Driven out of the cave where I was hiding, I was finally cornered by Nigpyura.
Pauline went deeper and deeper into the forest. I wondered what was driving her. Crossing the bushes that clung to her legs, she moved towards the darkness.
Finally, she stopped, and the scene that unfolded before her was… Old trees entwined with vines stood there. Several purple flowers bloomed on the vines. I set down the two people I was holding and approached the tree.
“For some reason, there’s a strange scent coming from this way. I’m sorry for running off on my own.”
“No… But where is this place?”
While the vines grew lush and deep green, the tree they were entwined with was dry and tattered on the surface. The bark peeled off with a gentle touch. And these purple flowers that bloomed unnoticed by anyone? Pauline said she was drawn by the scent of these flowers, but were they really that important?
I couldn’t believe that the dependable Pauline would suddenly take such a meaningless action. Was there poison in these flowers?
A creaking sound of a tree falling startled me, and I turned around. Nigpyura was chasing Ryoku. Roughly pushing aside the obstructing trees, it entered this dim place. Everyone was pushed back, retreating.
“Where do you think you’re running to?”
The magic Elana unleashed was blocked by thick roots. And even if I damaged it once, plant fibers would grow again and quickly seal the wound. No matter how much I scraped it with my sword, it regenerated immediately.
“Ugh!”
“Sharin, hold on.”
Sharin was blown away by a bending root. I offered her my shoulder as she fell.
“Damn it, this is endless. What do we do?”
“Wait, just now…”
As I started to say that, roots stretched out towards me. A heavy impact coursed through my entire body, and everything went black before my eyes. The next impact pulled my consciousness, which was about to fade, back.
“Gah! Gg…”
I can’t breathe! Something’s wrapped around my neck. It seems I was swung around and slammed into the tree. Cecilia tried to cut it, but another root blocked her, preventing her from getting close. Everyone was pushed further away with a jerk.
*Clang*
I saw stars behind my eyes. My vision blurred, and I swayed precariously. I was pressed against the tree. Far away, Sharin was calling my name.
I gently touched the back of my head. It felt warm and sticky, and my fingertips were stained red. Ah… I hope my skull isn’t cracked. My head felt fuzzy. Suddenly, I felt something in my hand and slightly lifted my eyelids.
“Ryoku…?”
What are you doing here? You should run. I want to say that, but no words come out. He put something in my hand. Then, I was dragged away by the roots wrapped around my neck. My body, devoid of strength, scraped along the ground like a doll.
I was lifted into the air, completely at its mercy. Nigpyura could be vaguely seen below.
“Human bodies are so fragile. They fall apart with just a little shake.”
Did I break? The sky gradually turned white. The clouds spun around, and I suddenly felt nauseous. Yet, my throat, the exit, was being choked, and my stomach ached sharply. Then, my body sounded the alarm for oxygen deprivation, and my heart pounded wildly.
“Gofuh, goboh…”
The regurgitated stomach acid blocked my constricted throat, making it even harder to breathe. My right hand began to convulse uncontrollably. What I was holding fell on its own.
Tiny grains spilled out, one after another. Were these… pebbles? They were slightly soft and cold…
“What is this? It looks like a fruit. Ah, it’s Shinigami Grass seeds. Heh, what do you intend to do with something like this?”
Seeds…? Did Ryoku have me hold onto something like this? Nigpyura dropped the fallen seeds.
“I see, so you intend to counter me with this plant. Foolish. Is this the answer of those who speak with trees? Why don’t you understand that you can no longer win with such things?”
Counter with this plant? Could these be the seeds of those purple flowers? The entwined tree was hollow and brittle like charcoal. Maybe this plant parasitizes trees and kills them.
The strength of the roots constricting my neck increased. It intends to strangle me, but I won’t let it. Ryoku still intends to fight. No, perhaps he has finally decided to fight now. If so, why should I give up?
Humans are fragile. If my neck is crushed and my bones broken like this, it’ll be over. Even if magic is used against me, I have no shield to defend myself. Still, I won’t die so easily.
I want to live, I want to live. I’ll struggle to live with all my might!
I removed my belt, unsheathed the dagger at my waist, and pulled it out. Then I inserted it between my neck and the roots.
“Oh, a futile struggle?”
Before my neck bone broke, I raised my leg and placed it on the root. I climbed up and wedged the dagger into the small gap that had formed. Fresh air rushed into my lungs, and my vision cleared. I saw Nigpyura reaching out towards me.
It’s going to cast magic, probably ice-type. It’s coming to stop my movements. The roots are still entangled around my neck.
The moment the opponent’s hand released the magic, I grabbed my cloak and threw it.
