Adam surveyed the massive guardian, its mana signature a swirling vortex of raw power. This wouldn't be a direct absorption like the goblins. This would be a fight of precision and endurance.
"Lyra, what's the plan for overloading it?" Adam asked, his newly integrated Universal Shaping Tool already forming into a sleek, elegant bow in his hand.
"My analysis indicates specific mana pressure points on the creature's body," Lyra explained. "These are nexus points where mana circulates most densely or where its defensive properties are weakest. Injecting concentrated mana at these points will maximize overload efficiency. It's similar to the concept of 'pressure points' in your old world, Adam, though in this case, we are not aiming for physical damage, but systemic mana disruption."
Lyra displayed a mental overlay, showing glowing targets on the creature's massive form. "Your mana arrows, manifested directly from your integrated tool, will not cause significant physical damage. Their purpose is to deliver a concentrated burst of mana into these pressure points. They must penetrate cleanly, or the mana will simply dissipate on the creature's hide."
The Battle of Overload
The guardian beast, a hulking Mana-Stone Rhino with crystalline plating and glowing eyes, lumbered forward, its hooves shaking the ground. Adam moved.
"First pressure point: right foreleg joint! Aim for the glowing fissure!" Lyra's voice was a steady command.
Adam drew the invisible string of his mana bow. A shimmering arrow, pure mana, materialized on the string. He focused, visualizing the pressure point, and released. The arrow streaked through the air, hitting the mark with a faint, resonant thrum. The Mana-Stone Rhino shuddered, a ripple of chaotic mana visibly disturbing its normally stable aura, but it remained standing, turning its head towards Adam with a slow, menacing rumble.
"Second pressure point: flank, just behind the ribcage! Move! It's initiating a ground tremor attack!"
Adam darted sideways, feeling the earth rumble under his feet as the Rhino stomped. Another mana arrow flew, finding its mark. The beast roared, its movements becoming slightly more erratic.
He continued, a relentless ballet of evasion and precision. Lyra called out the targets: a subtle pulsating point on its neck, a faint swirl behind its ear, a vulnerable spot on its tail. Each mana arrow struck true, penetrating the creature's tough hide and injecting a controlled burst of energy. The Rhino became increasingly agitated, its attacks wilder, its roars laced with growing confusion and pain. Its mana signature, once stable, now flickered with violent, uncontrolled surges.
A Test of Endurance
But as the minutes stretched on, a new concern began to manifest. The Rhino, despite the constant influx of disrupting mana, remained on its feet. It was clearly suffering from the overload, its movements becoming sluggish and erratic, yet it had not collapsed.
"Lyra," Adam gritted out, feeling the burn in his muscles, the strain on his mental focus, "it's taking too long! How much more can it take? I'm getting exhausted!"
His mana outflow, though managed by Lyra, was still drawing on his limited physical reserves. The constant weaving, the precise targeting, the sheer effort of manifesting mana arrows and maintaining awareness was taking its toll. He was pushing the edge of his stamina, dangerously close to the point where mana poisoning could become an immediate threat once more. The battle was becoming a war of attrition, and Adam wasn't sure his fragile human body could win it.