My finger accidentally touched the phone icon, and at that moment, a stream of indignation from my brother poured out at me, slightly confused.
—Well, you finally picked up the phone!
—Ah-ah! Katzu, how did you even manage to call me?
—Are you serious? You should have at least listened to me before immersing yourself in the game!
I think I got so carried away with the graphics in the game that I completely lost touch with reality, burst into the virtual world, forgetting that Katzu had been trying to convey some important information to me all this time.
—I'm sorry. It all happened so suddenly.
—While you were running around in the bushes and playing Pink Raptor Hunter, I went to a friend. Remember Yuji? He also lives in Kyoto and is into esports. He has the tools to connect to the servers directly. I took your ID and... voilà! Now I'm your voice assistant.
This feature quickly gained popularity, especially as streaming platforms began to gain momentum and attract a large number of users.
—Are you serious? So you're literally spying on my game?
— Not spying, but helping. But not the point, have you already experienced virtual death? Or has someone already made compost out of you?
Katzu asked mockingly. I frowned and started talking to him in a calm tone, trying not to yell at my brother.
—That's very funny. I was pierced by a huge thorny root. Well, hello to the starting point of the save. Now I have to walk three kilometers again.
—That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I have some bad news for you.
Great, now my brother had bad news, and I rolled my eyes without hesitation.
—Come on, finish me off if that thorny root couldn't.
Katzu chuckled and continued in a more serious tone:
—You won't make it to the starting city. At the end of this location, you'll encounter a "boss." Let's just say that in ninety-nine out of a hundred cases, you'll fail.
—And the one percent?
—It's a trick, but I'll tell you a secret: there are only two ways to defeat a boss. The first is to gather a group of five players. The second is to level up above level six yourself.
—Above level six? But I've only reached level two!
—That's right. That's why I'm telling you not to go there alone. Either find some partners or farm until you reach the required level.
—That's great!
I muttered, swatting away a small mob that jumped out of the grass.
—Three kilometers wasted, and now they're saying I'm doomed anyway.
—Don't be dramatic. I told you, there's a one percent chance. If anyone can pull off a clever trick, it's you. I know you, and I'll help you.
—So I only have a one in a hundred chance?
—And don't forget, you've got an experienced gamer on your side!
The grass, lush and thick, as well as the prehistoric ferns, seemed to thicken around me, creating an atmosphere full of mysticism.
The air became thick and heavy, as if it were saturated with bloody dew, causing a slight unease. The shadows that flickered between the trees seemed alive, as if they held ancient secrets within them.
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. At first, it was a slight tingling sensation, barely noticeable beneath my feet.
However, the vibrations soon intensified. I stopped, realizing that something was amiss. My anxiety grew as a monstrous figure emerged from the ground, majestic and intimidating.
[Bloody Blooming Guardian]
Level: 6
Class: Location Boss/Mutant Plant
Quality: Rare
•This terrifying monster is an ancient guardian of the forest, a creature of vines and cursed buds. Its body is completely fused with roots and wood, and a massive flower in place of its head opens into multiple petals, each studded with razor-sharp thorns.
When it spreads its "petal wings," the air is filled with a heavy, heady scent.
Its combat techniques combine poison, control, and massive damage.
It is considered the main predator of the forest, and only experienced units can handle its fury.
[Characteristics]
Health: 850 HP
Damage: 18-26 (physical + poisonous)
Attack speed: Average
Defense: High (resistance to piercing damage)
[Skills]
[The Scent of Doom] (Aura) – Lvl. 4
All players within 8 meters take gradual damage (5 HP/sec.) and -10% to concentration.
[Bloodthorn] (Active) – Lvl.3
Releases a sharp thorn at a random player, dealing damage and causing bleeding (10 sec).
[Root Prison] (Control) – Lvl. 4
Summons roots from the ground, restraining up to 3 players in place for 4 seconds.
[Rage Bloom] (Phase 2, at 30% HP)
The flower opens up, revealing the "blue core." The boss gains +20% attack speed and releases poisonous spores that inflict debuff.
—There it is...And this [Bloody Blooming Guardian] is huge!
—Yes, and you wouldn't have been able to handle it alone.
Katzu said calmly.
—But you have me. For a while, I'll be your combat navigator. Let's try to take down at least half of its health.
I couldn't help but smile.
—You're as confident as always.
—It's not confidence, it's calculation. Just listen carefully. The first rule is never stand still. This bastard likes to sprout thorns and roots from below. Static players turn into hedgehogs in a couple of seconds.
At this time, when I was in a state of panic, the monster that had noticed me let out a deep growl. Its terrible creature resembled a cross between a monster and a flower.
Huge, covered in rough skin, it looked menacing. The flower on its "head," with bright but sinister petals, opened abruptly.
From the center of this flower, a wave of sticky fog whipped out, rapidly filling the space around me, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
The ground around them cracked, and thin but deadly sharp roots began to burst out of the soil. They looked like living, writhing snakes, ready to attack.
At this critical moment, when fear was squeezing my heart, I heard Katsu's sharp cry
— Move to the left! Jump! Don't get caught!
Every word he said reminded me that stopping would mean certain death.
I threw myself to the side, rolling across the grass, feeling the adrenaline rush through my sensitive receptors in my brain.
The moment I left the danger zone, dozens of thorny roots sprang up where I had just stood, piercing the air with a terrifying whistle. Their points glinted in the sunlight, and I realized that my reaction depended on every moment.
—God... if I'd been a second later...
I gasped for breath, clutching the Self-Made Dagger tightly in my hands, as if it were the last thing that could keep me alive. My heart was pounding, causing pain in my chest, but there was no time to dwell on it.
—Don't get distracted, he's about to enter the warm-up phase. This is the most dangerous time.
Every step the Guardian took sounded like a threatening bell, reverberating through the ground and seeping into his skin.
His massive figure moved forward majestically, and the "wing-petals" that had been folded behind his back slowly opened up like a terrifying flower of darkness.
The air around him instantly became heavier and thicker, filled with an unfamiliar scent that caused a strange feeling of nausea and weakness.
The status indicator immediately flashed in front of his eyes, and the purple color turned into a bright warning.
[ Debuff: Mild Poisoning ]
—Katzu! He did something to me!
My voice broke into an unplanned scream, barely aware of what was happening.
—Poison, that's his specialty. Run in an arc, don't get too close to the center. Just don't breathe too deeply. We need to take down at least half of his health before he enters the second phase.
I swallowed and gripped my dagger tighter. The boss's health bar appeared in front of my eyes, endlessly long and frighteningly full.
—No, I'm helping you play a survival game. Now, get ready. He's closing in.
Indeed, the [Bloody Blooming Guardian] moved forward, tearing up the ground and breaking the roots of the trees. His gaze, empty and floral but filled with rage, was fixed on me.
And the battle began. I was gasping, moving from side to side, feeling panic rising in my throat. My movements were chaotic, uneven, more like a desperate escape than a battle tactic.
[Acquired skill: Running – Lvl. 1 ]
Description: Increases movement speed while dodging attacks.
—What?Even such a skill exists?!
She gasped, dodging another thorn that shot out from under her feet.Katsu grinned.
—That's great. Now you're not just running around in a panic, it's your tactic. Use it!