The inevitable happens-- Purple liquid came flying in front of me with no places to dodge at. As I clench my teeth in preparation for my skin to sting from the damage, the feeling never came by because someone took the hit.
"Are you okay, Big Sis?"
"I took some damage from the splashes that passed through, but nothing my skill can't regen quickly. Rather, I should be the one asking you that."
"It wasn't as strong as its bite attack although can I ask Vice Leader to carry me?"
He turned to Michelle and ask for a favour.
"Why me?"
"Because you look like you can carry an elephant."
"Hey! That's rude to say to a lady."
There was a reason why ChickB was requesting that. The ground he was standing on was already covered in purple and double-digit damage keeps on popping out of his body every second. If we do not do something about it soon he would be the first casualty.
Michelle was then forced to carry him on her back. Fifty Silver is the best option for this. But since it is his turn to be strike by the serpent, we do not want to risk having two people bitten at the same time.
"Good gracious! You're heavy for a small brat."
"Sorry Vice Leader, I'll drop down as soon as I drink this."
"Make it fast!"
While they were bickering, something strange happened. The Rainbow Serpent, who should be taking its time for the next attack, suddenly change colour to bright crimson red. The beautiful rainbow scales have been exchanged by a mesmerizing sight.
I do not know if we should be happy that his happen later than we wanted, but this should be the second phase of this boss because it does not look like it is wounded enough to be on its rage mode.
*HIss*
It then moved away from our location and slithered away to the darkness of the Marsh. This means we were now out of its grasp. We would be celebrating by now if it was not for the party in front of us.
"Ohoho~ So it's you, people."
Along from being released by the serpent's cage, the wall that was stopping both parties to see each other was now gone. This left us facing each other in an awkward position.
"And I thought you people have already gone back to the city. Although I give you my thanks for giving us a boss. Where did it go by the way?"
"No clue. You can have it if you want."
"Oho~ That's unexpected."
I unequipped and put my bow on my back. Aira seems to know what I was doing, so she followed shortly. Michelle and Fifty Silver was confused by our actions at first but still, hide their weapons after realizing the situation. The only person who was not able to grasp what the plan is ChickB, so he whispered quietly to Aria.
"Leader, why are you giving the boss to them? We can't let those idiots up us twice."
"We can't kill it with us alone. And now they are here, our chances of successfully killing it is now below zero. I don't what happened to the Rainbow Serpent, but if they take it from us, we can leave this place without dropping a level and a piece of equipment."
"But they are-"
"No… We're still in an unfavourable position. It's not like we're are giving up again. Think about it. The Rainbow Serpent was too much for us already and it barely went to its second phase or rage mode. If they fight it carelessly-"
"They will die instead of us. You're so smart, Leader."
"That's already given."
She might have said that, but a smile could be seen from her face even with the current situation. Aria was always the type who like little compliments such as this one.
Now that ChickB understands our main goal at the moment is to retreat, we slowly moved back carefully. Smiling Hound's group was also letting us slide away so we assume they will leave us be. All seven of them were only standing still while we slowly withdraw from the scene.
'If I remember correctly, they should be only six people no, eight people in their party. There's still someone hiding!?'
My instinct told me to look for that eighth person.
"Behind you, ChickB!"
I did not need to look for long because out of nowhere, a pair of daggers stab ChickB's back while a flying arrow soon followed after.
[Barbeque Rooster have died]
"He's weaker than I expected."
Currently standing over ChickB's corpse was a hooded man licking the dagger disgustingly. A red mark appeared on his armour. I was the one first to react and shot the person who just killed our party mate.
"Shit! Where did this freak come from?"
"That doesn't matter. Kill him!!!"
Aria and the rest finally reacted, but all their weapons just hit a wooden log. He suddenly vanished and return back to his group in a matter of a single breath.
I can already guess what his playstyle was based on those skills alone and the weapon he was carrying. Their eighth person was an assassin and a scary one in fact.
It was too late before I noticed his Stealth, a sign which indicates his skill level is way above our current stats. Probably a Level 4 Stealth.
However, he did not murder ChickB in one hit. Looking at their direction, a woman who clearly holding the bow that just shot the arrow that helped to kill him. She might have used Charge Arrow while we were backing off. I should have noticed that instead, we are now one player down.
Not only that, Smiling Hound and his subordinates are running towards us.
"Damn it! Should have expected that they won't let us leave this place."
"Don't look back. Retreat with your everything."
No more hesitation or careful walking. All of us ran away as fast as possible now that their intentions were obvious.
Naturally, those with the least agility were the last of the pack. This was the case for both parties since the assassin, the woman with the bow, and another member of theirs was almost within an arms reach of Fifty Silver.
Soon after, another notification showed up in our vision.
[Fifty Silver have died]
"!!! They got also got Fifty Silver. We can't let them take more."
"Wait a minute! There's something in front."
In the midst of panic, we forgot what cause this situation in the first place.
I warn Aria about the thing in front of us. The Rainbow Serpent who was absent for a good five minutes is now back again in front of us with a face ready to swallow ten people at once.
"Now this thing decided to return…"