Asher didn't waste any time while the fishman's skill was on cooldown. He moved quietly towards his guardian while weaving through rocks to do so and signaled it to come closer without making any noise that might alert the fishman. Once they were together, Asher used his healing skill to help his guardian recover some of the lost health. It wasn't a lot, but every bit helped.
The guardian's health started to go up. It went from 300 hp to almost 400 as the healing spell did its work and the guardian's natural health regeneration kicked in too. This was good news for them, as it meant the guardian was still resilient enough to face whatever the fishman threw at them next.
With his guardian's health partially restored, Asher knew it was time to take the offensive. He gave his guardian a nod, signaling that it was time to act. The fishman, still in the cooldown phase of its powerful skills, seemed momentarily less menacing. However, Asher knew better than to underestimate his opponent. He approached cautiously, eyes keenly observing any sign of the fishman's next move.
As his guardian closed in, It brandished its spear once again, now devoid of its watery augmentation. It started swinging its spear. It seemed intent on inflicting as much damage as possible and keeping him away, almost as if it was trying to buy itself some time. Despite its large size, the fishman moved quickly, but its actions were predictable, lacking the element of surprise. Each swing of the fishman's spear was met with the guardian's shield, expertly positioned to deflect the attacks. The guardian's movements were precise, turning what could have been damaging blows into harmless deflections.
In a decisive move, the guardian parried the fishman's spear with such force that it sent the weapon flying upwards, momentarily staggering the creature and creating a crucial window of opportunity. Without missing a beat, the guardian swiftly stepped back and, leveraging its shield throw skill[https://i.imgur.com/YnMd0hl.png [https://i.imgur.com/YnMd0hl.png]], hurled the shield towards the fishman. The shield, empowered with the necrotic touch buff, glowed ominously as it sliced through the air like a comet, heading straight for its target.
The fishman, caught off guard and unable to dodge, was struck squarely in the forehead by the incoming shield. The impact caused it to lose its balance, staggering backward. Despite its large size and weight lending it resilience, the hit visibly shook the creature. As the shield ricocheted back towards its owner, the guardian was already in motion for a follow-up attack.
Taking advantage of the fishman's disoriented state, the guardian executed a shield charge[https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png [https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png]] with increased speed and ferocity, thanks to the death caress effect amplifying its abilities due to its less-than-full health. The guardian closed the distance rapidly, and with a powerful surge, rammed its shield into the fishman's torso.
The force of the impact was tremendous. The fishman, already off-balance from the shield throw, was unable to withstand the added pressure. It was pushed back further, finally losing its footing and collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
This combination of skillful parry, precise shield throw, and relentless shield charge effectively neutralized the fishman's threat. With the formidable fishman now grounded, Asher knew that they had to finish this quickly.
Seizing the opportunity for a decisive blow. Without hesitation, the guardian pounced on the downed creature. The guardian, armed with its shield, began to relentlessly smash it down onto the fishman. Each strike was a testament of the urgency of their situation. The sound of the shield repeatedly hitting the fishman echoed through the area, a rhythmic yet forceful sound.
The fishman, already weakened from the previous onslaught, could do little to defend itself against this aggressive barrage. Its attempts to ward off the attacks were feeble and ineffective, as it was pinned down by the guardian.
The fishman, in a display of sheer willpower and resilience, began to resist the guardian's onslaught with a frenzied effort. Despite its weakened state, it summoned every ounce of strength it had left to fight back. With great effort, it managed to push the guardian away, momentarily freeing itself from the unrelenting attacks.
However, this act of defiance took its toll on the fishman. The time and energy expended in pushing the guardian away were significant. This delay proved to be costly, as it allowed the guardian's cooldowns to reset, setting the stage for a repeat of the effective combat pattern.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
As the fishman struggled to rise, barely making it halfway to its feet, the guardian, recovering quickly from being pushed, seized the moment. With precise timing, it launched its shield throw skill once again [https://i.imgur.com/YnMd0hl.png [https://i.imgur.com/YnMd0hl.png]]. The shield, like a boomerang, flew through the air and struck the fishman, halting its attempt to stand and sending it staggering back into a vulnerable position.
Before the fishman could recover from this new blow, the guardian charged forward, using its shield charge skill with decisive force [https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png [https://i.imgur.com/uKTDwBk.png]] for a second time. The impact of the charge pushed the fishman back down to the ground, thwarting its efforts to get back up.
Once again in control, the guardian resumed its previous tactic of smashing its shield into the fishman's face. Each strike was delivered with calculated brutality, ensuring that the fishman could not mount another resistance.
From the sidelines, Asher watched this display of combat efficiency and raw power. He couldn't help but be in awe of his guardian's prowess as this act of his wasn't one he had commanded.
"Could this be a result of the helmet's emotional intelligence effect?" Asher pondered. The guardian displayed an unprecedented level of adaptability and strategy in combat, autonomously executing tactics. This level of independent decision-making was a new development, suggesting a significant enhancement in its cognitive capabilities, possibly linked to the helmet's influence.
The guardian maintained its relentless assault, each strike methodical and unyielding, until the fishman's resistance was completely shattered. The creature lay there defeated, its face marred by blood.
Asher's display flashed with a triumphant notification:
You have killed 'Whiskertus, the Marauder'. You have earned 300 EXP! (275/800)
Congratulations for reaching Lv.8! You have acquired 5 Attribute points.
As he was savoring this feeling, something caught his eye near the defeated fishman.
There, lying beside the fallen creature, was its weapon – the spear. It lay there almost invitingly, as if beckoning Asher to claim it. He approached it, his curiosity piqued. The weapon, despite being used by an enemy, held a certain allure. Asher remembered a key rule of the tower: items found within, even those equipped by enemies, could be claimed. Unlike crystallized hearts and other loot that might materialize after defeating an enemy, there were no restrictions on utilizing the equipment they left behind.
He reached out and picked up the spear. It felt heavy and powerful in his hands, though worthless in his hands. As Asher was trying to examine the spear closely, noting its craftsmanship and the potential it held. The system prompt appeared indicating the completion of his trial objective.
You have completed the 'Trial of Awakening' sixth trial!
You have earned 600 points for clearing the sixth trial!
For clearing the sixth floor of the trial, you will be rewarded with a random (Common-Magic) Skill...
Congratulations! You have been rewarded with 'Agony' (Magic)!
Upon seeing the notification, Asher's eyes widened in intrigue. The name itself evoked a sense of ominous power, suggesting a skill that was both formidable and potentially dark in nature.
"Agony, huh?" Asher mused aloud, a hint of curiosity in his voice. He pondered what capabilities a skill with such a name could possess. "Could it be a type of damage-over-time spell? Perhaps it inflicts continuous pain on its target. Hopefully not, since i can't use offensive abilities." he hypothesized, envisioning a spell that slowly saps the strength and health of its enemies.
Or, he considered, "Agony" might be more defensive, a skill that reflects pain back onto those who attack him, turning their own aggression against them. The possibilities were intriguing, and the very thought of having such a tool at his disposal filled him with a mix of excitement and caution.
With the acquisition of the spear and the newly gained skill. His excitement was palpable, he couldn't wait to explore this new development. First, he turned his attention to the spear, keen on understanding its properties and potential, hoping it could offer him strength in his journey..