The Imu Tree gave a powerful tug, pulling the thing halfway out.
Randall instantly felt disaster looming, every hair on his body standing on end.
A fear of losing something welled up within him.
Spurred by that fear, he actually regained the ability to move.
He grunted, pushing his mental focus to its limit.
Then, Intimidation Aura!
The sudden impact stunned the Imu Tree for an instant.
At the same time, as though the original Imu still lingered, the Imu Tree's fingers loosened slightly.
Randall hurriedly kicked out, using the recoil to put distance between himself and Imu.
As the glowing mass returned to his body, Randall instantly felt reassured.
Then lingering fear swept over him, and wisps of steam rose from his back.
"Hmph!"
The Imu Tree snorted, his face full of displeasure.
By then, half the people in the Holy Land had been unable to withstand the pressure and fled outright.
The remaining half had all gathered around Kong.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, what should we do?
We should hurry and leave."
"You go ahead. I want to stay and see if there's anything I can do to help."
Kong spoke in a low voice.
At that, more than half of them left.
Those who remained were determined to stand with Kong, whatever happened.
They had already heard from Kong that a terrifying enemy lurked in the Holy Land.
The oppressive atmosphere they felt now was emanating from that enemy.
To be honest, their knees were weak.
But they, too, had once been Marines.
Even after years of desk work, their blood still ran hot.
Just then, deep within the Holy Land, the Flower Room exploded.
A torrential storm of lightning suddenly descended from the sky.
It was as though the barrage had punched holes through the heavens themselves.