Natasha's POV:
- …. Who the hell does he think he is?
The hero who should be dead gets up with the vitality of a zombie. You can see with your own eyes that he can barely stand… but he keeps trying to get up.
- Disgusting.
Seeing that pathetic scene, far from making me happy, annoys me. Like seeing a cockroach get up after you stepped on it.
- Just die!
A new barrage of rocks is thrown. Although I wanted to make him suffer a little longer, this pathetic spectacle is starting to make me nauseous. A dark feeling rises in my stomach as I wait to see the hero torn to pieces by the rocks.
Clank!
- …. Huh?
But contrary to what I expected, the hero blocks one of them with his axe while using the momentum to dodge the others. His movement is slow but precise. I can't help but watch in astonishment as what looked like a corpse avoids the fatal blow.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
I launch another barrage without saying a word. I watch intently as the hero leaps to avoid the rocks, just like before.
- Idiots never learn from their mistakes!
The moment he's airborne, one of my vines is launched at full speed in his direction. Just like before, the vines take him by surprise, and he's fatally crushed against the dome's ceiling once again… Or at least that's what should have happened.
- …But what?
The vine heading for him is struck by the golden axe. The flames it emits are enough to burn the vine on contact, preventing me from using them. Despite being airborne, he uses my vine to reposition himself and burn it.
…
An unusual fury swirls in my chest. The hero's smug smile only fuels my irritation. My head spins with hatred as I watch him from my flowers.
- …. Already-
Not understanding what he was saying, the hero seems to be talking to thin air. He points his axe at one of the flowers from which he had been observing him.
- ENOUGH!
.........................
Erick's POV:
- "ENOUGH!"
A clearly angry voice booms through the dome. All the flowers and vines supporting the dome suddenly move as they point towards me. I can't help but be amazed by the enormous number of roots protruding from the walls.
- "Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think you're a tragic hero or the protagonist of some stupid story? Don't mess with me!"
Immediately, all the vines supporting the dome move in unison. The movement causes the ceiling to begin shaking dangerously as the roots rush towards me.
- "Die like the scum you are!"
I watch as all the roots hurl themselves at me. I can't help but smile at what's before me. Despite the obvious danger, I can't help but recall what happened in that forest where Dorothy and I faced the Thunder Gang. The barrage of attacks felt strangely similar. That odd coincidence only made it more fun to watch. I slowly close one eye.
- Sorry, Flora Witch, but I don't plan on staying here to die.
Even though my body screamed in pain.
Even though I felt my consciousness would fade with the slightest push.
Even though I could taste my blood and vomit filling my mouth.
Even though my bones were being mended at that very moment.
I would never give up until I could return to Dorothy's side.
- Someone is waiting for me outside this hole, so I won't fall so easily.
As if all of the above were mere illusions, I bent my body and ran straight toward three vines that were attacking me from the front.
BAM!
BAM!
BAM!
Dozens of roots slammed into the ground where I had been standing moments before. The vines in front of me were burned beyond repair.
- "Naive fool!"
Those same roots burst from the earth to pursue me. Other roots also abruptly changed direction to chase me. Despite their power and speed, I managed to avoid direct hits. Even though all the roots were aimed at me, most missed and crashed back into the ground.
"Sir, I think the witch is losing control of her power."
- …Did you notice it too?
Although she previously wielded the roots with skill and precision, the roots chasing me now are much less powerful and more inaccurate. It is only because of this inaccuracy that I haven't yet lost a limb or two.
- Is it possible that the witch is running out of power?
"I highly doubt it, sir. Rather than her power running out, it seems she's losing control over it."
- That means if we can push her to the point of exhaustion, we can probably repel her.
With a new plan in mind, I launch myself at some roots in front of me.