The battle instantly reached a fever pitch. Though the opponent's movements were slow, their incredible durability presented a formidable challenge.
Chen Zhi stood on the sidelines, her face etched with anxiety. She knew, however, that she couldn't help in the current situation and could only watch with worry.
The short sword in my hand danced ceaselessly, each strike severing a part of the monster's body.
Yet, within moments, the severed parts would crumble into dust and reintegrate with the monster. My attacks seemed utterly futile.
I sheathed my sword and dodged the enemy's assault, pondering the matter.
I couldn't fathom why this giant could move, but one thing was certain: it couldn't be killed by conventional means.
As I mused, the monster's fist slammed down before me. The terrifying force radiated outward, and I shifted my stance slightly.
At that precise moment, the monster attacked again. Its immense power struck my body.
I was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall with a searing pain.
Seeing this, Chen Zhi couldn't bear it any longer. With a flick of her wrist, she produced a dagger.
The Power of the Shepherd covered the dagger, and she swiftly lunged at the monster.
The monster seemed oblivious to Chen Zhi's approach, raising its hand to strike me once more.
By then, Chen Zhi had reached the monster's back, stomping firmly on its spine. She sprang upward, her dagger slicing across the monster's neck.
Simultaneously, the Shepherd's Power erupted.
Carrying a terrifying force, it severed the monster's head.
I widened my eyes at the sight.
I had never expected Chen Zhi's combat prowess to be so formidable.
Having succeeded in her strike, Chen Zhi didn't linger, retreating rapidly.
I could sense that even with just one attack, the toll on Chen Zhi was immense.
However, the monster's head was already severed; it shouldn't be able to continue fighting.
As I thought this, the severed giant's head on the ground instantly turned to dust and flowed back onto the monster's neck!
"This won't do," I said.
Even if we could sever parts of the monster's body with our weapons, it could regenerate within moments.
It was practically an invincible existence!
"No..." I thought carefully, recalling what had happened before.
After we severed parts of the giant's body, it took about five breaths for the monster to regenerate.
What if we could inflict more damage on the monster within those five breaths?
With this realization, I discarded all other thoughts. "Chen Zhi, we need to cooperate now. This giant takes time to regenerate. We must sever more of its body before it recovers!"
Chen Zhi understood my intention and nodded. "Alright!"
"I'll go first!" I declared, my short sword lunging forward once more.
Seeing me charge, the giant raised its arm and brought it down towards my face.
I dodged sideways and, with utmost speed, appeared behind the monster.
My short sword, wreathed in flames and lightning, struck the monster's leg!
The giant's left leg was severed in a single blow. The immense body could no longer stand and it crashed to the ground.
Seizing the moment, I swung my short sword again.
The giant's other leg was also severed.
Chen Zhi rushed forward, her dagger gleaming coldly. With tremendous force, she struck the monster's neck.
The monster's head was also severed.
However, our attacks didn't stop; we continued to wield our weapons against the monster.
The giant's left leg, just as it began to regenerate, was cut off by me again. Its arm met the same fate.
As our speed increased, the severed parts of the giant multiplied.
Although the monster desperately tried to regenerate, our speed was not lacking.
The giant's regeneration couldn't keep pace with our attacks.
Thus, the giant remained on the ground, immobilized.
My short sword continued to strike, flames erupting ceaselessly.
The monster's body seemed to be made entirely of earth, so severing it wasn't particularly difficult.
As I swung my short sword once more, I suddenly felt a great resistance from it.
My eyes lit up. It seemed we had found the core!
"It's here!" I exclaimed, my short sword slashing downward, cleaving away the remaining parts of the monster.
Then, I saw it: nestled at the very center, enveloped by earth, was a yellowish-brown bead emitting a faint glow!