Chapter 43
The black soil cracked, and the roots scattered.
Seed 237 charged into the battlefield, his double root whips (half emerald green, half pitch black) sweeping across like lightning, knocking down several Dark Root soldiers.
Sprout 12 (Shocking):
"This...this power—it's not pure water vein energy!"
Seed 237 didn't say a word, but responded with power.
Black mist intertwined with green light. He used the explosive power of shadow parasitism to tear open the crack in the sealed pod, and then used his own plant power to lift up the pod cocoon of Sprout 12.
The brief moment they were side by side allowed Sprout12 to see that he was not completely corrupted.
Sprout 12 (inner voice):
"...He is still protecting me."
However, the power of the Shadow Parasite rapidly expanded during the bloodbath.
Black mist seeped from Seed 237's chest, extending to half of its face, its eyes flashing with a ghostly red light.
His movements became uncontrollable, his attacks lost their sense of proportion, and the black whip nearly struck Ya Dou 12 more than once.
Shadow Parasite (groan):
"See that? Your hand... it'll kill her sooner or later!"
Seed 237 (Struggling):
"Shut up……!"
He knelt on one knee, pressing his hands tightly against his head.
At that moment, he felt as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff. If he allowed the shadow to parasitize him completely, his power would be even greater, but it would also mean the complete loss of himself.
When Sprout 12 saw this scene, a conflict arose in his eyes.
She holds the "Pure Pod" in her hand, which can seal shadow energy. With just one strike, Seed 237 will lose its ability to resist and be completely imprisoned.
Sprout 12 (in a low voice):
"Either save him...or destroy him."
Just as Sprout 12 hesitated, the leader of the Dark Root forces—the Steel Root Beast Puppet—launched a heavy attack, its massive metal arm pressing down on her!
On the brink of life and death, Seed237 suddenly roared.
The black mist completely covered one of his arms, but the other still shone with an emerald green light.
He forcibly bound the two conflicting forces together, crossing his arms—and forcefully blocked the steel-rooted beast puppet's attack!
boom--!
The deafening roar shattered the earth, sending soil flying like waves.
Seed 237 knelt on one knee amidst the rubble, blood and green sap dripping down, the shadow behind him briefly overlapping with the phantom of the plant, as if they were one.
Seed 237 (in a low, almost hoarse voice):
"I will not... abandon my companions."
He swung the double root whip one last time, smashing the steel root beast puppet's head and freeing Sprout 12.
The battle ended, and the Dark Root forces temporarily retreated.
Sprout 12 collapsed to the ground, staring at Seed 237, whose breath was in disarray, and hesitated to drop the "Pure Pod Seed" in his hand.
Sprout 12 (inner voice):
"He saved me... but the power within him is almost impossible to suppress."
Seed 237 raised its eyes, black and green flashing alternately in its pupils.
The low chuckle of the shadowy creature still lingered in his heart:
Shadow Parasite:
She will choose to kill you sooner or later.
—Before that, let's doubt her.
The two stood on the same shattered battlefield, yet were separated by an even deeper rift.
The shattered strata slowly subsided, and the pursuers from the Dark Roots in the distance had retreated.
The air still held a lingering, scorching black mist, and the soil reeked of blood and sap.
Seed 237 knelt down, its shoulders trembling, and the spores of the dark shadow flickering in its wounds.
As Sprout 12 approached, he still held the "pure pod seed" in his hand, his knuckles turning white.
Sprout 12 (lowering his voice):
"...Do you know what? Just now, you almost killed me."
Seed 237 (panting, raising eyes):
"I know."
(Green light and red cracks flashing alternately in the eyes)
“But I held it in… didn’t I?”
Sprout 12 (shaking his head, his voice trembling):
"You didn't suppress it."
Yes—that thing is fighting for you! The stronger it becomes, the less you are yourself!
She slowly raised the "Pure Pod Seed," and the light shone on 237's face, instantly forcing the black mist back.
Seed 237 (bitter smile, hoarse voice):
"So, are you going to make your move?"
"Seal me off before it completely takes over?"
He stood up, covered in wounds, but stared straight at Sprout 12.
A gust of wind swept by, ruffling her hair and disrupting her gaze.
Sprout 12 (in a low, contradictory voice):
"……I have no idea."
(Rapid breathing)
“You saved me… but if you are completely consumed by it, you will no longer be ‘Seed 237’.”
Should I protect you, or... stop you?
In the brief silence, the shadow parasite inside 237 chuckled softly, its voice seemingly echoing between the two.
Shadow Parasite (whispered in his heart, only 237 could hear):
"See? She's already hesitating."
She wasn't thinking about how to save you, she was thinking about how to kill you.
Seed 237 (gritting his teeth, inner voice):
"Shut up...I won't doubt her..."
He forcibly suppressed the whisper in his heart, looked at Sprout 12, his voice trembling but firm:
Seed 237:
"No matter what... if one day I really lose control—"
I hope it's you who will end my life.
The "clean pod seed" in Sprout 12's hand trembled suddenly, and its light dimmed.
She gritted her teeth, her eyes slightly red, and finally slowly lowered her hand.
Sprout 12 (in a low voice):
"...Don't force me to make this choice again."
The sound of wind once again enveloped the battlefield.
They stood side by side, yet both knew:
Beneath this bond, unavoidable cracks have already been sown.
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