Observing the creature's timely emergence, it became evident to Asher that the tower was not going to grant him an effortless passage. He had only one more fishman to conquer to achieve the objective of his current floor. Thought, Asher was determined not to leave the trial until he had completed his side quest. However, at this moment, the side quest was the least of his concerns. The formidable catfish before him posed the greatest challenge yet, especially when gauging its strength against the enemy levels he had previously encountered. Despite this, Asher had anticipated that the boss-ranked adversaries he had faced thus far presented a greater threat, even though they were of a lower level than this elite-ranked foe.
"... It seems I have no other choice but to confront it directly," Asher concluded. He realized that the strategies he had used against the normal-ranked fishmen, who tended to cluster in groups, would be ineffective here. Facing this opponent head-on was the only viable option. Fortunately, the silver lining was that his adversary was alone, simplifying the battle for him.
However, this did not imply that Asher would recklessly expose himself to the enemy, offering it an opportunity to counterattack. Given that he was still concealed and the creature remained unaware of his presence, an ambush seemed like the most strategic approach at this moment. By launching a surprise attack, he could inflict significant initial damage, thereby enhancing his odds of victory in this confrontation.
Asher inhaled deeply, calming his nerves while carefully surveying his environment. The night draped everything in shadows, and the moon's faint glow cast a reassuring light over the scene. The beach's stone walls around him created an ideal setting for a covert approach. He moved with practiced silence as he had done it numerous time thus far, his animated guardian trailing close behind, seamlessly melding into the darkness. His gaze was fixed intently on the catfish that prowled ahead, unwavering in his focus.
The creature, with its massive size and thick scales, seemed oblivious to their presence. It moved with a deliberate slowness, suggesting a specific intent or search. This piqued Asher's curiosity – what could have drawn such a beast from its aquatic domain? A sudden realization struck him, 'Could it be responding to the defeat of the numerous fishmen I've encountered so far? Perhaps it emerged from the water to investigate their disappearance.' However, Asher quickly shelved this speculation, knowing that conjecture wouldn't aid his current mission. His mind refocused, he turned his attention back.
Asher strategically placed his guardian behind a large pillar, taking a moment to assess the distance and angle for his attack. Precision was crucial in this endeavor. His heart raced, fueled by anticipation rather than fear. Once his guardian was ideally positioned for the ambush, Asher swiftly commanded it to infuse his shield with a Necrotic touch[https://i.imgur.com/qTABiF4.png [https://i.imgur.com/qTABiF4.png]],. The shield began to radiate a ghostly green hue, reminiscent of the netherworld. Had they not been concealed behind a rock, this eerie luminescence would have undoubtedly betrayed the guardian's location to the enemy.
With a swift, fluid motion, Asher's guardian leaped from his hiding spot, his shield raised high as he rushed toward the beast while making use of his shield charge skill[https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png [https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png]]. The element of surprise was on his side as the creature turned, startled by the sudden attack. The guardian aimed for a vulnerable spot he had identified.
Bam!
The collision of forces resounded fiercely, reverberating across the open expanse. The Guardian's shield, pulsating with necrotic energy, hit its mark effectively. The massive creature recoiled in agony, momentarily disoriented by the shield charge powerful knockback effect. It stumbled backward, but this was far from a decisive victory; the beast was still far from defeated.
Regaining its composure with astonishing swiftness, the catfish unleashed a roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the sea. The roar's intensity was such that it created ripples on the water's surface, emanating outward from the epicenter of its powerful vocalization.
Whiskertus, The Marauder has used [Lethargic Bellow], you and your guardian has been affect by the status debuff [Sluggish] for 15 seconds
Asher was caught off guard when he realized that the roar from the fishman was not merely an expression of frustration but a skill that inflicted a status debuff he had never encountered before. The notification alerting him of the debuff brought with it an overwhelming sense of pressure. He felt his movements becoming sluggish, as if an invisible force was restraining him, and his stamina seemed to drain away at regular intervals.
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Eager for understanding, Asher quickly glanced at the information about the status effect that was shown right bellow his health bar.
https://i.imgur.com/iPepkmj.png [https://i.imgur.com/iPepkmj.png]
Sluggish: https://i.imgur.com/e7DnGnu.png [https://i.imgur.com/e7DnGnu.png]
Sluggish: Decreases movement speed by 10%, increasing by 0.5% every second the effect is remained active.
The details that appeared were startling – the debuff was significantly more debilitating for his guardian than he had anticipated. It initially reduced their movement speed by 10%, and this reduction was set to become more severe over time, increasing by 0.5% every second the effect remained active. This progressive slow-down posed a significant tactical challenge, as it not only hindered their immediate maneuverability but also threatened to increasingly impair their ability to dodge attacks or position themselves effectively in the ongoing battle. It was a strategic move by the creature, targeting not just the physical prowess but also the very essence of their combat capabilities.
While Asher remained relatively unscathed in his hidden position, the situation was starkly different for his guardian. The guardian, a being whose combat effectiveness relied heavily on agility, was visibly suffering from the debilitating effects of the "Sluggish" status debuff. This reduction in movement speed posed a significant disadvantage, particularly in a confrontation that demanded quick reflexes and swift maneuvering.
With the debuff taking its toll on them, the catfish seized its opportunity to escalate the assault. Clutching a large spear, the beast moved with a surprising agility that belied its massive size. The spear, an extension of its formidable presence, glinted menacingly in the dim moonlight.
Realizing the heightened danger, the guardian braced himself. The catfish charged forward, its spear slicing through the air with lethal precision. The thrust was aimed with calculated intent, forcing the guardian to rely on his shield to diminish the damage. The situation was precarious; the debuff had not only slowed him down but also made each movement a struggle against an invisible force.
As the spear lunged towards his guardian, Asher witnessed an astonishing transformation. A swirling vortex of water began to envelop the fishman's weapon, reshaping it right before his eyes. The spearhead, initially formidable in its own right, morphed into something far more daunting – a massive, water-formed spearhead that seemed to harness the very essence of the sea on the tip of the enemy weapon. The spear, now augmented with the power of water, presented a greater threat than before.
Caught off-guard and with no time to react appropriately, the guardian had no option but to rely on its sturdy shield for protection. However, what happened next was beyond Asher's expectations. As the water-formed spear struck the shield, it cut through it with alarming ease, as if the shield were made of brittle, rusted wood. The sharp, water-crafted spearhead sliced through the defense as though it were insubstantial.
The fishman's ability clearly possessed penetrative attributes that rendered traditional defenses ineffective. In that critical moment, his guardian's shield, was proven utterly useless against this new form of attack. The fishman's spear, with its water-formed enhancement, wasn't just a physical threat but also a magical one, capable of bypassing conventional physical protective measures.
https://i.imgur.com/vnBBOC3.png [https://i.imgur.com/vnBBOC3.png]
The attack dealt a substantial blow, inflicting nearly 100 points of damage to Asher's guardian. The once formidable shield was now severed in two. However, Asher had anticipated such scenarios when he chose this particular shield. Its unique ability to self-repair by drawing upon the user's own health points made it invaluable in dire situations like this.
Activating the shield's regenerative ability, Asher watched as an extraordinary process unfolded. The edges of the shield, adorned with what appeared to be living flesh, began to stretch out. These flesh-like tendrils reached out like tentacles, straining towards each other with a singular purpose. It was a surreal sight, reminiscent of two separate organisms striving to become whole again.
As the tendrils made contact, they began to fuse, seamlessly knitting the shield back into a single entity. It was as if the shield had a life of its own, guided by an innate desire to repair and protect. The process was not only a visual spectacle but also a strategic advantage, allowing Asher and his guardian to quickly regain their defensive capabilities.
"Well, that's one way to avoid a repair bills."
Aware of the health points sacrificed for this restoration, acknowledged the trade-off. Turning his attention to his guardian's health points, he quickly reassessed the situation.
https://i.imgur.com/0vLVWIG.png [https://i.imgur.com/0vLVWIG.png]
His eyes widened slightly in realization. "It cost him a 100 points of health!" he exclaimed, a hint of surprise in his voice. This was a significant amount, yet in the grand scheme of things, it was a price worth paying for maintaining their defensive edge in this intense battle.
While recalibrating his strategy, Asher observed a significant change in the fishman's weapon. The water that had previously enveloped and enhanced the spear began to dissipate, trickling down to the ground as if it had never been part of the weapon. This observation was crucial.
"Looks like that skill is a one-time use, not a continuous buff," Asher noted to himself. The realization that the water augmentation of the spear was temporary, not permanent, shifted his tactics. "I need to act fast, before it has a chance to use it again." he thought.