Ethan and Menir could rush straight toward the light, hidden in the distance by the fog. Obviously, the Essence was there, or at least it would lead them closer to the core.

But they simply couldn't ignore the monster off to the side. First, they had to figure out if the monster posed any danger to them, if it would chase them upon noticing them, and if it was worth getting rid of it?

Hiding behind rocks, Ethan and Menir sneaked closer to the monster.

The great frame trembled, moving its long vines. The plant, the size of a two-story house, stood in the middle of the field on its root-like legs, wandering across the ground. Its head was divided into four elongated petals, full of teeth on the inside, with a long tongue hanging out of the edge.

Dozens of vines grew from the back of the Voracious Plant, holding its victims.

'Shit, its aura... It's way more powerful than the Crooked Growon. This is at least an Iron Tier monster.'

Then, fear ran down their backs as the wandering mist revealed previously hidden parts.

Human bodies hung from the trees surrounding the Voracious Plant, more than a dozen corpses dangling from bare branches while vines held them by the neck like ropes. Some of the corpses had been rotting for a long time, but two on the nearest tree still had blood dripping down, bright and red.

Menir jerked her head toward the corpses.

'It looks like someone recently passed through the thorn wall, just like us,' she whispered.

'You think someone got here before us? Even if they did, they're already dead. Let's keep moving, I have no desire to fight that overgrown plant.'

However, Menir stopped him by grabbing his shoulder.

'No. I don't see any signs of a struggle. That means this monster attacked them when they weren't ready and killed them quickly. It might not notice us, but we could end up following their fate. Right now, we have the opportunity to attack from a blind spot. We shouldn't let this advantage slip away.'

Doubt was reflected on Ethan's face. He didn't agree with Menir. His goal was the Essence of Rotten Forest, not some plant monster.

But something changed his mind.

Crack.

Two vines headed toward the corpse, tearing the body from the tree. Then the Voracious Plant opened its jaws wide and quickly devoured the corpse. Only the crunch of bones unable to withstand the pressure of hundreds of teeth could be heard.

The First Rank, Iron Tier Monster was the strongest enemy the young True Carriers, who did not yet have a single Ring, were supposed to face. Ethan and Menir were among those Carriers, but they were also different.

They had zero Rings, but they collected all the Patterns and would not get a new Catalyst until they created the Second Circle, but it was not a quick process.

After thinking it through, Ethan gritted his teeth.

'Alright, but I'm not going to get close to it. As soon as I step out of cover, its vines will grab me, and I doubt I'll be able to get rid of them all.'

Menir raised an eyebrow. 'Then what's the plan? There's definitely no point in me going to the forefront.'

'Well, just keep it in place. It's not my style, but I have a way to deal with this thing right from here.'

The plan was set as soon as Ethan got moving.

He ran out from behind the rock, causing the Voracious Plant to turn around, the monster not yet realizing what was happening.

On Ethan's right arm was a dark cross, but the vertical line was not on his hand or forearm, but at the very end of his elbow.

He got his Third Pattern the night they stumbled upon the Anomaly in the Grim Peaks, but he didn't have a chance to use his latest ability against Black Horn.

But now the situation was more than suitable.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Before the Voracious Plant could do anything, a multitude of hands with crimson chains rose from the ground, enveloping its enormous frame in a grim confinement.

The Voracious Plant couldn't move, Menir's chains wouldn't hold the monster forever, but they were strong enough to give Ethan some time.

The monster didn't bother looking for Menir, it immediately realized that Ethan was the main threat.

"GRH!"

With a groan, the Voracious Plant opened its jaw, its long tongue darting toward Ethan like a harpoon.

But Ethan had no intention of dodging, he had something to offer in return.

"Alright, one shot is all I'm ready to waste on you!"

Click.

With a click, a pulse ran through the dark cross as a vertical line quickly ran along his arm, stopping at his wrist like the bolt of a sniper rifle.

As a result, a dark projectile flew out, colliding with the Voracious Plant's tongue.

The projectile destroyed everything in its path, tearing the long tongue into pieces before ending up right in the monster's throat.

BLAST!

The Voracious Plant's head exploded into shreds, four wide petals crashing to the ground along with hundreds of crooked teeth still covered in blood.

Ethan's knee collapsed to the earth as Menir ran up to him, concern filling her eyes.

"Are you all right?

In response, Ethan rolled up his sleeve to look at his arm. His muscles were trembling in painful spasms, and his veins were bulging.

He had no other injuries, no blood trickling from the corner of his mouth like Menir's when she pushed herself too hard, but the powerful recoil was evident.

"Hah, the Third Pattern?" Ethan smiled bitterly as he clenched his fist with difficulty. "Maybe it's a good thing I don't have a Fourth Pattern like you. The consequences would be terrifying."

Menir nodded weakly as something caught her attention.

From the destroyed body of the Voracious Plant, a bright white glow emerged, rising like a short pillar of light.

A piece of flesh fell away, revealing part of a crystal-like object, full of energy and power.