The ground shook as if the entire forest were a living beast preparing to swallow him whole. Roots slithered like serpents, branches groaned, and the colossal figure of the Rootbeast loomed, its crimson eyes burning hotter with every pulse of the forest's heart.
Elior steadied himself, blood dripping from his split lip onto the ruined soil. His Direfang Armor thrummed against his ribs, trying to repair itself, but his Health bar still blinked dangerously low.
> [Health: 28%]
[Warning: Critical Status Approaching]
The Rune-Touched Warhorse pawed the ground beside him, its breath steaming red mist. The beast was battered, its flank streaked with shallow cuts where thorns had slashed, but it held its head high, eyes glowing with corrupted silver. Loyal. Fierce. Ready.
---
The Colossus Awakens Fully
The Rootbeast Colossus slammed one hand into the earth. A ripple tore through the forest. Veins glowed brighter along every trunk and branch, spreading crimson light like fire through arteries. The forest bled.
From above, branches thick as towers broke loose and lashed down like whips. One crashed against the warhorse, sending sparks from its rune-corrupted mane. The steed shrieked but did not fall.
Another branch slammed toward Elior. He rolled, the blow gouging the earth where he had stood, shards of stone flying like knives.
> [Enemy Skill Activated: Vein Surge]
Effect: Forest-wide energy amplification. All Corrupted Beasts gain 20% attack. Rootbeast Colossus gains regenerative enhancement.
Already, Elior saw the wound he had carved in its chest begin to close, crimson light stitching the bark back together. His jaw clenched.
If I don't end this fast, it'll heal faster than I can hurt it.
---
Fusion of Blood and Flame
He gripped his sword tighter. His hand trembled, veins burning as both systems within him screamed for dominance.
The Dragon roared: Burn it down. Tear through its heart and claim the core.
The Vampire hissed: Bleed it dry. Drink the forest until it bends to your will.
Elior closed his eyes for a heartbeat. Then he whispered, "Both."
His Blood Pool surged, spilling power into his limbs.
> [Skill Activated: Crimson Frenzy]
[Skill Activated: Bloodfire Breath]
[Skill Synergy Detected: Vampire + Dragon Protocols]
New Fusion Skill Created: Crimson Cataclysm
Effect: Sacrifice 25% Health to unleash a conflagration of blood and flame, dealing massive area damage.
His Health bar plummeted the moment he accepted.
> [Health: 3%]
[Warning: Near death. Immediate action required.]
But his body erupted in power. Flames roared from his mouth, not pure fire, but molten bloodfire that carved through the air like a living storm. The trees themselves caught, sap boiling, roots shriveling.
The Colossus screamed as its vines burned. Elior charged through the inferno, blade glowing with resonance, his armor molten at the edges.
---
Clash of Titans
The Rootbeast swung its massive arm. Elior ducked, the blow smashing into the earth behind him with a thunderous crack. He slashed upward, his sword biting into the exposed veins of the giant's chest. Crimson ichor sprayed like molten sap, burning the ground.
The warhorse leapt onto the Colossus's leg, its hooves striking with rune-enhanced force. Sparks exploded with each kick, weakening the monster's stance.
Elior roared, his fangs bared, eyes blazing. He drove his sword deeper, carving toward the core pulsing in the Colossus's chest.
The beast staggered, but instead of falling, it clamped its thorned hand around Elior's torso and lifted him high into the air. Bark and roots crushed into his armor. His vision blurred, lungs compressed.
> [Health: 2%]
[System Alert: Fatal Damage Imminent]
The Colossus raised him toward its gaping root maw, crimson light shining within like the opening of a furnace.
---
Defiance in the Grip of Death
Elior coughed blood, his breath ragged. Yet a grin spread across his lips.
"Wrong move," he whispered.
He unleashed Soul Drain.
> [Skill Activated: Soul Drain]
Black tendrils of energy lashed from his body into the Colossus's hand. The monster shuddered, its roots writhing as life-force bled from it into Elior. His Health bar ticked upward.
> [Health: 10% → 14% → 19%]
Strength surged back into him. He twisted, driving his blade through the Colossus's palm. With a roar, he tore himself free and dropped to the ground in a rain of burning bark and ichor.
---
Heartstrike
The Colossus reeled, clutching its ruined hand. Its core glowed brighter, trying to fuel regeneration.
Elior knew it was now or never. He poured everything left into his final strike.
His systems screamed. Dragon and Vampire in unison: Finish it.
He dashed forward, the world narrowing to a tunnel of blood and flame. His blade carved straight through the monster's chest, piercing the glowing core.
For a breathless instant, silence.
Then the Rootbeast howled, a sound of breaking earth and dying trees, before its body exploded into splinters and crimson mist.
---
Victory and Reward
Elior fell to one knee, his chest heaving, his sword trembling in his grip. The warhorse trotted beside him, bloodied but alive.
> [Boss Defeated: Rootbeast Colossus]
[EXP Gained: 3,200]
[Level Up: 4 → 5]
[Loot Acquired: Veinheart Core (Epic), Rootfang Gauntlets (Rare), Forest Veins Totem (Uncommon)]
[Quest Complete: Heart of the Forest]
His blade dissolved into motes of crimson light, absorbed into the Overflow Engine. His systems whispered their satisfaction, but also their hunger.
Elior picked up the Veinheart Core. It pulsed in his hand, warm and alive, threads of crimson energy wrapping around his fingers. The forest groaned, then stilled, as though its veins had gone silent.
> [New Evolutionary Path Available: Crimson Vein Assimilation]
Warning: High risk of corruption. Benefits unknown.
Elior smirked, eyes gleaming. "Corruption, huh? I've already crossed that line."
---
Cliffhanger
As the echoes of battle faded, Elior felt it — a presence watching from deeper within the woods. Not beast. Not man. Something older, patient, and dangerous.
The warhorse snorted uneasily. Elior rose, holding the Veinheart Core close, the glow casting shadows across his fanged grin.
"Then let's see what else this forest is hiding."