The Shadowed Guardian lunged with surprising speed, its massive jaws snapping where Lysander had been moments before. He reacted instantly, his enhanced reflexes allowing him to leap sideways, narrowly avoiding the creature's deadly bite. The air around its maw reeked of decay and a strange, acrid energy.
As he moved, his Echoes of Mastery skill flared instinctively. His internal interface flickered, displaying a rapid analysis of the Shadowed Guardian:
[Creature: Shadowed Guardian]
Rank: C+ (Corrupted)
Level: 35
Type: Corrupted Beast
Attributes:
Constitution: 280
Strength: 250
Dexterity: 120
Intelligence: 40
Charisma: 10
Skills:
* Shadow Hide (B): Can blend seamlessly into shadows, gaining a significant bonus to stealth.
* Corrupted Claws (B): Powerful claw attacks that inflict shadow damage and have a chance to inflict a weakening debuff.
* Shadow Tendrils (C): Can lash out with tendrils of solidified shadow, ensnaring or striking targets.
* Frenzied Assault (C): When significantly injured, enters a state of heightened aggression, increasing attack speed and strength by 30% but decreasing defense by 20%.
Lysander's mind raced, absorbing the information. The creature was strong and resilient, its shadow-based attacks potentially dangerous. Its intelligence was low, making it unlikely to fall for complex tactics. The Frenzied Assault ability was a dangerous wildcard. He needed to end this quickly.
Meanwhile, Titania reacted with swift grace. Her iridescent wings beat rapidly, lifting her higher into the air. Her hands moved in intricate gestures, and the air around them shimmered. Multiple illusory duplicates of both herself and Lysander flickered into existence, surrounding the Shadowed Guardian in a disorienting array of translucent figures. Some hovered in the air, mimicking Titania's graceful movements, while others darted around the creature, mimicking Lysander's agile dodges.
The Shadowed Guardian roared in confusion, its dull red eyes swiveling between the numerous illusions, unable to discern the real targets.
Lysander seized the opportunity. Focusing on the Shadowed Guardian, he activated his Echoes of Mastery again, this time with the intent to copy one of its offensive skills. The system whirred briefly, and a notification flashed in his mind:
[Skill Copied: Shadow Tendrils (C)]
Instantly, an understanding of the skill flooded his consciousness. He could feel the latent shadow energy within him, ready to be manipulated.
With a mental command, tendrils of solidified shadow erupted from the ground around the Shadowed Guardian, lashing upwards with surprising speed. They were crude compared to the creature's own, but the sudden and unexpected attack caught it off guard. The tendrils wrapped around its thick chitinous legs, momentarily hindering its movement.
Taking advantage of the creature's surprise, Lysander moved with blurring speed, utilizing the momentary distraction provided by Titania's illusions. He aimed for a vulnerable point he had noted during his brief analysis – the less armored joints where its limbs connected to its body.
He launched himself forward, channeling a surge of energy from his awakened internal system into his limbs. He wasn't relying on brute strength, but on focused precision and speed. He struck the creature's left foreleg with a sharp, focused kick, the impact echoing against its chitinous armor. While the armor held, the force of the blow jarred the limb, causing the Shadowed Guardian to stumble.
The creature roared in pain and fury, its red eyes locking onto the real Lysander amidst the swirling illusions. It thrashed, attempting to break free from the shadow tendrils and swipe at him with its massive claws.
The fight was far from over. The Shadowed Guardian was powerful and resilient, and Lysander was still learning to fully utilize his awakened abilities. Titania's illusions provided a crucial advantage, but they wouldn't last forever under the creature's enraged assault. This was a desperate dance of shadows and illusions against brute, corrupted force. The glade, their potential sanctuary, had become a brutal arena.