The roots retracted briefly as I jumped again, only to lunge forward a moment later, weaving into a net where I had just stood.
It continued for minutes—an endless dance of evasion. The monster didn't move. It didn't chase me or even attempt to relocate. It just attacked with its roots, as if it were enjoying this twisted game, watching me struggle and exhaust myself.
It was playing with me.
The stench of it filled the air, heavy and nauseating. I gagged. It wasn't just decay—it was despair. How many people had this thing killed? How many lives had it destroyed? Families torn apart, dreams crushed… how many had it devoured to emit such a vile aura?
My fists clenched in frustration. I knew it was toying with me, and yet, I couldn't do anything. I hadn't even tried to approach it for several reasons—the difference in power, the lack of room to dodge if I got too close, and the lack of cover in the open.
But then a thought struck me.
What if the reason it isn't moving isn't because it's playing with me, but because it doesn't want me to come close?
Monsters have instincts. They can sense when their opponent is stronger or a genuine threat. Could it be that, despite the gap in power, this monster doesn't want me near it?
Thinking won't help me now. I need to find out before exhaustion gets me killed.
"Here goes nothing."
I darted forward mid-dodge, attempting to close the distance. As expected, its attack pattern shifted immediately, roots striking aggressively to keep me at bay.
"Let's try that again…"
I jumped down from the fifth floor to the fourth, narrowing the gap between us. The roots came faster this time, moving with precision to block my path.
It doesn't want me close.
But why?
It's clearly stronger. Its roots are tougher, faster, and more numerous than before. Yet it hasn't moved from its spot.
"System, figure out why it's not moving and why it won't let me get close while I keep testing its range."
[ Warning: Approaching the target reduces survival odds by 30%. ]
"I'm going to die either way. At least this way, I'll die trying."
[ Understood. Scanning… ]
[ Scanning complete. ]
Name: Corpse Flower
Gene: Mutant
Grade: Knight
Rank: C-
Combat Power: E-
Weakness: Fire, Ice, Lightning
Status Anomaly: Poisoned
[ Unstable rank and combat power detected. ]
[ Conclusion: Premature completion of hibernation due to ingestion of poisonous substance. Power levels unstable.]
A smirk crept onto my face. "So it's weaker than expected."
[ Though weaker than anticipated, the target's strength far surpasses yours, Host. Avoid direct confrontation. ]
"Don't have to tell me twice."
I descended to the ground floor, the uneven rubble making movement tricky. The shattered remains of the building provided some cover against the roots, but it wasn't enough to keep me safe for long.
The monster's main body loomed ahead, surrounded by a mass of roots that writhed like snakes. They clustered protectively around it, like guard dogs daring me to step closer.
'Alright, I'm at ground level. But now what?'
I assessed the situation. The roots around the main body were dense, too many to dodge if I approached. I'd be surrounded in seconds.
'I remember having kitchen knives, but they'd be useless against those roots… unless—'
"System, can I imbue the knives with spells through engraving?"
[ Using mana crystals as a catalyst, it is possible. ]
"Perfect." I dodged another volley of roots, narrowing my focus. "I've got 11 knives. System, engrave a fire-based spell with burning and sharpening effects onto one of them."
[ Engraving spell: Flame Edge and Sharp Edge. ]
[ Target: Kitchen knife. ]
[ Engraving complete. ]
Name: Engraved Kitchen Knife
Grade: None
Rank: F
Effects: Flame Edge, Sharp Edge
Durability: 10
I gripped the engraved knife tightly, stepping aside as another root lashed toward me. With a quick slash, the blade sliced cleanly through it. The severed root ignited instantly, the flames consuming the cut section before it could regenerate.
A grin spread across my face. "Finally, a way to fight back."
[ Durability of Engraved Kitchen Knife decreased by 0.5. Remaining durability: 9.5. ]
I ducked behind a pile of rubble, catching my breath as I inspected the burning root. The flames had spread further than I'd anticipated, forcing other nearby roots to retract slightly.
"Alright, this might actually work…"
I stood, gripping the knife with renewed determination. If this monster thought it could play with me, it was about to learn the hard way.
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