Chapter 102: Threat

As the energy core of the wizard tower, the second underground level was also an expansive, boundless space. The collapse of the upper structures had inflicted unimaginable damage upon this lowest layer. Four of the five elemental pools had been obliterated by that most violent self-destruction, and the sole survivor had clearly suffered as well. The once-balanced magical energies within had shifted dramatically, with the majority now consisting of plant-based particles.

Each elemental pool was a vast basin, its walls densely etched with intricate witchcraft runes and magical lines. At the bottom of each, a gathering array pulsed ceaselessly, drawing magical essence from the surrounding void and channeling it into the waters. The other four pools had collapsed entirely, their ceilings reduced to rubble that choked the basins to overflowing. No faint luminescence remained in the dormant arrays as the vital energies ceased to flow.

The last pool, though still faintly active, bore a massive fissure running its full height along one wall. Bubbling elemental water seeped from its depths, diffusing into the surrounding air and infusing the entire second level with an indescribable, intoxicating fragrance of vegetation.

Within this remnant basin grew a colossal tree-like entity. Its trunk, thick enough to span the arms of five men, had sunk its roots deep into the earth, filling every inch of the chamber with gnarled, interlocking limbs. At its apex bloomed a vast cluster of pink petals forming a magnificent flower chamber. Inside, soft and fragrant stamens had been woven into a cozy, honeyed bed, their sweet perfume so potent it stirred the senses.

This was no ordinary tree, of course. It was the very body of the terror flower spirit, the once-delicate humanoid blossom now grown monstrous by the endless consumption of plant magic. Even the most learned wizards would struggle to discern its true nature. After all, a creature capable of claiming sole dominion over an elemental pool was utterly unparalleled.

The flower spirit burst into the chamber, relieved to find its colossal main body still intact. Yet the moment it reached out to commune with the slumbering consciousness within, its tone shifted into a shrill, piercing shriek that blended male and female cadences into something grating and unbearable.

“You damned fool, get out here! What have you done to my body?”

With a delicate hand raised, a torrent of green acidic arrows lashed toward a seemingly insignificant rock on the distant wall.

“Stop! Stop!” came a panicked, high-pitched wail. The short green dwarf Kabina tumbled out from behind the rock’s illusion.

The acidic barrage pierced the gray-cloaked facade and slammed into the stone wall, hissing fiercely as it melted the surface like warm wax and exposed hidden runes beneath.

Kabina bounded back, brandishing his short wooden stick and bellowing, “Enough! Or I’ll detonate the alchemical bombs in the pool!”

“Alchemical bombs?” The spirit paused, bewildered.

Memories of the past day flooded its mind from the main body. After the goblin’s intrusion, Kabina had scoured every hidden nook, then scaled the basin to hurl numerous peculiar cylindrical objects resembling scrolls. More of the same had been crammed into the trunk’s various compartments.

The spirit’s slender fingers closed around one cylinder, which its own roots promptly delivered. It could not discern its purpose. No magical patterns graced its surface, nor any crystalline core for channeling energy. What manner of threat could it pose?

Just as confusion turned to resolve, little Kabina thrust his stick forward and cried “Boom!”

Under the spirit’s incredulous stare, the cylinder detonated. A fireball swallowed its upper half, blasting gravel and debris into a mushroom cloud of dust. When the smoke cleared, the spirit’s body was charred black—until a green aura swept over it, restoring its flawless, ethereal beauty.

It crushed the half-melted iron pipe in its grasp, intent on strangling the insolent goblin. But the dwarf’s stick suddenly swung toward the pool.

“Don’t move! One step and I’ll blow the entire basin to pieces!”

The threat was simple, yet it shattered the spirit’s composure. The blast had been weak enough that using it to slay a wizard-level being would be absurdly foolish. Yet it was more than sufficient to destroy the elemental pool entirely. The creature’s own body already trembled at the thought of shattering the walls that had granted it the greatest hope of growth. A single bomb could render further ascension impossible.

“I won’t destroy my home,” it begged, voice trembling with sudden tears. “I’ll pay any price.”

The spirit’s delicate, sweet female voice and otherworldly beauty could melt even the sternest male heart. Perhaps sharing such company would not be so terrible. No longer would it be dismissed as a worthless green dwarf, but—

Before the fantasy could bloom, a cold, furious growl echoed in its skull. Kabina shivered, remembering the magic collar and contract binding him.

“You ugly woman, stop dreaming of seducing me. One more step and I detonate every bomb!”

Humiliated and enraged, the dwarf jumped and shook his fist. In ordinary times, this wizard-grade monster could have erased him with a single finger. Now it could only endure his demands with clenched teeth.

The spirit’s face flushed crimson, then turned green, finally black as midnight. Yet as a magic creature, it possessed no human sense of honor. It forced a smile.

“Since you’ve barged in seeking treasure, I assume you’ve come for the relics buried in the ruins. I’ve already searched there, but some fine treasures remain right here.”

With a sweet laugh, the tree-trunk swayed. The petal chamber parted slightly, revealing a hoard of glittering gems, gold coins, mithril, diamonds, and crystal orbs piled inside.

Kabina’s eyes glazed over at the sight. Greed roared in his mind like a thousand beasts.

Mine… mine… all mine!

The soul-shattering scream of avarice nearly overwhelmed him. He failed to notice the glint of malice in the spirit’s eyes.

“Die, you filthy goblin!”

In a heartbeat the soft female voice became a savage male roar. Countless thick roots erupted from the rubble, stabbing wildly in every direction.

Kabina, caught off guard, could only stare as the gleaming metal-tipped tentacles raced toward him. Sharp hisses sliced the air. The wind they whipped stung like knives.

He closed his eyes, waiting for the end. Yet suddenly he felt himself soaring among the clouds. In the tangled forest of roots he dodged and twisted, barely escaping each deadly thrust.

Only when he turned did he see Mary’s beautiful face beside him, gripping his body as she fought her way through the root labyrinth, dodging with desperate skill.

“Idiot, threaten it to stop!” Mary hissed.

Kabina snapped back to his senses and jabbed a finger at the distant giant tree.

A thunderous boom echoed. A section of the trunk exploded in a ball of flame, spraying viscous green sap from a basin-sized wound.

“Still not stopping? I’ll keep blowing until you do!”

The spirit finally ceased its assault, voice thick with fury.