Chapitre 27: Verdant Sanctuary - Part III

Adam pressed on, unleashing a relentless assault that inflicted considerable damage upon the Treant. However, his own injuries were accumulating, and the relentless onslaught of roots and branches proved too overwhelming to withstand. With a strategic decision, Adam retreated, seeking a moment of respite to heal and recover.

As Adam distanced himself from the Treant's reach, he observed the effects of his relentless strikes. The Treant had lost almost half of its branches, either withered from the strain of summoning or severed by Adam's blade. He knew that by creating more minions, the Treant wouldn't risk attacking him if he maintained a sufficient distance.

Adam found solace in the temporary respite, allowing his wounds to begin mending. The battle had taken its toll, and he needed to regain his strength and devise a new strategy. As he tended to his injuries, he kept a watchful eye on the Treant.

As Adam watched and recovered, his attention was drawn to the Treant once again, extending its root and summoning new sprouts. However, something was different this time. Only a few of its roots stretched out, and an alarming sight unfolded before Adam's eyes. Over half of the Treant's remaining branches withered and fell, while many of its roots dried up, sapping its vitality.

To his astonishment, only four monstrous beings emerged instead of an army of sprouts. The Treant's waning vitality was evident in the shriveling branches and desiccated roots, signaling its struggle to sustain the summoning process. It was as if the very life force of the ancient being was being drained with each sprout it conjured.

The emergence of the four monstrous beings sent a chill down Adam's spine. Each one embodied the essence of the previous variants of the Verdant Sprouts, but their transformation into colossal abominations amplified their menace. Towering over their smaller counterparts, these colossal sprouts possessed an air of primal power and a chilling aura that made the air grow heavy with anticipation.

Their twisted forms retained the distinct characteristics of the sprout variants they originated from. Yet, their proportions were distorted, emphasizing their grotesque nature. The bulky, thorny vine sprout now sported massive, thorny appendages that whipped through the air with a bone-chilling hiss. The nimble ivy vine sprout had grown into a writhing, serpentine monstrosity, its elongated body coiling and striking with lightning speed. The carnivorous plant sprout had mutated into a massive, fanged nightmare, its gaping maw filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth that hungered for fresh flesh. And the rose-like sprout had blossomed into a towering, thorny fortress, its petals now resembling lethal blades poised to slash and impale.

Adam tried scanning these newcomers with Identify, and the response he got shocked him.

[Verdant Colossi - Level 16]

This meant that the Treant was at a higher level than level 16. Adam stored that info at the back of his mind and sat down just so he could restore his energy.

After restoring his energy through a brief respite, Adam rose to his feet, a sense of determination emanating from his core. With his new sword in hand, he felt an undeniable surge of strength coursing through his muscles. As he launched himself into the fray, he noticed that his strikes carried more power and his reflexes were heightened. A realization struck him like a lightning bolt — the "Giant Slayer" title he had earned in his previous battle was now manifesting its true potential. The title granted him a 10% boost to his stats when facing opponents larger than himself, and he could feel its effects amplifying his abilities.

The clash between Adam and the four Verdant Colossi commenced, the battlefield becoming a maelstrom of slashing blades, thudding impacts, and thunderous roars. Adam's movements were a seamless dance of precision and agility, his strikes finding their marks with lethal accuracy. Yet, the colossal adversaries were no pushovers. Their massive limbs swung with incredible force, sending tremors through the earth and threatening to overwhelm Adam's defenses.

Amidst the chaos, injuries began to accumulate. One of the Verdant Colossi delivered a bone-crushing blow, slamming Adam against a tree trunk with a sickening thud. Pain coursed through his body as he tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the agony, refusing to let it hinder his resolve.

As the battle intensified, another injury struck. A sharp vine whip lashed across Adam's torso, leaving a deep gash that seared with fiery pain. He staggered back, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he refused to yield. Adrenaline surged through his veins, dulling the pain and propelling him forward.

With each injury, Adam felt a deeper connection to his bloodline. The wounds that marred his body seemed to heal at an accelerated rate, closing faster than before. The more battered he became, the stronger his bloodline awakened within him, granting him unwavering resilience and heightened physical prowess. The pain fueled his determination, unleashing a torrent of raw power that surged through his veins.

Yet, amidst the chaos, another threat emerged. Sensing Adam's growing strength and determination, the Treant unleashed its formidable power. Enormous roots burst from the ground, snaking towards him with malicious intent. Adam's reflexes kicked into overdrive, narrowly evading the onslaught of root attacks that aimed to ensnare and immobilize him.

Branches, like whips, lashed through the air, their sharp edges threatening to tear into his flesh. Adam deflected and dodged the Treant's assaults with calculated precision, never losing sight of his primary foes, the Verdant Colossi. The combination of their relentless attacks and the Treant's strategic strikes created a battlefield fraught with danger.

Despite the wounds he sustained, Adam fought on. He maneuvered with a blend of grace and calculated ferocity, exploiting the weaknesses in the Colossi's defenses. Each swing of his sword carried the weight of his determination, and with every successful strike, he felt a surge of triumph.

Through the haze of battle, Adam pressed on. The pain became fuel for his determination, igniting an inner fire that blazed within him. His strikes carried the weight of his bloodline's power, each swing of his sword infused with otherworldly energy.

The battle reached its crescendo as Adam unleashed a final, desperate assault. His body ached, his limbs heavy with exhaustion, but he drew strength from his indomitable spirit. Blow after blow, he hammered the colossal adversaries, his strikes fueled by a potent combination of skill, the "Giant Slayer" title's boost, and the awakened power of his bloodline.

Finally, with a final surge of strength, Adam delivered the decisive blows. The Verdant Colossi crumbled beneath the might of his blade, their massive forms reduced to motionless hulks. The Treant, sensing the shift in the battle's tides, recoiled, its roots and branches retreating into the earth. The once tumultuous battlefield now lay littered with fallen plant life. Adam stood amidst the wreckage, his body battered and bruised, but a triumphant smile graced his lips.

Taking a moment to assess his injuries, Adam tended to the wounds as best he could. Blood stained his clothes, and the pain throbbed with relentless persistence.