[-40!]
[-20!]
Liam sighed at the damage numbers revealed after his swords stabbed the boss's body. He had already expected that only his holy damage would be of use in this fight.
Without hesitation he cycled through his skill, until five holy marks exploded above the ghost's head.
[-60!]
[-31!]
[-52!]
[-556!]
A ferocious roar drove into everyone's marrow as the ghost's three faces turned angry. Watchful Eye had to grit his teeth and force his body to move, using his [Purple Earthly Flame] skill.
A staff engulfed in flames crashed into the ghost's waist.
[-202!]
Suddenly the light in the hall strangely dimmed. The ghost's body blurred. Liam recognized the skill, informing his friends right away:
"Don't attack! In this state he won't take much damage. In a moment ghosts will appear. You need to dodge them and attack. Destroy them. Don't let them reach the ghost servant."
The others didn't have much time to answer. While Liam spoke, a few white, ghostly heads appeared out of nowhere at the edges of the hall.
Everyone felt the hairs in their necks rise as they watched the ghosts accumulate. Soon, more than a hundred had gathered, all staring at the ghost servant with fanatical faces.
The party formed a circle around the boss, preparing to block as many heads as possible.
Only the two mages remained in the light spots, where no ghosts dared to wander.
The two women concentrated on their casting, shivering faintly as the first ghost head moved at a brisk pace.
Silver Blade narrowed her eyes as the ghost was coming for her. Without any distraction the tank made it look easy. A swift step to the side positioned her in the ghost's trajectory.
Stable like a boulder Silver Blade blocked the enemy.
[Stance -5]
However, the latter didn't appear to understand what happened. Unperturbed, it tried to go forward again. But before it could move much, a sharp sword cut through the ghost head.
[-50!]
With a saddening howl the head disappeared.
Unfortunately, this was far from the only one. A second head started shortly after the first, choosing a path close to Balm.
The healer was flustered, swinging her wand immediately. Her attack missed closely, causing the young woman some embarrassment.
"Sorry."
A cold wind ruffled her robe as the ghost head passed by her body. It reached the ghost servant, fusing into it like a drop of water returning to the ocean.
[+40!]
The blurry body rippled as its HP recovered by a small margin.
This one head's success seemed to work like a signal. Suddenly waves of three ghost heads dashed towards the room's center.
Watching the incoming tide, the party members suddenly felt the pressure. They entered a stressful battle of dodging and attacking.
Some heads got destroyed on the way while others reached their target. The ghost servant recovered bit by bit.
Cyclone watched anxiously. Finally, her cast was finished. A crackling, thick rope of lightning erupted from her wand. It looped through the air once, before one end tightened around her body while the other tightened around the ghost servant.
[-1!]
Since the skill [Bindings of Lightning] would remain until a certain amount of damage was dealt between both parties, Cyclone didn't care too much about the single point of damage.
She immediately joined her friends in taking out the ghost heads. But when she attacked the enemy closest to her, which hadn't moved yet, her magic was blocked by a barrier of dark magic.
Immediately the targeted ghost head let out a sound of astonishment and dashed towards the ghost servant at a much faster speed than all the others.
[+40!]
"Sorry guys, I didn't know…"
"No worries, I should have told you."
Liam admonished himself, forgetting to inform his party of this detail. He momentarily pondered about how he could make such a mistake, but the next ghost head quickly drew his attention.
Just as the veteran was about swing his swords a strong headache assaulted him. A rumble reached his ears. He clearly felt signs of C trying to disconnect him.
The others noticed his strangeness. Radiant Shield was the first to speak up:
"Mirage, don't risk your health. We can continue without you."
"Expert, it's better if you leave for now."
"Haven't we trained for moments like these?"
Liam gritted his teeth, staring at the ghost servant's HP.
"Don't worry about me. Those ghost are getting through. Focus or the boss will heal back to full…"
"IDIOT!"
A loud, angry shout suddenly startled everyone. Silver Blade stared at Bleary Mirage with eyes filled with anger and worry.
"Go offline now! Your safety is more important than some stupid boss!"
Liam looked at the woman with an open mouth, words stuck in his throat. Eventually he sighed.
"Ok, sorry. Remember to use the bracelet when…"
Before Liam could finish his sentence, he suddenly disappeared. His vision changed. He watched in confusion as a hand enlarged in his eyes. His body was taken over by his instincts.
Liam instantly used [Holy Tempest]. A shimmering light played around his skin as he rolled to the side. Ignoring the pain in his head he crossed his arms before his body, and slammed them into the assailant's waist.
The gangster let out a low groan but obviously the attack didn't hurt him much. As a martial artist of the second stage, Bone Strengthening, he was about equivalent to a level 40 player.
However, he didn't move immediately as the strange holy mark floating above his head confused him. Liam saw his chance. Two fists landed on the opponent's body, quickly followed by another pair.
With a thought he used [Double Slash]. A strange energy came from the console, running through his body and changing the nature of his punches. Suddenly the room was bathed in a bright light as the five holy marks exploded.
The gangster couldn't help but let out a scream as a searing pain ran through his body. Fighting in real life and the game was still somewhat different. As lower-level martial master the gangster didn't have a way to defend himself against the holy magic. The unfamiliar energy blinded him and shook his head.
Meanwhile Liam felt strong feedback. Triggering the holy marks elevated his body, making him nimbler and recovering some stamina. Even the pain in his head lessened slightly.
Not one to let go of his advantage Liam immediately continued. Violent punches met the assailant's face. Simultaneously a wave of holy light spread. An elbow rammed the gangster's chest with [Brutal Strike].
In a short time four new marks were stacked and erupted instantly.
The gangster staggered backwards, his body hurting all over. Liam was just about to go for the kill when a commanding voice sounded in the room:
"Stop! Or he will die!"
Liam was taken aback, glancing to the left. He found another gangster in black keeping his bodyguard in a chokehold, staring at Liam with a ferocious face.
The young man's body froze. His thoughts moved quickly. He still wasn't certain if these people dared to kill in the city. However, from the treatment so far it seemed that this wasn't the case.
Glancing at his bodyguard's eyes Liam was sure recognize agreement. However, suddenly the man's gaze turned to panic. Liam shivered as felt a movement close to him.
In the one second that Liam had been thinking, his opponent had already recovered. A fist aimed for his face, racing at a high speed.
Liam reacted instinctively, jumping backwards. He cursed inwardly as his back hit the wall. Missing his first attack the gangster didn't let up, and sent another forceful punch.
Turning his head to the side, Liam felt the wind ruffle his hair. The room vibrated as a fist crushed into the wall. Liam knew that the next strike might send him to the floor.
At this moment the bodyguard suddenly gritted his teeth. He gambled with his own life, betting that the gangsters wouldn't dare to kill. With a thought a special energy ran through the console around his body.
Liam looked into the eyes of his opponent, which were assured of victory. The gangster even seemed to enjoy himself as he threw another punch.
But right then Liam felt a strange coldness as the temperature around him dropped. Within a split second he was encased in a thick layer of ice.
The gangster's fist didn't stop, crashing into the solid barrier.
"AH!"
Shouting painfully, he immediately drew back his hand, a blueish color tinging his knuckles.
Liam's bodyguard had a relieved look on his eyes. He ignored the poisonous eyes of the man holding him.
"You don't care for your life, b*stard?!"
The gangster bellowed angrily. A violent knee struck the bodyguard's belly. The man felt the air leave his lungs. Loosening his grip the gangster let him slam into the ground heavily. Instantly another kick followed.
For a few seconds banging noises could be heard as the two gangsters vented their anger.
And in the corner laid an innocent taxi driver who had long fallen unconscious from fright.