(Nero)
Ten days have passed since Eilan and I entered the Dark Land. Just like in the game, the area looked like a complete wasteland. Everything was dead or withered—the ground, soil, trees, and even the clouds were dark and depressing. The number of miasma monsters appearing here is far higher than in the other regions.
*ROOOOAR!*
*SLASH!*
After taking down another monster that spawned in our path, I turned to watch Eilan slicing through more miasma creatures.
*BOOOOM!*
"They're a lot stronger than the ones we fought in the wild," she exclaimed, breathing heavily.
"That's because we're in their territory now," I explained, handing her a stamina potion.
"Thanks," she smiled, gulping down the potion.
Even though I know everything about this place from my past knowledge of the game, I can't help but feel more cautious now that we're nearing the end.
This is a real world, and any mistake could lead to real consequences—either my death or...
[Main Quest: Reach the area where the Seal is]
[Time Countdown: 91:38:29 Hours]
I looked north, where a thin purple light stretched up to the sky. That faint purple glow was our destination.
Just as we were about to continue, a drop of dark liquid fell on my cheek.
Both Eilan and I looked up at the clouds.
"Rain?" she said, stretching her hand to feel the drops on her palm.
"Their color is pitch black," she added, surprised—since it was her first time seeing this.
I quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her along as I ran, searching for cover. These rain drops are corrupted with miasma, carrying a status effect that reduces speed, stamina recovery, MP recovery, and adds a poison effect that lowers HP.
Although it's nothing too dangerous for the both of us at level 900, with multiple purification artifacts and magic items, I want to save everything for the final battle—just as an extra precaution.
________
(3rd POV)
After finding a small cave to shelter from the rain, they decided to rest and regain their energy.
Nero stood at the cave entrance, observing the weather while checking his game status and Eilania's.
Meanwhile, Eilania had set up a fire to warm them. She sat on a flat rock, occasionally glancing at Nero's serious expression, which he had since they set foot in the Dark Land.
"...Nero?"
Hearing his name, he turned and saw her worried face.
"Hm? It's nothing," he said, walking over and sitting beside her by the campfire.
After a long silence, Eilania spoke first.
"We're getting close," she said, still gazing at the fire.
"Yeah," Nero nodded in response.
Eilania gently leaned her head on his shoulder, and he responded by wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her close in an embrace. They began talking about their journey so far, filling the time with conversation.
"So, what do you want to do after we defeat the End?" she asked, now resting her head on his chest as he held her with both arms.
"I don't know. Maybe find a quiet place to live? Build a small house and start farming."
"Oh? And where might that be?"
"Maybe somewhere here, in the north region."
"Huh?" Eilania looked at him with a puzzled face; the northern region was a wasteland, with the miasma causing the environment to wither. But Nero chose it because he knew that after defeating the final Boss, the land would return to its original form, transforming back into a wide, green field. Seeing her confusion, he chuckled.
"Just wait and see," he said with a smile, hugging her a little tighter. "After all, you'll be living with me."
Her face blushed as he whispered into her ear.
After a moment of silence, they continued watching the campfire flicker.
"Eilania,"
Just then, Nero called her full name, making her turn her head to look at him.
"...." she then realized that their face were so close, to the point they can feel each other cold breath. Both of them didn't say a thing and just stared at each other's eyes. The voice of their heart beats can also be heard.
Then, without the need to say it or giving a signal, they leaned in closer until their lips met.
.....
.....
What happened next?
Nothing much. After their first kiss, they embraced each other warmly and continued watching the fire flicker until the rain stopped.
(A/N: Although I can write scenes like this, I tend to stick to logic for storytelling~)
---
(Nero)
Once the rain stopped, we resumed our journey toward the purple light un the north.
Two days passed, and we finally reached our destination. A massive crater, about 100 times larger than a football field, greeted us. At its center was a large rift in the space, glowing with purple energy. Beneath the rift was a giant white magic circle left by the Witch of Calamity herself.
"That's my master's Seal," Eilania said with a frown.
The magic circle was fading, indicating that the Seal was close to breaking.
I checked the system quest, and it updated.
[Main Quest: Reach the area where the Seal is]
[Time Countdown: 3:22:10 Hours]
---
[Main Quest: Defeat the Final Boss]
[Battle Starts After: 3:22:09 Hours]
With three hours to prepare, we quickly organized our items, artifacts, potions, and weapons, and went over our battle strategy.
Two hours later, we finished preparing and slid down into the crater, heading for its center. As we approached the rift, we both felt the ominous energy emanating from it, and the cracks around it grew wider by the minute.
[00:00:10]
With ten seconds left, I unsheathed my sword, gulping down all my buffing potions along with Eilania.
"Eilan, get ready!"
[00:00:00]
The timer hit zero, and the magic circle on the ground vanished. The space around the rift began to crack like glass.
*Crack!*
Then, a giant clawed hand emerged, gripping the edges of the rift, trying to tear it open from the other side.
We could feel the dark energy radiating from the other side, sending chills down our spines.
A second claw emerged, and with both hands, it tore the rift open wider.
*CRACK!*
*SCRAAAAASH!*
The rift opened fully, and the creature on the other side began to emerge. Its giant lizard-like head, shaped like a dragon, was covered in black scales with large horns. Its purple eyes glowed with death and destruction.
The moment it came through, the ground and sky shook violently, as if the entire world trembled at its arrival.
[FINAL BOSS: THE END DRAGON]
*ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!*
Its roar sent a powerful shockwave that made our hair and clothes blow back.
Fortunately, the Boss wasn't fully free—half of its body was still stuck on the other side.
"Let's go, Eilan!"
"Right!"
We then both charged into battle.
_____
(3rd POV)
The final battle started, as both Nero and Eilania began to execute their plan in defeating the End dragon. The plan that Nero shared with Eilania was a strategy that he used a lot in his previous life, when he fought the boss in solo route, multiple times.
In the game, the End Dragon has 3 phases. The first one is when the Hero's party fight half of its body stuck. The Dragon wouldn't be able to move or fly, and can only attacks with its claws, magic, and dragon breath.
During the 1st phase, it can do six different attacks randomly:
A slash attack with its right claw, or with its left claw.
A double slash attack with both claws.
A shock wave attack that knocks back the enemy.
A fire breathing attack, which is an AOE that deals a lot of damage. And a stun attack, where it roars loudly, stunning the Hero for 5 seconds, depending on the level. If Nero and Eilania were below level 900, then the stun would last 10 second.
And all of these attack patterns are random, making it very hard for the players to predict what the next attack would be.
But Nero was one of the pro players, who had fought the Dragon Boss more than hundred times, in his past life, to the point he can guess correctly which attack was next and how to counter it easily.
For the claw attacks and the shock wave, Nero can easily dodge them in time with no problem, while Eilania follows his movements from behind.
For the Dragon breath attack, they both need to interrupt it, since the dragon needs to charge its attack before it fires. And to do that, both Nero and Eilania would use their ultimate attack at the right time.
"NOW!"
Nero shouted as he swung his large glowing sword at the dragon, with Eilania who was in her Unleash mode.
*BOOOOOOM!*
Their combined attacks were able to take 7% of the Boss's HP. And the last attack to counter is the stun roar. Eilania is able to avoid the stun effect thanks to the legendary ring that Nero gave her, which can cancel any debuff or damage control effects. But for Nero, he will need to use alot of potions and low grade artifacts to counter the effect.
And during the roar attack, an opening will appear, giving Eilania to use her ultimate attack, 'Nova Blast' followed by Nero behind her who switched his weapon to the legendary large sword. He activates the claymore skill that doubles the damage. Taking down more than 10% of its HP.
These are the strategy they used for the first phase, until the dragon's HP reaches zero.
[HP: 0%]
*ROOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAR!*
After it's health bar hits zero, it was time for the 2nd phase. Just like in the game's cutscene, the End Dragon began to gather miasma energy from the surroundings. All the corrupted energy that's in the Dark Land, are now gathering to the center of the battle field, entering the Boss's body as it began to glow.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*
With a sound of an explosion and a shattering space, the End dragon was now completely free.
It reveals it six large dragon wings on it's back and flips them as it flew up to the dark clouds, releasing a terrifying roar that shook the world. Its majestic body, covered with dark scales armor, sharp long tail, and six giant wings that can create storms in the sky.
The End Dragon looked down at its enemy that were interrupting his freedom, Nero and Eilania, with a hateful eyes. Its death glare made both Nero's and Eilania's body tremble in fear for a moment, before they regain their composure.
'Damn. It presence is more terrifying and amazing than in the game' Nero smirked with a sweaty face.
Both he and Eilania were already starting to feel the exhaustion, but they still didn't relax, as they knew that the Real Battle is about to begin.
_________
(3rd POV)
The second phase was harder than the other phases because the Boss was flying above the battlefield, while attacking the Hero's party with AOE and long range attacks.
It was both disadvantage for the Heroes and advantage for the Boss, because they can't hit it with any attacks, except using a long rage attacks, or when the Boss gets near to the ground.
The Boss has five different attacks pattern. Again, they were also random.
The first attack they received was the laser beams. The Dragon created 50 magic circles that shoot 50 laser beams at Nero and Eilania.
To counter it, Nero quickly activates the legendary Boots he was wearing to increase his speed, and began to dodge every beam easily since he knows the pattern.
Unfortunately for Eilania, who didn't know the pattern and was having a hard time following Nero's speed, she used her shadow armor to cover her body and reduce the damage she received.
When the attack is over, Eilania will quickly drinks a healing potion for recovery.
The second attack the Boss used was summoning minions. Fifty miasma monsters began to spawn from the ground. And they were all level 800.
Both Nero and Eilania began taking them down as quickly as possible, while covering each other's backs.
*SLASH!*
*BLAST!*
Nero would also use some low and middle rank magic item and artifacts like magic grenade and magic scrolls to take them down.
*BOOM!*
After reducing the monsters to fifteen, the Dragon then unleashed its third attack.
Miasma Rains.
*Drop*
Similar to what happened before, the Dragon used the corrupted rains as a debuff and damage over time (DOT) to weaken them.
[Warning! You have been hit by Multiple Debuffs!]
Fortunately, Eilania's ring was protecting her by canceling the effect around her. As for Nero, he was using the heal staff artifacts to purify himself from the debuff. But it wasn't as effective as the legendary ring.
While healing himself and Eilania was near him taking down the remaining monsters. Nero's eyes was locked on the Dragon as it was flying around, waiting for its next move.
"!!"
Just then, the Dragon stop midair and opened its jaws.
"Eilan! Cover Me!"
Nero shouted and quickly switch his weapon again to a bow. The same legendary artifacts bow that he got from the undead Hero.
He pulled the string and aimed at the dragon that was charging its fire breath, just like in the first phase.
The only way to counter this attack is by using a long range attack that is strong and fast, like an arrow. And the only people who can pull this are the Hero and the Elf Heroine, who has an Archer class. But because she wasn't here, Nero had to do it himself.
Thankfully, the Hero class was super OP. It's the strongest class because it has the ability to copy other classes skills, like archery, tank, berserk, healer, supporter, etc.
Basically, the Hero class is Jack of all trades. This is why solo mode was possible for pro players. It was thanks to this class.
Nero has already max out the archery skill and the mage skill. Allowing him to use the legendary bow to its fullest potential.
An arrow made if magic began to materialize on the bow as Nero used his mage skill. He waited for the right moment before releasing the string.
*SHOOOW!*
The arrow was shot in incredible speed, like a sniper bullet, and hit the between the dragon's jaws, right where it was gathering flames.
*BOOOOOOOOM!*
The flame that was gathered in its mouth exploded, taking down 15% of its health bar.
*ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAR!*
The dragon roar in pain and flew up high to the clouds, disappearing from the view.
Now that the Boss has used four different attacks, that leaves one attack for Nero to easily guess what it was.
"Eilan! Use It Now!" He shouted, as he gulped multiple strengthening and buffing potions.
Eilania finished taking down all the monsters around them and then activated her Unleash mode. Her black hair changed to white and she began to charge a lot of mana energy from the Infinity gem to her scythe.
In front of her, Nero summoned the legendary Shield artifact and waited for the Boss to appear.
The fifth attack was called Diving. Like its name, the Dragon will start diving towards them at incredible speed and slashing them with its claw and sharp wings.
The only way to counter it is by surviving the attack using a strong defense, blocking it, or counter attack it. And the best way is to counter the attack is by using the legendary shield.
The shield was mentioned that it has two ultimate skill. One is "Blocking", the other is "Counter". Both of them is perfect against the Boss's attack. But there was one problem. The two skills have 50-minute cooldown after using.
So, Nero needed to be extra caution on when to use them.
*SWOOOF!*
A dark figure came out from the clouds and was heading towards them at high speed. Nero gripped the shield tightly and waited for the right moment.
[Skill: Counter]
*CLANG!*
Nero was successful on deflecting the Boss's attack, and also triggered the stagger effect on the Boss. The Boss was now stun for three seconds. And it was more than enough. Behind Nero, Eilania jump towards the Dragon with her scythe glowing bright light, ready to be swung.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
*SLICE!*
*ROOOOOOOOOAAAR!*
27% of its HP drop, and the Dragon quickly flew back to the air after recieving a heavy damage.
"Good! Let's keep it like that!" Nero smirk as his plan was working.
He then threw a mana and stamina recovery potions to Eilania to heal. Again, both Nero and Eilania followed the same strategy. Nero would keep an eye on the Boss while fighting, to see what would be his next attack, while Eilania protects him from the minions.
.....
*ROOOOOOOOOAAAAR!*
When the Boss's HP drop to 10%, Nero felt something was wrong.
"Diving!"
He noticed the dragon flying to the cloud, ready to using Diving attack again. But it was too early for it to use that attack! He checked his Shield and saw the skill "Counter" was still on cooldown.
"Tsk! Eilania! Change to Plan B!" Nero shouted and began taking out multiple enhanced potions and scrolls, while also giving some to her.
Hearing Nero's words, Eilan understood and used all the enhanced scrolls to buff herself, and then activated her Unleash mode.
*SWOOOOOOF!*
The Dragon dive down towards them, and he quickly used the Shield's other skill, "Block".
*CLACK!*
Nero successfully block the attack, but wasn't able to stun it, because he can only do that using the Counter Skill. The Shield also shows some cracks on it, indicating that it wouldn't stand long before it breaks.
Still, Nero used his backup plan. The moment he block the attack, he aimed his Staff artifact at the dragon, releasing a magic spell that create a light explosion to blind it for a second.
*POFFF!*
But he didn't stop there, instead, Nero also threw many magic artifact that can stun the Boss for another second. Buying enough time for Eilania to finish her charging attack.
*SLICE!*
[HP: 0%]
When Eilania succeeded in reducing the Boss's Hp to zero, she also cut down three of its wings.
*ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAR!*