Max returned to the ground, using his smaller size to increase the number of potential targets the System showed him on this hybrid Ripper. It had an uncanny level of foresight, or perhaps higher intelligence than the original, and the opportunities would disappear nearly as soon as they appeared, but Max continued to place shots into the Ripper as he dodged its claws.
He had to be careful of the size difference. One strike had taken two of the three layers of his energy barrier down, and his physical shield likely wouldn't survive that sort of direct hit. The best he could hope for was to use the shield to deflect the claws instead of taking them squarely.
He feinted left and aimed his Lasers up at the beast's face, which made it raise a claw defensively, opening a path under its belly for him to move forward.
