Chapter 31 – 31 Devil’s Trumpet

Swoosh!

The mutated plant shot out its tendrils, attacking Sylas and his team members, who were now on the verge of exhaustion.

Sylas’s spatial blade tore through space and cut off the tendrils.

“Stay behind me,” Sylas said to Serena as he continued to fight the mutated plant.

Slash!

The team members fought off the incoming attack with their military knives, but the plant seemed to be getting stronger and stronger, its tendrils growing thicker and sturdier, making it harder for them to counterattack.

“It’s getting stronger. We don’t stand a chance against this mutated plant,” Sylas said as he sent out spatial blades, cutting off more tendrils. Then, he jumped up, somersaulted in the air, and threw the dagger in his hand toward another team member who was struggling with a plant tendril—dodging and fighting at the same time. The knife accurately severed the tendril and embedded itself in the ground.

“Thanks, Mr. Gray,” the soldier said as he nimbly dodged the plant’s attack, picked up the knife, and immediately threw it toward Sylas again.

Sylas raised his hand, deftly caught the knife, and immediately swung it at another tendril. But this time, the tendril was thicker than before—much sturdier.

“Not good. We can’t use the knife anymore. It’s getting too strong,” Sylas said in a grave tone, his expression darkening as he jumped backward, dodging an attack.

Dylan immediately threw away his knife and caught the thick, sturdy tendril with both hands.

“Ahghhh…!”

Dylan let out a loud shout and pulled with all his strength, ripping the tendril away from its main body. The severed tendril immediately lost its vitality and fell to the ground.

“If I’m not mistaken, this mutated plant got stronger because it consumed the horde of zombies just now,” Major Kyle said as he dodged another attack.

“What should we do, Major? We’re no longer capable of fighting it. The disparity in strength is getting wider and wider,” Leo said, his tone serious.

They were retreating as they dodged, but the mutated plant didn’t seem willing to let them go. As they fell back, the plant seemed to be targeting the ability users more.

“It wants to consume us to get stronger,” Serena said in a trembling voice as she retreated behind Sylas. Without his protection, she would have already been consumed by the mutated plant.

As they continued to dodge and retreat, the tendrils suddenly started withdrawing. The mutated plant’s massive main body twisted and shook. Its tendrils writhed and danced around it.

“What’s going on?”

“What is it planning?”

“Retreat! Hurry!”

Major Kyle shouted, a bad feeling creeping up his spine.

Fire! I need to find a way to burn it down, Major Kyle thought, his heart pounding in his chest.

The team members scurried to escape. Apart from Sylas, who could use his spatial blade to cut down tendrils, and Dylan, who was using his strength ability to tear them apart, everyone else could only dodge and evade—the plant’s tendrils were becoming too strong and sturdy.

“Something’s not right,” Leo said as he retreated, watching the mutated plant’s abnormal behavior.

“Think of a way to burn it down. If we don’t kill this thing, we won’t make it out alive,” Serena said with a shudder. Among the team members, she was the most affected. A deep, unsettling feeling crept up inside her as she watched the plant’s eerie transformation.

Suddenly, the mutated plant started changing, turning dark green. Its tendrils thickened further, and bright purple flowers began blooming all over its branches—trumpet-like flowers unfurling in full bloom. The sight was strangely beautiful.

But upon closer inspection, the stunning purple trumpet flowers revealed sharp, hidden teeth within their petals.

“It’s the Devil’s Trumpet Flower,” Shaun said as he stepped back, shock and fear consuming him.

The mutated plant shook, and with a sudden swish, its branches shot out once more, attacking Sylas and his team.

Bang!

A huge, thick branch crashed to the ground, writhing. Tendrils burst from it, ensnaring the fleeing team members.

“Ah…!”

“Help!”

Many soldiers were caught. Dylan and Sylas tried to rescue as many as they could, but they were also struggling, barely holding on with the little energy they had left.

The bright purple flowers swayed, releasing a dense purple mist.

The soldiers caught in the tendrils immediately started losing consciousness. Their struggles weakened, and their bodies went limp.

Major Kyle’s eyes reddened at the scene, a lump forming in his throat. He inwardly blamed himself for not being able to save his comrades—for not being strong enough.

“It’s releasing its toxin! Don’t inhale it!” Leo shouted, his face grim as he watched the poisonous mist spread.

A vine surged forward, faster than the others, aiming straight for Sylas. He raised his hand, ready to use his last bit of energy to summon a spatial blade—but at that moment, another tendril shot straight at Serena.

Without hesitation, Sylas diverted his attack, cutting the tendril before it could reach her. But—

The vine coming for him was too fast.

Just as it was about to strike—

Boom!

A sudden burst of heat exploded behind him. A vine instantly caught fire.

Sylas turned around—

Flames erupted from Major Kyle’s outstretched hand. His palm was pressed against the thick branch writhing on the ground.

The vine shriveled instantly, turning black as the fire devoured it.

For a split second, everyone froze, eyes widening in shock.

Major Kyle… was on fire.

His entire body was engulfed in swirling orange flames, yet he seemed unaffected.

The rest of the team could feel the scorching heat radiating from him.

“…What… the hell?”

“Fire! It’s an ability!”

“He’s awakening a fire ability!”

Sylas stared at Major Kyle, emotions churning inside him. A mixture of relief and worry.

Another vine shot toward Major Kyle. Instinctively, he reacted—grabbing it with his bare hands. A column of fire blasted from his arm, burning the vine instantly. The flames quickly spread, engulfing the mutated plant’s main body.

The plant shook violently, its massive form convulsing under the intense fire.

The fire was spreading and was growing stronger. Nearby buildings caught fire, debris flying as the mutated plant struggled and thrashed its branches.

For half an hour, it burned and struggled—until finally, blackened and charred, it collapsed and shattered.

At the center of it all, Major Kyle stood, his chest rising and falling heavily. A faint flicker of flame still glowed in his eyes before his eyelids slowly shut.

And then—

He collapsed.

“Major!”

Leo immediately reacted and rushed forward to catch him before he hit the ground.

The team rushed toward Major Kyle.

Leo knelt beside him, checking his pulse. Despite his burning-hot skin, his breathing was steady.

“He’s okay. No need to worry,” Leo exhaled in relief.

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