Doomsday Wonderland Vol. 10: Lava [Complete]

1248: Fleeing in the Face of Danger

Bohemia, ensnared within Puppeteer's firm grip, increasingly entertained the notion that the gray-white shadows she had glimpsed were akin to tree roots. Numerous slender entities extended beneath Lin Sanjiu's feet, intricately intertwined and deeply embedded within the earth, only slightly dislodging when she raised her foot. If that were the case, then the present predicament could be explained.

"Beneath her feet?" Puppeteer murmured, giving her a slight nudge, prompting Bohemia to lower her gaze once more toward the mountain forest.

Lin Sanjiu, appearing to have detected that everyone's attention was focused on her feet, abruptly retreated several large steps, her posture rigid and limbs stiff. Yet, what captured everyone's notice was that each time she lifted her boot, a few streaks of shadow would flicker between her foot and the ground, establishing a connection between her and the earth.

The intense pain encircling Bohemia's neck abruptly dissipated, and her skin, flesh, and soul seemed to realign in unison. She staggered back two steps, bent over, and drew a deep breath. The air soothed her lungs, which had nearly ignited. Subsequently, she felt someone approaching from beyond the railing, gently patting her back.

"Breathe slowly," Yuan Xiangxi advised, seemingly in more agony than her. "It will get better soon."

Who asked him to act so familiar with her?

Bohemia pushed his hand away, wiped her mouth, and asked in a low voice, "Sir... Did you see it?"

"Of course," Puppeteer said in a deep voice, smiling. "It's much simpler now."

"Well, it appears she's assimilating into a tree," Bohemia said.

If alternatives existed, Bohemia wished to turn and flee. However, for now, she needed to muster the courage to remain, suppress her trembling, and endeavor to converse composedly with Puppeteer. "Sir, if you forcibly extract her, will she..."

In theory, uprooting a tree would kill it. In Lin Sanjiu's case, would she die or revert to her original state?

Puppeteer glanced at her. "Do you have any alternative ideas?"

She swiftly reconsidered. She must fend for herself.

"Hold on!" Yuan Xiangxi suddenly called out, capturing both of their attention. "P-Pulling her out might not be effective. If she's tethered to the roots, and we place her back on the ground, what if the roots manipulate her? I think we should sever those roots."

"You're quick with your brain now?" Bohemia felt greatly irritated by him. "What were you doing just now?"

"It's because... Earlier, I asked her why she seemed to walk somewhat stiffly," Yuan Xiangxi honestly replied, "but she mentioned her lower back always bothers her, so..."

So, he simply took her at her word?

Bohemia was about to retaliate when Puppeteer impatiently interjected with a "shut up," causing her to swallow her retort. In the mere span of a conversation, Lin Sanjiu had already retreated into the forest. She was now peering from behind several trees, and in the pre-dawn light, the bandage around her neck appeared distressingly pale. Her face and body were shrouded in darkness, making her difficult to see clearly.

What the hell, these trees can still run and move!

From this distance, even Puppeteer might find it challenging. Not only there was a fence between the woods and the trees, but there was also a clearing of about ten meters between them. Lin Sanjiu was hiding behind a few trees, and she was about the same distance from the edge of the woods. The most troublesome part was that she was surrounded by trees for cover, making it difficult for them to approach, while she could simply turn her head and disappear into the depths of the forest.