Filled with confidence, Martyn invited the Kaldvargr to fight.
Fenrir's hammer was his best weapon at the moment, but it had one fatal flaw.
What good is a powerful weapon if you can't control it?
Due to its size, Martyn planned to use it once he increased his stat points, but he couldn't do that just yet.
However, this wasn't the only thing Martyn had; he wore a green hood over his body.
[Defensive Hood: If the representative has this hood equipped, their defense will increase by 10%]
[Special Effects: Phantom Defense]
[Phantom Effects: If the user's health drops below half, they can dodge some attacks, making their body immune for 10 seconds]
"What's wrong? Are you afraid?" Martyn decided to mock the Kaldvargr, who began to create large amounts of ice at his side.
Soon, those large amounts of ice turned into a spiked shield. It seemed his instinct told him that to win, he had to focus on defense.
Martyn wasn't surprised; in fact, he expected it. If the Kaldvargr could attack, he would have done so already, but he needed to wait patiently.
("One mistake could cost me my life").
That was the only thought running through the boy's mind as he sat on the rock, watching the Kaldvargr approach with his shield.
Martyn decided to gather all his strength in his arms.
As soon as the Kaldvargr was within range, Martyn swung the hammer hard, aiming to break the shield.
The Kaldvargr anticipated this and, inspired by the moves used against him, leaped over the large shield, looking for a surprise attack.
Forming an ice dagger, the Kaldvargr shot it toward Martyn.
"Damn."
[Inventory:]
[Greenflare Dagger]
In a quick switch, Martyn put the hammer back into his inventory and swiftly swapped it for his dagger, deflecting the attack.
This was only possible thanks to his system; had he been a normal hunter, he wouldn't have had the time.
The Kaldvargr, intent on ending the fight, lunged at Martyn for close combat.
Martyn accepted the challenge, and both clashed daggers.
Due to the "knockback" effect, the Kaldvargr was slightly slower than before, allowing Martyn to keep up with him.
("I think I'm starting to understand how his abilities work. He can't attack and create at the same time. It's best not to give him an opening").
Martyn's conclusion was spot on.
Although the Kaldvargr could create ice quickly, he needed to concentrate to do it.
Thanks to this weakness, Martyn opted to stop his attack; a second wasted could result in the same outcome as before.
[Abilities:]
[Precise Cuts]
Several perfect cuts were launched at the Kaldvargr, but he managed to block them all.
Despite the accumulated damage, the Kaldvargr could still keep up with Martyn. In fact, he would have already won if it weren't for that damage.
Seeing his clear disadvantage, the Kaldvargr decided to take several steps back so he could use his abilities. If Martyn approached to chase him, he'd have just enough time to activate his skills.
"I've got you!" Martyn exclaimed with a big smile.
[Inventory]
To the Kaldvargr's surprise, Martyn didn't go for him, but for his large hammer, which reached him instantly.
Bam!
Martyn seized the opportunity to use his hammer. Thanks to its great size, he could make such attacks from mid-range.
Seeing his attack was effective, he switched back to his dagger. With this strategy, he could win.
"Blasphemy, sinners!"
The Kaldvargr's screams rang out as he stood up, his bones visibly broken.
But, just like before, he began healing with ice.
No, this time it was different.
The Kaldvargr's ice was now violet, like his skin. Unlike regular ice, this one radiated an immense amount of mana.
Could this be a sign that he's near death, or is it something else?
Martyn decided to attack instantly. Now that the Kaldvargr was healing, he could take advantage of the situation.
But as soon as he entered attack range, he was the one who got hurt.
Violet ice spikes shot up from the ground, piercing the arm he had extended to attack.
[HP: 60/120]
[Warning]
[The representative's health is at half]
"Damn, did he stop healing?"
That was all Martyn could think, but he was shocked to see the Kaldvargr still healing.
"Wait, did he just use his abilities on two different targets?"
Martyn's questions couldn't be answered now; he had to escape.
He quickly charged a large amount of mana into his dagger and threw it, managing to distract the Kaldvargr, who had stopped paying him any attention.
This wasn't a good sign. If the monster didn't see him as a threat, he was sure to lose.
Knowing this, Martyn ran for Roy and placed her on his back.
Fighting was no longer an option!
The Kaldvargr didn't like this and immediately began forming a large violet ice spear.
"Damn, damn, he's going to catch us!"
Due to Martyn's injured leg, he couldn't run as fast as before.
"Blasphemy, sinners!"
With that shout, the Kaldvargr hurled the spear at Martyn, who was trying to figure out how to defend himself.
"This is the only way."
Determined not to lose, Martyn threw Roy to the side and then cut himself with his dagger.
[HP: 55/120]
[Warning:]
[The representative's health is below half, activating effects…]
[Phantom Defense activated]
As if made of air, the spear passed through Martyn's body, which became 100% transparent.
"Alright, I need to escape."
Grabbing Roy again, Martyn used the remaining seconds to get away.
[Effect: Phantom Defense]
[Expired]
But, unfortunately for him, the effect had worn off.
The Kaldvargr sensed Martyn's presence once more, and with a single stride, was right above his head.
He used his ice to propel himself.
Martyn raised his dagger to defend, but to his surprise, the Kaldvargr's attack never came.
The Kaldvargr's body was being held by steel chains, which were starting to sprout spikes.
This was something Martyn had seen before.
The Kaldvargr was flung far away, and standing before Martyn was a familiar figure.
It was the girl who had given him the coin, the same one he saw in the shop.
"Yes… yes, understood. Yes, I'm in front of the monster. It's a Kaldvargr. Two are injured, and I see five casualties."
The girl was talking into an earpiece as she pulled two items from a bag.
"Here, these are healing potions. I didn't expect to find you here."
With a warm smile, the girl spoke to Martyn, handing him one potion for himself and one for Roy.
"Sinners!"
But before Martyn could even say thank you, the Kaldvargr rushed toward them at high speed.
"Stay here and don't move," the girl said as she began to play with her chain.
"This Kaldvargr belongs to the Greek guild, and I, Daphne Petrou, will be its hunter."