«Did you feel like you needed it? What nonsense!»
I think this was the trigger button.
Before the conversation could drag on, I cut it off and changed the subject. We could share comments for each other later. «Oh, now what? What should we be careful of?» Saying that, I hurriedly clung to the Storm Jet and extended my shield.
Then Raven had no choice but to stop scolding me and continue explaining to me. «Next up is a special ability called Law Line. When used, the ground turns red... ah, now! Mr. Yandel, step aside».
¡Boom!
Big brands formed under the target and a column of air exploded moments later with Ley Line, just like that.
Shoot!
Ugh, that almost hits out of nowhere.
«Everyone behind! Soon a Vortex will emerge from that hole».
Anyway, Ley Line not only created powerful momentary damage, but vomited a Vortex at the place where the hole was made. For reference, the name and effect perfectly matched the ability used by the Mermaid Queen, middle boss.
¡Whoooom!
If it was enough for me, I would remain in the air until my companions rescued me and my MP would be reduced in proportion to that time. Well, with my weight I was immune to being thrown into the air.
Still, the MP is taken.
This should be avoided, unless you were as heavy as me.
«Everyone, don't hit each other and disperse!»
The first Ley Line was created near us, increasing the difficulty of the battle significantly. In the midst of this, we also had to avoid a vortex, reducing the radius of action. But even this pattern had a quick and easy solution.
«From now on, we will fight as we move!».
We just had to move our position. After all, now there was only this bastard left on this island. In reality, the entire island was the chief's room. There was no reason not to take advantage of the given wide field.
Actually, this method wouldn't go very far either.
This was one of the complicated things about facing this monster in a situation where we lacked dealings. If this guy continued using Ley Line, the map would eventually narrow. But even in the middle of that...
«Hey? Why is the sea water here?»
According to the nature of Farune Island, sea level gradually rose from the fourth wave until everything except the center of the island was submerged.
«Mr. Yandel! There is a big problem! The water is rising! What do we do?»
Like what do we do? We have to keep moving while we fight.
«Maintain training. We move towards the center!» Fortunately, no one questioned my instructions. As for them, they couldn't think of a better method.
[Storm Gush has released Roar of the Tyrant.]
Even as we fought and moved like this, Storm Gush brought out new abilities.
«Priestess Ersina! That's what I mentioned before! Hurry, purify!»
Although it decreased in proportion to mana stamina and spirit stats, Tyrant's Roar was a ridiculously broad ability that caused a stun within a ten meter radius for up to two seconds. This was slightly counteracted by the purification of the priestess.
[Storm Gush has launched Storm Kin.]
A berserker that temporarily increases regeneration and physical stats?
«Everyone, stay away!»
I received everything with my body and endured it. In return, there were holes all over my shield, armor, and body, but all of this could be endured with the priestess's healings.
The team will... break some bank later to repair it.
I'd be lying if I said that didn't leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but I could handle this considering we were in the middle of a rank 3 monster raid. Life was more important than money.
«Treading! Everyone, stay away!»
The Storm Gush used four abilities repeatedly, and over time, the team became more accustomed to their pattern, but it was too early to feel relieved. This guy had three more unused skills left.
Damn 3.
This was the definitive difference between ranks 3 and 4. Basic statistics included, the number of skills they had was different. Monsters of this level not only had abilities that came from an essence, but unique abilities; for example, the black magic of a vampire.
For this guy, it was skill with weapons.
In the game, it was criticism, accuracy, dodging, defense success rate, etc. Weapon skill was one of the many unique abilities of battle items that could correct statistics, and Storm Gush had a high level of it. Was that why?
Damn, use that spear well.
His spear stab was very fierce for a monster. It felt like he wasn't just applying force, but some kind of profound principle.
Anyway, you'll probably use the remaining patterns when you run out of resistance.
«Mr. Yandel, have you heard that? Once that guy starts using that ability, we'll all be in danger. We have to think of some kind of plan now!»
Oh, stop screaming, will you? I've already thought about it.
It's just that he had been waiting because it would seem suspicious if he presented a countermeasure as soon as he finished the explanation. Plan A and plan B; Once again, I had two plans in mind. A was the best, and B was the second best. The only problem was that this plan was impossible to execute freely. From now on, we would engage in an intense battle that could not be experienced from a low-level monster.
Those who were unlucky would get hurt, or even die. I could only hope, knowing that this was selfishness wrapped in altruism, that if anyone had to go through that misfortune, it wouldn't be us.
Patzran, Ersina, Nebarce, Amelia.
As I recorded my priorities once again, Patzran shouted: «There's nowhere to run anymore!».
¡Shwaaaaa!
The water was rising from the direction we were moving. It was impossible to escape by boat because hundreds of tornadoes erupted around the island as soon as the first wave ended.
This should be enough to say that more than half of the island is underwater.
Now we didn't have much time.
«Let's move there!» I led the group towards the center of the island, taking the longest loop route we could, and asked my comrades one thing: to fight harder, even if it was hard. «The monster has to take as much damage as possible».
«Do you have a plan?» Amelia asked, and I explained the plan I had drawn up.
«...Did it occur to you just by listening to the magician?». Patzran put on a strange expression at my explanation.
«But will it be enough? From what I've heard, it seems like a crazy and risky plan». The priestess seemed worried.
«Bjorn is a great warrior! He knows how to fight better than anyone». Ainar didn't miss the opportunity to brag about me.
«Are you going to play that role again?» Missha spoke sadly and said she would come with me. Of course, I didn't allow it. Taking away my affection for Missha, this was the most efficient arrangement.
So how did Raven, synonymous with efficiency, evaluate it? «It's not a bad plan. Especially when preparing for failure».
So it also gives it the green light.
«It doesn't look like you're going to do a trick. Well, I'll do what you say». I was more worried about Amelia, but when she also agreed to my plan, that eased some of the burden. That surprised me a little. I never thought I would accept the role so easily.
When I lightly expressed my doubts about it, Amelia said something unexpected. «Your words have power».
¿Eh?
«I understand what you mean». Patzran, who had been arguing with Amelia all this time, nodded. «You didn't despair even when you knew a rank 3 monster had appeared».
That's because I knew it for a long time...
«The people who decided to follow you that day must have felt that way too». The priestess also mentioned the events of the war with Noark on the first floor. «Bjorn, son of Yandel. A giant that makes its way into the avant-garde, and that was born with the vocation of the times».
I still didn't understand it even though they explained it to me that way, but my heart felt restless. It wasn't like I had shown them such a noble side.
«In a situation where we cannot be sure of anything, seeing you safely reunited with your comrades gave me confidence. Destiny is with you».
Oh, these religious fanatics.
«...What are you talking about?» I sighed involuntarily. No wonder, whether they called me a hero or not, I knew my true nature. A moment ago I was praying that my people would be safe even if these guys had to die.
Why are you doing this to me?
The warrior's heart was pounding. Was this the barbaric instinct of wanting to live up to expectations?
«¡Behell-ahhhhhhh!»
It doesn't matter, we are going to fight.
Before I could feel a greater sense of responsibility towards these people, I entrusted my body to battle and emptied my head.
[Storm Gush has released Eye of the Storm.]
Esto tra bond.
«Everyone, back off!» The moment the vortex broke loose, I immediately clung to the boss monster and started holding on.
¡Whiiiipppp!
It was difficult to discern even an inch ahead in the violent storm. Suddenly, this thought came to mind: The wind was just wind. No matter how much he prayed, he couldn't decide who died and who survived.
¡Kwa claim!
Like this vortex, what would be at the end of this wind depended only on the heavens.
«Mr. Yandel, there is nowhere left to retreat».
When we blocked the Storm's Eye pattern once again and moved again, we reached the center of the island, an empty piece of land that seemed to be hidden in bushes with a white stone pagoda in the center. There were even dark blood stains scattered on the ground. Just yesterday I was praying here for what seemed like an eternity.
«Water is coming in everywhere!»
As the rest of the island sank, the sea was now visible from everywhere.
[Storm Gush has released Ley Line.]
From the holes in the ground that Storm Gush had created on the way here emerged vortices that mixed with the water and swirled around us.
¡Saaaaaaaaaa!
If this were in-game, I would have been glad it was a majestic atmosphere worthy of a boss fight.
¡Pum!
The Storm Gush came in front of us and hit the ground with the shaft of its trident.
[Storm Gush has released Ritual Rain].
This was one of the three skills this guy had left, which he used once his HP dropped below 70%.
Well, it seems that resistance management worked well.
Little by little it was time to end the fight.
Rain Ritual was one of Storm Gush's three main abilities. The effect was simple.
Gotear, gotear.
It was raining. While contact with this rain increased regeneration and overall physical stats, the characters suffered several debuffs. Of course, up to this point it was less of a problem. The real problem was in the following pattern.
«What are you doing? Do what we planned!» With my scream as a starting point, everyone except the rear pounced on the monster like crazy. This was the same for me too.
«¡Kwohhhh!»
Unlike until now, I didn't really skimp on this assault, because that was our plan. All or nothing. As soon as this guy used the Rain Ritual, we would send all our damage to kill him at once, so there was no reason to beat around the bush. It meant that the more wounds accumulated on my body, the easier it would be for my team to send damage.
Stab!
Then Mr. Bear's arrow dug deep into the monster's hard shell. Even that wouldn't have pierced the inner flesh much.
[Abman Urikfried ha spelled Garra Hambrienta.]
Those arrows dealt continuous damage. The more arrows that will be stuck, the greater the load would also be for this type. Then it was Missha's turn.
[Missha Karlstein has launched Strengthen.]
[Missha Karlstein has released Cold Condensation.]
As always, Missha Strengthened Cold Condensation to increase her cold sensitivity stats, which was a coefficient for cold damage. He even unleashed the active power and authority of his Skadia Spiritual Glacier Beast.
[Missha Karlstein ha lanzado Cero Absoluto].
After receiving a reward from the palace, he drank dozens of bottles of Beast Blood and acquired this second power and authority.
[Missha Karlstein's first blow causes Frozen state abnormality, unconditionally.]
Before long, white frost formed on the sword that Missha brandished at the monster. The target was his right arm, which held the trident.
Rippp.
His forearm was frozen. Of course, due to his high mana stamina and large body, what was frozen was only his arm, but all of this was just accumulation anyway.
[Missha Karlstein has released Ice Crushing].
This active ability increased damage to enemies in the Frozen state. Additionally, the rank 5 skill obtained as a palace reward was added.
[Missha Karlstein has released Mutation. Agility temporarily becomes Strength].
This was a skill that Missha, who lacked strength, could use well until the second half.
¡Bang!
Missha's second sword hit the monster's arm, but it seemed like all it froze was the outer shell.
Rippp.
It cracked and splashed ice-like fragments, but the monster's thick arm was still intact. True, even if he gave it his all, it would be weirder if it could cut off the arm of a rank 3 monster.
«I'm next!» Just as the monster began to go after Missha madly, Ainar rushed forward and lowered his sword towards the wrist with the broken shell.
"Kak!
But even in a state where his cutting force emerged with the Control of Savagery, it was not enough. Although it dug deep into the flesh, it soon caught on the bone.
« ¡Koooooo! »
«¡A-Ainar!»
The monster turned its body as if to protect its arm and hit Ainar with its tail.
Damn sea.
Even Ainar had a hard time getting up after that. That was the terrifying part of a rank 3 monster. Even without a skill, each hit was lethal.
[Storm Gush has released Eye of the Storm.]
Damn, are you using this again?
Dash.
Simultaneously with my race forward, my companions retreated. And in that state, I endured even if it meant death.
«¡Behell-aaaaaahhhhh!»
The exceptionally long five seconds passed and the vortex dissipated.
«Lord, back off!»
Ah, ya está listo.
I quickly moved away so as not to get in Erwen's way. That was the moment.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has launched Concentrated Fire.]
The rank 4 essence obtained as a real reward had an ability that consumed MP exponentially in proportion to the cast time and increased damage by that same amount. It seemed like he had loaded all his MP into it. The vigor of the cluster of light that formed around the arrowhead was unusual.
¡Latigo!
Just then, Erwen released the rope and the arrow shot out like lightning.
¡Kabooommmm!
The point of impact was the upper abdomen of the monster. It seemed like it was pointing right where the heart would be, since the head was also a vital point, but difficult to hit.
«¡Kwohhhh!»
The Storm Gush roared in agony but its movement was normal. Unfortunately, it seemed that the arrow had not pierced the heart. Still, he wasn't too upset or anything like that. Even if it had hit him, it would have been difficult to kill him with a single blow. A rank 3 monster did not die instantly from a pierced heart.
«¿Eh?»
Then, for the first time, the Storm Gush made a new move.
[Storm Gush has launched Storm Call].
It was a skill he used when his HP was at 40%.