"Receive your retribution, Lephrion!"
Vren's words echoed through the valley like a divine judgment while he pointed his palms at the magic circle. It began to revolve, unleashing black spheres of magic accompanied by a terrifying aura.
They barrelled towards the ground, spiralling in the air, which obscured their path. No indicator appeared on the floor, leaving the players guessing, unsettling some of them.
Liam stared at the sky. Even he could hardly predict where the attack would land. However, seeing the sphere travel in his general direction, he urgently shouted a warning:
"Get away! It's coming towards us!"
Liam realized he made a mistake when he saw the players around him escaping chaotically. Many had quickly come to respect and trust Liam as their commander. Perceiving the urgency in his voice, they began to panic which was a big mistake in such a situation.
[Bleary Mirage: Use protective spells!]
Using the group chat Liam's order wouldn't be drowned by the chaos. Silver Blade activated her [Aura of ranged protection], seeing many others use similar skills, colourful auroras spreading through the battlefield.
Boom!
A massive explosion rocked the floor, sending a shockwave of black magic in all directions. Liam didn't manage to escape, the magic freezing his bones, feeling as if life got drained from his body.
[-970!]
Several skills worked together to reduce the damage, but it was still harsh. With his high level Liam was better off than most. Others weren't as fortunate as the dark magic claimed three more lives.
Silver Blade watched her passive ramping up. The damage blocked by her skill counted to her passive, allowing her to realize how fierce the boss's skill turned out to be.
Elsewhere Melodious Edelweiss had decided on something right before the skill landed. Her angelic voice spread over the battlefield, inviting one to dream, as her ultimate skill [Song of Vengeance] was used, its effect not yet visible.
Vren looked down on the chaos he caused, letting out a ruckus laughter.
"Yes, run! Run before my power!"
The boss continued his skill, this time aiming for a batch of mages.
Having watched what happened before, the players grew more vigilant. They escaped swiftly, yet the skill's unpredictable trajectory took people by surprise, dealing heavy damage.
[Bleary Mirage: Don't freeze! Keep up your attacks! The skill only ends when the magic circle is destroyed!]
[Quickstep: Isn't this too much of a cheat?! Our melees can't attack at all!]
[Final Fend: Who says that? Watch me!]
[Silver Blade: Don't do something stupid...]
[Final Fend: Sis! Show some trust!]
The bickering siblings eased the tense atmosphere, bringing smiles to people's faces. But Final Fend quietened down as the next attack brewed in the sky. He stared at Vren, ready to make a move any moment.
Suddenly a black sphere shot towards the ground. Final Fend frowned, guessing its landing spot. He couldn't be sure but after boasting in the group chat, he had to take the gamble.
Final Fend wasn't happy with the fight so far. Since his class was somewhat unique, he wasn't made a team leader, trailing behind Radiant Shield. His presence was low, causing his heart to grow restless.
He was someone with a love for attention and wished for the guild members to acknowledge him. Thus, as everyone escaped from the black sphere, Final Fend ran towards it.
"Idiot! Wrong direction!"
A female warrior scolded Final Fend as he appeared before here. She reached out with her hand, trying to bring the confused guild member to safety.
"Don't worry, let me through!"
Final Fend had to awkwardly dodge the hand reaching out in goodwill, slipping between the escaping warriors.
"F*ck! Well, if you want to die..."
Ignoring the curses, Final Fend reached the vacated area just in time as the boss's attack arrived. He stood alone on the empty spot, facing the incoming sphere. An excited smile formed in his face knowing that everyone was watching his performance.
Suddenly Final Fend's skill activated, causing a fierce black flame to burn along the chain wrapped around his right arm. With a grin he watched the black magic growing in his eyes, suddenly punching towards it.
"Back to you!"
The young man laughed freely. His fist collided with the sphere, sending a tremor along his arm. The sphere shook for a moment before it was engulfed by the black flame and disappeared.
Vren frowned as his skill failed. He moved his hands, just about to fire another attack when a black flame abruptly appeared on his magic circle. It burned violently, seeking to punish the one who caused its wielder harm.
A loud crackling reached everyone's ears as they watched a dark flame continuously strike the magic circle.
[-1235!]
The reflected damage placed a huge burden on the magic circle but eventually the flames subsided, leaving behind a circle full of cracks. Seeing this, everyone realized that it couldn't hold on for much longer. The mages struck fiercely hoping to prevent another attack.
"Stop struggling!"
Vren bellowed angrily, his arrogant demeanour slowly disappearing. Sadly, the guild members' damage wasn't enough, unable to stop the world boss from sending another attack.
A violent explosion sent three more ranged fighters to the graveyard, diminishing the guild's numbers even more.
But the players weren't discouraged, attacking tirelessly until the magic circle suddenly stopped moving.
Cracks spread along its surface as it abruptly shattered, allowing the mana to return to nature.
"Ahh!"
Vren let out an anxious shout. The black magic supporting him was affected by the shattering circle, growing chaotic, wisps of it dissolving into nature.
The world boss trembled as he lost his footing, unable to uphold his flight.
"Quick, get away!"
The crowd at the bottom of a valley grew anxious, watching a black meteor coming towards them. They hastily cleared a large area.
Boom!
The world shook, sparks of black magic shooting chaotically towards the sides as Vren crashed into the ground. A small crater even formed. Everyone stared in shock as a damage number plopped up.
[-20.000!]
Melodious Edelweiss, noticing her mana running low, finally unleashed her skill. Her soothing voice entered a steep crescendo, turning forceful, reaching a powerful peak.
"Mabavr!"
A word echoed through the valley, calling a vision upon everyone's minds. They imagined a towering lute, black and surrounded by a fierce aura. Its sites vibrated, spreading the sound of an all-conquering army, aimed at Vren.
The world boss had barely managed to stand up when Melodious Edelweiss's skill arrived. It encompassed all the damage done to her allies during the duration of [Song of Vengeance], delivering an unparalleled blow to the world boss.
[-3568!]
Vren's magical defence managed to deflect a lot, but the damage was still unconceivable to the guild members.
Fortune, recording the scene, got over her stupor thanks to her pure professional instincts.
"Dear viewers, who would have expected the inconspicuous bard to be able to deliver such a blow! Melodious Edelweiss, usually shy with her words, reveals her brilliance at this moment!"
Others also commented wildly, praising Melodious Edelweiss, who was caught between embarrassment and pride.
A certain trend could be felt at this moment. The value of a bard suddenly surged in the players' hearts. After this fight, bards would become highly coveted, with many guilds focusing on recruiting them. And Melodious Edelweiss would also enter the limelight.
Only Final Fend felt somewhat indignant. His contribution was suddenly overshadowed even though his skill served as the setup initiating Vren's fall.
He scrunched his nose, looking at the others for attention. However, when he noticed Melodious Edelweiss's expression tainted with conflicting emotions but showing an obvious happiness, he couldn't get angry at her.
[Final Fend: Beautiful job Edelweiss.]
[Melodious Edelweiss: Oh no, you deserve much more credit! My skill is not difficult.]
[Final Fend: Thanks, but no need to belittle yourself.]
[Silver Blade: You both did well!]
[Bleary Mirage: I agree but now is not the time to hand out awards! Focus on the boss!]
Reading Liam's message everyone came to their senses apologizing meekly and turning their heads towards the pit formed from Vren's body.
Silver Blade approached quickly, fulfilling her duty while the ranged attackers began firing again.
Vren stood within the crater, appearing dazed but his status didn't show that he was weakened. He slowly raised his head, a rare seriousness showing on his face, his black eyes focusing on Silver Blade.
A moment later his body flashed towards the tank, his daggers slashing through the air. His movement appeared more forceful than before, the damage increasing since Vren claimed more lives with his skill.
Silver Blade's [Luring Barrier] broke with another attack, forcing her to use her shield to defend.
The fight continued with Vren attacking fiercely until he seemingly ran out of steam. The magic surrounding him dissipated slowly, returning him to the state at the start of the battle.
Silver Blade and Radiant Shield moved instantly, showing great tacit understanding. Before Silver Blade had to block an attack, Radiant Shield had already secured aggro.