Chapter 64 - Hunter Or Prey? (3)

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You have entered into combat with Mystic Cryo Giant <Level 40>.

You have dodged an attack. [Dodger] class ability [Elude] activated.

Dodge 4 more attacks consecutively to lower the level gap between you and the enemy.

Current probability of winning: 1.69%

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'Just 1.69? Thanks for being so generous...' Zok thought to himself while dodging yet another strike.

His plan was working, but barely. It would seem that he had underestimated the giant's strength. As it was thanks to his absurd strength, even trying to narrowly dodge the attacks was out of the question. Thus Zok was not able to reduce the level gap between him and the giant by an absurd amount.

The reason for this was that the Giant's fist not only dealt damage to where it hit but it also dealt damage to the area around the point of impact. That's why, rather than dodging the giant's fists, Zok was busy predicting the area damage will get damaged and then stay out of that area in the nick of time. 

Even with his increased agility, he was having a lot of trouble facing the giant. At that moment, Zok had no doubt in his mind that if he was to face the giant out in the open he wouldn't have survived for more than a couple of moments. 

'Thanks to the size of the cave, it's next to impossible for the giant to use his legs. Or else... things would have been bad.' Zok dodged yet another attack by the giant, 'However, it doesn't help that I can't even deal minimal damage to this bastard.'

The protective icy coat around the giant was a pain to handle. It acted like an armour no one had ever seen before. This layer also protected the giant from poison and burn damage from the spear. Thus, Zok's plan of slowly siphoning the giant's health was not feasible either. 

He was fcked, no matter if he was on offence or defence. Still, as long as he was able to hold on against the giant's relentless attacks, he would eventually win. That was the only thing he could do for now. 

However, it would seem like the Giant had some other plans. If his punches weren't working, then the Giant would try throwing things instead. And by things... it meant icicles off his back. 

There was a loud bursting noise, which shook the entire cave. Zok realised what was happening at the last crucial moment and jumped into the heap of bones lying behind him. As he did that, hundreds of icicles shot out of the Giants body and covered the entire cave in the blink of an eye. 

Some of the icicles even made it through the heap of bones. Zok was lucky enough to dodge those as well. But this move of the giant put him in a worse mood. 

'Damn it! As if that bastard wasn't already overpowered enough!' 

Still, the giant's this move was a blessing in disguise for him. As he had just dodged not one or a dozen attacks... but at least fifty attacks in an instant. As a result, the level gap between him and the giant was reduced by a huge margin. 

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The level gap has been reduced by 12 level(s). All of the user's stats have been increased by 60 points for 10 minutes.

Current probability of winning: 55.39%

Current level gap remaining: 12 level(s).

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Suddenly, Zok's eyes were shining. He saw a ray of hope to defeat the giant. If only he could get it to use the same move again, he would be able to take care of everything. Now that his mind was clearer, and he had a more solid plan, he rushed out of the pile of bones he was hiding in. 

However, there was another surprise waiting for him there. The size of the giant had reduced by almost 40%... and it no longer had the icy armour around itself. But instead of turning into something frail and weak, the aura around the giant got a lot stronger. 

The Giant's appearance had altered a bit as well. Instead of being covered with ice, it now had white fur and his claws were as dark as the moonless skies. Clearly... the boss too was an aberrant beast... like they all were. 

'What is this shit...' Zok got back into his battle stance, 'I should have known... my luck has always been shit. At least, now that its armour is gone, I'll be able to deal some damage to this rascal.' 

[You are the first Occunian to witness the Mystic Cryo Giant's true form.]

[Additional rewards would be provided after your victory.]

'True form? The hell is that?'

However, before he could spare another thought on it. The Giant disappeared into thin air from where it had been standing, and almost immediately spawn behind Zok. It all happened so quickly, Zok did not get even a second to come up with a plan to counter the giant's move as the latter tried to bury both of its claws into Zok's flesh. 

Blood spurted out everywhere like a waterfall all around them. However, it was neither the giant's blood nor did it belong to Zok... the blood that had been split was of Cero.

The loyal beast had sensed the Giant's attack much before Zok had thanks to his heightened perception and rushed in without wasting a moment to save his master's life. Cero managed to push Zok out of harm's way at the last possible moment. But he himself wasn't so lucky. 

The claws were so powerful, that even Cero's armour could not stop them. If those claws would have inevitably ripped him to shreds. Cero's limp body fell down right in front of Zok's eyes. The snow was soaking up the creature's blood. 

"What... happened here..." Zok mindlessly mumbled while his gaze was fixated on his fallen partner, "You... did this..."

At that moment, something snapped within him.. Something that made Zok got berserk.