The serpent struck with terrifying speed. Erik threw himself to the side, feeling the rush of air as massive jaws snapped shut where he stood a moment before.
The momentum sent him crashing hard into the concrete wall, his shoulder taking the brunt of the impact. He barely had time to register the pain before he rolled sideways, narrowly avoiding a second lightning-fast strike.
[Why didn't you warn me earlier?!] Erik asked the biological supercomputer. That was all he could think about while dodging another attack that splintered the concrete where his head had been.
[I can only detect them when they channel mana!] the system said as Erik backpedaled down the corridor.
[All creatures leak mana when attacking with their brain crystals. This one consciously controlled its flow to stay hidden. It understood how to counter detection. It deliberately suppressed its mana until the moment it attacked. By then, it was already within striking distance!]
