Getting past the Minotaur camp had been almost too easy for Kairos and his cousins, as they deftly navigated around the hulking creatures, outsmarting them with their stealthy approach. The group's spirits were high as they neared the edge of the clearing, the first trial seemingly within their grasp. It felt as though they were on the brink of victory, outmaneuvering the Minotaurs with a combination of skill and clever tactics.
But just as they thought they were in the clear, a sudden, thunderous crash erupted behind them. Out of nowhere, a giant stone hammer came hurtling toward the group with terrifying speed and force. Kairos barely had time to react, raising his sword just in time to catch the massive weapon on its blade. The impact was staggering, sending a shockwave up his arm that numbed his senses and sent him skidding backward across the ground.
"Kairos!" Lysandra's voice rang out in alarm as she watched her cousin struggle to regain his footing.
The source of the attack emerged from the shadows—a Minotaur, but unlike the others they had encountered. This one was smaller, more compact, but its build was dense with muscle, its black skin glistening like polished obsidian under the dim light. Its copper horns gleamed menacingly, and its nostrils flared with each breath as it let out a guttural snort. What it lacked in size, it more than made up for in sheer power and agility, wielding its massive stone hammer with a speed and precision that belied its bulk.
Kairos gritted his teeth, feeling the burn in his arm from the hammer's impact. The Minotaur before him was different—stronger, faster, more dangerous. This wasn't just any Minotaur; this was a true warrior, one that had likely been left to guard the perimeter because of its superior abilities.
"Everyone, get ready!" Kairos shouted, his voice cutting through the tension. "This one's different. It's not going down easy."
The Minotaur charged again, its hooves thundering against the ground as it bore down on Kairos. Before he could react, the creature was upon him, swinging its hammer with deadly precision. Kairos barely managed to parry the blow, the force of the strike sending a shudder through his entire body. The sheer power behind each swing was enough to crush stone, and Kairos could feel the weight of the battle pressing down on him.
"Kairos, watch out!" Caelum called out, his hands already weaving through the air as he cast a spell. A deep crimson magic circle appeared beneath his feet, glowing with an intense heat. "Magma Spray!"
With a flick of his wrist, Caelum unleashed a torrent of molten magma that erupted from the ground, spraying directly in front of the charging Minotaur. The searing heat was immediate, the air around them shimmering with the intensity. The Minotaur skidded to a halt, its advance halted by the wall of molten rock. The creature roared in pain and frustration as the magma seared its skin, forcing it to back away.
"We have a second to catch our breath," Caelum muttered, his eyes fixed on the creature as he caught his breath.
Kairos, still reeling from the impact of the hammer, was quickly pulled back by Orion, who caught him before he could stumble. "We need a plan, fast," Orion said, his voice steady. "That thing isn't going to wait long before it tries again."
Kairos nodded, shaking off the pain as he quickly analyzed the situation. "It's fast," he murmured, almost to himself. "Faster than any Minotaur I've ever seen. But if we can trap it…"
He closed his eyes briefly, activating his Detection skill to assess the Minotaur's status. The results flashed before his eyes, and he was momentarily taken aback by what he saw.
Canyon Minotaur
Level: 85
HP: 10,000/10,000
Speed: 1,000
Strength: 900
Endurance: 800
Agility: 750
Skills:
- Berserk Charge: Temporarily increases speed and strength by 20%.
- Iron Will: Significantly reduces damage from physical attacks.
- War Cry:A roar that intimidates and weakens opponents within a 10-meter radius.
"Speed… 1,000," Kairos muttered under his breath, his eyes widening in realization. It was no wonder the creature had been able to keep up with him, even overpower him. "It's faster than I thought. But we can use that against it."
Kairos turned to Caelum, his mind already working through the plan.
"Keep that magma going, but make it a circle—trap it inside. I'm going to need all the speed I can get to take this thing down."
Caelum nodded, his focus unwavering as he adjusted the flow of the magma, encircling the Minotaur in a fiery prison. The creature, now surrounded, bellowed in anger, its nostrils flaring as it realized it had been cornered.
"Are you sure about this?" Lysandra asked, her voice laced with concern. "That thing is a monster, Kairos. You can't take it lightly."
Kairos offered her a reassuring smile, though his eyes were steely with determination. "I'm not. But I have to be faster, more precise. Galaxy Step should give me the edge I need."
Kairos activated Galaxy Step, his body beginning to glow with a celestial brilliance. His form became a blur of light, his movements so fast that they left afterimages in their wake. The Minotaur, sensing the shift in its opponent, raised its hammer, ready to strike.
Kairos shot forward, his sword flashing through the air as he engaged the Minotaur in a deadly dance. The creature swung its hammer with terrifying speed, but each blow was met with a perfectly timed parry from Kairos. Sparks flew as sword and hammer clashed, the force of their collision sending shockwaves through the air.
To everyone's amazement, Kairos wasn't just keeping up with the Minotaur—he was matching it blow for blow. Each swing of the hammer was met with a swift and precise strike from Kairos, his body moving in perfect harmony with his glowing sword. The Galaxy Step allowed him to anticipate the Minotaur's movements, his speed now nearly matching that of the beast.