Appearing directly before the ant, I swung my sword with all the power I could muster while simultaneously attempting to stun it using my Blood Control trait.
The stun was executed perfectly, causing the creature's massive body to freeze momentarily. I found the small window of opportunity I desperately needed, my Razor Edge sword met head-on with one of its leg joints, the weakest point I could find in its armour.
Crack!
The sound of fracturing rang out like music to my ears. Dark fluid leaked from the damaged joint as the ant's left foreleg buckled slightly under its own weight.
Before I could land my second attack, the ant recovered from the stun and immediately retaliated with a sweeping strike from its undamaged limbs.
One of its legs was now heavily damaged, compromising its mobility and balance. Without fearing for my life thanks to the protective barrier, I pressed my advantage. I had seven seconds of invulnerability remaining.
This time I went straight for its head, aiming to disable its sensory capabilities or strike a vital area.
I attempted to stun it once again using my Blood Control, but the intelligent creature seemed to anticipate my strategy. Somehow it was able to counter my blood manipulation, either through superior willpower or some defensive ability I hadn't encountered before.
Not discouraged by my failed stun attempt, I resorted to another method as I closed the distance for my next attack. Multiple vials filled with blood started to materialize in my hands, and one by one I threw them high into the air above the ant's position.
The ant seemed to dismiss this as a mere distraction attempt, but it failed to realize that while the empty bottles dropped harmlessly to the ground, the blood itself was forming into deadly projectiles above its head.
Using my Blood Control trait, I shaped the airborne crimson liquid into five razor-sharp spears, each one aimed at different vulnerable points on the creature's body.
As I appeared before the ant once again, it took on a defensive stance, clearly recognizing that my golden barrier would protect me from any counterattacks it might attempt.
I launched all five blood spears simultaneously from various angles, creating an assault that would be difficult to defend against completely.
The ant's eyes tracked the incoming projectiles with frightening power. Its damaged leg didn't prevent it from attempting to deflect the blood weapons with its remaining limbs.
Crack! Clink!
It successfully deflected three of the spears with impressive high speed movement, but two found their marks, piercing through gaps in its Armor and drawing more of that dark fluid.
Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, I leaped high into the air, using my agility to position myself above the creature. For a split second, my eyes locked with its alien gaze.
I landed directly on the ant's thorax and immediately started to work. My hands became a blur as I attacked its neck area with every ounce of power I possessed, seeking to sever something vital.
The ant covered its neck and the top of its head with its remaining functional limbs, successfully protecting those areas but at the cost of further injuring both defensive appendages as my sword carved through them.
Spotting that the creature's head was now completely exposed due to its defensive positioning, I immediately switched targets and redirected my assault.
My sword strike landed perfectly on its left eye, the blade slicing deep into the optical cluster before cutting through one of its antennae in the same motion.
SQUEAK!
The ant released a terrible, high-pitched sound of agony that seemed to shake the very air around us. The creature began thrashing wildly, using its massive body to try and dislodge me from my advantageous position.
The violent movement succeeded in throwing me clear, sending me tumbling across the forest floor as the wounded ant writhed in pain and fury.
I rolled to my feet and quickly assessed my situation. The golden barrier around me flickered ominously, I had only one second left before my invulnerability would expire completely.
The ant's remaining eye fixed on me with pure, undiluted hatred. Its killing intent was so intense I could feel every hair on my body standing on end. The creature was no longer just hunting, it was absolutely hell-bent on my destruction.
One antenna was gone, one eye was destroyed, multiple limbs were damaged, and dark fluid leaked from several wounds. But it was still very much a Transcendent-rank threat, and now it was enraged beyond reason.
The golden light around me began to fade as Guardian's Last Stand reached its time limit. In moments, I would be completely vulnerable to this wounded, furious monster that wanted nothing more than to tear me apart.
I needed a new plan, and I needed it immediately.
The ant's remaining antenna twitched erratically as it prepared for what would likely be its most devastating attack yet. Its damaged legs moved as it gathered itself for a crushing attack.
As the protective barrier disappeared entirely, leaving me exposed and vulnerable, I realized this was the moment that would determine whether I lived or died.
The ant's killing intent washed over me like a physical force, weighing me down.
Time seemed to slow as the creature prepared to launch itself at me with everything it had left.