Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Verbeia Ancient Temple Cleared
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Crash, crash, craaash!
Tap, tatat!
With a light leap, I counted: one, two, three. A backstep, a speed buff, and finally a counterattack—I dodged every last sword of light.
I was pleased with the spacing and positioning of the embedded swords of light. This would set me up for the next special phase.
I charged straight at the Archangel and the Fallen Angel, my body dancing between the blades of light and darkness swinging in from both sides.
Shing, klang!
I blocked the Fallen Angel's two-hit swing and immediately followed up with Moonlight Slash and Starlight Slash, which were now instant-cast.
Starlight Slash, a single-target skill, was aimed at the Archangel, while the instant-cast Moonlight Slash let me chip away at the Fallen Angel in between.
[3rd Named Monster]
[Level 45 Ancient Golem Archangel Dominion]
[HP 5,537,547/10,000,000]
[3rd Named Monster]
[Level 45 Ancient Golem Fallen Angel Valiel]
[HP 2,850,419/10,000,000]
After a quick glance at the bosses' health, I focused my single-target attacks on the Archangel.
Wooooong.
The three swords of light stuck in the ground had already started creating AoE zones around me.
However, the next timed special pattern would allow me to clear these zones.
Crash, crash, craaash!
The next timed special phase began, and this time, three swords of darkness plunged down.
I dodged one with Backstep. I targeted the Fallen Angel, got behind it, and used Counterattack to dodge the second. I used Flash to damage both of them and evade the last one simultaneously.
Vwooom!
The three swords of darkness, which landed precisely where the swords of light were embedded, soon emitted a brilliant light.
Fwaaash!
A phenomenon caused by the meeting of the swords of light and darkness.
This would blow away all the AoE zones.
And.
Ooooooh-!
With a blinding flash, ten percent of the Archangel's and the Fallen Angel's HP vanished in an instant. Both of them were stunned simultaneously.
The 'Neutralization' mechanic, using the swords of light and darkness.
Through this, you could damage the boss while also clearing the AoE zones.
Paradoxically, it was a mechanic that was easy to discover precisely because I was playing solo, not in a party.
Since I had the aggro of both named monsters, both the swords of light and the swords of darkness would fall on me. If you try to stack the AoE zones, the two swords will inevitably meet.
I checked the angels' status and smiled.
This… soloing is actually more advantageous.
That is, if you have the skill to maintain an offensive while simultaneously dodging and blocking the blades of both angels.
However, the timing of the invincibility skills was crucial. If I dodged the giant sword drop pattern too late, it would land where I originally was. I had to subtly adjust the timing to guide it to land where I ended up after using my evasion skill.
Having cleared all the AoE zones, I immediately closed in on the boss and started attacking.
It's possible to clear all the zones up to three swords. By using Backstep, Counterattack, and Flash, I can stack them.
The next special phase will probably be four swords each. At that point, even if I use all my invincibility skills, one sword of light and one of darkness will remain. The real time attack begins then.
The Neutralization damage mechanic only activates if you succeed in clearing all the zones. From now on, I can't expect that damage either.
However, the damage is sufficient even if I only succeed in neutralizing up to three swords.
The Archangel had slightly more HP remaining. Before the uncleared zones covered the entire combat area, I had to defeat at least one of the angels.
In that case, I'll focus my assault on the Fallen Angel.
I was worried about the lone Archangel's enrage phase, but I had saved the bracelet's unique ability to reset cooldowns.
If it's an endless AoE type, I can dodge it up to ten times.
Crack!
Ooooooh-!
The Fallen Angel's wings tore off from my final sword strike, and the magic crystals that formed its body shattered to pieces.
The golem, which had mimicked the form of an angel, returned to its original form of 'magic crystals'.
In the end, I succeeded in dealing with the Fallen Angel.
The number of surrounding zones I couldn't clear was four in total.
The Archangel's remaining HP was...
[3rd Named Monster]
[Level 45 Ancient Golem Archangel Dominion]
[HP 780,581/10,000,000]
Ooooooh-!
A vast amount of light energy began to concentrate in the body of the lone Archangel.
The start of the enrage pattern. This pattern wouldn't end until the Archangel was defeated.
Counterattack first? Or Backstep? The cooldown is the same for both, eight seconds anyway.
Flash!
A blinding light erupted from the Archangel's body, engulfing the entire combat area.
I used Backstep to evade the first AoE and simultaneously used a gap-closer. I didn't stop my assault on the Archangel.
Woooong.
Once again, light energy gathered in the Archangel's body.
Flash!
The second AoE, I dodged with Counterattack.
The third AoE, I used the momentary invincibility frames of Flash.
The fourth AoE, Backstep's cooldown was back.
The fifth AoE, Counterattack's cooldown was back.
Woooong.
As expected, the AoEs didn't stop.
The lone Archangel's desperate struggle seemed like it would continue until it erased everything around it.
Fwoosh!
I activated the unique ability of the 'Bracelet of Hammer and Anvil', 'Reset All Skill Cooldowns'.
With this, if I use the skills in the same order again, I can dodge five more times.
However.
Checking the Archangel's remaining HP, I couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
It still has over 5% left.
The bracelet's cooldown reset gave me five more chances to evade, but could I deplete all its HP within that time?
Even without calculating, it was clearly impossible.
If I try one more time, I think I could control the two angels' HP better.
I glanced towards the boss room entrance.
Should I run? The escape route isn't blocked.
Flash!
Another AoE struck while I was lost in thought.
I used Backstep toward the entrance.
But I didn't run. Instead, I used a gap-closer to rush toward the Archangel.
Rain, it's too early to give up.
There's still one skill worth trying.
Dodging the next AoE with Counterattack, I didn't use Flash on the third AoE as per the routine, and instead braced myself for impact.
As long as I don't die in one hit.
And then, the third flash swept over my body.
Flash!
Thwack!
"Keuk!"
Rumble.
It felt like every bone in my body was being shattered.
My internal organs must have been damaged, as blood spewed from my mouth.
"Cough, cough."
My vision went white.
But, ignoring the pain, I immediately got back up.
I smiled, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth.
[Flash]
[Cooldown: 1 minute]
[Invincible during cast]
[???]
The hidden condition was revealed.
【True Flash can be used at 1% HP or below】
It was the one I used in Aspero's Fortress.
In my heart, I apologized to 'Iseulbi'.
Sorry for being so reckless with your body. I'll be more careful next time.
Just this once should be fine, right? I've been taking care of it until now.
Woooong.
Facing the body of 'Archangel Dominion', where the energy of light was gathering once more.
Thud.
I planted my trembling legs into the ground.
Rumble!
Soon, an unprecedented energy began to surge within my body.
To think I have to be in pain to use it, it feels a bit unfair.
If it's a unique ultimate skill, I should be able to use it freely.
The energy that started from my toes traveled up my calves and thighs, over my shoulders to my fingertips, and flowed toward the sword at my waist.
Vwooom!
The energy gathered in the sword emitted a strong light, making the blade vibrate.
The moment the flash erupted from the Archangel's body.
Flash!
My body also became a flash of light.
Crrrack.
With the sound of stone splitting, a storm raged, as if following in my wake.
Craaaash!
The Archangel, a mere lump of magic crystals, was swept away by the storm and turned to dust.
I sank to the ground, dazed, and watched the scattered remnants of the golem.
And then, I smiled brightly.
"Cleared it."
***
"So, taking one down first wasn't the right way after all."
Chris's Attack Squad had tried focusing their attacks on Archangel Dominion to take it down first in their previous attempt. However, they couldn't avoid a total wipe from the dark energy endlessly spewing from the lone Fallen Angel Valiel.
"Their HP is too high. It's ten million each, but since there are two of them, it's practically twenty million, isn't it?"
"How about grouping them together and taking them down with a mix of AoE skills?"
"N-No way! You want me to dodge both the Archangel's light sword and the Fallen Angel's dark sword? I can't possibly do that!"
Chris nodded at Cherni's vehement reaction.
The range of the blades was wide enough to reach even the ranged dealers. The angles were also varied. On top of that, the Fallen Angel's sword strikes even had an aftershock.
Even if the Fighter, Death of Death, could somehow manage to dodge, the ranged dealers wouldn't be able to withstand it.
"And the special pattern, the giant blade that drops on the opposite tank. Considering the AoE zone it creates, it still seems right to separate them and fight."
The giant swords of light and darkness. After they started placing these on the outer edges as much as possible, the fight became easier. But the AoE zones gradually widened and their numbers increased over time, so it didn't change the fact that they would eventually cover the entire combat area.
The named monster's HP of ten million each was a pretty burdensome amount, even now that the party members' stats had improved a lot.
Considering the second named monster of Aspero's Fortress, 'Lion Valgar', who had twenty million HP, it wouldn't be strange if there was a mechanic to shred HP.
"Is there a mechanic that can shave off a chunk of HP? We'll have to try various methods."
"We haven't had that many attempts yet, right? We'll find the strategy soon enough."
While the party members were talking, Beimerung, who was enjoying the desperate area messages from the vanguard teams, suddenly looked flustered.
"C-Chris!"
Beimerung scampered over to Chris and jumped up and down.
"L-Look at this! Again, again!"
Chris, who checked the area announcement that had just appeared, just shook her head and laughed.
"Honestly."
['Noname' party has succeeded in the first clear of the Elite Dungeon, 'Verbeia Ancient Temple'!]