Master Of Astral Summoner
Chapter 55: Rising tide

Chapter 55: Rising tide

A tense look appeared on Shaan’s face as he saw Nalira holding a cross necklace, which somehow looked almost identical to Chelsie’s. Strange... How did Nalira find that necklace?

"Shaan... this necklace... It must be Chelsie’s necklace. I found it lying on the ground, and I think she dropped it when that creature dragged her unconscious body away." Nalira put the necklace in her pants pocket. "I believe we’ve made the right decision to follow that trail."

"Yes, your guess seems to be correct, Nalira. I’m sure if we keep following this trail, we’ll find Chelsie." Shaan kept walking along the trail. "Come on, we have to help Chelsie quickly."

They continued to walk along the trail until it finally ended in front of a towering mass of grass (probably about two meters high). The two of them believed the creature that captured Chelsie must have entered this mass of grass, so without hesitation, they stepped inside, hoping to find her.

’Chelsie... where is she?’

As he walked through the weeds, Shaan had no trouble seeing anything around him, considering his height was approximately 180 cm, so the grass was not a problem for him at all. Nalira, on the other hand, had a much more difficult time walking through the grass and seeing her surroundings because she was shorter than Shaan, even though she was wearing high heels to support her height.

"Shaan... do you see the creature that captured Chelsie?" Nalira pushed aside all the wild grass blocking her view.

"Unfortunately not, Nalira." Shaan shook his head. "I don’t see anything other than these wild grasses at all."

"Keep leading the way ahead. I’m sure if we keep walking through the mass of grass, we may just find something."

"Alright."

After walking for a while, Shaan suddenly heard the sound of waves crashing nearby. The noise grew louder as he continued forward, still pushing through the thick grass. He quickened his pace and soon, they both finally stepped out from it.

"Oh my God... w-what is this?"

Shaan was left speechless when he saw that behind this grass, there was a cave. At first glance, the cave reminded Shaan of the cave where they had been hidden when he managed to get out of the tunnel. However, it was slightly large, and the surface of the cave was completely covered with vines. Uniquely, only one narrow path led to it. The path, made of loose gravel and dirt, stretched forward with nothing but open sea surrounding the cave.

"Shaan, look at this," Nalira said, pointing ahead. "That trail... that trail apparently leads into the cave."

"Yes, I believe Chelsie is most likely inside this cave. We need to help her as soon as possible."

As they walked along the narrow path, the cold night wind brushed against their bodies, making Shaan shiver. He quickly zipped up his hoodie to his neck and shoved both hands deep into his pockets.

’Brrr’

He glanced over at Nalira, who kept walking calmly along the gravel path.

’D-Damn... I should’ve worn something warmer.’

"Look, Shaan... the water... It’s rising." Nalira’s face tensed as she noticed seawater slowly flooding the gravel path. "We have to move faster before the tide comes in and buries this trail."

"O-Okay."

But just as Shaan was about to move, a strange trembling was suddenly felt that traveled along the gravel path that they were walking on. He quickly turned his head to check behind them, half-expecting the dark creature to appear, but nothing was there. Strange, where did these tremors come from?

All of a sudden, roots sprang up from the ground and attempted to capture both of them. Luckily, Shaan managed to dodge the root attack and slashed straight through it.

"Damn it. Why are those roots appearing?"

"Shaan, we don’t have time to argue about that!" Nalira shouted as she swung her blade and cut down the roots, trying to trap her.

"We need to move now! If we stay here any longer, the rising tide will swallow this path."

"I got it!"

With all their might, they immediately accelerated their footsteps until they were now only a few steps away from the cave. Good, at this rate, they should be able to reach the cave before the rising tide arrives.

’Come on, just a little more... just a little more.’

But unfortunately, a root emerged right behind Shaan and pulled at his legs. In just a matter of seconds, he lost his balance and hit the gravel pile as he fell.

’Ugh, dammit!’

[Hang in there, Shaan!]

Robin Hood immediately fired an arrow at the roots that tried to drag Shaan down. "Get up, Shaan! Hurry—we don’t have much time!"

"R-Right!"

Hearing that, Nalira rushed back toward Shaan and quickly helped him to his feet. With every ounce of strength they had left, they pushed forward, walking through the rising water until they finally reached the entrance of the cave just in time.

The sea swallowed the gravel path behind them, and the crashing waves washed away the last of the roots trying to stop them.

"Gosh, it’s a good thing we survived." Shaan let out a long breath. "Thank you, Nalira, for-"

"There’s no time to thank you, Shaan." Chelsie stood up instantly, walking toward the entrance of the cave. "Chelsie is still in danger, and we need to go inside this cave, Shaan."

Shaan blinked. ’Jeez, she’s totally the type who stays locked in on the task.’

"Alright."

They approached the mouth of the cave—only to find it blocked by a thick mass of thorn-covered roots. Shaan pulled out his dual short swords and started slashing at them, but it was no use. The roots were too dense, too tangled. It would take far too long to break through them all.

"If that’s the case, I’ll try burning it," Nalira said as she activated her fire skill and launched flames at the tangled roots.

"My fire’s not strong enough to burn through these fast. We need an explosion—something powerful enough to blast them apart."

"If that’s the case, I’ll try burning it," Nalira said as she activated her fire skill and launched flames at the tangled roots. "Argh, dammit! My fire’s not strong enough to burn through these fast. We need an explosion—something powerful enough to blast them apart."

"An explosion, ..." Shaan snapped his fingers."

"Wait—I’ve got it! Nalira, get back! I’ll try using one of Robin Hood’s skills," he said quickly.

"Robin Hood, use your ability and help Nalira blow these roots to pieces!"

[Understood, Shaan. I’ll give it a shot.]

Robin Hood immediately drew his bow, and golden-yellow light glowed brightly at the tip of his arrow. In a flash, the arrow soared through the air—and within seconds, a powerful explosion tore through the roots, blowing them apart with ease.

"Nice work, Shaan," Nalira said. "Now, let’s move. Chelsie needs us before it’s too late."