CRACK! STRAIN!

The technique managed to negate most of the attack, but the sheer difference in raw strength and magical power meant it couldn't completely eliminate the assault. Cracks appeared in my negation field as some of the solar energy broke through.

THUD! CRACK!

My Stone Armor absorbed the remaining damage, making the lion's attack almost useless.

A smile formed on my face. "My turn... now."

I immediately channelled nearly thirty percent of my remaining mana into the most dangerous technique I could attempt, stopping the blood flow around the lion's heart. This technique in particular was one of the most depleting and technically difficult moves in my {Blood Control} Trait, but at this critical moment, it could mean the difference between life and death.

Strain... clot...

I could see pain erupt in the Golden mane's eyes as shock overtook its massive body. The artificial blood clot I had created formed a kind of magical stroke, disrupting the creature's circulation at its most vital point.

ROAR! Gasp!

The lion's anguished cry echoed through the chamber as its body seized up from the internal attack.

At such close proximity, I launched into immediate action with multiple sword strikes while the creature was stunned.

Whoosh! SLASH!

My first strike carved deep across its shoulder.

Slice! TEAR!

The second opened a gaping wound along its hide.

SLASH! RIP!

Two more devastating cuts found their marks on its legs and torso.

I managed to land four serious wounds before the stunning effect wore off. Through the torn golden hide, I could see the exposed flesh and bone beneath.

The paralysis lasted only about a second before the Golden mane's incredible constitution allowed it to regain control.

SNARL! LUNGE!

The wounded beast lunged at me with desperate fury, its claws seeking revenge for the crippling assault.

CLANG! Parry!

I countered its attack with a defensive strike, then immediately created distance between us.

Both of us circled each other again, but now the dynamic had shifted dramatically. The lion was bleeding heavily from multiple wounds while I remained relatively intact.

Despite the wounds I had inflicted, I refused to let cockiness or arrogance cloud my judgment. The lion before me was still an extremely dangerous opponent with abilities that it perhaps hadn't revealed yet. Now that it was wounded and desperate, it would likely start showing everything in its arsenal.

As if confirming my cautious assessment, the Goldenmane let out another roar - but this time it wasn't the stunning attack from before. Its aura began rising dramatically, and crackling flames started manifesting around it.

ROAR! Crackle!

Then it began to transform. The creature's already imposing frame grew even larger, muscles swelling with supernatural power. Its golden fur literally burst into flames, creating a living inferno that radiated intense heat throughout the circular chamber.

I swallowed hard as I watched its aura skyrocket to terrifying levels. This had to be some sort of bloodline trait that dramatically enhanced its physical capabilities for a limited time, essentially a berserker mode that would make it exponentially more dangerous.

I couldn't afford to let this transformation complete. If the lion finished powering up, I would be facing an opponent that could potentially overwhelm even my abilities and remaining defenses.

Sprint! Charge!

I launched myself forward immediately, my enhanced sword gleaming with crimson energy as I closed the distance. Every second I delayed would make the creature stronger and more difficult to defeat.

Whoosh! Flames lick!

The heat radiating from the transforming Goldenmane was already intense enough to make the air shimmer around it. Its burning mane created a corona of fire that would make close combat extremely hazardous.

SLASH! Strike!

I aimed for its neck, hoping to land a decisive blow before the transformation could reach completion and turn this fight into an impossible challenge.

The race was on - my blade versus its metamorphosis, with only seconds to determine the outcome of our deadly encounter.

SLASH! SPLURT!

My sword connected perfectly with the lion's neck, biting deep into the vital area. Golden blood splashed across the entire chamber, coating the stone walls and my face in brilliant crimson droplets.

A bloody grin formed on my face as I waited for the Golden mane to collapse and die. I had clearly severed an important artery, this should have been the killing blow that ended our battle.

But to my complete dismay, the wound began closing immediately as fire consumed the injury and forced the torn skin back together. The flames acted like cauterizing agents, sealing the damage and preventing any further blood loss.

ROAR! Blaze! Complete!

The transformation reached completion in that same instant. The Golden mane now stood before me as a creature of living flame, its size increased by nearly fifty percent and its entire form wreathed in intense fire. The heat radiating from its body was so intense that I could feel intense heat from the close proximity.

Snarl! Flame eyes!

Its eyes now blazed like miniature suns, and every breath it took sent jets of fire from its nostrils. The creature's claws had become molten weapons that could probably melt through even enhanced-rank sword if they made direct contact.

My confident grin vanished as I realized that things had taken an unexpected turn. This wasn't just an enhanced version of the previous opponent, the lion now seemed to have fire-based regeneration and increased size and strength.

I was forced to retreat several steps as the intense heat forced me to reassess my increasingly dire situation. The real fight was just beginning, and I was rapidly running out of viable options to deal with this blazing monstrosity.

Despite having completed its dramatic transformation, the Goldenmane did not immediately launch into an attack. My eyes tracked its flaming form carefully, watching for any sudden movement that might signal an incoming assault.

My eyes suddenly widened as a crucial realization struck me. He's regenerating his previous wounds!

The thought made perfect sense. The flames weren't just for show or intimidation.

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