The Bigshot's Superstar Wife - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Zerg Tree

What kind of tree is that? So Zerg virus also controls plants? Will this planet get destroyed after the storm?

As Mors and Athena approached the grotesque tree, its pulsating bark shuddered, releasing a fresh wave of glowing spores.

The roots twitched and writhed, curling out from the ground like the fingers of a buried giant. It wasn’t just alive, it was aware.

Athena gripped Arthivian tightly, the sword’s dark energy responding to her resolve. “This thing isn’t just infected, it’s evolving.”

Mors nodded, his sharp eyes fixed on the twisting roots. “And it’s protecting something. The core must be deep inside.”

The tree let out a guttural sound, like the creak of old wood groaning under pressure. A faint, childlike voice echoed through the clearing, disjointed and eerie. “Why… hurt me? You… bad.”

A tree that is conscious? Athena froze momentarily, her grip on her sword loosening slightly. “It’s… speaking?”

Mors tightened his stance, his sword gleaming under the dim light.

“Don’t let it fool you. This thing may sound like a child, but it’s already caused enough destruction to be considered a threat.”

The tree let out a deep, rumbling laugh, its voice resonating with a haunting innocence. “Protect. Survive. No hurt.”

Without warning, thick roots erupted from the ground, slashing toward them with surprising speed.

Mors dodged one narrowly, slicing through another with a swift motion of his blade. The severed root thrashed violently before disintegrating into a black mist.

Athena leaped backward, swinging Arthivian in a graceful arc. The sword’s energy hummed, cutting through the writhing roots with ease. So fast…

Each strike released a burst of dark energy, and the tree screamed in pain, its voice a mix of agony and rage.

“You hurt me!” the tree cried, its tone shifting from plaintive to accusatory. “Bad people! Bad!”

Athena’s voice was steady, though her heart pounded. “We don’t want to hurt you, but you’re spreading the virus. You’re endangering lives.”

The tree’s response was a deafening roar, and it lashed out with even more force. It’s not even using its full force yet.

The roots moved with calculated precision, targeting their blind spots and attempting to separate them.

Mors blocked a particularly large root with his blade, sparks flying as the metal clashed with the hardened bark. “It’s learning as we fight. We need to find the core now.”

Athena scanned the tree, her eyes locking onto a faint, pulsing light deep within its twisted trunk. The energy feels stronger there.

“There! The core is in the center of the trunk. We’ll have to go through it to destroy it.” The tree seemed to realize their plan and unleashed a torrent of attacks.

Roots shot up like spears, the ground trembled, and more spores filled the air, creating an almost impenetrable haze. It has killed a lot before it gained wisdom.

Mors pushed forward, carving a path through the onslaught with sheer determination. “Go for the core! I’ll hold it off!”

Athena hesitated for a split second, then nodded. “Don’t die on me, Mors.”

“I’m not fragile, Athena.”

With a burst of speed, she darted toward the tree, evading its thrashing roots with agile movements.

Arthivian glowed brighter in her hands, the sword responding to the dark energy of the core.

“Stop! Don’t!” the tree’s voice grew frantic, almost pleading. “I… alive. I think. I feel.”

Athena faltered for a moment, her heart tightening. The voice sounded so human, so vulnerable.

But the vision of the unconscious crew, the infected beasts, and Daphne’s tragic fate flashed through her mind. This tree wasn’t innocent, it was a danger.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, raising Arthivian.

The sword’s energy surged as she drove it into the trunk.

The core screamed, a sound so piercing it shook the forest. Black liquid gushed from the wound, and the tree convulsed violently.

Mors joined her, his sword slicing through the remaining roots trying to stop her.

Together, they forced Arthivian deeper into the core, the tree’s defenses weakening with each passing moment.

“No… no… don’t…” the tree whimpered, its voice fading. “I… just… wanted… to live…”

With a final, deafening crack, the tree collapsed, its trunk splitting open and the core shattering into countless fragments.

The black mist that had surrounded the area began to dissipate, and the spores dissolved into harmless particles.

Athena stepped back, breathing heavily as the remains of the tree crumbled into the ground. The once-menacing figure was now nothing more than lifeless wood and ash.

Mors placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice steady. “You did what had to be done.”

Athena nodded, though her chest felt heavy. “Let’s hope this ends the spread.”

As the rain continued to fall, the two of them stood silently amidst the wreckage, the weight of their actions settling over them.

Athena and Mors went back to the crew’s station, but the battle was not over. Even Xianli fell into a deep sleep.

Athena asked, “Will the other participants reach this destination?”

Mors answered with a sigh, “It’s hard to say. Let’s hope for the rescue to arrive.”

The air outside the crew’s station was thick with tension.

Rain continued to pour, cascading off the leaves and pooling in the uneven ground, but the sound of growling wolves drowned out the patter of droplets.

Athena and Mors stood at the entrance, their swords drawn, the faint glow of Arthivian contrasting against the dull, gray light of the stormy morning.

I wish he brought particle guns with us. But the viewers would question where we got them. Yet it seems like his sword is also an ancient artifact.

Athena’s sharp eyes scanned the tree line.

The infected beasts emerged one by one, wolves with matted fur and glowing red eyes, their bodies twisted and contorted by the Zerg virus.

Some limped, others snarled, their jaws dripping with dark, viscous fluid.

“There must be hundreds,” Athena said, her voice steady but laced with concern.

Mors tightened his grip on his sword.

“They’re being drawn here. Either by the scent of the crew or the remnants of that tree’s core. It doesn’t matter. We can’t let them reach the station.”

The camera bots buzzed into action, their lenses capturing every harrowing detail.

[What’s going on? Why are there so many of them?]

[Didn’t they just fight off a whole army of infected beasts? How are there still more?]

[This is like a nightmare. How can they survive this?]

[Where’s the rescue team? They’re not going to make it alone!]

[Look at Athena’s sword, it’s glowing even brighter now. Is it feeding off the energy of the infected?]

[Don’t ask. She must be from a noble family!]