The green magical praying mantis was a magic beast whose duty was to guard the Great Forest Temple.
The green mantis was tall, at about eight to nine feet and more. It had a body that was shiny and looked like armour. The magical creature bared its raptorial claws — its most terrifying weapon — at the intruders, ready to attack.
As Sethryn was still thinking of the best way to approach, a blue screen popped up with magical beast's profile on it, a language that Sethryn understood.
<< MAGIC BEAST PROFILE >>
Name: Green Magic Mantis
Sobriquet:
— Magic Praying Mantis
— Guardian of the Great Forest Temple
Race: Magical Beast [ Insect Model ]
Level: 6
Mana Type: Neutral
Life Points: 1200
>>
The green mantis' profile was rather brief but frightening.
"What the heck!" he lamented, changing glances between the blue screen and the mantis in front of them.
"A level six beast. How am I supposed to fight that?"
The green mantis was two levels above Sethryn, meaning it was stronger than the player who was about to face it.
The green beast hissed, its voice sounding out loud, like a scream, disturbing the ears of its prey.
Sethryn and Lysar blocked their ears with their hands. Their quick thinking helped a great deal but then, in a bid to save themselves from the annoying screeching sound, they lost focus and dropped their guards against the magic beast.
Sethryn noticed the swift movement of the beast as it moved from its initial position in front of them. Although he picked it up late, Sethryn was able to equip his shield to block the incoming attack from the magic beast.
Unfortunately for the player, one of the spiked forelegs of the mantis severed through his level one shield, cutting into his chest and leaving a bleeding wound on it.
Sethryn reacted by attempting to shove his shield at the beast but missed when the mantis flew backwards.
The Green Magic Mantis was unlike any of the creatures he had fought in Alderix. The mantis was very much sentient and possessed remarkable intelligence for a beast.
Sethryn lowered his body, shrieking in pain while placing his hand on the wound to stop the bleeding. The sharp claws of the mantis had effortlessly torn through his leather vest and into his skin.
"Are you alright?" Lysar asked, rushing to his side.
The mantis hissed as if unsatisfied with the outcome of its first attack. The beast brandished its forelegs once more preparing to go at them a second time.
To fight the mantis was going to be a difficult task and at the level he was, it was almost impossible. Sethryn would have to level up soon and go against his intention of concealing how strong he truly was.
Even though he knew the truth, he wanted to gauge something first before turning his experience points. He wanted to see how well he could do, as a level two player, against a level six magic beast, however stupid the idea sounded.
...
...
...
Sethryn was both daring and foolish. His unverified assumption of the capabilities of the Goblin King was driving him down a path of foolishness.
In what world was he going to defeat a level six magical creature while still choosing to remain a level two player?
Certainly not Alderix.
Sethryn's heart raced as he squared off against the magical praying mantis, its eyes gleaming with otherworldly energy.
The player's mouth was smeared with his blood and his face and body were riddled with bruises and cuts.
Lysar was lying on the ground behind him, out cold from taking a hit from the mantis.
It was not looking good for them.
Sethryn was full of adrenaline and punishment in an equal mix. The green mantis' slender spiked limbs twitched, ready to attack. Sethryn picked up this subtle movement and braced himself, feeling the weight of his maxed out shield as if it were an extension of his own arm.
The surrounding trees seemed to hold their breath as the air was thick with tension. Sethryn's dark brown boots dug into the earth, anchoring him as he focused on the mantis' every move.
However, keeping a keen watch on the mantis' movements had not helped him at all since the battle started. The creature had proven countless times that it was clearly faster than Sethryn and yet...
With a sudden lunge, the mantis lunged forward, its forelimbs slashing through the air like scythes. Sethryn's shield met the attack head-on, the clash of energy against magicked chitin echoed through the clearing.
"Synapse..." Sethryn let out, struggling to not lose their show of power.
Gritting his teeth, Sethryn pushed back against the force of the mantis' strike, muscles straining as he held his ground.
The sheer power of the creature was extraordinary, but Sethryn was unyielding, his determination burning brighter with each passing second. His shield, an extension of his will, held steady against the onslaught.
But his will alone was not going to save him from the raw power and swiftness of the green mantis. He needed to respond with raw power of his own.
Synapse responded to his call as a blue screen appeared in his mind.
"Level up to maximum!"
[ Maximum Level Up Initiated ]
[ Calculating Required EXP... ]
Level 1: Default
Level 2: Default
Level 3: 50 EXP To Level Up
Level 4: 100 EXP To Level Up
Level 5: 150 EXP To Level Up
Level 6: 200 EXP To Level Up
Level 7: 250 EXP To Level Up
Level 8: 300 EXP To Level Up
[ Max Level Up Limit: Level 8 ]
[ Required EXP For Max Level Up: 1050 EXP ]
[ Deducting Required EXP ]
[ Processing Maximum Level Up ]
As the mantis retracted its limbs, Sethryn seized the opportunity. He launched a swift counterattack, shoving his shield against the mantis before turning in a circle to cut the beast, using the metallic junction of his shield as blades.
The mantis' exoskeleton proved to be a formidable defence, but Sethryn's strikes were precise and unrelenting. With a triumphant cry, he managed to land a solid blow, ousting purply fluid out of its body and eliciting a hiss of pain from the creature.
For the first time in the past seven minutes of battle, Sethryn landed a successful blow.
As he smiled for joy at a successful hit, his smile widened further into a grin when the prompts from his Synapse started to flood in.
[ You Have Gained +6 Level Up ]
[ You Have Levelled Up To Level 8 ]
[ Minus 1050 EXP Deducted ]
He grinned even more when he saw the number two changed into the number eight on his status.