379 The Moment

After catching the Evil-Slaying Sword with an outstretched branch, the tree gradually transformed into a bark-covered humanoid with indents for eyes and a scar on its face for the mouth. 

The curved scar split open, revealing a pitch-black abyss inside as The Calamity cackled when The Hero retrieved his sword.

The Hero landed after his initial lunge before pouncing forward again.

His party already knew what they had to do. But The Hero had to keep The Calamity occupied so that they could do what he wanted them to do.

Fortunately, The Calamity didn't seem to have eyes for anyone but The Hero.

Eris, Refina, and Hantar separated The Calamity from the island of trees in their own ways. But all their methods were based on destroying the trees and cutting The Calamity off from the rest of the forest.