Actually, the creature wasn't just toying with Cedric for the sake of it. It was analyzing him.
You see, the Hollow Ones were masters of combat, but more than that, they had the ability to copy the combat style of their opponents.
The worst way to fight them was a drawn-out battle, because not only do they never get tired, but the longer the engagement lasted, the more of their opponent's techniques they absorbed.
By the time a warrior realized what was happening, they would find themselves fighting a perfect, better, tireless mirror of their own skills.
Right now, Cedric could not rely on the property of his Yoroi, [Blight of Will], because it took longer to take effect on creatures whose levels were higher than him. In this case, where a drawn-out battle was a recipe for disaster, leaning on that power wasn't the wise way to go.
'I need to end it quickly.' Cedric thought, wiping the blood that stained his mouth.
