The corrupted man's roar came as a reply instead.
As he gathered an enormous mass of vines into a single crushing attack. The energy required was massive. Arthur could see the tainted mana rushing desperately toward the chest.
The core flared brighter than ever.
Exactly what Arthur wanted.
He pretended to misjudge the attack and allowed the vines to close in, surrounding him from all sides. Escape routes sealed instantly.
The trap looked complete.
The corrupted man surged forward to finish him.
Arthur's voice came out calm.
"Got you."
A violent wave of fire exploded outward.
Fire Manifest Intent burst from his body in a circular blast, burning every vine that surrounded him. The sudden destruction forced the corrupted man to regenerate all at once.
Arthur saw it clearly.
The core overreacted.
The condensed energy expanded to maximum output, pushing layers of protection aside as it poured power into the damaged body.
For a single moment.. It was exposed.
Arthur moved.
