Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Plant Gone Wrong

“I think it’s working.” Grace whispered the words as her eyes followed the vine that flourished with a golden light before growing up and spreading across the iron bars that were prepared just for it.

Once the vine was of good enough size, Dr. Kian pulled away his hand, retracting his fingers from the soil. Ever since he found out that his power worked not only on humans, but anything living, the rooftop garden had become his place for practicing.

Within a week, he had converted the greenhouse into a haven of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs. These harvests were just as good as the ones growing inside Infinite Realm.

“I have something for you. Try and see if your power will work on it.” Grace said as she took out a pot of a dead-looking plant from inside her space.

“What plant is this?” Dr. Kian asked as he studied his next testing object. All he could tell was that the plant was either already dead, or close to being one.

“It’s an almost dead plant…” Grace confirmed the status of the plant before adding, “… from the outside. Meaning it’s been in the Shadow Rain.”

Dr. Kian’s eyes immediately looked up from the plant and met hers. “You want me to try reviving it?” He asked, sounding curious and not worried or against the idea unlike what Grace was expecting.

In response to his question, she nodded her head in a positive response before explaining, “In the previous timeline, only half of the original numbers of trees survived the rain disaster. After the Shadow Rain and the initial months of the volcanic winter, their numbers decreased further. Because the trees and plants were in the Shadow Rain for its entire duration, the rain probably affected them only negatively because no improvement was seen in the trees in the previous timeline.”

Dr. Kian’s brows furrowed and he asked, “Then why do you want me to try reviving this plant? To see if my power can heal those affected by the Shadow Rain?”

Grace slowly shook her head and then answered, “Few days ago when I went to the military base, I found three magical plants in the nearby area there. Their sudden appearance there has left me confused. Maybe… just maybe… the Shadow Rain did work differently on these plants and trees this time as well. My system is unable to study this plant here, so 2025 wants you to try your power on it.”

Dr. Kian was silent for a while and just studied the plant. Finally, he asked, “What do you want me to do?”

Grace felt the invisible weight lifting from her shoulders when she realized that Dr. Kian was ready to help. “Just try reviving it. The system will take care of the rest, and I’ll be right here to keep you safe. I promise.” She tried to assure him that she had his back.

“I know.” Dr. Kian said as he looked straight into her eyes, his own deep blue orbs filled with nothing but trust. “I know that you will keep me safe.”

Grace was left stunned by him, and before she could have said anything in response, he was already returning his attention to the plan.

His hand moved toward the lifeless plant while Grace watched with her heart pounding crazily in her chest. She watched as he closed his eyes and his brows furrowed in concentration.

Within seconds, a faint glow started radiating from his palms. It was a soft golden light that pulsed like a heartbeat. It was mesmerizing, like a delicate balance of power and precision that left her momentarily in awe.

The glow intensified as he pressed his fingers into the soil. The once-dull leaves of the plant began to twitch, while a faint glimmer of life started returning to their edges.

For a moment, everything seemed to be working perfectly. The plant’s withered branches straightened, and its leaves regained a vibrant green hue. But just as Grace felt a flicker of relief, the plant began to tremble violently. The golden glow around Dr. Kian’s hands shifted to a dark, ominous hue.

“Kian, stop!” Grace shouted, her voice cutting through the tension.

But it was too late. The plant exploded with unnatural growth. Its branches started twisting and expanding into jagged, thorn-covered vines. One of the vines lashed out, narrowly missing Dr. Kian’s face as he stumbled back and his power flickered out.

Without hesitation, Grace pulled a sleek dagger from the space and stepped between Dr. Kian and the monstrous plant. The blade glinted under the rooftop’s dim light. She lunged forward and sliced through the nearest branch with a swift motion. The severed piece thrashed on the ground before disintegrating into black ash.

“Kian, get back!” she ordered, her voice firm but laced with concern.

Dr. Kian obeyed and retreated a few steps. But he refused to leave her side entirely. His eyes remained locked on her with a mix of worry and admiration flickering in their depths.

Grace moved with practiced precision, dodging the plant’s attacks while delivering strike after strike. Each slash of her dagger sent more vines crumbling to ash, but the monstrous plant seemed relentless, regenerating faster than she could destroy it.

The plant screeched – a sound that was more vibration than noise – and lashed out with even more force. Grace danced around the strikes. Her movements were fluid and precise as she sliced through each branch that came too close.

Finally, she spotted its core. It was a pulsating mass at the base of the plant, glowing faintly with an unnatural light. With a sharp breath, she charged forward. Her dagger was aimed straight for the heart of the monster.

The plant reacted violently and its branches converged on her from all directions, but she was faster. She ducked, rolled, and came up beneath its defenses. With one powerful thrust, she plunged her dagger into the core.

The plant let out a final, bone-rattling screech before collapsing in on itself. The branches shriveled, the leaves crumbled, and the core disintegrated into ash.

For a moment, there was only silence as Grace stood over the remains. Her chest was heaving as she caught her breath.

“Kian,” she called, turning to him.