"Why must you continue this conflict, Lephrion? Just die obediently!"
Vren's expression turned manic as he continued to spout crazy words. He lowered his posture as five black lines spread from him.
"The same skill again? What a joke!"
A tall warrior laughed boisterously, joking around:
"Whoever gets hit needs to spend a round of..."
While talking the man's eyes involuntarily fell on Liam nearby. He gulped down the last word, exchanging it quickly.
"... fruit juice! Of course it's fruit juice! Don't let me catch anyone of you drinking at work!"
The warrior's words drew loud laughter, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone suddenly found it easier to dodge the boss since they shook off the pressure.
Liam was amazed to see the boss miss completely, causing not a single point of damage. He pondered if it would be sensible to try a more relaxed approach to guild activities.
Every guild was different in their ways to motivate the players. Force of Nature for example was filled with battle-hungry players who would face every boss fearlessly. Nest of Flames was filled with people looking up to Phoenix Flame while eager to prove their own strength.
Dream Avenue also had to find its identity. Right now, its members mainly prided themselves of being part of the foremost guild and were aiming to make sure this wouldn't change.
But Liam planned to make everyone develop a feeling of belonging and unity and defeating the world boss would be a solid first step. A friendly atmosphere might be favourable to his plans.
However, these were only Liam's musings. Something like identity couldn't be forced but would develop by itself as long as the guild members worked together.
Despite his thoughts Liam didn't stop moving. Caught in the chaotic battle he had entered a kind of special state, his senses were elevated and all his combat experience concentrated.
Only the most experienced players in Liam's past life had been able to enter such a state regularly. It couldn't be reached through specific training but through a cumulation of knowledge and experience, aided by a hint of talent.
Some players speculated that it had something to do with the inhuman strength one could achieve in the game and the brain's processing of such strength.
Anyways, Liam had long taken it for granted. He subconsciously perceived the black line about to collide with him. One step, free and easy, brought him away.
A moment later he felt Vren passing close to him emitting a fierce aura of death. The boss appeared clearer in Liam's vision than earlier. He instinctively knew that this was the real body.
When Vren came to a stop some distance away, Liam quickly appeared next to him, his swords dancing gracefully. Holy marks were stacked and triggered, dealing more than 500 points of damage to the world boss.
Simultaneously a red sheen erupted from his sword as its effect triggered, draining Vren's blood.
[Crimson sword of the blood villa
…
Effect 1: Every third attack with this sword increases your max HP by 300 points.
Effect 2: After increasing your max HP through Effect 1 for five times, deal the remaining bonus HP as a magical damage attack. You will lose the bonus HP.
Effect 3: Every heal you receive is strengthened by 5%.
A rare weapon used by the noble beings of the blood villa. It was the spoils of war belonging to vampire hunter Zurl Moonbreaker. After selling this sword he hasn't been heard of in a long time.]
Since Liam hadn't lost any HP yet, he dealt heavy damage despite the boss's solid defense.
[-421!]
Vren however didn't care too much. Compared to his vast HP Liam's attacks barely moved him. The world boss continued casting skills, causing five black lines to appear.
Liam took a single step landing between two lines, allowing Vren's images to pass him on both sides, uninjured.
"Awesome!"
"Damn!"
The watching guild members exclaimed in shock. Most of them were outstandingly talented. But because of this they could deeply appreciate how impressive Liam's moves were, realizing that they themselves still had a long way to go.
With his enemy escaping, Liam's mind also returned to normal. He watched Vren's back as the world boss parted the crowd. A few of the guild members were hit but none of them died yet.
Vren came to a stop, standing up straight. He ended his skill, looking towards Radiant Shield who stood not far away. When dagger and shield clashed, the fight returned to its former order.
Radiant Shield relied on his [Holy Barrier] to tank for a while, allowing the healers to recover their skills. Melodious Edelweiss changed her tune, filling the valley with her [Song of Healing]. However, she only dared to keep it up for a few seconds since the spell drained her mana quickly.
Under Liam's command the fight continued orderly, draining the boss's HP. When they approached 250.000 points another change occurred.
"Lephrion! Don't blame me! You leave me with no choice!"
Vren's eyes, black as the night, narrowed dangerously, revealing a malicious gleam. Suddenly a strange rune appeared within them, attracting a vast amount of mana.
Coming in contact with his body, it fueled a black magic, which began to swirl around the boss, giving him an ominous aura.
Liam had been anticipating this moment, having informed his friends beforehand.
[Bleary Mirage: Silver Blade, now!]
Silver Blade was eager to finally participate in the action. She had been hovering at the edge of the crowd so far, but now she directly activated her [Luring Barrier] dashing towards Vren.
A small mishap occurred however, as Vren didn't let go of his initial target. His daggers, coated in ominous dark magic, stabbed towards the male tank, its physical damage transformed into a mix of magical and dark.
[-876!]
[-87!]
[-438!]x2
Under the relentless assault Radiant Shield's barrier shook heavily, dark cracks permeating its golden surface. It looked like the holy protection would survive but as the last red dagger arrived, it exploded in a shower of golden rain.
Radiant Shield smiled wryly, stared at by the world boss. But he didn't dare to attack, afraid of making Silver Blade's job even more difficult. He watched helplessly as Vren turned his body, flourishing his daggers.
But just before the attack arrived, Silver Blade made her move. She rammed her sword into the floor. An invisible energy travelled through the ground, erupting suddenly at a distance. Only hitting a few confused guild members, the process repeated. Energy erupted, this time further away, striking the world boss.
"Watch how I decimate the help you brought, Lephiron. I will make you plead for forgiveness!"
With those words Vren turned around, prompting Radiant Shield to sigh in relief. He watched the world boss ignore the crowd and head for Silver Blade.
The crowd parted as Silver Blade and Vren approached each other with measured steps, the boss carrying an arrogant smile, Silver Blade opting to hide her face behind her pristinely white helmet richly decorated with complicated engravings.
Suddenly Vren sped up, his daggers aiming for the tank's heart. Silver Blade didn't panic. She had been preparing for the whole fight and was eager to finally contribute.
[-500!]
A tremor ran through the ground as Silver Blade's [Luring Barrier] vibrated like a drum, blocking the first attack. Vren wasn't discouraged, his daggers continuing to move, shaving away at the sturdy barrier.
When the boss's first round of attacks subsided, Liam finally gave the much-anticipated signal to resume the fight. It was as if a storm had risen abruptly, with everyone advancing simultaneously.
Bloody Edge knew this was a perfect opportunity for him. Leading the charge he suddenly appeared behind the world boss, activating his ultimate skill [Light's Will].
"Ah! What is this?!"
Vren shouted angrily as the searing light melted his armor.
[Bloody Edge: Everyone, focus your attacks! Make use of the opportunity!]
Bloody Edge's reminder was superfluous as Vren was already drowned in a rain of skills, allowing his ultimate to unfold its effect to the fullest. The world boss's HP took a dangerous dip, losing more than ten thousand points in this one second.
Even Vren couldn't remain unmoved, his arrogant smile stiffening, anger flashing on his face.
"Annoying pests! It is time for you to leave!"
Vren scoffed at the players, suddenly bending his legs. The ground shook as he utilized his powerful strength to jump high into the sky. Black magic gathered around him, allowing him to hover over the players like the god of death.
Noticing that everyone watched in apprehension, Liam promptly reminded them to continue their attacks. Every bit of damage was important.
Vren, overlooking the valley, suddenly spread his arms wide like an artist after a performance. A magic circle came into existence, floating before his body, the runes giving of a distinct, disharmonious feeling.
At this point most players felt a familiarity recognizing the black energy supporting Vren's strength for what it was. A curse.
However, this realization didn't have much impact on the fight. The boss's skills had to be dodged whether they were of dark or holy nature.