Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

When a person's ear is severely damaged or a part of it, like the earlobe or the entire ear, is lost, it can have various consequences. The external ear, including the earlobe and the external auditory canal, plays a crucial role in capturing and funneling sound waves into the ear canal. Losing a portion of the external ear can impact the person's ability to collect and process sound effectively.

Moreover, damage to the ear and eardrums can also affect a person's sense of balance. The inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, and disruptions to its normal functioning can cause dizziness, vertigo, and a feeling of unsteadiness.

In Rain's case, losing his right ear not only means a potential loss of hearing on that side but also a significant impact on his ability to accurately perceive the direction of sounds in his environment.

Rain used Full Heal immediately, and the skin began to be restored alongside the flesh. Still, it would take a while before everything was back to normal… he was forced to open his eyes since he couldn't count on his ears anymore.

The effects of A Matter of Skill were canceled, and Rain could see the enemy looking at him without a single shred of emotion in his eyes… even though he knew that he had gained the upper hand.

As if they had realized that Rain was in a bind, his friends used their lightning gloves and attacked the enemy, but he just raised his hammer and spun it, which attracted the attack. Before long, he lunged at Rain with all his might.

The Warhammer cut the air and hit nothing since Rain disappeared from his spot, but as soon as the enemy began to slow down, Rain reappeared in the same spot, this time with his arms crossed.

"Hello, hello. Are you there, guy controlling this thing?" Rain asked. "Do you talk? Do you understand my language? If you do, In what dimension of insanity do you reside?"

The giant enemy ignored Rain's words and just swung his hammer again, this time downward… another massive quake echoed in the area, making everyone cover their faces as snow and ice shards flew in all directions… Rain didn't have to do that since he hid behind the enemy. Again, it seemed like a golden chance to attack the vulnerable back of that guy, but Rain's instincts told him not to do it.

"I will take that as a no," Rain said. "Anyway, since the real you won't die for this, maybe one day you will be able to understand my words: For this fight, I will give you a C, C for consistency. You consistently disappoint me."

Rain didn't know if his trick of sound magic and the jokester skills would work, but it was worth trying. It was also a good idea to test a bunch of things and learn as much as possible from the enemies.

When the enemy turned around, nothing looked different… at the same time, Rain saw that guy raising his weapon and spinning it. Before long, powerful winds began to spread across the area… and Rain began to be pulled toward it.

"I guess my taunt didn't work…" Rain thought. "I just need to buy a bit more of time…"

Rain could always run away, but it was clear that the enemy would target the others and take notice of the real plan… the vortex's only goal was to prevent Rain from approaching the enemy like the same way he did it before.

"Well, if you want it, then you will have it…" Rain said and then assumed his fighting stance.

Before the enemy could do anything, Rain suddenly appeared in front of the guy and punched the middle of his chest with all his might… the sound of Rain's fist against the metal echoed in the area… alongside the sound of bones cracking.

The next moment, the enemy swung down his hammer to crush Rain… he knew that Rain would retreat to the same spot he had been a moment ago… his guess was almost right. The Warhammer crushed the ground after hitting nothing, and then his body was pushed backward when the armor on his face was smashed…

The enemy's wounded face appeared as the armor pieces fell on the ground… At the same time, Rain appeared standing above the hammer while both of his fists were completely shattered.

"My counters are too insane… I don't know if they are so good or so retarded that they end up hurting my fists…" Rain thought.

Usually, Rain's plan fists weren't supposed to be that much effective… However, the equipped skills didn't change, even though the shadow was no longer taking over his body. He was still causing a lot of damage, focusing on counters. Unfortunately, that guy was barely suffering any real damage… the swollen parts of his face were restored, and parts of the armor covered the face of that guy.

Rain jumped away when the enemy raised his hammer once more… at that point in time, even though he could use that hammer, the enemy knew that agaisnt a thing of that size, Rain could move faster and avoid the hits… he was paying a price, though. One that no one could see… his toes looked even worse than his fists.

Rain understood that the enemy was gathering valuable data with each passing moment. This accumulation of information could potentially become a severe threat in future battles, as the enemy might adapt and counter their strategies much better. In light of this realization, Rain decided to take decisive and painful risks to disrupt the enemy's learning process.

Bracing himself for the challenges ahead, Rain steeled his resolve and prepared to execute one hell of a crazy plan that would not only change the course of the current battle but also safeguard their chances in future encounters… it was time to scare them to death by showing his resolve.