Chapter 58: The Black Flame and Two Out of Three

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Kreyn and Varyn leaped forward at the same time, landing on the platform. It could support even a heavy monster, so it easily handled the weight of two people.

Now, all they had to do was dodge the tree branches in their path and wait until they passed through the wall of fog.

At that moment, Diaro turned to Groza.

"You have an interesting team, young lady."

For a moment, Groza’s cheeks flushed. No one had ever spoken to her like that before.

"It must be hard to lead someone like him," he added.

"What? How did you figure that out?"

Diaro shrugged. "I have a keen eye, and it’s clear you’re the more experienced Hunter, but situations like this suit Kreyn better, that’s obvious, too. Also, it seems you come from two different financial worlds."

Before answering, Groza turned around, watching as Kreyn and Varyn’s figures disappeared into the wall of fog.

"I don’t regret inviting him onto the team. I know that for sure."

...

As soon as they entered the fog, Kreyn frowned.

He couldn’t see a thing, only the outlines of branches emerging from the water in the distance.

"How are we supposed to find the Withered Flower out here?" Kreyn grumbled, turning to Varyn.

"Relax. I’ve done this once before, half a year ago. Norma was with me then, but we’ll manage just fine with you too."

She walked to the edge of the platform, looking at the approaching branch.

"Just follow me and help in battle."

’Right,’ Kreyn nodded to himself. ’Someone’s got to protect these flowers.’

Hop!

Varyn jumped with such force that the platform tilted as she grabbed the edge. Kreyn did the same, but the recoil from his boots sent the platform plummeting to the bottom.

Varyn glanced at the water before looking at Kreyn, who was hanging to her right.

"Maybe you should’ve taken off those boots if they’re that heavy? You’re literally carrying a concrete block on your feet. Do you know what happens to people who fall into the water with that much weight on their feet?"

"Are you suggesting I walk around here barefoot? Not the best advice."

With that, he pulled himself up, climbing onto a massive root. It was large and wide enough for a military truck to drive over.

"Is this just part of the Deadbloom Vine?"

"Yes." Varyn nodded as she pointed ahead. "And I can already see our target."

Because of the fog, everything beyond a few meters remained invisible, but the outlines of objects were still apparent.

In the distance was a dark spot, like a pool of black fire.

"That flame - that’s our flower."

"I see, but... what about those two?" Kreyn pointed to the large shadows to the right and left of the black fire.

The shadows were rapidly approaching them, and with a sharp leap, they landed on their branch, entering their field of vision.

"Grh..."

A low, long growl emanated from the two coming beasts. Their bodies were made of roots, mimicking a muscular beast with a powerful jaw and two red eyes.

The Vine Beasts had only one task - to keep anyone away from the Withered Flowers and preserve the energy of the Deadbloom Vine.

Kreyn turned to Varyn. "Who’s going to take on—?"

Whooosh!

Before he could finish, Varyn lunged forward. Darkness burst from her shoulder, enveloping her arm.

In the blink of an eye, her arm was covered in a thick, black material. Three long blades protruded from the outside, one from her upper arm, a second from her elbow, and a third from her forearm, but the most significant change occurred in her hand.

The long sword with a wide blade became part of her hand, forming a permanent grip that she could neither release nor change, yet which provided great stability.

SLASH!

Varyn swung her mutated arm as the black blade sliced the first Vine Beast in two.

Without waiting for the second beast to react, she spun around sharply and attacked it.

"GRH!!!" The Vine Beast jumped back, retreating into a tight defensive stance. The roots covering its body sprang into action, piling on top of one another to form a dense protective layer.

Varyn squinted. She wasn’t sure if she could cut the monster in two with a single swing. If she failed and her sword got stuck, the monster would counterattack, and that could end badly for her.

Step!

Suddenly, a footstep sounded from the side as Kreyn appeared to the left of the monster.

He leaped, and his feet crashed into the monster’s massive body. A shockwave spread out as the sheer force of the impact was enough to knock the Vine Beast off the branch, right into the water.

Sure, the monster didn’t die from that, but once it got out of the water, it would run off to recover rather than return to the fight.

"That was unexpected." Varyn stared at Kreyn.

"Hmm? What are you talking about?"

Kreyn waved his hand.

"Did you think I wouldn’t help you?"

"No. That’s not what I’m talking about." She pointed at the dead Vine Beast. "Given your ability, you should be counting every gene. If I were in your place, I’d try to kill every monster instead of just getting rid of them to collect as many genes as possible."

In response, Kreyn walked over to the Vine Beast and absorbed its gene.

[Vine Beast (Spawn of the Deadbloom Vine)

[Tier: I

[Rarity: Rare

[Quality: Low

[Features: None.]

’Not bad. They’re actually weak, but apparently, thanks to the Deadbloom Vine, they have abilities, and that’s why their rarity is higher.’

"You see," Kreyn turned to Varyn, "it’s not that simple. Genes are good, but I’m not a factory. I can’t just take ten genes and turn them into ten sets of armor or swords. That’s exactly why the gene needs to be of high quality, not just some random monster."

Strangely enough, Varyn didn’t argue.

"Got it."

She just nodded, understanding that he knew better how to use his own ability.

"Let’s go. We’ll grab the flower and get out of here. One will be enough for us."

"Sure."

After a few leaps, they reached the root where the Withered Flower was located.

It was a flower with a tall stem and thin black petals cascading down.

"Go on." Varyn nodded. "Technically, this is part of your deal with Diaro."

Kreyn said nothing as he plucked the flower.

Right after that, they were about to head back, Varyn was already turning around, but something made Kreyn’s eyes go wide.

[The Withered Flower has been obtained!]

[Attention!]

[Since you have the Grand Soul and the Withered Flower, you now have two out of three ingredients!]

[Find the third ingredient to craft gear using Complex Creation!]