Isekai For Hire Chapter 45: Blood Thorn

Read chapter 45 of Isekai For Hire by wk_rust on NovelPedia.

Blood Thorn Lorena crouched in the bush next to Erin. They had made good use of the past few hours and had gathered everything but the blood thorn. Lorena was glad Erin ended up coming along as several of the herbs were hard to identify, even with the drawings. The blood thorns though, this was what Erin was most worried about. “This forest gives me the creeps,” Lorena said. “Just wait til you see a blood beast.” Erin whispered. I hope we see one. Boscar made them seem so cool. Were you not terrified the entire time he was telling that story? Yeah, because we were in a place we weren’t supposed to be, not because of the story. Kind of like right now. “You said people choose to farm here to sell the thorns? That seems absurdly risky.” “Oh yeah, big business selling blood thorn. A young persons game though for sure. Someone who doesn’t mind if they don’t see tomorrow.” Lorena had been that person, once. She reflected on that thought—she wasn’t sure when she had stopped being that person. “What are we waiting for?” They had been staring at the level 28 plant known as the Weeping Thorn, which so far was exactly as the book had described. Long vines that were currently coiled around itself, Lorena could spot at least six of them. Each vine was tipped with razor sharp thorns that almost seemed to glisten in the bursts of sunlight that found its way through the forest canopy. The sunflower head of the plant was somehow even more terrifying in person than the drawing had suggested. It reminded her more of a venus fly trap than a sunflower, with clear hinges for a jaw, like it would swallow her whole, after the giant spikes around its head pierced right through her armor. “This,” Erin said and gestured toward the plant. It suddenly started to uncoil its vines, extending them straight out in all directions, each vine at least as long as the plant was tall. The whole thing shook, the thorns falling from the vines on to the ground. The vines swayed in the air, like six vipers ready to strike. “Go, but be ready for one hell of a fight. It’s still deadly even without the thorns.” Lorena slipped into Stealth and crept towards the plant. It was three levels higher than her, but she was still feeling confident. The night of sleep had done her well, and she was feeling fresh and alert. She was acutely aware of Ren’s nerves rattling around inside their body, but she tried to remain calm. Focus would save her, nervousness would kill her. She circled the plant until she was around what she assumed was its back. Backstab lit up, so she must have been correct. Ready? I guess so. Lorena opened with Silent Shock, stunning the plant for a few crucial seconds. She followed it up with a satisfying Backstab with Skeletor to the trunk of the plant. Combo Points (4/5) She buzzed with satisfaction over a perfectly executed opener, then chaos erupted as the plant swung two vines toward her face. Duck! Lorena ducked, but half a second later two more swept at her legs. She managed to jump awkwardly, nearly folding in half in the air for a split second. She landed off balance, twisting her ankle. But at least she dodged all the— “Behind you!” Erin yelled, but it was too late. The remaining two vines wrapped around her midsection and squeezed. She gasped as the air was forcibly removed from her lungs. She tried to suck in a breath but couldn’t, the vines constricting even tighter. She used Vicious Stab on one of the vines with Skeletor, the blade making quick work of the vine. Combo Points (5/5) She raised Skeletor again to slice the other vine holding her ribs but one of the free vines wrapped around her wrist. She yanked against it, but it was like being held by iron rods. Two more vines wrapped around her torso, then she was flying through the air. She landed against a tree with sickening thud and a grunt of pain from Ren. A war cry bellowed out from somewhere behind her. You have to get up. Ren’s voice was desperate but determined. Lorena cracked her eyes ope