The Tree Guardian Awakens

The Rain Man brushed the dust from his knees and rose heavily to his feet. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, which he wiped away with a hand. He glanced at his crimson-stained palm with a fleeting expression of annoyance.

"Majestic. You're quite resourceful, Akatani Makoto," he said, his voice calm yet condescending.

Makoto grimaced. His mind raced, analyzing his earlier attacks.

(He reacted. He guarded, which blunted the impact, but even so... No, the damage didn't land as it should have. My first strike should've hurt, even if the follow-up blows were weaker due to the 'Float' effect reducing my effective weight.)

The Rain Man raised a hand over his shoulder and thigh, where Makoto's Sticky Hydro Javelin of Radiant Slime had struck. The viscous water that clung to him, like a living entity, stirred and crept toward the impacted areas. The gooey liquid swirled with intent, cooling the bruised flesh.