The two guards protecting the gate almost automatically gave way to the four as they passed. After all, they had seen the full power of Toki, enough to send one Military Attack helicopter just to fetch a boy that needed treatment.
The four girls walked with unfaltering steps. Each step was telling that the boss monster's death was coming closer and closer. As they walked slowly, Toki started to brief them on the enemy they were about to face.
"The enemy we're facing is a giant rhinoceros beetle monster, about ten meters tall. Furthermore, it has a nasty skill called [Magic Nullification], making it completely my archnemesis."
The reason she ran almost immediately before was due to this too. After all, with an enemy that could basically tank all her attacks unscathed, it would be a hopeless battle. Weaknesses exist, but making the boss expose them would be a hard thing to do.
"Its thick exoskeleton could also bounce off melee weapons, so aim for the joints," Toki added while glancing towards Hailey, holding her lance ready. "Mina, take note of that too."
The two, who were called by name, nodded their heads firmly.
Soon, they reached the periphery of the forest. Just standing there, they could already tell that a boss monster was around. After all, the air was heavy and full of killing intent, enough to make the weaker monsters run away in fear.
"Everyone's ready, right? Let's go!"
Upon Toki's urging, they entered the forest at last. Hailey, the only melee class, was at the head of their formation and kept vigilance over their surroundings. Toki, the mage, was at the rear, with Mina and Lily stuck in the middle. The formation was preserved as they forged ahead, crossing the quiet forest.
"There's not a single soul around here." Hailey, who was starting to get worried, couldn't help but notice the anomaly.
Toki nodded her head, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the whole forest around them. "They're here, except that they're afraid to approach us. I guess they know our levels from our presence alone."
The forest they were in was known for having low-level monsters, after all. If four beginner classes were to gather around, then those mutated monsters would have no way to even put up a decent fight. Only death awaits if they approach.
This instinct wasn't part of their original senses but was more of an adverse effect after being infected by the nanomachines. More toward the preservation of self, the nanomachines give the suggestion to weaker monsters, their hosts, to run from powerful people or monsters all the same. This gives them the chance to gain more strength and become more powerful in the future.
As they went deeper and deeper into the forest, the surroundings became more and more deserted. Even Toki can't detect the presence of other monsters anymore.
"Everyone, on alert!"
Suddenly, Toki shouted before turning to their right. She shot a barrage of fireballs, sending them flying toward the shadow between the trees. The fire spread around, creating light sources for them to see what was hidden behind the darkness.
*SCRREEEEEEEEE!*
A large black beetle released an ear-splitting sound as it charged toward Toki, who attacked it. Its large frame smashed the trees along the way, sending them tumbling down like little dominoes.
"Damnit! That's pretty intimidating up close!" Mina roared as she pulled her two revolvers from their holsters, ready to shoot at any moment.
Hailey, the only melee fighter in the group, rushed to intercept the boss monster, placing the tip of her spear and aiming at the gap between the head and the body.
The beetle, as if realizing that it would get damaged by the lance if it continued, changed directions and ran toward Lily instead. Hailey tried to move and intercept, but the lance only bounced off the thick exoskeleton, not leaving even a small scratch on its surface.
"Tough guy, over here!"
Toki, from the other side, fired another set of fireballs aimed straight toward the monster's face. The fire, although unable to cause it any damage, was definitely irritating, making it turn around once more and aim for Toki instead.
As it did, the group finally managed to fix their formation. Hailey was already before the Boss, her lance aimed and ready. Behind her, Toki stood aloft, her hand in her pocket holding something.
Mina and Lily were behind the monster and were slowly moving towards the sides, where it would be easier for Hailey to guard them in case the boss changed targets.
All preparations are finally complete.
"Let's begin the hunt!"
Like a conductor, Toki was the one who kept the formation in place. Making sure that the beetle was focused on Hailey, she fired her magic spells intermittently as she watched her mana drop slowly.
Hailey, on the other hand, was taking the most risks compared to the others. After all, she was in the range of the beetle's attacks, making it extremely dangerous. Each attack of the beetle, may it be the swing of its long horns or the swipe of its sharp claw-like feet, is definitely enough to cause significant injuries to her, even with their average level being slightly above the boss.
"This one's probably around beginner chass too based on power alone!" Mina muttered as she gauged her timing to shoot.
After all, her bullets were a bit special and hard to make. If not, then instead of the old-design revolver, she would've chosen a modern-style pistol instead, with its stability in mind. It would be a big mistake to waste her shots.
Lily was gripping the mace in her hands tightly, waiting for the time that her help would be needed. As the healer, if her support wasn't timed well, Hailey would be in grave danger. Lily was literally holding her lifeline.
The fight had been continuing for two minutes, and finally, a chance for Mina appeared. "Right there!"
She pulled the trigger without hesitation, and both hands flew back from the recoil as the bullets flew with pinpoint accuracy. Both landed right at the exposed eyes, which were visible for a brief moment when Hailey poked at its face and made it lean backward.
*Squish!*
The eye exploded upon getting shot, causing the boss monster to feel excruciating pain. Hailey didn't miss her chance and slammed her spear toward the gap between the monster's neck, plunging it deep. Too deep, to be fair.
"!!!"
Her lance got stuck there, and she was unable to pull it out. The blade seemed to have been captured between two plates of the beetle's exoskeleton, making it impossible to remove it at all unless it raised its head again.
*SCREEECH!*
However, such a chance wouldn't come.
The beetle, angry upon receiving a large wound and losing half of its eyesight, opened its back carapace and revealed four thin strands of wings. Hailey realized what it was about to do and was planning to move out of the way, but it was still too late.
*BZZZZZT!*
The beetle beat its wings fast, sending waves of compressed air below it. Hailey, who was in front of the monster, was hit by the impact and sent flying. She rolled a few times on the ground before slamming her back against a tree. To make matters worse, a loose branch snapped and pierced through her left side, causing a puncture wound that was bleeding profusely.
"Hailey!"
Mina was about to rush to her side and help her, but Lily was a step faster. Even before Hailey landed, she had already set her healing to fall at the spot she would stop at. And with perfect timing, Hailey was showered in healing light as soon as she stopped.
"Mina, go to her and help her remove the branch! I'll hold off the beetle for now!"
Without waiting for Mina's reply, Lily took large steps toward the flying beetle. With her small build, it would seem like she'd get sent flying away too, just like Hailey, but she kept her posture even lower, making her almost immune to the powerful waves of wind from below the boss monster.
Lily clawed the ground with her mace, anchoring her small body.
"Come down here, you big stupid oaf!" She cried, trying to gain the monster's attention.
However, it was pretty useless, as the monster was unable to understand her words. In the end, it flew straight toward Toki, who was standing behind Lily at the moment.
"Oh, no!" Toki became worried and tried to move, but Lily waved her hands, motioning for her to stay in place.
Trusting Lily's decision, Toki didn't move and readied several spells on standby. About to shoot at any moment. The beetle, who was up in the air, started swooping down, its large mass adding visual pressure to the two who were its targets.
"I really don't want to use this, but you left me with no choice! [Activate: Iron Wall]!"
As she shouted a skill's name, her entire being was covered in a semi-transparent silver barrier. As soon as she was done, the beetle made contact with it.
*PING!*
As if they were magnets that were repelled by each other, the two flew in opposing directions. The beetle rolled in the air before slamming into the ground, belly-up, while Lily flew toward the forest, farther than the beetle did.
"I really hate being too light!" She roared as she faded into the distance.
Seeing the belly-up beetle, Toki smiled. "Nice one, Lily!"
She immediately sent the spells she saved toward the beetle's abdomen, the only part of its body that had less magic nullification than the rest. Like an experienced biologist, she used ice spears to pin the beetle into its current position, and then came the fireball, slamming at the exact center and sending green juices out of the beetle's mouth as it cried in agony.
"Aha~! Ahahaha~! Die!"
Toki laughed as she continued her barrage. Hailey and Mana, both watching the scene, were slightly taken aback. No matter what angle they look at, it would seem like Toki was a crazy mage who was bullying the weak.