I’m Trapped in a Cube - Chapter 24

Transforming Tree-a very simple and straightforward name.

The first time these jelly-like creatures were discovered, they were standing by the high wall, curiously watching humans build it.

They weren’t harmful, just quietly lingering near the wall.

These creatures were fascinated by anything that was growing taller.

The ever-rising high wall.

The experimental facilities built by humans.

The temporary watchtowers.

They would gather in groups, crowding around to watch humans complete these things.

But what interested them most were the experimental crops brought by humans.

When humans first came to the Theseus Cell Containment Zone, they used a lot of fertilizer to accelerate plant growth, since plant experiments were much quicker and safer than animal ones.

Thanks to technological advances, these fertilizers worked remarkably well.

This attracted many Transforming Trees, who would stay by the farms, tirelessly watching the plants grow.

After seeing the effects of fertilizer, they began trading with humans.

At first, they offered rare materials from deep within the containment zone, but eventually realized humans preferred relics.

So, somehow, they started bringing all sorts of relics to trade for fertilizer.

After the trade, they would lift the fertilizer with their small bodies and carry it deep into the zone.

Humans, following them, felt no need for caution and were led right to the tribe.

Then, to the humans’ amazement, the precious fertilizer was scattered over an ordinary-looking sapling.

The Transforming Trees would then stand by the sapling, staring at it blankly.

It was only after repeated visits to the tribe that researchers realized those saplings weren’t ordinary-they were Transforming Trees.

Humans gradually came to understand the Transforming Trees’ habits.

These creatures spend their entire lives preparing to become a tree.

From the moment they appear, they observe all kinds of natural changes-animals, plants, the phases of the moon…

After learning about the world, they begin preparing: first, choosing the right time.

Late spring and summer aren’t suitable for planting; Transforming Trees seem to think the temperature then threatens plant health and could kill the tree.

They choose to plant in autumn or early spring, and during this period, they find a suitable spot.

There must be plenty of sunlight and water, close to the tribe, not too steep…

Once everything is ready, they dig a hole, swallow a creature made of Theseus Cells-maybe an insect, a small reptile, or even a fruit seed.

Then, they bury themselves alive.

Transforming Trees help each other, burying their companions.

The fertilizer from humans is used to nourish their friends.

As the days and months pass, a sapling breaks through the soil, and they tend to it until it grows into a towering tree.

The Transforming Trees who care for the sapling will, in time, also pick a season and place to become a tree themselves.

How they use Theseus Cells to become trees is still not understood.

Some guess they transmit a signal to the Theseus Cells, telling them to transform the body into a tree.

That’s where the records end.

Only now did Mo Ling understand why Captain Su was so concerned about these creatures.

They couldn’t be replaced by Theseus Cells, and even used the cells’ abilities in reverse, becoming the only exception in the containment zone.

“They haven’t appeared for a long time,” Captain Su said to Li Luo after she finished reading. “They used to show up in groups-maybe something happened to their tribe.”

Li Luo didn’t hesitate. She looked at the location of the tribe on the map and drove off.

“Be careful on the road, don’t provoke the rampaging creatures, and if there’s danger, don’t take risks. We’ll catch up soon,” Captain Su warned seriously.

Li Luo nodded, then sped into the forest.

The creatures in the forest were indeed very aggressive, rushing at the sound of the car, but none could withstand Mo Ling’s teleportation.

The trees grew ever larger along the way, and before long, the car stopped in a forest of giant trees.

Mo Ling couldn’t see the tops of the trees, but the thick trunks-so wide several people would need to join hands to encircle one-gave him an idea of their height.

Going further, Mo Ling noticed small, treehouse-like wooden structures on the trunks, but they were tiny.

Little stairways stretched from the ground up, thick ring-shaped vines used as supports, with wooden steps coiled around them.

These buildings were clearly not for humans, so they must have reached the Transforming Tree tribe.

Sure enough, a jelly-like creature appeared in Mo Ling’s view.

A round body, a leaf on its head, blurred facial features, each limb ending in a point-it looked like a walking, plump fruit.

It was slowly coming down a vine staircase, and, upon reaching Li Luo’s car, stared blankly at the cube.

Then, its two short arms suddenly stretched out and gave the cube the middle finger.

?

Mo Ling was stunned.

“What was with this creature?”

It looked so cute, but its personality was awful.

“And why did it flip off the cube first, not Li Luo?”

What happened next threw Mo Ling’s thoughts into chaos.

The Transforming Tree muttered a few words, sounding like a child’s voice.

Though the language was odd, Mo Ling understood.

The Transforming Tree said-

“Welcome! Friend.”

Flipping someone off while welcoming them-Mo Ling found the scene bizarre.

Then, the Transforming Tree flipped off Li Luo too and repeated the greeting.

Li Luo had already turned on her translator. Seeing this, she curiously returned the gesture.

The Transforming Tree, seeing Li Luo return the middle finger, looked delighted and started saying, “Trade fertilizer! Trade fertilizer!”

Li Luo quickly replied, “There is no fertilizer.”

The Transforming Tree’s face fell. “No tree, no fertilizer,” it muttered.

“No tree?”

“Why there is no tree?” Li Luo asked.

“They can’t become trees. They become other things instead,” the Transforming Tree explained pitifully.

“Come in,” it said, calling Li Luo and leading her somewhere.

Li Luo drove after it, and strange sights appeared along the way.

The tribe was filled with vine cages holding all kinds of bizarre creatures, all raging and thrashing inside.

The species were completely mixed, just like the riot at the outpost.

The Transforming Trees, who should have been observing nature, now paced anxiously through the tribe, seemingly forgetting their purpose.

Groups of Transforming Trees stood around the cages, worriedly watching the imprisoned creatures, helpless.

“What had happened?”

It was only through the Transforming Trees’ fragmented words that Mo Ling and Li Luo learned what had happened to the tribe.