After tasting victory in the depths of the Southern Forest, Kyoma's spirits soared, fueling his motivation to seek out his next opponent. With a successful execution of the Yin and Yang Punching Art, Kyoma felt that he had finally grasped the correct flow of this powerful technique. Previously, he had merely released the accumulated energy within his body, but now he understood that the correct execution required more than that. The breakthrough came in a moment of desperation, as if it were a matter of life or death. In that split second, Kyoma subconsciously ignited the energy within him, resulting in the flawless execution of the Yin and Yang Punching Art.
As Kyoma savoured his triumph, he couldn't help but admire the brilliance of the inventor behind the Yin and Yang Punching Art. Such a technique was a testament to unparalleled genius. However, his moment of reflection was abruptly interrupted as a chilling sensation crept down his spine. Reacting on instinct, Kyoma swiftly ducked, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike of a giant mantis. The air whistled where his neck had been just milliseconds before, reminding him once again of the perilous nature of the Southern Forest.
As the giant mantis unleashed another relentless assault, Kyoma's instincts kicked into high gear. With the agility and grace of a seasoned martial artist, he swiftly dodged each slash, narrowly evading the deadly blades aimed at his neck. The mantis's attacks were swift and precise, leaving a sharp whistling sound in the air with every swing. Kyoma's recent level up had restored his strength and heightened his reflexes, allowing him to move with uncanny speed and control. He manoeuvred his body effortlessly, displaying inhuman feats of evasion that seemed almost supernatural.
The giant mantis Kyoma faced now differed greatly from the one he encountered earlier on the outskirts of the Southern forest. This new mantis was 1.5 times larger, with a darker green shell that exuded a more menacing presence. The blades it wielded emitted a sinister aura, reminiscent of a grim reaper's scythe. Despite its increased size, the mantis moved with astonishing speed, surpassing the agility of its predecessor. Aware that continuous retreat was not a viable option, Kyoma made the decision to alter his tactics.
"Curse barrier!" Kyoma invoked the power of the Loran's Ring, summoning a dark aura that formed a protective shield around him. As the mantis's blade descended upon him, the curse barrier absorbed the impact, shielding Kyoma from harm. In that moment, Kyoma swiftly cast the spell of appraisal.
The numbers appeared before his eyes.
-3801!!
With a single strike, the formidable curse barrier, boasting a massive shield of 5000 HP, was diminished to a mere fraction, its integrity threatened by the cracks rapidly spreading from the point of impact. It teetered on the brink of shattering.
Name: Bladed Mantis
Race: Monster
Level: 32
HP: 3500/3500
MP: 450/450
Strength: 180
Agility: 215
Intelligence: 10
Passive Skill: Sharp Blade (Level 5), Sensory Perception (Level 3), Agility Boost (Level 5), Camouflage (Level 3)
Active Skills: Crescent Slash (Level 4), Air Hop (Level 3)
Description: The Bladed Mantis is a formidable creature found in the depths of the Southern Forest. Born and bred in an environment teeming with powerful adversaries, this mantis has grown to be a fearsome predator. It wields its razor-sharp claws with deadly precision, capable of slicing through even the toughest of materials. The Bladed Mantis is cautious in its approach, carefully selecting its prey and attacking only when it knows it can swiftly overpower them in a single strike. However, when faced with a formidable opponent, it displays a surprising sense of self-preservation and will retreat at the first sign of danger.
After assessing the overwhelming stats of the Bladed Mantis, Kyoma found himself at a loss. The appraisal had dashed his hopes of exploiting any weaknesses, as it became clear that the mantis possessed unprecedented power and abilities. The vast disparity in strength between Kyoma and the monster left him with little chance of victory. There was a saying that techniques are meaningless in the face of absolute strength.
Lost in contemplation of his next move, Kyoma was caught off guard as the Bladed Mantis unleashed its "Crescent Slash." Its blade-like claws gleamed with mana as they sliced through the air, closing in on Kyoma. Unable to evade the swift and unexpected attack, Kyoma was struck in the chest, the searing pain marking the impact of the mantis's assault.
Blood spurted from Kyoma's chest as he took the hit from the Bladed Mantis's Crescent Slash. Thankfully, the strike missed his vital organs, providing him with a narrow escape. Before Kyoma could fully recover, the mantis lunged at him, its claws poised to deliver a deadly blow. However, in the face of imminent death, a deep voice resounded in Kyoma's mind.
"That's not the correct stance. Are you so eager to die?"
Simultaneously, Kyoma felt a powerful force pressuring his body downward while another force strengthened his legs, guiding him into a martial artist's battle-ready stance. As the bladed mantis closed in on him, the empowering force compelled Kyoma to move, guiding his body to rotate clockwise and execute nimble half-steps, effortlessly evading the agile attacks of the Bladed Mantis.
"W-What?" Kyoma exclaimed in astonishment as he observed how his body effortlessly dodged the Bladed Mantis's attacks. He had thought that he was surely doomed. After narrowly escaping death, Kyoma quickly readjusted himself to face the mantis once more. He could still feel the residual force that had guided his movements, and he couldn't ignore the presence of the deep voice that had spoken in his mind. Taking a quick glance behind him, Kyoma was taken aback to see an old man in the form of a floating phantom emanating a sinister aura, his physical appearance resembling that of a martial artist who had ascended to the pinnacle of power, someone qualified to look down upon the world as if he were its ruler.
"Do not allow yourself to be distracted by my presence. Direct your gaze upon your opponent. Concentrate your focus on its hind legs. It is amassing energy and preparing to pounce upon you. Observe its right shoulder, withdrawn and poised to strike you with its blade."
"When I utter the word 'now,' swiftly shift your weight to the left and lower yourself in a swift motion."
"Now!"
The moment the spectral old man's voice resonated with authority, Kyoma cast aside all hesitation. Reacting with lightning speed, he shifted his weight to the left and swiftly crouched down. In that critical instant, the Bladed Mantis lunged forward, slashing diagonally with its right claw. Through Kyoma's agile evasion, he narrowly evaded the lethal strike of the mantis's blade.
"Now, your opponent has left such a glaring opening, and you find yourself in a perfect position. What action will you take to seize this opportunity?"
Without hesitation, Kyoma instinctively seized the moment, channeling all his gathered strength into a powerful execution of the Yin and Yang Punching Art, aiming directly at the vulnerable spot of the Bladed Mantis.
"Stupid brat, are you really that eager to die?"
Once more, Kyoma felt an immense force driving him away from the Bladed Mantis at the critical moment. Just as the monster's left claw came slashing through the air, Kyoma was propelled out of harm's way, narrowly avoiding being cleaved in half by the Bladed Mantis's attack.
"You have just squandered a precious opening," the old man lamented, standing closely behind Kyoma. With a pointed finger directed at the Bladed Mantis, he resembled a seasoned mentor guiding his apprentice in the midst of a live battle.
"Take a good look at the insect's body. Despite its formidable shell, no body is impervious to weakness. Even the sturdiest of beings have vulnerable joints. A well-placed strike from someone like you can render it immobile."
As Kyoma attentively observed the Bladed Mantis's body, he realised that breaking through its sturdy shell would be a daunting task. However, targeting its joints from a strategic angle could be a more viable approach.
"Now, shift your focus to its legs. It's not preparing to pounce, but rather trying to maintain a firm stance. It's tightening its core and readying its claw for an attack at this distance. What do you think its next move will be?"
"The mid-ranged attack, Crescent Blade!" Kyoma's previous encounter with the Bladed Mantis's devastating attack caused panic to well up within him as he instinctively tried to evade the impending strike. However, the old man swiftly placed his palms firmly on Kyoma's shoulders, preventing him from acting rashly.
"Now is not the time to dodge, conserve your energy and follow my guidance," the old man's voice resonated in Kyoma's mind.
As the Bladed Mantis unleashed its Cresent Blade attack, the lethal energy soared through the air towards Kyoma with a piercing whistle. However, under the influence of the energy enveloping him, Kyoma's body moved with precise control, executing a basic footwork technique that allowed him to gracefully evade the incoming Cresent Blade. It was as if Kyoma had become a puppet, guided by the experienced hand of the old man.
As the Bladed Mantis leaped towards Kyoma in a fit of rage, the old man continued to guide Kyoma through telepathy.
"Keep your focus on its hind legs and retracted left shoulder. Are you ready?" the old man asked.
"Yes," Kyoma replied, determination in his voice.
"Now!"
In perfect synchrony with the old man's instruction, Kyoma swiftly moved a step to his right and performed a half squat, narrowly evading the mantis's left blade. With lightning speed, Kyoma seized the opportunity and delivered a precise punch to the mantis's left frontal leg, targeting its vulnerable joint. The impact shattered the joint, causing the mantis to lose stability in that leg.
Enraged by the sudden blow, the mantis unleashed a flurry of desperate attacks towards Kyoma. However, Kyoma expertly evaded each strike, swiftly repositioning himself under the precise instructions of the phantom-like old man. Kyoma had become a master of manoeuvring, dancing around the mantis's onslaught with agility and precision.
With precise strikes targeting the joints of the mantis's hind leg, Kyoma disabled two of its legs, leaving the mantis crippled and unable to move with its former agility. Now, guided by the phantom's telepathic instructions, Kyoma effortlessly manoeuvred around the mantis, delivering calculated attacks, expertly dodging its feeble attempts to retaliate, and countering with devastating blows.
As the battle drew to a close, Kyoma summoned all his strength and unleashed another perfectly executed Yin and Yang Punching Art. The force of the punch obliterated the mantis's head, bringing an end to its life.
<+7304 experience points>