The Minotaur's frustration began to show. It roared with fury, its red eyes glowing with an intense, malevolent light. The ground beneath its hooves trembled as it stomped in anger, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the earth.
"War Cry!" the Minotaur bellowed, its voice reverberating through the clearing like a thunderclap. The sound was deafening, and the sheer intensity of it sent a wave of fear through the air. Kairos felt the pressure in his chest, the primal urge to flee clawing at his senses, but he fought it down, his resolve steeled by the knowledge that he couldn't afford to falter.
The Minotaur didn't let up. With a ferocious snarl, it activated its Berserk Charge, muscles bulging as its speed and strength surged. The creature became a blur of black and copper, rushing at Kairos with terrifying force. The ground trembled beneath its pounding hooves, the hammer swinging with lethal precision.
Kairos braced himself, realizing the battle had just escalated to a new level. He barely dodged the first swing, but the Minotaur was relentless, bringing the hammer around in a swift arc. The sheer weight of the blow sent vibrations through Kairos's sword, nearly overwhelming him as he parried.
The Minotaur's speed was incredible, a sharp contrast to its massive frame. Kairos could feel the strain in his muscles as he matched each of the creature's movements, his Galaxy Step allowing him to dance around the powerful strikes. But even with his advantage, the Minotaur's relentless assault began to push him back, each clash of weapons sending shockwaves through the clearing.
The Minotaur roared, its eyes burning with berserk fury. It lunged again, faster and more powerful than before. Kairos was forced to rely on every ounce of his agility to evade, his afterimages flickering as he sidestepped the creature's hammer. The intense heat of Caelum's magma circle only added to the tension, creating a dangerous battleground where one misstep could be fatal.
Kairos activated his detection skill, a shimmering plate of information flashing before his eyes.
Canyon Minotaur
Level: 85
HP: 10,000/10,000
Speed: 1,200
Strength: 1,080
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.
The Minotaur, sensing its advantage, roared and activated another skill. "Iron Will!" it bellowed, a dark energy enveloping its body. The creature's defense became nearly impenetrable, its skin hardening to resist even the sharpest of blades.
Kairos's heart raced. He needed a plan, something beyond just speed. He readied himself, his sword glowing brighter as he poured every ounce of celestial energy into it. The Minotaur charged again, the ground shaking as it aimed a devastating overhead strike at Kairos. But this time, Kairos didn't dodge. He stood firm, waiting for the precise moment.
The hammer came crashing down, and at the last second, Kairos sidestepped with blinding speed. The hammer grazed his shoulder, but he spun around, his sword slicing through the air with incredible force. The blade met the Minotaur's back, but the Iron Will deflected most of the damage. The creature roared in pain but didn't fall.
"Not enough," Kairos muttered, determination hardening his resolve. He knew he had to strike deeper, hit with everything he had. "Celestial Rift!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the battlefield.
The space around Kairos distorted, his sword glowing with an otherworldly light. With a final burst of speed, Kairos charged forward, a streak of light closing the gap between him and the Minotaur. The creature, disoriented and weakened, barely had time to react before Kairos unleashed his ultimate attack.
The blade cut through the Minotaur's defenses like a hot knife through butter, the energy from the rift exploding outward, tearing through the creature's body. The shockwave rippled through the clearing, and with a final, agonized roar, the Minotaur collapsed to the ground, its massive form crumpling as life drained from its eyes. The once-mighty beast lay still, its hammer falling from its grasp with a heavy thud.
Kairos stood over the fallen Minotaur, breath ragged, his sword still crackling with celestial energy. The glow of the Galaxy Step faded, leaving him in the aftermath of the battle. Silence fell over the clearing, the tension thick in the air.
The group slowly approached, awe evident in their eyes. "You did it," Orion said, his voice filled with respect. "You actually took it down."
Kairos nodded, his gaze still fixed on the Minotaur. "It wasn't easy," he admitted quietly. "But it had to be done."
Caelum stepped forward, admiration clear in his expression. "Your swordsmanship was incredible, Kairos. You outmatched it in speed—something I didn't think was possible."
Kairos sheathed his sword, his thoughts racing. "Speed alone wasn't enough. I had to think ahead, anticipate its moves. The Galaxy Step gave me just enough of an edge."
As the group regrouped and began planning their next move, a familiar voice echoed in Kairos's mind—Eclipse.
"You hesitated again, Kairos."
Kairos frowned, the voice cutting through his post-battle thoughts. "I didn't hesitate. I killed it."
"Yes, but you could have killed it much sooner." Eclipse's tone was cold, almost disappointed. "You had the chance to end the fight in an instant, yet you chose to draw it out. A true warrior doesn't waste time."
Kairos felt a surge of frustration. "It's not about rushing to kill, Eclipse. It's about strategy—about finding the right moment."
"Strategy is important, but hesitation in the heat of battle can cost you your life. You had the power to strike a fatal blow from the start, but you let it drag on." Eclipse's voice was a harsh whisper in his mind. "Remember this, Kairos. The next time you face an opponent, don't waste time. Finish it before it can finish you."
Kairos clenched his fists, the weight of Eclipse's words heavy on his mind as they moved on from the battlefield.