Chapter 60 - A Scream piercing the sky

A smile that wasn't quite a smile formed on Malik's face when he saw that the Health Points of Kyrogh, the Truceholder, had returned to full—while his own remained dangling at 80%.

"I hate that smile on your face," Kyrogh sneered, pointing his hammer to the sky. A burst of green energy erupted from his body and surged into the hammer. With a flick, he directed it at Malik, sending a piercing flash of green light streaking toward him.

The peak-stage Body Refinement Realm Cultivator didn't wait to see what would happen next. Without lingering for even a second, Malik turned on his heels and dashed deeper into the forest, the beam of green energy hot on his trail. He swerved left—but to his surprise, the beam swerved as well, zigzagging through the trees like a predator locked onto prey.

Before Malik could activate the passive skill of his Feral Boots, the green energy caught up and wrapped around his lower body like a vine from hell. The other end remained in Kyrogh's hand, and with a tug, Malik was yanked backward like a ragdoll.

He fought against it, trying to wrest control of his body back, but it was futile—Kyrogh's raw strength was a canyon apart from his. Within seconds, Malik was pulled straight into the waiting maw of Kyrogh's warhammer, which smashed into his chest, launching him into the air.

Damage values flared over his head.

And before he could catch his breath midair, another green energy blast pierced through his body—only to be partially absorbed by the Feral Shirt as a damage of -5000 appeared overhead. He crashed into a small hill several meters away, cratering the earth.

Malik sprang up quickly, blood trailing from his nose. Only 70% of his Health Points remained. Wiping the blood away with the back of his hand, he activated the passive skill of his boots, gaining a 30% agility boost.

Zoom!

He bolted again, just as another burst of green energy vaporized the hill he'd just vacated.

"Haha! Face me like a true adventurer!" Kyrogh roared. "Stop running like a coward!"

"You vile creature! You and your damn tricks!" Malik shouted, weaving through trees as blasts zipped past him.

"I see your intelligence is as low as your courage," Kyrogh laughed darkly. "These aren't tricks. They're ranged attacks. And they'll bleed you out drop by drop!"

The warhammer in Kyrogh's grip glowed with blinding green light as he slammed it into the ground.

"Hear me, Trees of Leafstone... Rise and fight for the order of the Forest!" he cried.

The earth trembled. Green energy rippled across the terrain, weaving into the roots, racing up trunks—until every tree around Kyrogh shimmered with unnatural life.

---

[Leafstone Tree] [Special Elite Monster]

Level: 30

HP: 30,000

---

About fifty trees radiated hostility, their aura buzzing like a swarm of angry bees. It felt like the whole forest had declared war on Malik.

Roots shot toward him from every angle. He dodged and dashed, barely keeping pace. Sharp leaves fell like steel daggers, piercing the ground where he once stood. His body moved faster than it had any right to—pushed beyond its limits by sheer survival instinct.

But instead of frustration, Kyrogh's face curved into a delighted grin.

"See? You've got your own tricks too. That burst of speed—won't last forever."

Shit. How the hell does he know the passive skill on my Feral Boots is about to expire? Is the system leaking my stats? Is it playing me?

After one relentless minute of darting through deadly terrain, Malik felt the boost fade. His speed dropped like a stone in water.

"Haha! I knew it! I called it! Leafstone Trees... now's your time to shine!" Kyrogh bellowed.

The trees responded like obedient soldiers. They moved—moved—their trunks creaking and groaning like beasts stretching awake. Malik's escape route vanished before his eyes.

"Shit..." he muttered as he skidded to a halt. He spun around, only to find himself surrounded. A ring of Leafstone Trees now pulsed with violent green energy, boxing him in.

"That bastard... He's using these trash mobs to do his dirty work. Doesn't even consider me worthy of a serious fight," Malik growled. "That's why he's channeling his energy into the trees. But if I can break out and land a heavy hit while his power's spread thin… I can probably shave off 30% of his HP."

He began calculating an escape route—but the trees had other plans.

Thousands of sharp green leaves dropped from the branches like a sudden monsoon, targeting Malik. One sliced into his skin.

-30

-30

-30

In just seconds, 5% of his HP had been nicked away.

That's when Malik fully grasped the nightmare he was trapped in. If he stayed still—if he hesitated—he'd bleed out to zero in under two minutes.

"Vile trees… DIE!" Malik roared, charging toward the one in front of him with a burst of speed and force.

But the roots were faster.

Thick tendrils shot from the ground, wrapping around his legs, climbing to his thighs. He tried to pull free—but more roots lashed out, binding his arms. Another coiled around his waist, tightening like a boa constrictor. His breath hitched as pressure clamped down on his ribs.

Overhead, the falling leaves condensed—merging into one massive, gleaming blade of foliage that hovered like a guillotine.

"Oh Brave Adventurer... how does it feel dying to trees?" Kyrogh mocked, his voice dripping with condescension. "Trees at the bottom of the food chain. You're a disgrace to your kind."

Malik screamed—his rage echoing through the forest. He thrashed, summoned strength, but the roots only burrowed deeper. They pierced into flesh, gnawing their way in like living chains.

"Young Adventurer... DIE!" Kyrogh's voice thundered.

With a wave of his hand, the giant leaf above plunged downward.

It pierced Malik's chest—clean through.

Damage—Damage—Damage...

The notifications rained down as pain wracked his entire being. Malik's scream split the sky.