Chapter 83: A Plant that Heals Injuries

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: A Plant that Heals Injuries

’Control animals?’

A chill went down Seraphina Sullivan’s spine.

In a Slaughter Pasture teeming with mutated creatures, an Ability like that was practically game-breaking!

It seemed the danger didn’t just come from Players like Harvey Fletcher. The instance’s own Native People had some formidable characters hidden among them.

The situation instantly became incredibly complex and dangerous.

’The Native People have powerful individuals like that, too?’ Seraphina Sullivan wondered.

But she quickly recalled the information she’d gotten from Ash: this world had undergone a Spiritual Energy Revival.

If animals could gain sentience and become Demons, then it seemed perfectly reasonable for some humans to emerge with Special Abilities.

"What should we do now?" Seraphina Sullivan asked Dustin Sullivan, her tone serious.

"If we start fighting amongst ourselves now, wearing each other down with internal conflict, we most likely won’t be able to meet the required slaughter count. If we fail the competition, Wessuri will definitely not let us go. I don’t think we currently have the strength to fight a ’Demon’ of her caliber."

Wessuri was strong—so strong that Seraphina Sullivan didn’t think they could resist her.

Dustin Sullivan nodded in agreement, a shadow falling over his handsome face.

"Your concern is valid. Internal conflict is the most foolish choice. But Harvey Fletcher..."

His voice turned a few degrees colder when he mentioned the name.

"He’s completely lost it, with no regard for the bigger picture. He’s an extremely unstable liability, like a ticking time bomb. Even if we don’t provoke him, he’ll never let us go. Especially..."

He glanced at the pale-faced Lily Underwood.

Hearing this, Lily Underwood, despite her weakness, couldn’t help but growl through clenched teeth, "I will get my revenge for this! Son of a bitch! I’ve been around the block, and I’ve never been so humiliated! He nearly gutted me!"

The anger pulled at her wound, making her gasp in pain.

However, the thought of Harvey Fletcher’s impossible-to-defend-against Emotion Control Ability gave Dustin Sullivan a major headache.

That feeling of having rage, fear, or despair forcibly injected into you during battle was enough to make any sophisticated teamwork or calm judgment crumble to dust. He was a natural crowd-controller.

While Seraphina Sullivan and the other two discussed their strategy, Sean Chandler was off in his own world.

Nearby, Ash silently gnawed on a piece of roasted meat, listening to them talk about things, some of which he didn’t understand at all.

His little mind began to spin rapidly.

He connected the strength and mysterious methods that Seraphina Sullivan and the others had displayed, which far surpassed those of ordinary people.

A "reasonable" explanation gradually began to form.

’Could it be... that Sullivan and her people are a rescue team sent by the human resistance from the outside world? They disguised themselves as captured commoners to infiltrate these Demons’ slaughterhouses, all to cause chaos and work with forces on the outside to save us trapped compatriots?’

This thought instantly excited him, and his gaze toward Seraphina Sullivan and the others filled with awe and hope!

If that was the case, then everything made sense!

They were so strong, possessed all sorts of strange Abilities, and now they seemed to be plotting to complete some kind of mission.

’Yes! That has to be it!’ The more Ash thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. A noble sense of mission suddenly swelled in his heart.

’In that case, my occasional blackouts must be Sullivan and her team using some kind of high-tech method to put me into temporary hibernation for a secret mission, to prevent me from leaking classified information! It’s a necessary sacrifice! I can accept it! I must cooperate!’

At that moment, Ash felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier. Even the roasted meat in his mouth seemed to take on a new meaning.

He was replenishing his Energy for the great cause of human liberation!

The way he looked at Seraphina Sullivan became even more resolute and obedient, even carrying a hint of, ’I’m with you, comrade. I understand.’

Seraphina Sullivan inexplicably felt that the way Ash was looking at her was a little strange.

She didn’t have time to dwell on it. She turned to Dustin Sullivan and Lily Underwood.

"Our top priority is to avoid Harvey Fletcher’s group as much as possible. As for that Native Person who can control animals..." A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Maybe we can find a way to use him, create some trouble for him and Harvey Fletcher?"

"Our top priority is to first ensure our own hunting efficiency," Seraphina Sullivan emphasized, then looked at Lily Underwood and Dustin Sullivan. "By the way, how are you two doing on your slaughter count quotas?"

Lily Underwood and Dustin Sullivan glanced at each other and shook their heads in unison, their expressions grim.

Dustin Sullivan sighed. "On the first day, we were preoccupied with scouting the pasture and figuring out the movements of the other groups. We killed a fair number of creatures, but we’re still far from finishing."

Lily Underwood also nodded weakly in agreement. Her severe injuries had slowed their progress even more.

After hearing the situation, Seraphina Sullivan’s mind raced.

She thought about the random Skill Card she received after completing her slaughter quota and guessed that they would probably get different rewards if they completed theirs too.

’Maybe we can trade what we get later...’ But she suppressed the thought for now. This wasn’t the time to discuss it.

"We have to stabilize our position first," Seraphina Sullivan said, gesturing toward Lily Underwood. "At the very least, we need to wait for her injuries to stabilize. Otherwise, our mobility will be severely compromised, making us an easier target."

Dustin Sullivan agreed. "That’s all we can do for now. Let’s rest up first and take turns on watch."

Just then, Ash, who had been listening quietly from the side, timidly raised his hand and said softly, "Um... I... I think I saw a plant in this forest that can heal wounds quickly..."

SNAP!

Three pairs of eyes instantly focused on Ash. Their burning gazes made him shrink back and duck his head.

Ash felt his hair stand on end from their stares and quickly explained, "My... my parents used to specialize in growing medicinal herbs and researching plants... After the Spiritual Energy Revival, a lot of normal plants mutated and developed all sorts of strange Effects. I... I learned a little from them. When I was gathering firewood earlier, I think I caught a glimpse of ’Healing Grass.’ It should be helpful for Lily’s injuries..."

The moment Lily Underwood heard this, she got excited and struggled to sit up. "Then what are we waiting for? Take me to it!" The sudden movement made her grimace in pain.

"Don’t move!" Seraphina Sullivan held her down, then turned to Ash with a sharp gaze. "Are you sure? Do you remember the exact location? Is it dangerous there?"

Ash thought hard for a moment, then nodded affirmatively. "I remember the general direction! That kind of grass usually grows in shady rock crevices or at the base of large trees. I don’t think there were any powerful creatures nearby at the time..."

"Good!" Seraphina Sullivan made a swift decision. "We’ll finish eating quickly to restore our stamina. Then Ash will lead the way, and Dustin Sullivan, Sean Chandler, and I will go gather the herb."

She looked at Dustin Sullivan. "Any problem with that?"

Dustin Sullivan immediately nodded. "No problem. The sooner, the better."

Although Lily Underwood was anxious, she knew this was the best arrangement.

"Eat up, quickly," Seraphina Sullivan said grimly as she distributed the remaining roasted meat. "I’m afraid we won’t be getting much rest tonight."

The night was deep, and the forest was fraught with peril, but in order to restore their fighting strength as quickly as possible, a nighttime herb-gathering expedition was about to begin.

Neither Dustin Sullivan nor Lily Underwood objected to this risky plan.