“But… my skills are flexible. If the Crimson Bloom reacts, I can withdraw quickly,” Lin Shu explained her reasoning.
For once, Seraphina’s expression was serious. From the look in her eyes, it was clear she did not want to accept this proposal.
“Master, Lia is right outside. We can’t wait any longer.”
Their plan from the start had been to leave early, to prevent Lia from getting ahead of them.
There was no time to waste on this problem now.
If Lia arrived, with her strength and the number of people in her team, she could easily snatch the Crimson Bloom’s core from them.
“Please trust me,” Lin Shu said softly.
Though it was dangerous, since arriving in this world, she had already faced death countless times.
Lulu shifted uneasily, and the other team members exchanged glances. Ever since they had entered the underground jungle, their sense of recognition for this human had only grown.
She could accurately point out the weaknesses of jungle creatures, and would risk everything to use her skills to protect everyone.
Now, her volunteering left them torn—they didn’t want to let her take the risk herself, but they also wanted to trust her.
Seraphina gripped the handle of her umbrella tightly.
After a moment of silence, she finally opened her mouth and issued orders:
“Two team members, guard the entrance, in case the Flower Monster comes back to interfere.”
“Lulu, keep your eyes on the Crimson Bloom at all times. If anything seems off, alert us in advance.”
“Understood!” Lulu straightened up and gave a proper salute.
Seraphina turned, her expression grave as she looked at the remaining vampires. “Everyone else, stay on high alert with me. There’s only one mission: protect Lin Shu’s life.”
“Yes, Miss!” the team replied in unison.
Though nothing more was said, Lin Shu understood Seraphina’s decision.
She had assigned everyone their roles, minimizing the risk.
Seraphina walked over to Lin Shu, reaching out to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
“Little cutie, if you run into danger, whether you’ve got the core or not, come back immediately, all right?”
Her voice was low, as though she was suppressing her emotions with all her might.
It was worry—deep and overwhelming—but as the leader, Seraphina couldn’t show it all.
“…I understand.” Lin Shu nodded.
The team dispersed, each making preparations.
Lin Shu summoned [Rose Bramble], thrusting one end of the vine into the cave ceiling and wrapping the other around her waist.
As the vine tightened, Lin Shu’s body was slowly lifted, until she was hanging directly above the Crimson Bloom.
Lin Shu drew a dagger from her waist, biting down on it.
Then, with her mind, she urged the vine to slowly lower her.
Fearing she might startle the Crimson Bloom, she descended as slowly as possible.
Lin Shu unconsciously slowed her breathing.
Not far away, Seraphina was tense, eyes fixed on Lin Shu.
Her hand gripped her parasol tightly, its tip aimed in the direction of the Crimson Bloom, ready to strike at any moment.
She didn’t care if they lost the Crimson Bloom’s core—but she could not lose Lin Shu.
Lin Shu slowly descended; the core below was still a meter away.
She freed one hand, took the dagger from her mouth, and carefully reached for the golden core…
******
Upper level of the bunker.
Lia’s team was already on the brink of annihilation.
“Miss, please, retreat!” A vampire warrior, his body now supported by only one leg, spoke in a trembling voice.
“We’re down to just five people. If this goes on…”
Lia stood atop a stone in the bunker, her long golden hair tangled and falling over her delicate features, masking her expression in shadow.
Retreat? What a joke.
At this very moment, Lin Shu was with Seraphina. They were both inside this damned bunker.
The human who once belonged to her was now risking her life for another vampire.
The image of them working together, and the thought that everything about Lin Shu now belonged to someone else, filled Lia’s heart with uncontrollable jealousy.
No.
She would not give up.
Lia tightened her grip on her enormous scythe, her body bursting with overwhelming pressure. Her golden hair flared, and her eyes shone even brighter.
Bunker, monsters, whatever—they could all get out of her way.
She raised her scythe high, gathered all her strength, and brought it crashing down onto the bunker.
“Boom!!!”
A thunderous explosion rang out, stone flying, and the entire bunker trembled violently.
The blade split the rock, cracking open a fissure that led deeper below.
Lia leapt into the crevice, swinging her scythe and smashing through layer after layer of rock.
She would go straight in! She would find Lin Shu!!
*****
Lin Shu’s dagger touched the surface of the core.
That tuft of soft golden filaments floated gently at the tip, their base connected to the flower’s heart, covered in fine patterns.
Lin Shu held her breath, aimed at the top of the pattern, and prepared to cut…
“BOOM!!!——”
A deafening crash erupted from above. The cave shook violently, and the vine holding Lin Shu snapped, sending her tumbling down.
Lin Shu landed on the heart of the flower.
Chunks of rock rained down. In the opening created by the collapse, a golden figure plummeted at breakneck speed.
When Seraphina saw who it was, her pupils constricted.
It was Lia.
Lia had come directly to the Crimson Bloom’s chamber.
As her field of vision cleared, she saw Lin Shu’s back, right at the center of the Crimson Bloom below.
Found you, Lin Shu.
In that instant, all her anger and frustration were drowned out by a rush of joy.
“Lin Shu!!” she shouted.
At the sound of that familiar voice, Lin Shu’s body trembled.
Lia was here!
There was no time to hesitate—she had to finish the task quickly.
She couldn’t let Lia snatch the Crimson Bloom’s core.
Ignoring the sudden upheaval, Lin Shu pushed herself up and quickly grabbed her dagger.
She cut the core without hesitation, not even checking the veins at its base.
“ROAR!!” The Crimson Bloom, enraged, let out a terrifying roar.
Its thick branches sprang up from the ground, thrashing wildly.
Sensing the surge of power radiating from the Crimson Bloom, Lulu frantically called to the others:
“It’s fully awake, the Crimson Bloom is furious!!”
“All-out attack—protect Lin Shu!”
The scattered vampire warriors drew their swords and fought back against the massive branches.
“Lin Shu!” Seraphina cried out in fear.
Without hesitation, she dove toward the edge of the Crimson Bloom’s heart, reaching out for Lin Shu.
Lia landed on the flower’s heart, not far from Lin Shu.
She swung her scythe, ready to approach Lin Shu.
Lin Shu quickly stuffed the core into her bag, then turned to control the vine, trying to escape from the heart.
She glanced back and saw Seraphina, stretching desperately to pull her out.
But just then…
“Bang!!”
The Crimson Bloom’s petals snapped shut, the bud closing completely, swallowing both Lin Shu and the falling Lia inside.
Lin Shu’s vision went black.
The last thing she saw was Seraphina’s panicked, desperate face.