It seemed that the bullets I shot at the branches of the demonic tree had angered it.
Initially, it had only attacked me with three roots in turns, but now, except for a few black roots that were entwining prey, dozens of others swarmed towards me.
Those black roots were like giant pythons dancing in the air, sending shivers down one's spine.
The situation suddenly became critical. I dodged left and right within an increasingly shrinking safe zone, occasionally firing a shot at the black roots.
Soon, I would run out of bullets!
My current situation was dire. Once the bullets that could harm the demonic tree were gone, I would be completely without means to damage it, and I wouldn't even be able to escape!
I had to think of a way!
The continuous battles since arriving on this island had honed my combat instincts.
This allowed me to think with the most rational mind even in a dangerous environment.
Tree? Wood? Fire?
I suddenly remembered that I had half a bottle of leftover wine in my backpack. Although not much, it was more than enough to set a tree ablaze.
"Burn!"
I drew my gun and fired. The bullet whistled through the air with a piercing noise, igniting the tree trunk!
Success!
As the main body caught fire, the black roots that had been attacking me all retreated, swatting at the flames rising from the demonic tree's trunk.
Even the black roots that had been entwining and digesting prey released them.
The prey fell from the air onto the ground. Some had already been so corroded that their white bones were exposed. The unlucky man was among them.
Seeing the unlucky man fall, I rushed over, slung him onto my back, and ran towards where I had come from without looking back.
The flames that had risen might cause the demonic tree some trouble, but it was impossible to burn it down completely.
Seeing the demonic tree trapped by the flames and unable to deal with us, it was natural to make a quick escape. Otherwise, by the time the demonic tree extinguished the fire, we would be utterly trapped.
As I reached the edge of the bushes, I couldn't help but look back.
The black roots, flailing wildly, tore through the air with ear-splitting roars. The flames enveloped the demonic tree, slowly extinguishing, like a demon spirit reborn from ashes!
Just you wait. Next time I bring enough weapons, I'll drag you, you damned demonic tree, to be burned as firewood!
I ran all the way with the unlucky man towards the place where I had been separated from the others.
The black roots of the demonic tree seemed to secrete a paralyzing liquid. I called out to the unlucky man on the road, but he was unresponsive.
He was as good as dead, completely unconscious.
If I hadn't been able to feel his breath, I would have been tempted to abandon him.
On my return, I moved even faster than when I had gone.
Perhaps the pressure had turned into motivation.
Who knew when the demonic tree would extinguish the flames, and if it sent black roots to grab us again, it wouldn't be just one.
Wang Peng, who had been idly chatting with the person next to him, immediately put on a smile when he saw me emerge from the bushes and hurried to greet me.
"Brother Ye, you're amazing! Even monsters can't defeat you!"
"Come here, take him on your back, and let's go quickly!"
I placed the unlucky man from my back onto Wang Peng's and urged everyone to leave.
The others walked ahead, with me bringing up the rear.
Before leaving, I took one last look at the surroundings, imprinting the scene into my mind, and then departed.
The perilous incident on the way served as a harsh lesson to the group, who had been lost on the island.
They were no longer laughing and talking as before, but were constantly vigilant of their surroundings, fearing that another black root might spring out.
Watching their reactions, I saw a reflection of myself when I first arrived on the island, and I felt a sense of relief.
I had gone through it just like them.
Brushing past death again and again, I had become who I am now.
To be honest, on this island, I would rather fight wild beasts to the death than encounter strange and grotesque plants and animals.
Against creatures that defied basic human understanding, one could only marvel at the boundlessness of nature!
Finally, before the sun set, we returned to the cave where I had been living.