The light in the Gnarlbeast's eyes shifted, flashing with an unnatural brilliance. Strange, intricate patterns began to swirl across its irises, shapes that seemed almost alive, pulling my focus deeper.
And then… I froze. Not willingly.
It felt as if an invisible hand had reached into my mind and pressed pause. My limbs refused to obey. My breath stalled in my chest. Even my thoughts slowed, dragging like I was moving through syrup.
I was a deer in the headlights—ironic, considering I was literally battling a monster deer.
Narg had warned me about this when he first told me about the Gnarlbeasts Deers.
I'd even seen it in action before—Thok had been the unlucky one on the receiving end.
So why in all the hells did I forget?
I'd assumed their weakness was obvious—that they were only dangerous at range, relying on those antler beams to keep predators at bay. But I'd been wrong.
They could be just as lethal up close, thanks to this… genjutsu-like trick.
