"Calm down! We can kill this snake before this mist kills us."
They were on their last straw when I have found a good spot to sabotage their hunt. However, it was clear that they would be able to kill first the Rainbow Serpent first before they are wiped out as seen how all of them are still alive.
It seems like this group is not made out of randoms like the last time I saw Smiling Hound. Not only the assassin and the bow user of the group, every single one of them has some skills above your average player. Yet they were having a difficult time finishing the Serpent off.
Traces of the exquisite appearance of the Rainbow Serpent was no more. Instead, it now looks like it was spawn from hell literally with its what once was beautiful scales slowly being peeled down. It may have been the result of the accumulated damage done to it, but it does not change the fact it was peeling on its own.
From the looks of it, any minute now and the fight is done. The window of opportunity is extremely short when I do not know the damage numbers being handed out to the serpent or the other way around.
My best bet of stealing their prey would be during the final desperate attack every boss should have, like when the Goblin Chief threw his axes or the Flower Guardian's explosion before both died in my hands. This serpent should be no exception.
That is why all of my focus was at the fight. If someone or something somehow snuck on me, I will never notice them.
"One. Two. Three…"
I started counting for no reason to calm down my nerves. I was already pulling the string on my bow ready to throw a Charge Arrow. Once the Rainbow Serpent show any unusual movements, I am going to let it go.
"Here it comes!"
When my count reaches 59, I heard Smiling Hound's tyrannical voice shout out in an excited manner. This was my indicator that my chance has come up. They should have also notice that it was on its last legs and the strongest attack is coming
I observed the Rainbow Serpent first to make sure I am safe from it. When I thought things will not be stranger no more, what I saw was an action which reason was mysterious. It began to bite its own tail amidst the barrage of attacks and stayed like that for ten seconds absorbing all the damage during that.
The opposing party was as flabbergasted as I am by what event is transpiring. My hands were cramping up by the unexpected vegetative state of our target. And by the looks of it, it seems to be invulnerable because they stopped attacking.
"Do any of you know what this thing is doing?"
"It seems like it is sleeping, Boss."
"You don't have to mention the obvious, idiot. What I am talking about is this should be dead right now and it suddenly does this."
"I hope it does not regen while in this state."
"Did anyone deals any damage to this thing yet?
"No."
"Shit! What is wrong with this fucker. It's wasting our time."
Smiling Hound kicked the body of the Rainbow Serpent in anger, but it did nothing except bounce back his foot.
"Look, Boss. There's something glowing in the middle of its body. Should we hit it? It looks like it wants it to be hit."
"Then go ahead. What are you waiting for? We need to finish this fast since Ice Princess is asking for me. I don't want to have my pay cut again because of it."
I eavesdrop to their conversations since nothing was happening at all. I already dropped my bow to rest fingers from waiting. The glowing thing that one of their members pointed at should be the clue to kill this serpent.
Fortunately, the mist was still around even with its idle state and I do not have to wait any longer for it to fade away because hitting the glowing thing seems to have done something.
"All Right!-- Wait, what the fuck?! What the hell did you do that the mist has become ten times deadlier!!!"
"I don't know Boss, I just hit the red thing as you told me to do."
"I don't care! Kill it before it kills us! Whatever you hit should have removed its invulnerable state, right? Shit, I won't last thirty seconds in this mist at this point."
"Calm down will you. Why such a baby is the leader anyway?-- We can easily kill this in less than thirty, no, twenty seconds, so get to work."
The assassin leads the group in attacking the serpent once again. The amplified mist should be its final attack before dying base on the panicked voice of Smiling Hound. It does not look as flashy as the previous boss I have met, but from what I heard from their panick voices, this should be the deadliest.
'This is it.'
I pulled my bow preparing for my Charge Arrow. Two seconds is enough for my draw up and correcting my aim towards its head which was now wobbling weakly. I am not going to risk waiting any longer and immediately release the string from my hands.
"[Charge Arrow]"
I said in a silent voice. All I can do now is pray for my arrow to hit and hopefully, hopefully, will be enough to kill the Rainbow Serpent.
However, my plan does not stop there. Since I am already here taking all the risk, why not be bolder and try to steal the boss' drops. Amidst of the arrow's flight, I used [Stealth] then ran towards the enemy.
...
"This should be enough."
"Finally!!! Give me your loot you snake bastard."
"Well, you don't have the first choice, so remember that."
"I should level up after this"
*Pierce*
-259
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
[Active Skill: Charge Arrow have levelled up]
My prayers have been answered. It was a critical hit enough to finish it off. I levelled up two levels just from that and I immediately place all ten stat points to agility because of what I am about to do.
"Where did that come from!!!"
"Oh no! There's someone Kill Stealing. Shit, He got it!"
"Find him, don't let him escape! Anyone who dares to Kill Steal in front of the Royal Prodigies, won't leave in one piece."