Start as a Spiritual Planter: I Have a Game Panel

Chapter 182: Facing a Tier 4 Totem Warrior

"I sense someone approaching us; this individual seems unaffected by the disorienting pollen and is heading straight for us," Mai said, continuing to run as she received feedback from the life detection spell she had been casting since they started running towards the Cyber Core District.

"Based on the detection spell and the target's speed, this individual appears to be a Tier 4 professional," she continued, her voice tinged with tension yet resolute, "You guys take Sid with you, I'll hold off the Tier 4 professional that's after us."

Ram glanced over his shoulder, his mind racing as Mai relayed the information. The faint shimmer of determination in her eyes was undeniable, but the weight of her words struck him like a hammer.

"How far are we from the city?" Ram asked, cutting off Mai abruptly.

They had been running at full speed for the past ten minutes without letting others notice them, all thanks to the new Tier 3 wood spirit he transformed from the Confusion Pollen Creeper.

"A Tier 4 professional?" he repeated, his voice low. He clenched his fists as he processed the situation.

Since the giant warrior and his team didn't inform them about their whereabouts, all the other gang members were still in the dark about them, which gave them enough time to reach so far.

Along the way all they encountered were ordinary gang members searching for them, who were secretly influenced by the pollen that disrupted their senses, before they could reach them, they encountered a Tier 4 professional.

He already guessed that the effects of Tier 3 Wood Spirits were weak against high-level professionals. Someone like Shane, or other Tier 4 professionals under him, would barely notice its influence.

Thankful they were still lucky and didn't encounter Shane, he looked at Sid, who was still unconscious, carried inside a medic box, floating on the modified hoverboards transformed by Mai using her skills before they started escaping.

Next to the floating hoverboards, both Xiao Mu and Su Mu followed behind, as for the rest of the Hald Drows, he already sent them back to his own space, with the end of their summoning time as an excuse.

He didn't mind them tagging along but even if they were using confusing pollen, a large group might attract more attention, and another thing is that he could summon them back whenever he needed them.

Their group had been moving as fast as possible, but Sid's injuries, Xiao Mu's still at Tier 1, and their need for stealth had slowed them down, or else they would have already reached by now.

Ram glanced around, his gaze narrowing as he sensed the approaching presence.

The figure was closing in from the north, undeterred by the lingering effects of the confusion pollen.

Slowing his pace slightly, he spoke, his tone steady but commanding. "I'll take care of this one," his voice firm. "You take Sid and leave now."

"No," Mai interjected sharply, her tone leaving no room for debate. Her eyes locked onto his, filled with resolve. "This trouble started because of us. I cannot let you fight them alone."

"But—"

"Listen to me!" Mai cut him off, her usual calm cracking slightly under the weight of urgency. "I'm a peak Tier 3 professional. If anyone here stands a chance at holding off a Tier 4 professional, it's me. You need to get everyone to safety, Ram."

Ram shook his head, stepping closer to her. "Mai, if this were before, I would've agreed. But I've upgraded Groot. With his support and my own growth, I can handle a Tier 4 professional."

"Don't try to convince me otherwise," he continued, his tone resolute. "I have the best chances to hold them off and buy us enough time. And trust me, even if I encounter Shane himself, I have ways to escape."

Mai's lips parted as if to protest, but Ram didn't give her the chance. He turned toward the north, his expression calm yet determined. "I'll meet you all soon. Go!"

Before Mai could respond, Ram rushed forward, his form quickly disappearing into the distance. The sound of his footsteps grew fainter as he raced toward the approaching Tier 4 professional.

Mai, despite her strong will, hesitated for a brief moment. Her instincts screamed to chase after him, "Ram!" she called after him, but Su Mu's hand on her arm stopped her in her tracks and a calm, steady voice brought her back to the situation at hand.

"He's right," Su Mu said softly but firmly. "Ram's stronger than you think, and he's not reckless. If he says he can handle it, then he will. We need to move now, or his efforts will be meaningless."

Mai clenched her fists, glaring in the direction Ram had disappeared. A mixture of frustration churned within her. "Fine," she said, at last, her voice strained. "But if he doesn't return..."

"He will," Su Mu interrupted, her tone resolute. "Now let's go."

Mai turned, her expression hardening as she focused on the task ahead. Together, they resumed, with the modified hoverboard carrying Sid floating steadily between them.

The wind rustled the leaves around Ram as he approached the figure. His Spiritual Eye activated, instantly giving him a detailed glimpse of his opponent's attributes and skills:

[Name:

Kain Ironhedge

]

[Race: Explore hidden tales at mvl

Human

]

[Profession:

Tier 4 Totem Warrior

]

[Physique:

245.3

]

[Spirit:

48.6

]

[Skills:

[Earth Shatter]:

Causes a devastating ground attack that sends shockwaves in all directions, capable of toppling enemies and disrupting their skills.

[Rapid Assault]:

Gives the user an additional 140% burst of speed combined with overwhelming strength, allowing for a flurry of powerful attacks in quick succession.

[Defensive Aura]:

Generates a protective field around the user, reducing incoming physical and spiritual damage by 30%.

[Totem Resonance]:

Draws power from the divine creature, the totem represents, temporarily increasing Physique and attack power by 150%.

[Lizard King's Regeneration]:

Rapidly heals minor wounds and reduces the severity of major injuries during combat, drawn from the resilience of the creature worshiped.

[Predator's Gaze]:

Intimidates weaker opponents, applying a spiritual deterrence that disrupts their focus and weakens their attacks.

]

The man was a towering, three-meter-tall, the same warrior who had fought Sid at the entrance of the Void Space. His frame was intimidating, and his every movement exuded raw power.

He slowed down as soon as his eyes met Ram, black tattoos snaked across his body, intricate designs forming an unmistakable image of a fierce lizard.

From afar, the markings seemed to move, giving the illusion of a predator ready to pounce at any moment.

The moment Ram's eyes fell on those markings, a sharp wave of spiritual deterrence radiated toward him. It felt like an invisible weight pressing down on his soul, an effect likely tied to Kain's Predator's Gaze.

Yet, Ram's soul was strong, he remained unaffected, his gaze steady and unflinching as he faced Kain.

"It's you, I finally found one after looking for so long... this time it won't be like before, there is no one around to save you anymore," Kain said, his voice deep and rumbling, filled with restrained menace. His eyes narrowed, assessing Ram with the precision of a hunter sizing up prey.

Ram smirked, his confidence unwavering despite the vast difference in their stats. "Is you who should be worried, not me."

Kain's lip curled in a sneer. "Bold words for someone who's about to die. Do you even understand what you're up against?"

The air grew heavy as Kain shifted his stance, his tattoos beginning to glow faintly. The lizard totem etched into his skin seemed almost alive, its presence amplifying Kain's already formidable aura.

"Let's see how long you last," Kain growled, slamming a foot into the ground. The earth beneath him cracked as he prepared to charge, his entire body radiating a terrifying mix of strength and savagery.

Seeing that Kain was about to charge, Ram remained calm. With a quick gesture, he summoned Groot from his space. The wood spirit reacted instantly, in the blink of an eye, the transformation began—Groot melded seamlessly into Ram's body merging with Ram in a fluid motion to form a sleek and shiny white-green bio-armor.

The entire process took mere seconds, just as Kain's massive fist hurtled toward him. By the time the strike was about to land, Ram was fully encased in his armor, the intricate patterns on its surface pulsing with life energy.

The armor exuded a natural yet otherworldly aura, its wooden texture reinforced with shimmering veins. The helmet featured sharp, vine-like protrusions, and the gauntlets and shoulder pads gleamed with an ominous green glow.

Kain's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the armor. But his arrogance held firm. "A flashy trick won't save you," he thought, as his punch continued its trajectory with unstoppable force.

Kain's massive fist, as solid and unyielding as a boulder, the ground trembled under the force of Kain's charge, and the air around him distorted slightly from the sheer power of his motion.

But Ram stood unmoving, his gaze steady.

The punch connected—or so Kain thought.