Chapter 234-1

"Check around for any traps—nothing should be overlooked," Patrick commanded, his sharp eyes scanning the misty surroundings. The dense fog ahead made it impossible to see anything clearly.

Initially, Nathan had sent him to find Danielle’s master, and Patrick had expected it to be a simple task. He thought he’d have the person back in no time, but the mission had stalled right from the start.

"Patrick, I haven’t found anything here."

"Patrick, same here."

"Patrick, there’s nothing at all."

Patrick glanced around, trying to detect any unusual movement in the bamboo grove. As he stood deep in thought, a distant cry pierced the air.

"Patrick! Help!"

Patrick didn’t hesitate, rushing toward the voice, but when he arrived, there was nothing.

"Patrick, these bamboos..."

Before he could finish, the sound abruptly cut off, and the person fell silent.

"Everyone, stay put! Don’t move, this might be a trick," Patrick ordered. The bamboos around them began to shift, moving in strange patterns.

"Move quickly!" Patrick shouted.

He darted between the bamboo stalks, narrowly avoiding the quick attacks. The remaining mercenaries had already lost most of their number, leaving only three of them behind. The others had vanished without a trace.

The bamboo stalks whipped towards him like living creatures, sending him flying backward with a powerful strike.

He landed outside the bamboo grove with a crash, and as he got up, he saw the rest of his team—those who had been with him—tossed out like rag dolls.

"Patrick, these bamboos are alive!" one of the mercenaries exclaimed. "It’s like they have eyes and are attacking us on their own!"

"I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s as if someone is controlling them. How can plants move like this?" another mercenary said, equally horrified.

Patrick was equally stunned. This small mountain had managed to block him—him, of all people. He wasn’t about to let a mere patch of bamboo stop him.

"We’re going back in. Before the bamboos start moving again, we need to find the weakness," he said through gritted teeth.

"Understood, Patrick."

The group marched forward again, this time with purpose, though they still found themselves spinning in circles, just like before.

"Patrick, look!" one mercenary called out, pointing to a particularly tall bamboo towering above the rest.

"That’s it!" Patrick’s eyes lit up. "That’s the one!"

Just as they were about to approach it, the bamboo once again began to shift and attack. They were all flung back, but this time, no one was injured. It was more about the sheer frustration of being bullied by these ridiculous plants.

"Patrick, I have an idea, but should I say it?" one mercenary piped up, looking eager to share.