Kael raised his free hand, channeling his shadow energy into a dark projectile and launching it straight at the creature. The explosion struck its side, eliciting an enraged roar, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
"I'm only irritating it," Kael thought, retreating as the Manticore regained its balance.
The creature retaliated with a strike from its tail. A stream of dark venom shot out, and Kael barely managed to dodge it by throwing himself to the ground. The corrosive liquid hissed upon contact with the earth, leaving a blackened trail spreading like a vile infection.
Kael seized the moment to search for a weakness. He recalled from the game that the Manticore had a slight vulnerability at the base of its neck, right where the wings connected to the torso.
"I need to distract it," he thought.
Raising his sword, Kael drew the monster's attention, letting out a shout that echoed through the clearing. The Manticore lunged at him again, but this time, he was ready. Using his shadow energy, he created an illusory double that darted to the right.
The beast attacked the decoy with all its might, tearing through the air with its claws. Kael seized the distraction, slipping to its left side and aiming his sword at the base of its neck.
The strike landed true. The blade sank into the Manticore's flesh, unleashing a deafening roar that shook the clearing. Yet victory was far from assured.
The Manticore thrashed its wings furiously, kicking up a cloud of dust and leaves that momentarily blinded Kael. He barely registered the impact of a claw against his side, sending him flying several meters until he slammed into a tree.
"Argh!" he cried out, a sharp pain flaring in his ribs.
He struggled to his feet, his sword still in hand. His shadows responded to his rage, enveloping his body in a dark aura that seemed to amplify his movements.
"I can't fail here," he thought, gritting his teeth.
With a final surge of determination, Kael poured all the power he could muster into his sword. The blade pulsed with dark energy, and Kael charged at the Manticore, dodging its venomous tail and razor-sharp claws with calculated precision.
When he was close enough, he delivered a downward slash with all his might. The blade tore through the creature, releasing an explosion of energy that briefly lit up the clearing.
The Manticore let out one last roar before collapsing to the ground. Kael, panting and drenched in sweat, stepped back as the golden orb reappeared before him.
"First objective complete," the orb announced, its neutral tone stark against the intensity of the battle.
Kael dropped to his knees, exhaustion washing over him. Yet a faint smile crossed his face. He had survived his first real trial.
"This is only the beginning," he thought as his gaze rested on the