Black flames incinerated everything around her. Her Magic Layer shimmered with Array Patterns; the crimson-gold Spear traced with dark runes. Night Frost thrust forward—the seawater parted under Black Flame and Mana. In the distance, a cannon tower shattered instantly.

Yet the plants were dead set on capturing her. Even engulfed in fire, they burst through the surface, charging straight at Night Frost.

A whale breached the water, vaulted over a barely submerged peak, and plunged into the boundless ocean. For a fleeting moment, it tasted freedom—but it was never truly free.

The mangled corpse churned the sea. Vegetation parted around it, splitting into two groups: one facing the whale, the other converging on Night Frost. Pressure on her eased, just for a moment.

“Watch out!”

Though powerless to fight, Eye Orb tracked plant movements underwater—catching details Night Frost missed. The temperature had spiked. The third sun had risen.

Vegetation sprouted beneath the waves, swallowing the seabed’s ashen hue beneath vibrant green. Roles were clear: some built towers, others tangled with Night Frost, some targeted the whale. Each had purpose.

The sudden green tide overwhelmed her. Vines stabbed from all sides. She burned wave after wave—but they came recklessly, hell-bent on bringing her down.

The whale fared worse. Plants pierced its corpse, draining nutrients until only skin and bone remained. Those that fed grew unnaturally robust. Night Frost couldn’t help but lament—if the whale had held longer, she’d have escaped. Instead, she faced exponentially multiplying vines.

Wave after wave pressed her. Black Flame scorched every visible plant beneath her feet—but reinforcements swarmed in moments later, refilling the seabed.

“Just hold on until sunset…”

She drew her Spear—but vines snatched it before she could swing. No matter. Dismissing it would turn the weapon into devouring flames. A little more time bought.

Plants writhed in the inferno. Night Frost rose closer to the surface. A brilliant idea struck. She waved—a hand summoned Li Dogegg (spectating smugly above) into her familiar space, then yanked him back out.

The moment he reappeared, dense, impenetrable vines surged toward Night Frost. Li Dogegg froze. “I wanna go back!” But Night Frost wouldn’t allow it.

“You stall them. Buy me time to escape.”

Li Dogegg blinked—then she vanished. Left alone, the lone dragon faced a relentless vine swarm.

Carrying Night Frost’s scent, he became a target too. He puffed fire in his chest—but vines bound him tight before he could unleash it.

Nearby, Night Frost summoned him back to safety. But the nightmare wasn’t over. The moment he returned to the space, she yanked him out again. And again.

Cycle repeated. Li Dogegg grew exhausted. The plants eventually ignored him—why bother? He’d just get summoned away and tossed back. He was merely bait.

Her tactic was seen through. But Night Frost was inches from the surface. Freedom meant control returned to her.

She hurled the Spear. Flames coiled into a spiral, parting seawater effortlessly. Claws erupted from her fingers, latching onto a nearby peak. A wrist flick propelled her upward.

Behind her, the Spear exploded—crimson-gold and black fire halting the vines dead in their tracks.

“Something’s ahead! Don’t focus only behind you—”

Eye Orb’s warning came too late. Night Frost turned. A plant-built cannon tower loomed. A projectile of seawater and Abyssal Aura hovered half a foot from her face.

She barely raised an arm—the water cannon slammed into her. Colder than the deep. Piercing. Stunned, she froze.

“Damn… that hurts. Li Dogegg would’ve been done for. But me? Still manageable.”

She mended her shattered Magic Layer. Instantly, water and vines closed in. Flames erupted. Spear gripped in both hands—vaporizing the projectile, incinerating the vines.

“Finally…”

Her head broke the surface. The third sun blazed overhead. Still time before dusk. As long as she stayed dry, she could hold on.

Relentless plants emerged, circling her. *Why chase someone with nothing to offer?* They’d suffered heavy losses already.

She parted the water, stepping onto a Mana-formed staircase—*No. They noticed.*

Rocks near the peak hid reserves. Lying in wait. Cutting off her escape. Night Frost hadn’t expected this much strength held back.

Vines coiled her body. Barbed ones—unseen before—pierced her Magic Layer, embedding deep. Pulling them out would tear flesh too…

“These thorns seem…”

They secreted an unknown substance. Limbs stiffened. Movements slowed.

Once fully injected, the barbed vines withered and died. A light tug removed them—but the barbs remained lodged in her skin.

Eye Orb could only watch, helpless. Powerless. No strength. No tools. *If only my body were intact… I could synthesize herbicide in minutes.*

This was the scientist’s curse. He became a cyborg to survive. Yet descending into the 【Myth】 Abyss had burned every card. His comrade still faced endless Monsters. Agony. Loss.

Stiff, Night Frost was dragged under. The toxin clogged her blood. Her flames dimmed.

*Hate this.* First the bracelet sealed her Mana. Now this.

She glanced around—no more barbed vines nearby. Rare. Precious. Each used was gone forever.

*Why sacrifice two just for me?*

The substance spread. Mana faded. Even her surface Magic Layer collapsed. Seawater flooded her mouth, nose. Suffocation crept through her.

Vines tore her flesh. Blood near her heart seeped out—transforming into Black Flame upon touching water. Plants encircled the pulsing organ, swaying gently. Celebrating. Her heart: their trophy.

Eye Orb understood.

*Calamity Dragon’s heart.* A named Monster of the Mythic Abyss. The undisputed apex being.

The moment they saw her Black Flame, they knew. They’d been testing her strength all along. The whale battle. Triple suns. Rising tides. Perfect timing.

*Cunning. Intelligent.*

*Night Frost can last a little longer. Think, Eye Orb!*

Combat strength gone—but his mind remained. His ultimate weapon.

He scanned: Black Flame burned vines down to roots, smoldering deep underground. Roots buried too deep to locate.

*Can intellect alone save her?*

*Stay calm… You are Doctor of Aklatia.*

But how? She was Aklatia’s last hope. If she fell… nothing remained.

“A way… a way…”

Emerald vines shredded her skin. No mercy.

*A way exists… but needs his cooperation. Risky. Only option.*

Worth the try.

Stepped onto the tightrope—no use fearing the fall.