Infinite Realm

The Blood king [Varg] was a bloodthirsty monster that lived for carnage and slaughter. While it had a somewhat humanoid appearance, it wasn't a human. Just the horns alone proved this, alongside the crimson coloured skin.

Sitting on the 10 metres tall throne, its true height was unknown, but an estimate would put it at 7 metres at the very least. The height alone made it a difficult monster for Sato face off against on his own. 

The power-packed muscles that buffed out explosively were another will-breaker for anyone who wanted to face off against the monster. It was no overstatement to say that a full-powered punch from one of those arms was on par with a speeding truck. In fact, it might actually be more powerful. Despite knowing this, Sato still decided to face the monster.

The first reason was simply because Sato had a gut feeling that defeating the monster would help increase his rating for the mission and maybe even help him pass the trial or at least give him a hint on how to do so. This belief came from both his instincts as a pro gamer and also the system notification that popped up all of a sudden. Sato had a vague feeling that it did so to hint at the monster's importance. 

If even the game's in-built system was hinting to the importance of the monster, why would he let such a golden goose go free? In the end however, it all came down to whether or not Sato could defeat it.

Taking slow and silent steps, towards the Blood king, Sato tried to close in on the Blood king and deal a sneak attack on it before it awakens. Since he didn't know its alert range, Sato could move slowly, hoping that his miniature and steady actions wouldn't alert it in any way.

'Almost…'

At this time, Sato was just 30 metres away from the monster. For mages or [Rangers], 25 metres is their average attack range while the experts and pros were capable of attacking from 30 metres tops, both due to their amazing skill and good equipment. If were Fudo were here, he would have been able to coordinate with Sato and attack from this distance. Sadly, he wasn't and Sato was also a physical class, meaning he had be within at least 2 metres range f the monster to make a hit. 

Of course, Sato didn't believe that he could come within 2 metres of the Blood king and it wouldn't notice him. In fact, Sato doubted he could make it to the 10 metres radius but that 30 metres might still be possible. His plan was to get just close to that distance or at least, only 20 metres away from the Blood king and he would use [Astral Blade] on it. He still had two of them left and considering the fact that what laid before him was a guardian, Sato didn't mind using one. 

The skill was very powerful and using it as an opener and for a sneak attack was definitely worth it because, if used well enough, it would deal considerable damage to the monster and give Sato the advantage in the upcoming battle. So long as Sato could deal the maximum damage possible in one hit and hopefully land a critical hit, he could then slowly grind the monster to death.

'Almost…' Sato held his breath as he walked within 30 metres radius of the blood king. 

Infinite Realm had been on for a while now and a lot of players had discovered certain behavioral patterns in various monsters. For instance, most boss level monsters have a sensory range of 20-30 metres. Depending on the monster's rank, if a player were to make a single sound within this range, even if they were to breathe loudly, the monster would discover their presence if it were awake. But if the monster were asleep, the sensory range was limited to 10 metres. It was because of this that Sato didn't have any hope of coming that close.

If it were a normal monster, Sato could simply dash straight at it with his top speed and with his somewhat high [Agility], he would have a high chance of landing a hit just before the monster would react. However, facing this monster that he knew nothing about, Sato didn't have faith in that strategy. Just the aura alone was more than enough to scare him a bit.

'Here should be good.'

About 23 or so metres away from the Blood king, Sato paused and glanced at the monster in front of him. 

The reason he didn't proceed any further despite the standard sensory range for a monster being between 10-15 metres was because he didn't want to underestimate the monster. The Blood king was without a doubt, by aura, the strongest monster Sato had faced, second only to the Kobold king. In some aspects, it was even stronger than the Kobold king's. Compared to the Kobold king's overbearing aura, the Blood king had a cruel and savage aura that made breathing a bit difficult. Of course, having a stronger aura didn't mean it was stronger than the Kobold king. After all, there was no way the Trials would pit such a powerful monster against Sato. That wouldn't be a trial anymore but just torment or a display of oppression.

Grasping his sword with both hands, Sato calmed his breath and tried to slow it down as much as possible. This was to prevent the Blood King from detecting him once he attacked. One should know that [Astral Blade] was a flashy skill so the very second Sato releases it, the Blood King would most likely sense it coming. To prevent this, Sato had to be at his peak and attack with the best of his ability. He had to perform with not 100% but 120% off his strength if not 200%.

Sato took a stance with his sword placed horizontally before him. 

'[Astral…'

Mobilizing his aura to the highest and focusing it on his sword,. At this very instant, Sato's aura was at its peak and he was in his strongest form so far. With no hesitation in his movements, Sato activated the weapon's skill and slashed out.

'...Blade]!'

A 2 metres long dazzling arc of light in the form of a curved moon shot out from Sato's sword and headed straight towards the Blood king [Varg]. The curved light was mesmerizing to the eyes and felt ethereal as if it didn't belong in this world. But beneath that mesmerizing arc was a hidden killing intent, a power capable of cutting through whatever stood in its way.

The speed of the arc was insane and almost. Within a flash, it had gone past 10 metres and would soon land on its target.

It was at this moment that the Blood king, [Varg], lifted his eye lids.