BONUS Chapter for reaching 1000 PS!
Thank you!
Hesitant as they were, the others could do nothing but follow their commander. And when they saw that Ed's figure was alright and was quickly swimming towards the hordes of skeletons, they followed suit into the lake.
It was better than being frozen to death or stabbed by a bunch of walking bones.
Gerald saw what Ed did, and he quickly told everyone to retreat and dived into that hole and followed Ed towards the Boss.
Yet those who couldn't swim didn't get into the lake, and they accepted their fate of turning into particles by the swarm of skeletons heading their way.
While the other Mages and healers who couldn't swim also accepted their fate of turning into ice statues. They preferred it that way since they feared the water more than the Freeze status.
Under the water, every member of Black Lion held their breath, and they even felt their hearts pounding hard against their chest. They even heard it in their ears as they passed under the swarms of skeletons.
Everyone closed their eyes in relief when the skeletons didn't attack them underwater. But their relief turned to dread quickly when those walking bones followed them towards the Boss.
Now what?! Gerald signaled Ed.
Ed ignored him and moved ahead while thinking of a plan. When they were near the Boss, and the Frost Giant's shadow blocked what little light was coming from the moon, Ed signaled one of the Mage to cast [Fire] just above the Boss.
Maybe they could attack it from below without turning to ice?
The Mage hesitated. She didn't want to turn into a statue and sink to the bottom of the lake.
But when Gerald and Ed stared at her threateningly, she could do nothing but obey.
Upon casting [Fire], a burst of red light flashed from the Mage's staff, and before it could form into a fire, it doused and sizzled.
Everyone was disappointed and worried about what they saw. They figured that the [Fire] spell wouldn't work underwater.
But the good news was, the Mage was safe. She didn't turn into a statue like what she feared.
But now . . . they were pressed with another problem.
Gerald and Ed looked at each other. From the seriousness on their faces, they already knew what the other was thinking about.
Attacking on land and water didn't work . . . so that meant that the only way to defeat the Boss was attacking in the air.
Realizing this, Ed signaled Gerald to end this raid.
It was an impossible dungeon to complete without the ability [Fly].
And with that, Black Lion burst out from the frozen lake, using their weapons to break the ice. Upon landing on ice, the Tank and DPS took on the aggro and fought the hordes of skeletons while the Mages attempted to decrease the Frost Giant's HP.
However, from their more than seventy strong members, they were reduced to nothing more than thirty plus. And against hundreds of Ice skeletons that couldn't be defeated with physical damage, the Tank and DPS were quickly eradicated. At the same time, the Mages didn't even manage to reduce the Colossus Frost Giant's HP to even ten percent before they were reduced to nothing but frozen statues.
The Frost Giant's HP was simply enormous!
Maybe around a hundred Mages could manage that fit, but the Freeze was an issue. They could bring another fifty more as back up to defeat the Boss once it's awake. But for that to happen, they had to spent trice or even four times the resources. Not to mention that the EXP and gil would lessen because of their numbers. So the only way was really to attack by air which they hadn't tried.
But the question was . . . was there such a thing that could grant them that ability?
Outside of Icy Cave, more than half of Black Lion, who was now reduced as nothing but flying wisps, were waiting with cross fingers at the notification saying that they had won. Despite the odds, they hoped that the others would come out victorious.
Amongst the wisp was Mike, who didn't know how he died. When he came to, he was already outside of the cave as a wisp.
When the others asked how he died, Mike could only lie that he died fighting the swarms of skeletons.
He couldn't afford to embarrass himself and say that he passed out due to fear, and when he woke up, he was already in here.
Mike wasn't worried, though. As long as the other members were still alive and fighting, his name would still be itched in the Stone Pillar and Leader Board.
This was Black Lion they were talking about, and even two commanders were leading the front. Mike was sure that the Boss was easy for them. They were pro players that had advance map awareness and could quickly make decisions regarding strategy and gameplay. Plus, the Boss had mediocre ATP and list of spells and skills. The only noteworthy about it was its enormous HP.
Mike was so sure that the others had already defeated the hordes of skeletons and were on their way to defeating the Boss.
As time went on and as the wisps outside of Icy Cave became denser and denser, Mike still wasn't worried until the flash of notification shook him to his core.
[WIPED OUT!]
<You have DIED!>
<Penalty 10 000 EXP>
<Insufficient EXP>
<Proceed to pay 100 ATP for lack of EXP>
<PROCEED>
Mike couldn't react for a good minute. He felt like the world was going in circles at a rapid pace, and his head was hurting. It seemed like he was dreaming and was having a nightmare.
With the EXP penalty, it was better to recreate his account.
He refused to process the reality, and he was about to pass out when he looked over the sky and saw another notification at that exact moment.
[ CONGRATULATIONS to player Leonel from FREAKING AWESOME PEOPLE on getting first blood from defeating the Hidden Boss, ICE TROLL! ]
[ CONGRATULATIONS to player Roz from FREAKING AWESOME PEOPLE on getting first blood from defeating the Hidden Boss, ICE TROLL! ]
Mike didn't know why he felt that it was their Leonel and Roz's name on the announcement when it could just be another player with the same name.
Mike didn't know where he pulled the strength to press <PROCEED>, pay the death penalty, and get back his body. But confirming whether it was really Leonel and Roz who got firstblood on a Hidden Boss took priority.
He then immediately messaged Leonel.
[Mike: Did you get firstblood on a Hidden Boss?]
Tapping his feet on the snow covered ground, Mike waited for Leonel's answer. It felt like forever that he just stared at his screen. And his vision turned black when Leonel replied.
[Leonel: Yeah *grinning emoji]
Mike's eyes bulged and he was having difficulty catching his breath. Leonel? The Leonel? That idiotic naïve guy?
What?
Why?
How?
HOW did that happen?!
Mike was supposed to show his skills and become a regular member. This was supposed to be his moment to shine, and itched his name on the leader boards. But instead, they got wiped out, and he had to start from scratch again while Leonel got firstblood on a hidden boss.
What's worse, Mike was so sure that Leonel would become a regular member because of that. What's more, Leonel's name was already itched in the Leader Board that was supposed to be his spot.
If only he stayed with Leonel. Mike deeply regretted his decision. Though jealousy got the best of him.
[Mike: Leo, meet me at once. Where are you? I'll go there to you]
All hope was not lost. Frustrating as it seemed, Mike could still become a regular member of Black Lion without needing Roz if Leonel told him the Hidden Boss's information and gave him its loots.
Maybe Scar hadn't caught wind that it was their Leonel who got firstblood. He could use the Hidden Boss's information and loots as leverage to have a spot in the guild, so he also didn't have to pay Roz every month.
However, Leonel's reply made Mike scream at the top of his lungs.
[Leonel: I'm here with Scar, right now]
