Chapter 5: The Forest Guardian’s Wrath

The Forest Guardian towered over him, its massive form radiating power. Its wooden body groaned and creaked with every movement, while glowing green veins pulsed across its metallic limbs. The staff it wielded hummed with energy, and its glowing eyes locked onto the protagonist.

A system message appeared:

[Boss Battle: Forest Guardian Lv.6]

[Threat Level: High]

> "Great. Another oversized monster," he muttered, crouching into a defensive stance.

The Guardian raised its staff, slamming it into the ground. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing, uprooting smaller trees and throwing the protagonist off his feet.

[HP: 20/25]

He scrambled to his feet just as the Guardian swung its staff in a wide arc. Ducking under the attack, he sprinted forward and slashed at its leg with his Bronze Dagger. Sparks flew, but the attack barely scratched the surface.

[Damage Dealt: 5 HP. Guardian HP: 195/200.]

> "This is going to be a long fight."

The Guardian's attacks were slow but devastating, each swing of its staff capable of levelling the terrain. The protagonist relied on Adaptive Combat to learn its patterns, dodging and weaving as he looked for an opening.

After a few minutes, he noticed a glowing crystal embedded in the Guardian's chest.

> "That has to be its weak point."

Timing his movements, he waited for the Guardian to lift its staff for another ground slam. As the weapon crashed down, he used the momentum to leap onto its arm, climbing toward its chest.

The Guardian roared in anger, shaking violently to throw him off. Gripping tightly, he plunged his dagger into the crystal.

[Critical Hit! Damage Dealt: 30 HP. Guardian HP: 165/200.]

The Guardian staggered back, its movements becoming more erratic.

A system notification appeared:

[The Forest Guardian has entered Phase Two.]

[Caution: Attack patterns have changed.]

The Guardian let out a deafening roar, and its body began to glow. Vines erupted from the ground, snaking toward the protagonist. One wrapped around his leg, pulling him off balance and slamming him to the ground.

[HP: 10/25]

Gritting his teeth, he activated Overdrive Mode, severing the vine with a powerful slash. He sprinted away, avoiding the Guardian's relentless attacks, but his stamina bar was quickly depleting.

Spotting a nearby Lumina Fruit tree, he dashed toward it, plucking a fruit and eating it mid-run.

[HP Restored: 10. Stamina Restored: 5.]

Renewed, he focused on the Guardian's movements. The glowing veins in its body pulsed rhythmically, and he realized they seemed to guide the vines' movements.

> "If I can disrupt the flow..."

Using his remaining skill point, he unlocked Enhanced Evasion Lv.1, which allowed him to move faster and react more quickly to attacks. With this new agility, he darted around the Guardian, dodging its staff and avoiding the vines.

He targeted the glowing veins on its legs, slashing at them with precision. Each strike disrupted the flow of energy, causing the vines to retract temporarily.

[Damage Dealt: 15 HP. Guardian HP: 150/200.]

The Guardian howled in frustration, its attacks growing more frenzied. Taking advantage of its distraction, he climbed onto its back, using the vines as handholds to reach the chest crystal again.

> "This ends now!"

With all his strength, he drove his dagger into the crystal, activating Overdrive Mode for one final push.

[Critical Hit! Damage Dealt: 50 HP. Guardian HP: 100/200.]

The Guardian staggered, its glowing veins dimming. Realizing this was his chance, he used his last ounce of stamina to climb higher, striking the crystal repeatedly.

[Damage Dealt: 50 HP. Guardian HP: 50/200.]

[Damage Dealt: 25 HP. Guardian HP: 25/200.]

[Final Blow: 25 HP. Guardian Defeated!]

The Guardian let out a final, thunderous roar before collapsing in a heap of wood and metal. Its body disintegrated into shimmering particles, leaving behind a glowing chest.

[Victory Achieved. Rewards Granted.]

Opening the chest, he found:

Energy Blade (Basic)

Guardian's Core (Crafting Material)

Core Beacon Map Fragment (2/3)

A system notification appeared:

[Level Up! Player Status: Lv.3 → Lv.4]

As he caught his breath, he examined the map fragment. Two-thirds of the map was now visible, revealing a path deeper into the forest.

> "One more piece to go."

The glowing wisp reappeared, circling him before darting off into the distance. He sighed, sheathing his new Energy Blade.

> "Alright, lead the way."

With renewed determination, he followed the wisp, ready to face whatever awaited in the heart of the Verdant Labyrinth.