Chapter 59: Colossal Combat

Chapter 59: Colossal Combat

Fighting the colossus with a dartbow and buckler turned out more difficult than Dallion thought. The more he tried to increase the distance, the more the guardian shortened it, moving as fast as Dallion himself. For every shot that hit the guardian, three were deflected, for every four that hit only one dealt actual damage.

Why didnt your ears remain big? Dallion grumbled internally as he followed the markers to avoid yet another attack. To make things even more tense, the guardiandeliberately or notwould perform multiple attacks, always breaking Dallions sequence.

Minutes in, the boy decided to resort to the good old methods of dealing with colossusesa buckler to the head. Initially, Dallion thought that the guardian would block this as well, but to his surprise the shield hit the stone head with a loud resounding clang.

Surprise Attack

Dealt damage increased by 50%

Opponents options to react are limitedDiiscover new stories at novelhall.com

There was no way that could pass as a surprise attack, but Dallion had no intention of arguing. Taking advantage of the colossus momentary daze, he rushed along the defense markers. Good thing too, for just as he finished the first set, the guardian began its next attack.

Too late, Dallion whispered. The advantage gained from the first attack easily helped him avoid the next, allowing him to complete another full defense set, then another, and another.

By the fourth, pressure had started to creep in. Thanks to his body improvement, though, Dallion was nowhere near exhaustion. Already he could teleport a significant distance away, even put himself in a good enough position to shoot at the colossus ear. However, he decided to push on. The evasion sequence was much more complicated than before, following a pattern that Dallion hadnt seen before.

Step, step, jump, whirl, bend, twist left

Colossus arms struck left and right, each missing by inches. A moment of hesitation appeared in Dallions mind, quickly ignored as he gritted his teeth to match the final green footprints. The moment he did, time completely froze.

ESCAPE TRIGGERED

If you wish to escape combat, smash the window

Theres an escape option? Dallion gasped.

That changed everything! It pretty much meant that he could leave a battle unharmed and didnt even have to rely on a pendant. The guard skills were unimaginably good! If people knew about this, they would probably not choose anything else.

Of course, being able to take advantage of this option required that a person had a reaction level to match the marker sequence, and the body to withstand the exhaustion. All in all, it wasnt an obvious cheat.

Dallion looked around. Green footsteps continued to cover the floor. By his speculation, the moment he took a step anywhere the offer would end, and hed return to his battle. However, given that there wasnt a timer anywhere on the rectangle, Dallion could also remain still for a while to catch his breath and rest.

Quad arm attack Earth shaker Stone cutter

The colossus frowned, although didnt move from its position. That was good. At least Dallion wasnt going to face a sudden charge again.

I know you can give up, Dallion continued. I know that Im not sure what the difference is, but itll still get me to advance.

There was no reaction.

I really have no problem repeating my attack. I just thought that a surrender would better.

The features on the colossus face soften slightly. The guardian lowered its arms, then started slowly walking towards Dallion in a relaxed fashion. If this were anywhere else, Dallion would probably have performed his combo attack and finished it. Since this remained an awakening shrine trial, though, he decided to take the chance.

Step by step the colossus approached until it stood in front of Dallion. At this distance one could appreciate how formidable it actually was: seven feet of solid granite with four arms and the speed of a cheetah. Two of the colossus hands moved up, covering its ears completely.

Dallion swallowed. Had he tipped his hand?

Another of the guardians hands extended forward.

You want me to shake on it? Dallion wondered. Sure, why not? If he had decided to trust the creature, he might as well go all the way.

With next to no hesitation, Dallion shook the hand, or did as much as humanly possibleit was a piece of stone, after all.

Thanks. The boy smiled.

No sooner had he done so that the guardian disappeared.

The SHRINE Guardian has admitted defeat.

Do you accept his surrender?

Yes, Dallion said.

You have impressed the SHRINE guardian with your behavior!

The Colossus has granted you a future boon.