Chapter 20
"Aniki, get down!" Robert pulled me down and shortly after that, a big swing from scythe pa.s.sed our head.
The Knights, who acted as Tankers are the ones who received [One Hit Kill] damage the most. But, due to Priest Cla.s.s with their [Anti-Death] Spells, the Tanks can keep surviving after received those attacks.
"Naval a.s.sist me with—"
"HEALER SQUAD, ACTIVATE [BLESS OF LIFE]!" Zack shouted at Miral.
The Healers healed other squads with their high-ranked AoE Spell. It also became a great blow to Soul Harvester.
"Dang, Healers damaged Soul Harvester with their healing spells. Moreover, it shaved off Fourth Mini HP Bar."
After saying that, Zack damaged the Soul Harvester with his [Cliff Breaker] enchanted by the Priests.
"It's not over yet Tavaniris-dono, look! It's Druids turn after this." Naval pointed his finger on second floor.
"Hmm?!"
"O, Earth Mother Gaia who lives in the highest Irllina, helps us and returns this vengeful soul to Gaia for eternal! Activate Spell Rank EX: [Tree of Life]!"
A big tree emerges from ground and binding the Soul Harvester. According to Mikazuchi, the spell will last for ten turns. It will reduce the target's magical defense and debuff resistance on that period. If the target has [Evil Alignment], [Demonic] or [Undead] Trait, this spell will dealt 1000 damages for every turn plus extra damage by 1000 for target with [Evil Alignment], [Demonic] and [Undead] Trait.
"Oh! So, the Tree-wors.h.i.+ppers can also deal high-damage eh?" How scary…"
"Shut up bald rock, focus on that thing in front of you—f.u.c.k, GET DOWN!" Arnold dragged Khazim down.
"Hey scary face, I didn't need to get down."
"Oh, sorry it was reflex. I forgot you are small."
"Honestly after hearing that, I really want to punch your face right now but I can't."
"Heh." Toval smirked.
On the other place, Robert and Kenzia running through the ruins and they reach the Soul Harvester.
"Original Skill: [Thousands Cuts of Time Reversal]!"
"Original Skill: [Blade of Yggdrasil]!" Robert and Kenzia successfully break off the Second HP Bar.
"Nice a.s.sist Kenzisan!"
"You too, Robert-kun. You were right when you said "Human Language Make Your Skill or Spell Launch Faster"."
"EVERYONE, THE BOSS WILL CHANGE ITS ATTACK PATTERN!" They heard Mikazuchi's voice.
Every people on the battleground are surprised after hearing Mikazuchi's warning. But suddenly…
"But it's still bounded by—"
"RETREAT KENZISAN!" Robert pulls Kenzia to first floor and they hide inside a room.
"Why we must—"
"Look!"
They witnessed something terrific, the Soul Harvester broke the tree and suddenly attacked everyone with one [One Hit Kill] Skill: [Eye of The Soul Harvester]. Before it did that, its eyes gleaming purple followed by six strikes from its scythe that hit everyone.
"That skill—!" Kenzia surprised.
"The ones whose can still survive, RETREAT! SAVE YOUR DYING FRIENDS!"
"But Daendles-san, if we retreat, this battle will over and we must repeat it again from scratch!"
"What are you saying Amarsan?! Your friends' life is more important rather than this mission!"
Robert and Kenzia heard the whole conversation and they nodded, it seemed they have agreed about something. They picked their weapons and walked out from the room to the Soul Harvester.
"Robert-dono, Kenzidono?! What are you doing?! We are retreating right now!"
"Don't be such a fool Daendles-dono. Are your mentors in [Enchanter School] taught you to give up early when you meet a problem?"
"No, that's not I meant! But look around you Kenzidono! The Vanguards are completely wiped out!"
"But if we retreat, we will start from scratch again. So, let Kenzia and me buy you time to heal our friends."
"But still—!"
"Nah, nah shut up Daendles-dono. Look the western side."
On the western side, there are many Holy Elves that still standing on the battlefield. Most of them are injured, but they are still standing after received [One Hit Kill] attack, but…
"Is.h.i.+zaki-dono, Mikazuki-dono and the others are still standing?! What's the meaning of this Alberto-dono?!"
"Correct. But why are they still standing? Do you know the reason?"
"…Oh!"
"…Because they are Holy Elves. The Holy Elves are immune to [Dark] Elemental Magic, as well as [Instant Death] Skills or Spells, but if that attack was [Non-Dark] Elemental Magic, they would die for sure."
"But why are they injured?"
"You see Mikazuchi-san…that Scythe isn't ethereal, but it's a real scythe. Every attacks launched by Soul Harvester had a physical damage from the scythe or from the elements that he used secretly."
"You can tell?!"
"It was plain as day." The Soul Harvester launched [Horizontal Great Cleave: Soul Harvester] and we dodged it.
"Look at Zikiysan, she is fine even though she has received that [Instant Kill] attack." Robert glanced to Zikiya.
"You are right…"
"Moreover, Daendles-dono and Mikazuhi-dono, the Soul Harvester also used physical objects such as stones and pillars to damage our comrades. He mainly used his magic to deal physical attacks to us because we aren't an [Ethereal Being] like him."
"I understand. But, why Is.h.i.+zaki-dono and the others are unable to fight back? We have casted [Light] Spell to illuminate our surroundings…"
"Do you think that small lights can make them recover easily? h.e.l.l no, at least you need or above ranks to make them heal faster."
"But why are you able to recover faster?!"
"Do you forget that I'm a Dark Elf? If you are aware, this place has [Dark Place] Trait, so I can recover easily even though there are lights here. Nah, we are done talking, let's go back to battle. I'm relying on you, Enchanters."
Robert and Kenzia damaged the Soul Harvester with their original skills but doesn't deal much damage on him. They ran to Haru and Julio's position. They pulled them back before Soul Harvester's scythe struck them.
"Aniki, can you move?! This is [Full Restore] for you and this for you too Julio-san!"
"Thanks Robert. Now, what must we do and where is Zikiysan?"
"We need to buy our friends some time to recover. After that we will launch an attack again Is.h.i.+zaki-dono." Kenzia helped Ayumi and Ridell to stand up.
"If you asked for Zikiysan, she retreated with other Battlepriests to tend our injured and dying comrades."
When they were busy talking each other, something tries to emerge from the ground but it failed and then…
"TAKE THIS YOU SKULL FACE! ORDELLO XAVA: [GEIARIS MOARTRES]!!!" (Original Skill: [Earth Mother's Punishment])
Khazim emerged from the ground and struck the Soul Harvester with his hammer. But, he couldn't dealt much damage to the Soul Harvester. A man emerged from the ruin shortly after the Dwarf finished his attack. They look terribly injured, but they are still standing with their pride.
"*cough*cough* d.a.m.n that b.a.s.t.a.r.d skull face *cough*
"Do not talk right now, you idiot. Otherwise, you will spill blood from your mouth like before."
"Heh, talk likes a big boss even though all of your body is covered with blood. How pathetic…"
"Geh…our lives will come to an end…sadly, Boss and Dark Elf boy died first!"
"You must be joking, they still haven't died yet, and we will die first before them."
"Bah! Whether they died or not, I will follow them forever. I'm going to finish this and join them!"
"That was your last words and resort? I told you they haven't died yet. They won't die as long as I'm still here!"
The Soul Harvester launched [Vertical Great Cleave: Jaws of Death] to them.
"LET'S DO THIS! ORIGINAL SKILL—" Something pulled them from their back into a dimension when they tried to combine their original skills and they fell into a room in second floor.
"Do you want to die? Charging and spouting nonsense like a (stupid) hero."
"Ah…" they stood frozen in place and fainted. Erick sighed and brought them into Healer's Room. He asked Zikiya and Yavia to tend them.
"Good, Erick had finished his job. Let's continue our battle everyone." I nullified Soul Harvester's magic: [Eye of Soul Harvester: Fearful Nightmare] with my [CA] and [RA] [Magic Resistance] Ability.
"Are you okay Aniki?!"
"I'm fine! That was magical attack so don't worry about me! You must focus on your sight right now! DODGE!"
Robert and I jumped to different side to evade Soul Harvester Scythe's attack. Then, Robert runs toward the left side and I run to the right. Robert casted [Water Bomb] and I enchanted it with [Divine] Magic. So, it's combined into [Holy Water Bomb], a B+ Rank Magic.
Beforehand, we discussed (while dodging) how to stall this battle for another 15-30 minerval. The Defenders (or s.h.i.+eld-wearers) will keep taunting the Soul Harvester with [Taunt]. Periodically, they will reduce the party members' aggro with [Exchange Aggro] and absorb all [Aggro] to them. The Paladins will act as Healers and Guardians by following other attackers. They have similar role like Defenders, but they will attack periodically in specific turn. Erick and other adventurers who can use [s.p.a.ce] Elemental Magic will periodically teleport them (Paladins and Defenders) to specific location.
"HOAH!" Julio suddenly appears in front of Haru and Robert. He is blocking [Death Ray] from the Soul Harvester.
"ROBERT! SUPPORT JULIO-SAN NOW!" Robert and Haru are holding Julio's back to prevent him from knocked off or collapsing.
"THIS BEAM ATTACK IS RIDICULOUSLY STRONG!"
"Kuuh! Our friends use this chance to deal damages on Soul Harvester, endure it Julio-san!"
"Robert!, do you have [Counter] Type Skill or Spell?!"
"I do! But it's a [Martial Arts] Technique! What would you expect from [Martial Arts] Counter Technique against a huge magical beam?!"
"Cih!" Now what must I do? I was deep in my thought until I heard Julio's voice.
"My Lord, Robert-dono! Let me activate my Paladin Cla.s.s' [Counter] Skill, prepare for a shockwave!"
"Eh? Wait—!" I grab his right shoulder.
"ACTIVATE PALADIN DIVINE SKILL: [RADIANCE REVERSAL]!!!!!"
[Radiance Reversal] is a skill that will absorb all damage received by the user and return it twice or more based on the user's active buff(s). This skill will also transform any [Non-Light] Elements into [Light] Element. It's super effective against enemies who have [Demonic] or [Undead] Trait also to enemies with [Evil] Alignment. That means this skill will give the user [DMG Bonus] against enemies with the traits explained above around 30%—100% depends on the skill rank.
A huge explosion occurred shortly after Julio activated his skill. It seemed the beam had returned to its rightful owner. We dealt three millions damage with this skill, but we did this with help of ridiculous amount of buffs that have been stacked to Julio. I think the Enchanters and Priests did a good job. We had shoved three mini bars of Soul Harvester's HP and now we succeed to enrage it. The Knights make a defensive stand and then…
"Entering combat mode…Leon, Naval, Zack, Ron, Matsashuki, Irene, Olave, Pedro, Suzuka, Luck, Hope, Oliver, Nathan, Rigel, Tamara, Arnold, Khazim, Danberium, Igrei, Kathia, Rebia, Toval, Suzuki, Tia, Anna, Rania…"
"SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING Is.h.i.+ZAKI-DONO, NOW I'LL SMACK THAT SKULL FACE FOR YOU!"
I looked at my back and I saw my party members and other party members had recovered from their wounds and they are ready to engage combat. It seemed Zack had cured by the Healers, now he is pumped up and smiling widely.
"Hmm, is your body alright? I don't want you collapsed like a girl you know." I asked Zack with mocking tone.
"Heh! You don't have to worry! You know this sensation…it's like I have a new body!" said Zack while stretching his hands and legs. Then, he unsheathed his greatsword and we run to the Soul Harvester.
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On the second phase after Zack came back, the battle is going intense. They fight with new tactic now and the Enchanters have prepared many tactics for an antic.i.p.ation if the boss uses different attack patterns. Now, we used [Warp and String] method to deal with the boss.
Well, Rania was the one who came up with this idea. She suggested the Mages who have [s.p.a.ce] Elemental Magic will become supports that will move our comrades through [Teleport] and [Warp] magic to certain place and Rania will use her webs to drag them into portal and place them in correct point if the teleportation portal misplaced them.
"Yumina and Rekia, I've never thought two members from Nephilinae and Argiope Familia Arachne Demi-Human would join this battle. I thought you would just laze around every day or ravish your husbands, no?"
"…" Rekia didn't say a single of word.
"The same goes for you, Rania from Latrodectus Familia." Yumina glared at Rania.
"My, my! How scary! I told you women with att.i.tudes like yours would be less favorable in front of men. Look at Rekichan. She is calm and quiet. I—" The three of them dodged mana beam that flew straight to roof.
"You two…less talking and keep your focus…we are…still in middle…of battle…." Rekia talked with flat tone.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING RANISAN?! FOCUS YOU IDOT!" Mikazuchi shouted from [Broadcast].
"Fine, fine Mikazuchi-chan…Oh My Maker, how troublesome…!"
On another side of the Boss Room, two women are jumping between floating stones. They launched offensive spells along with melee attacks from their enchanted weapons that have imbued by [Light] Element.
"I picked Samurai as my first cla.s.s but they've never taught me "How to Cut a Ghost" and this is my first time…Oh! [CS] [Cla.s.s Skill]: Magical Blade Technique No. 5…O Blade of Ethereal Realm…The Blade of G.o.d, The Blade of Neverending Fate…I Summon You O Ethereal Blade of…" Suzuka took a deep breath after jumped from a stepping-stone.
"Indeed, in Yamato Island, a Samurai hasn't taught to cut a ghost, but to cut a flesh. [CS] [Cla.s.s Skill]: The Seeker of Nothingness…The End of Everlasting Miracle, The Blade of Wisdom and The Blade of Light. I Summon You…"
"…PURGATORY!"
"…RADIANT BLADE OF TRUE SEEKER!"
Suzuka and Ayumi struck the Soul Harvester from its head down to its lower body and a small-scale explosion occurred shortly after that.
"Nice a.s.sist Mikazuki-dono, but we must finished our combo, otherwise—"
"AYUMI, SUZUKA DODGE!" Ayumi and Suzuka dodged one full round scythe cleave.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! FOCUS! FOCUS! FOCUS!"
"My apologize Mikazuchi-dono!"
"DO NOT TALK AND FOCUS TO SOMETHING IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW!"
"Y-YES!!!" Both of them are returning to their duty.
"Nice scold Mikazuchi-san. I—" I complimented her but…
"FOCUS KAICHOU! FOCUUSSSSS!"
"Right, right sorry!" Mikazuchi scolded the individuals who slacked off or chatted with each other. Her voice echoed for an entire heverra through [Broadcast] until made everyone almost deaf.
After five heverra, we managed to break Seven HP Bars of the Boss. Robert and I stopped on the roof for a bit and jumped down to strike its head.
"Robert, I think we can't finish this for right now!" I'm chanting my magic.
"It's true Aniki, we started this battle on 9 A.M.E and now we are still struggling with this s.h.i.+t. What hour right now?" I entered the portal and arrived on its head. I attacked him with [Riendriael Svejelin] (Divine Javelin) Magic.
"My watch shows me 5 P.M.E right now! If we don't finished this quickly, I'm afraid we will be welcomed by "them"." I jumped to nearby pillar and Robert shortly followed me after that.
"Oh right, I forgot the village. Moreover, two daesh ago we had "welcomed" by "them"."
"I bet they are still on that village…OOPS ANIKI JUMP!" Thanks to Robert's warning, we survived a stone pillar that thrown at us.
"Robert, take my command from here. I need to retreat." I catch my breath quickly.
"Are you feeling tired?" Robert wiped the sweats around his neck.
"No, I am not. I have a bad feeling since the boss started to use [Raise Magic Defense] Spells. I leave it to you!"
"Information, [White Falcon] Leader, Is.h.i.+zaki Haruhisa von Alexandria has retreated from battleground. I repeat, [White Falcon] Leader, Is.h.i.+zaki Haruhisa von Alexandria has retreated from battleground. The command had given to Alberto Robert Hawk, [White Falcon] Party's Vice Leader. I inform, The First until Tenth Squad is now under Alberto Robert Hawk's command." Mikazuchi informed other squads through [Broadcast]
"What's it Is.h.i.+zaki-dono? Feels tired yet?"
"I am not, Zack-dono. But I suggest you better get ready to kill countless small fries."
"Ha…?" I cut the call with him and walked to Enchanters Room near Healers Room.
"h.e.l.lo Kaichou, need rest?" Megantha asked me with gentle tone.
"No, no problem Megantha. Right, Daendles-dono, I need to speak with you frankly."
"Is there something that makes you feel uneasy?"
"Yes. From my battle experiences I had so far, if the boss is slowed down and use their [Defensive Mode], which means we will face countless of its minions sooner or later."
"Hmm, you said the same thing like those Diviners told me about. Don't worry, I have prepared many strategies for that. Did you come over here to tell me that?"
"No. I still haven't finished my words yet."
"…?" He looked me with curious expression. After I explained something, he shocked and ran back to his room.
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After I finished my talk, I headed to Healers Room and Priests Room. I asked them to do "something" when Daendles-dono gives a signal. I also told them to do "go full when giving buffs" to finish this battle faster. I asked them to give the buff one by one to prevent the receiver's body from exploding when they received and stacked many buffs at same time. Lastly, I asked the Alchemists to join battle, by giving the Mages and Archers [Full Mana Recovery] Potion or [Full Restore] without afraid if it will depleted.
"Are you sure, Is.h.i.+zaki-dono?" Dan asked me with worried expression.
"Don't worry Dan and everyone here too. We need to finish this battle fast or something will kill all of us for sure." After I said that, I returned to battleground.
"Have you finished your business Aniki? I worried because Daendles suddenly closed [Broadcat]." I told Robert to move to second floor when I give him signal. He seems confused with that because I'm not telling him any reason. Then, I returned to battleground and continued the battle.