Chapter 29: Trial of the Roots
The shadowy creature lashed out with its massive arms, its movements both fluid and unpredictable. Jin Soo dodged a swipe, countering with a strike from the tether. The blade of light cut through the creature's form, but it reformed almost instantly.
"This thing isn't going down easily!" Seo Jin yelled, launching a blast of energy that only seemed to anger the creature further.
"It's guarding the shard," Hye Rin said, her voice steady despite the chaos. "We have to separate it from its source of power."
Eun Ha nodded. "I'll create an opening. Jin Soo, you and Min Jae go for the shard!"
Before Jin Soo could protest, Eun Ha charged at the creature, her blade cutting through its roots. The creature roared, its focus shifting to her. Seo Jin and Hye Rin joined the assault, unleashing a barrage of attacks that kept it occupied.
"Let's move!" Min Jae said, grabbing Jin Soo's arm and pulling him toward the shard.
The roots writhed and twisted, trying to block their path. Jin Soo slashed at them with the tether, each strike illuminating the dark clearing. Min Jae's agility proved invaluable as he darted ahead, clearing a path for Jin Soo.
As they reached the shard, the creature let out a deafening roar, its form collapsing into a mass of roots that surged toward them.
"Now, Jin Soo!" Hye Rin shouted, her voice cutting through the noise.
Jin Soo focused all his energy into the tether, its glow intensifying until it was almost blinding. With a powerful swing, he struck the roots surrounding the shard, severing their connection.
The creature let out one final scream before dissolving into shadow, leaving only the shard behind.
Panting, Jin Soo picked up the shard, its warm glow filling him with a sense of hope. "We did it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Another step closer," Hye Rin said, a small smile on her face.
To Be Continue.......