Climax

Several minutes before Claire was almost killed by the Venomous Astrin Serpent…

As the battle between August and the Sylvanis intensified, a new dynamic emerged. The Sylvanis, having learned the hard and painful way from its previous clash with August and nursing injuries on its hind leg, shifted its strategy. It relied less on direct confrontation and instead embraced its innate ability to camouflage, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

The Sylvanis moved with an eerie grace, its form melding into the foliage and shadows. August, who was not short of battle experience, found himself facing a new challenge as his opponent's presence became increasingly elusive. The Sylvanis's camouflage proved effective, causing August's attacks to miss by mere fractions of an inch. The frustration of his blows falling short only fuelled the Sylvanis's confidence as it enacted hit-and-run tactics, striking at August when he least expected it.