Screams erupted. The first person to reach out was dragged away by the vines, and gradually, even small vehicles were pulled in.
Despite the ability users attacking the vines, their damage was negligible. Fire ability users tried burning the vines, but the lush, dense green leaves wouldn't ignite, nor could they repel the assault.
"Ah! Save me!"
"Hurry, save them!"
"Run, get out of here!"
"..."
Some vehicles were yanked up and then thrown down, smashed into chaos. This made it impossible for surrounding vehicles to move forward or backward, turning the front of the convoy into a scene of pandemonium.
Zhu Zhu remained serenely in her seat, showing no inclination to intervene and save anyone.
After a moment of hesitation, the group of seven decided. Zhou Shanshan, with a stubborn glint in her eyes, declared, "We're going to save them."
No one spoke.
A moment later, she opened her car door and got out.
The others wavered.
"You all should go too."
Xiao Chongyan watched Zhu Zhu. Compared to his own vengeful actions, her method of offering hope only to lead people to their deaths was far more… sophisticated.
Everyone in front and behind them had gotten out of their cars, leaving only the two of them inside. Just as he was about to speak to Zhu Zhu, he saw her staring intently outside.
He followed her gaze.
Chaos reigned outside.
Besides ability users attacking the vines, ordinary people were improvising with whatever they could find to fight the vines. Green sap splattered everywhere. Children were dragged away by the vines, their parents desperately sacrificing themselves to save them. Some, facing death, pushed those closest to them forward.
In the face of life and death, human nature was most apparent.
She did it on purpose.
The thought sent a chill down Xiao Chongyan's spine.
"Why?"
Zhu Zhu withdrew her gaze. "Collective karma of the mortal realm. For some to live, others must die. I'm not just observing the myriad states of sentient beings."
She didn't possess such dark inclinations.
To be precise, she didn't have the hobby of observing the ugliness of sentient beings.
Xiao Chongyan looked bewildered. "Collective karma?"
Literally, the current state of the world was caused by everyone together.
When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. No one would escape the outcome.
Xiao Chongyan grew even more perplexed. He had come for revenge, but witnessing the collapse of civilization, even though he had contributed to it once in his past life, he didn't want to see it happen again. Sultan Novel Network.
He looked at the people struggling to survive outside, then at Zhu Zhu beside him, who seemed to treat it as commonplace. His expression was complex.
It seemed she was the only one outside of it all.
Zhu Zhu suddenly reached out, pulled him into her embrace, and pressed his back. "I'm not in it, and neither are you. Don't be afraid."
She noticed Xiao Chongyan's body trembling.
Slightly, almost timidly.
"What about them?"
He was no longer human, yet he still cared about the future of humanity.
Zhu Zhu didn't understand why a soul filled with resentment and anger could be so kind. It made her heart ache with both affection and helplessness. "I'll do my best."
Xiao Chongyan buried his head against her, feeling the warm, clean scent emanating from her, gradually finding peace.
Initially, everyone outside waited to be rescued. When they realized everyone was busy protecting themselves and even the ability users couldn't spare the time to save them, they began to self-rescue.
After a fierce battle, during which casualties approached a third of their number, Zhu Zhu threw out a ball of flame. The moment it touched the vines, it erupted into a conflagration, rapidly spreading towards areas with more vines.
Those nearby quickly retreated, some even screaming in fear of being burned to death. But they discovered the fire had no time for them; it seemed to possess consciousness, deliberately avoiding people and heading towards the roots of the vines.
Sensing the crisis, the vines began to retreat rapidly.
The flames followed into the park. Areas covered by the lush vines ignited quickly. Within minutes, the vines that had been wreaking havoc were completely consumed by the raging inferno.
Everyone kept their distance, watching the tens of meters high flames in the park, silent.
Some sat on the ground, weeping uncontrollably for their lost family and friends. Others rejoiced at their narrow escape. Still others, having witnessed the ball of flame earlier, turned their accusations towards the people in the car.
"She had the means to save us, why didn't she do it sooner!"
"She's the reason so many people died!"
"She's a murderer!"
"She brought us out, she should protect us!"
"Let her out, murderer!"
"..."
Zhu Zhu's eyes were once again assaulted by human nature.
The group of seven had sustained varying degrees of injuries. Hearing the accusations, they could only respond with helplessness, supporting each other as they stood aside.
Shen Qianjiao, embodying a refined self-interest, could no longer hold back.
"Just because she has abilities, she's supposed to save you? Then if I'm hungry, can I kill and eat you? If it weren't for Miss Xiao, you would have all been dragged away by the vines. And you, ungrateful wretches, are here lecturing her? If you're so capable, why don't you leave yourselves? She didn't drag you out, so what's with the fuss? If you don't want to leave, then go back!"
His eyes and tone were filled with disdain. "A bunch of trash who don't deserve to live anyway, wasting resources!"