Chapter 10: Chapter 10 Block Counter
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Arthur was surprisingly calm. Despite facing such a formidable monster, an eerie tranquility enveloped him. His steps were precise, calculated. In a few swift movements, he closed the distance to the giant python and unleashed three quick slashes with his one-handed sword.
But this time, his attacks didn't find the python's weak spots. When his sword struck the python's hard scales, a harsh metallic clang rang out. Arthur glanced at the python's health bar, and his eyes widened in shock.
The python's health had only decreased by a minuscule amount after his three strikes. The monster's tough scales provided immense defense, making it nearly impossible for Arthur to penetrate without hitting a weak spot.
As soon as Arthur's attack ended, the python, now recovered from its stunned state, swung its massive tail at him with terrifying speed.
Yet, Arthur's heightened awareness allowed him to stay calm. The more dangerous the situation, the clearer his mind became.
The python's reaction was swift, but Arthur had anticipated its movements. As the tail rose, Arthur activated his newly learned block skill once again.
Bang!!!
The entire temple seemed to shudder, dust falling from the ceiling as if the structure might collapse. Despite this, Arthur firmly blocked the python's attack.
Seeing Arthur block its attack again, the enraged python lashed out, swinging its tail repeatedly.
Bang! Bang!! Bang!!!
Each blow was powerful and forceful, and Arthur, unable to match the python's speed, could only defend passively.
However, these repeated attacks provided Arthur with enough experience to upgrade his block skill.
This won't work. As he confirmed the upgrade in his mind, Arthur frowned at the rampaging python before him.
"Universal Skill: Block successfully upgraded. Current proficiency: 0/10000 (LV3)."
"Congratulations, Block upgraded successfully. Acquired skill: Block Counter."
"Would you like to upgrade Block to Block Counter?"
A series of notifications sounded in Arthur's mind, and he widened his eyes in surprise. He had thought he couldn't defeat the python, but now it seemed there was hope.
The python, realizing it couldn't harm Arthur as long as he was in a defensive stance, stopped its attacks. It circled the temple, eyeing Arthur, searching for an opening.
Arthur maintained his defensive stance and quickly checked his upgraded block skill.
"Special Skill: Block Counter (Proficiency 0/10000, LV3): Upon blocking an enemy's attack, discover their weak point and counterattack, causing armor-penetrating damage that cannot be defended against! Limited by stamina."
Arthur's eyes widened further. He hadn't expected Block to upgrade into such a powerful skill, though the stamina limitation was a concern. He recalled the fatigue he felt yesterday from overtraining with his sword.
Time to try it out! Arthur looked at the massive, sinister head of the python.
Sword Skill, Holy Sword Baptism! A glow appeared on his one-handed sword, then burst into a blinding light. Though the light didn't affect the snake, Arthur wasn't aiming for a blinding effect but rather to create an opening. Since the python had become wary after Arthur blocked its attacks, he needed to lure it into making a mistake. The AI programming for these monsters was quite advanced.
Seeing Arthur charge, the python reared its head and lunged at him, its body coiling in preparation for a constricting attack—a prelude to its most powerful skill.
Holy Sword Baptism was quick, but not as quick as the python's lightning-fast movement. Before Arthur's sword reached the python, its fearsome head was already upon him.
Gotcha! Arthur smirked and abruptly changed his move.
Block! Counter! Arthur retracted his one-handed sword and blocked the attack. Despite the high AI, the python couldn't match human ingenuity.
With a loud bang, the python collided with Arthur's sword. Just as it tried to pull back, Arthur, seemingly still in a stunned state, launched his counterattack!
Swipe! A flash of sword light, and Arthur's blade pierced the underside of the python's jaw.
The python howled in pain, the armor-penetrating weak-point attack reducing its health by a third.
Arthur, too, felt a wave of fatigue wash over him after the strike. His grip on the sword weakened, revealing the skill's stamina cost. Interestingly, he realized he could choose whether to counterattack upon blocking.
Noticing the armor-penetrating status effect on the python, Arthur's eyes gleamed coldly as he swiftly moved.
Sword Skill, Sparkling Flash! Arthur's next move...
Once again, he aimed at the python's critical weak spot, exposed by its injury. According to an old saying, "To strike a snake, hit its seven-inch spot." This is the most vulnerable part of any snake, and even the giant python before him was no exception.
Under the armor-penetrating effect and with the weak point targeted, the six-hit combo of the lower-tier one-handed sword skill unleashed tremendous damage. Amidst the shower of sparks from the skill, the python's health rapidly dropped to its final bar, falling below the critical threshold!
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