He stole a glance toward the battlefield. Simar Kalsi, the High Officer, was sprawled on the ground, her once-pristine uniform soaked in blood. Her legs were shattered, bones jutting out at unnatural angles. Her chest rose and fell weakly, but her breathing was uneven. Each gasp sounded like it could be her last.
Punnu's heart pounded. He had been here only to scavenge, to turn a profit off whatever remained of this monstrous creature. Yet now, he found himself facing a decision that could change his fate.
Should he risk his life to save her—or walk away?
A sharp, wet cough from Simar forced his attention back. She was alive—for now. But her HP had dropped to 12.
Punnu swallowed hard. If the Plant of Darkness launched one more attack, she'd die.
His fingers curled around the cheap ranged weapon he had bought earlier for six stones—a worthless gun with an accuracy so low that hitting a stationary target was a miracle, let alone a moving one. But he had no other choice.
A cold wind swept through the ruined battlefield as Punnu gripped his cheap ranged weapon, his palms sweaty.
The Plant of Darkness loomed before him, its massive form pulsing with a sickly, black aura. Its HP had dropped to 199/2000, but it was still dangerous.
Its red eyes glowed with fury, and its tendrils lashed through the air, ready to tear apart anything in its way.
Just beyond the creature, Simar Kalsi, the High Officer, lay broken and bleeding. Her HP was down to 12. If the plant struck her one more time, she would die.
Punnu had a choice: rush to save her now and risk being killed himself—or take down the monster first.
He clenched his jaw.
First, the monster dies. Then, I'll decide what to do with her.
Finding the Weakness
Punnu's eyes darted to the creature's status window.
HP: 199/2000
Attack: 678
Speed: 60
Weakness: Roots, Eyes
His mind worked fast.
The eye was too well-guarded—after his first shot, the plant kept its tendrils in front to protect it.
That left the roots.
Punnu checked his pocket—one explosive stone left.
That was all he needed.
He gritted his teeth and sprinted toward the monster's base, weaving between the rubble.
The Plant of Darkness reacted instantly.
Tendrils lashed out!
One smashed into the ground behind him, missing him by inches.
Another one came from the left, but Punnu rolled under it, his heart pounding.
As he got closer, he saw them—thick, gnarled roots emerging from the cracked earth.
This was it.
He grabbed the explosive stone, his fingers trembling.
The tendrils came again, faster this time.
No time to aim.
He threw the explosive stone at the roots and immediately dove for cover.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the ground.
Punnu hit the dirt hard, covering his head as debris rained down around him. A wave of burning heat rushed past, and a horrible, piercing shriek filled the air.
He coughed, dust filling his lungs, and forced himself to look up.
Death of the Monster
The Plant of Darkness was convulsing violently, its roots torn apart by the explosion.
Black sap gushed from the massive wounds, and its red eyes dimmed.
HP: 30/2000.
It was still alive—but barely.
It lashed out in desperation, but its attacks were slower, weaker.
Punnu knew this was the end.
He raised his weapon, took a deep breath, and fired three shots at its glowing eyes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The first two bullets missed.
The third one landed right in the center of its remaining eye.
The creature let out one final, agonizing screech before its massive form collapsed.
Its body twisted and crumbled into itself, its dark energy dispersing into the air like smoke.
The Plant of Darkness was dead.
Victory… But at What Cost?
Punnu exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling.
His body ached from dodging attacks. His hands were shaking from adrenaline.
But he had won.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned toward Simar Kalsi.
She was still alive—but barely.
Punnu's eyes flicked to her status window.
HP: 12/499
Status: Bleeding, Death Stage
Her body trembled, her lips pale. She had minutes left—if that.
Punnu walked toward her, his mind racing.
Saving a High Officer was dangerous.
But leaving her to die…?
He clenched his fists.
Now, he had another choice to make.
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