered in brown bark, swung straight at the oncoming Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft.

“Bang——”

Amidst the splash of mud, a raw and unembellished clash of strength concluded with thunderous finality.

Always proud of his own strength, Butcher Watson was blown away by a single punch from the grotesque treefolk, his [Berserk] state vanishing the moment he hit the ground.

“I—I surrender!”

After regaining a brief moment of clarity, Butcher Watson, seeing the grotesque treefolk approaching, gave up without any hesitation, shouting the surrender command and decisively exiting the secret realm.

“Whew…”

Watching the Apprentice of Dark Witchcraft leave the secret realm, Janna, now back from the Grotesque-Faced Tree Demon form, finally let out a breath of relief.

The Celestial Finch, who had been dazing off nearby, saw her master secure an effortless victory and, without needing a reminder,

Wisely retrieved the fallen Nameplate and handed it to Janna.

“Silver Mirror, keep covering for me. If anyone approaches, alert me immediately.”

“Understood, Master (seriously).”

“Aph, purify the curse for me every thirty minutes.”

“Got it, Master.”

Janna didn’t send the Thornflower Sprite back to the Spirit Realm. Instead, she kept it hidden underground to continue guarding her, ensuring her safety.

As for the Flame Guardian, Janna had no intention of summoning it.

After all, this swamp secret realm was aligned with the water element, and outside of combat, the presence of the Flame Guardian

Would emit fire elemental energy. Even under the illusion masking of the Hundred-Eyed Specter, the risk of exposure remained.

To play it safe, Janna chose the cautious route—