Chapter 14: The Giants' Battle
Kaelen realized that a direct fight against this massive creature would be suicide. His small blades couldn't inflict any damage on the creature's tough, bony skin. His mission now was to find its weakness, no matter how small. He started to run in circles around it, trying to exhaust it and find an opportunity to attack.
The creature wasn't stupid. It followed Kaelen with its glowing red eyes, but its movements were slow and heavy. It slammed the ground with its massive fist in an attempt to stop Kaelen, but it missed him every time. Kaelen dodged the blows with expertise, using quick and erratic movements, just as he had done in the underworld, but fatigue was creeping into his body.
In the midst of the fight, Kaelen activated his "Analysis" skill again, directing his focus at the creature:
[First Wave creature detected. Type: Combat. Level: 7.]
No new information appeared, but Kaelen was observing. He noticed that after every powerful blow the creatures made, they left a side of their body exposed for a moment. It was a tiny window of opportunity, but it was enough.
Kaelen waited for the right moment. When one of the creatures launched a powerful punch with its left hand, Kaelen moved with lightning speed and leaped towards the gap in its bony armor. But instead of trying to stab it, he did something else.
Kaelen reached out and skillfully plucked one of the glowing crystals from the wall. The crystal pulsed with energy and felt warm in his hand. When he directed it towards the creature, the monster began to shudder, and its red eyes winced in pain. The crystal was its weakness!
Kaelen didn't hesitate. The moment the creature began to retreat, he lunged forward and plunged the crystal into the exposed gap in its bony armor. The crystal exploded with a powerful purple energy, and the creature let out a deafening roar that shook the entire cave.
Within seconds, the massive creature's body collapsed and turned into a pile of glowing crystals, larger and more numerous than the ones he had previously collected. These crystals radiated with a more potent energy.
[First Wave creature (Type: Combat) eliminated.]
Seeing their companion fall, the remaining three creatures went into a state of blind rage. They began to slam their claws against the walls, letting out furious and ferocious roars. They charged at Kaelen all at once, without any coordination, driven only by a desire for revenge.
Kaelen seized the moment and lunged at one of them while it was in a frenzy, using the same strategy. He ran in circles around them, seizing the opportunity to pluck crystals from the walls and plunge them into their furiously moving bodies.
After a few minutes of fierce fighting, Kaelen stood alone in the middle of the cave, breathing heavily. He did not emerge from the battle unscathed; his body was covered in dust and scratches, and pain coursed through him. But he was alive, and stronger than before, and he now understood that the rules of combat in this world were completely different.
[All First Wave creatures (Type: Combat) eliminated.]
[Quest Progress: 80%.]
[Potential Reward: Essence Crystals, Rare Resources, Artifact.]
Kaelen didn't give himself time to rest. Another message echoed in his mind.
[First Wave creature detected. Type: Leader. Level: 10.]
Kaelen realized that the challenge was far from over. Everything that had happened was just a prelude to the real fight.