The giant beast's roar echoed through the biome, shaking the metal spires.
Its piston-driven limbs hissed, dripping molten blood. Chains rattled as it lumbered forward, dragging a spiked tail behind it.
Lin crouched behind a jagged slab of iron, barely breathing.
"Okay… okay…" he whispered. "Stealth mode engaged. I am the wind. I am a ninja. Nobody sees me I see nobody"
The creature sniffed the air — a metallic grind. Red light pulsed in its chest like a beating heart.
Crystal's faint voice flickered through static: "Host… this biome feeds on… fear. Movement draws… attention…"
Lin swallowed. "Got it. Don't move. No problem."
A drop of crimson liquid fell from the ceiling onto his head.
He winced. "This is not sweat. This is not sweat…"
---
Attempted Escape
He crouched low, creeping between the spires. Each footstep made a soft clink on the iron plates. The metallic humanoids patrolled the edges like silent sentries.
Lin muttered, "If Solid Snake can do it, so can I…"
A metallic humanoid turned its head sharply. Red eyes glowed.
Lin froze.
The humanoid hissed, "FLESH DETECTED…"
Lin whispered, "No flesh here, just a—" he tapped his chest "—metal boy. Beep boop."
The creature's arms extended into blades. It lunged.
"AAAH!" Lin bolted, Wind Stepping between spires. "Stealth failed! Plan B: RUN LIKE AN IDIOT!"
---
The Boss Joins the Chase
The giant biome boss roared and charged.
Its claws ripped chunks of iron from the floor, sparks spraying. The ground shook with each step.
Lin darted through a maze of spires, dodging humanoids, ducking chains. "Why do all my plans end with cardio?!" he screamed.
Crystal's voice: "Host, its core—"
"NOT NOW!" Lin yelled.
---
Funny Death #1
He tripped over a chain embedded in the floor. "No no no—"
The giant beast opened its mouth, a swirling grinder spinning inside. It inhaled sharply, creating a suction of air and blood. Lin was yanked backward straight into its mouth.
"OH COME ON!"
[Respawn]
He appeared back at the biome's edge, soaked in crimson goo. "I've been eaten by a blender. That's a new low."
---
Accidental Discovery
He crouched again, panting. The SYSTEM UI flickered back faintly.
> [Analysis: Biome Boss Detected – Type: Flesh/Metal Hybrid]
Weakness Detected: Blood-Fuel Dependency.
If starved of blood flow, core destabilizes.
Lin blinked. "Wait… it drinks blood? Like… as gas?"
Crystal's voice, still fuzzy: "Yes. Sever… blood conduits… weaken it."
Lin peeked at the creature. Thick glowing tubes ran from its chest into the floor, pulsing with red light.
He grinned. "Ah-ha… so if I cut the gas line…"
A metallic humanoid lunged at him.
"AHHH! No time for science!"
---
Funny Death #2
He tried to Wind Step away but slipped on a puddle of blood.
He slid under the beast's claw, straight into one of the glowing tubes, which snapped and sprayed blood like a fountain… right into his face.
The beast shrieked and stomped, crushing him flat.
[Respawn]
Lin sat up, spitting blood. "Okay. Ew. But also—hey, it screamed. I'm onto something!"
Crystal's voice steadied slightly. "Confirmed. Breaking the blood conduits weakens its armor. Do this repeatedly to expose core."
Lin cracked his knuckles, grinning despite himself. "Alright, Blenderzilla. Round three. Let's dance."
The beast roared again, molten blood spilling from its jaws, as metallic humanoids formed a circle around them.
To be continued…