Boom!
A massive explosion shook the surroundings, traveling along the forest. Dirt splashed in all directions, almost hitting the party members.
[-488!]
[-324!]
Big Crow and his brothers suffered alike under [Big Berta].
"Wow, nice aim for an old man!", joked Final Fend.
"Hey, Final Fend, if you continue like this you should hope my eyes don't get worse some day!"
"Haha!"
Liam glanced between the two men, amazed that their relationship was this good despite the difference in their age. Simultaneously he slipped behind one of the smaller crows, his swords moving fluidly, unleashing his skills.
Just then he felt a faint sense of danger. He glanced to the left, finding a small magic sphere fly in his direction. No! It wasn't aimed at him, but at Quickstep who was just about to approach.
"Careful!"
Quickstep didn't need Liam's reminder, seeing the magic aiming for her head. But instead of retreating she advanced even more bravely. A huge amount of her special resource storm was spent as she activated her skill [Carrier of Storm].
A violent wind swept over the battlefield, surging towards Quickstep and engulfing her body within. Her figure was obscured, replaced by a sharp blade formed from wind. Its speed increased terribly, slashing across the battlefield.
The magic aimed at Quickstep missed helplessly while the blade chaotically stormed over the battlefield, hitting every enemy in its path with physical and wind damage.
[-211!]
[-31!]
[-277!]
[-43!]
"Let's go babe!"
Silent Acacia happily cheered for his girlfriend while firing his arrows.
His mood improved even more when he landed a critical hit, dealing more than 600 points of damage. Thinking his lucky hour had come he immediately used [Rampage] on Zorn and ordered her to attack.
The alligator mixed into the other party members, targeting the boss together. The smaller crows' HP par dropped dangerously low.
Suddenly the staff-wielding beastkin let out a hoarse shout:
"We won't die like this! Brothers!"
His hand moved towards his neck, pressing on an inconspicuous necklace and crushing it in his palm. Immediately a ripple of mysterious magic spread over the battlefield.
Big Crow remained unaffected but whenever the players were hit, they froze on the spot.
[Final Fend: Hey, what's this?! I can't move!]
[Radiant Shield: I feel reminded of Kelsnim...]
[Bloody Edge: I hate this feeling.]
Unfortunately, the party's complaints didn't bother the bosses. Big Crow continued moving leisurely, his claws slamming into Radiant Shield's chest.
[-554!]
[Radiant Shield: Damn! Just you wait, monster...]
At the same time four of the smaller crows gathered around their staff-wielding brother. The latter murmured, chanting ominous incantations. A magic circle spread with him as the centre, engulfing his brothers within.
The other crows slowly closed their eyes when the mysterious runes passed over them. Looking as if in a peaceful sleep they trusted their brother fully.
Suddenly the magic circle began to revolve, gliding into the air before falling on the sword-wielding crow next to Big Crow.
Affected by the magic the smaller crow slowly levitated into the air. An illusionary figure formed, engulfing the boss. Standing as tall as two humans, it had a crow's head and a humanoid body. Its hands transformed continuously from hands holding swords to beastly claws.
[Final Fend: I guess we can't call that one Small Crow anymore...]
[Melodious Edelweiss: Maybe Biggest Crow?]
The party had no time to discuss as they regained their ability to move at this moment.
"Hey, big guy. Think you are strong now?"
Overbearing Zen's voice rang through the clearing as he and his brother immediately used their skills. One flaming and one freezing sword appeared above the monster's head, slashing at its scalp.
[-0!]
[-0!]
"Wait, what's that?"
Glancing at everyone's surprised faces, Liam hastily urged to his party:
"Ignore that big guy, focus on the others behind him."
"Oh. If that's the case, let me take the aggro. You all can attack the other bosses!"
Final Fend swung his weapon while talking, the chain trying to bind the boss. Unfortunately, the stun of his [Chain Lock] skill didn't trigger but at least it served to catch the boss's attention.
The tall figure looked down on the pesky warrior. A murderous gleam was in its crow eyes as it swung its arm at Final Fend.
The arm continuously transformed in the air, making it difficult to prepare for the attack. The moment before it reached Final Fend did it turn into a large sword aiming to cleave the player into two.
Final Fend looked upwards, hiding his apprehension behind a sneer. He was still protected by Radiant Shield's [Holy Barrier]. The sword and barrier collided, sending heavy vibrations through the floor.
Final Fend watched as the barrier rippled dangerously but ultimately held on.
[-1319!]
Meanwhile the rest of the party managed to get past Biggest Crow, approaching his brothers. The five enemies were protected by a barrier as well, counting on Biggest Crow to defend them.
"Let's get rid of this spell!"
Liam led the charge, hammering his swords against the barrier. His friends followed up. For a while the barrier shook continuously but it didn't break.
"I won't let you succeed!"
A hoarse voice left Biggest Crow's beak sounding terrifyingly inhuman. He suddenly ignored Final Fend, turning towards Liam. Its sharp eyes focused on the enemies as it swung its arm. Black shadows shot out at unimaginable speeds, almost impossible to dodge.
Liam already felt the movement when the enemy began to target them. He initiated a flash step while warning his friends.
But the attack was just too fast. Braag turned his head, realizing that the black shadows were flying daggers, one of them aimed at his scalp. He tried to use a flash step but faltered under the pressure.
A pained groan could be heard from the dwarf as the flying dagger cut into his arm.
[-1669!]
Overbearing Zen and Dominating Zen next to Braag saw the enormous danger, gritting their teeth. Noticing a flying dagger aiming at them they reacted cleverly, dodging in two different directions.
The single flying dagger couldn't target two mages. It made a slight curve, slamming into Dominating Zen's chest.
[-1838!]
Dominating Zen drew a sharp breath. Without Melodious Edelweiss's heals and the earlier health potion he would have died here.
Dying on his first mission, he would have been too embarrassed to continue following the party in the future.
"Ha! I always knew I'm the more talented one!", joked Overbearing Zen gloatingly.
"What talent?! You're just lucky!"
"You..."
Suddenly Liam's urgent voice interrupted the two brothers:
"If you have time to argue, use it to attack!"
"Sorry..."
The two mages smiled apologetically, conjuring new magical swords.
The horror caused by the flying daggers subsided. Apart from Braag and Dominating Zen, Quickstep was hit as well. Now the entire party vented their anger against the barrier.
Seeing the magical defence holding on, Liam furrowed his brows. Suddenly his eyes lit up with an idea. He put away his weapons exchanging them for an inconspicuous fishing rod.
[Gabe's first fishing rod
Category: rare
Effect 1: Increase your luck when fishing by 50%.
Effect 2: Can be used on land to fish items off others. Needs the steal skill.
Effect 3: Can be used on land to tie up others. Afflicts a stun of maximal 5 seconds.
Effect 4: Ignores barriers to a certain degree.
A fishing rod used by Gabe during his younger years. He created a lot of trouble with it, earning him a notorious reputation. Luckily, he calmed down in his older years.]
With a flick of Liam's wrist, the fishing line whipped through the air, aiming for the bosses. Hitting the barrier, it froze for a moment before mysteriously slipping through.
Inside the barrier the staff-wielding crow felt something strange, glancing towards the top. It took him a few seconds to spot the thin line dancing in the air.
The slight delay was enough for the fishing line to wrap around the staff. Liam felt the feedback, abruptly yanking the fishing rod upwards. His line stretched taut before ripping the staff out of its owner's hand, delivering it to Liam.
"What?!"
Not only the boss was surprised, Liam's friends appeared incredulous as well. They stared at the staff in Liam's hand, their view on the game changing.
"NO!"
Biggest Crow let out a hoarse shout, despair in his eyes. The illusionary figure trembled, slowly dissolving, its last glance directed towards his brothers who were now without a barrier.
Liam grinned as his plan succeeded. But noticing the lack of movement around him, he swiped his eyes over the party.
"What are you waiting for? Attack!"
Liam's friends came out of their stupor. Afraid that further delay might lead to more unexpected changes they hastily attacked the bosses.
Under the new assault the shared HP bar emptied instantly. When it reached one HP, the smaller crows suddenly got a boost in speed, dispersing in all directions.
"I don't want to die here!"
"Big brother, let's go!"