10~

Stepping closer to the mutant corpse flower, I dashed towards it.

In normal circumstances any monster or human would dodge but it didn't dodge.

Engraved kitchen knife bounced back from its neck.

Its grin widened, I jumped back, dashed towards it and with the same momentum attacked again.

This time too it didn't dodge.

Knowing I was too weak to penetrate its shell it didn't see me as a threat.

I kept attacking again and again with the same pattern and on the same spot.

I infused mana into the already blazing knife and forcefully increased the power of the flame edge along with the moment of th body i struck at the gap between the joint and it stuck there.

Monster stopped grinning, this insignificant creature which was akin to an ant he could kill anytime had just hurt him. 

Knife was stuck and in that moment of gap I was unable to dodge the monster struck me.

I barely avoided vaitals but now its hand had penetrated my stomach and appeared from behind.

It grinned seeing me struggle and I smiled back at him.

Loud explosions rang, and I clenched the hand of the monster tightly as the whole 40 floor building crashed on us.

Whole building collapsed in the middle of the rubble. I stood there with a small green crystal at hand.

Opposite to me, a monster was covering its stomach looking at me furiously.

.

.

A little over an hour ago.

It's faster than me, it's stronger and from its actions has gained some intellect as well.

How…

Just how…

I observed the structure of the monster's body. It was still made of material similar to wood and there were gaps between joints but those wont let me get an upper hand.

Wait, maybe.

I didn't realise it before but there is a hole in the place of belly button and there is a soft glow coming out of it.

"System can you see what it is"

[ scanning ]

[ the seed of forest fairy : dryad has been found ]

[ it it detected that all the mana in the body of mutant corpse flower is concentrated ]

"If I manage to get that, would the monster get weaker? "

[ yes, as the seed of the forest fairy is being used as core ]

[ removing it would weaken the mutant corpse flower ]

"Alright but how do i manage that i don't have rope and i doubt it will let me get it easily"

[ it's possible to make a thread of dense mana ]

[ with the skill engraving, host can weave tread using pure mana ]

"Good let's do that , I just need a good enough distraction and I have the perfect idea.

Knowing it doesn't consider me a threat it will not dodge 

I started by growing near it and attacking on the same spot near its neck again and again.

At the moment its guard was low i pored more mana into the engraving on the knife and attacked the gap in near the joins and it got stuck.

Mutant Corpse flower Enraged attacked i barely avoided any vital spots and got struck in the stomach.

In the frenzy I slowly guided the mana thread through the hole and bound the seed of forest fairy and on my signal system blew all remaining 1200 mana crystals I had set up beforehand.

Mutant corpse flower pushed to the side and blew the rubble coming its way shielding me too.

But because of the force by which it pushed me I was able to get the seed of the forest fairy out.

If it had noticed even a second earlier it would have been impossible for me to get the seed of the forest fairy.

Now this brings us back to the current moment.

I was standing opposite to the mutant corpse flower with the seed of forest fairy at hand.

Cracks formed on the Outer shell of the mutant corpse flower having lost the core it should get weaker.

[ Mutant corpse flower's status has changed]

Name : corpse flower

Gene : mutant 

Grade : Pawn

Rank : E

Combat power: F

Weakness : fire , ice, lightning.

Anomaly: mana poisoning.

Without the core, mana runs amok inside damaging it.

It is true that it's gotten weaker but it's still stronger than me.

I can't move, I puked a mouthful of blood, I am also loosion a lot of blood from the hole in my stomach.

My sight is starting to get blurry.

Mutant corpse flower moved dashing towards me intending to kill me, the bug that has soiled it's fun and take back the seed of the forest fairy.

I closed my eyes lamenting on the choice of not running away earlier, truth be told if I was given a second choice I'd make the same choice again.

Slowly opening my eyes I saw the hand of the mutant corpse flower just a few inches away from my face.

 i remember some words told by a women "when death is upon you smile and look in the eyes and it will never have the satisfaction of killing you"

I don't know why I remember that right now but that's right I don't want to give it the satisfaction of killing me.

Though bloodied I smiled and looked at the incoming attack, prepared for death.

Just as it was an inch away I saw a system pop up.

[Goddess of wisdom and warfare : Athena applauds your selfless actions]

[Athena finds your actions worthy]

[Athena grants you the protection of Aegis]

Just an inch away Mutant corse flower turned into stone and shattered.

[Athena sends a message :You have done well rest now]

With that popup I lost consciousness.

 .

.

.

…

A few minutes later.

" Cardea such a girly name for a brilliant boy " general suzanne warshell appeared beside Cardea " you have put the Naijerian bureau to shame "

Suzanne picked Carday slowly in her arms.

" clean this place and find any belongings of the boy that might still be intact under the rubble " suzanne commanded as nic came there running breathing heavily.

" Ye…yes mam" nic replied, and the next moment Suzanne disappeared from the site.