The fight against the world boss went on for quite a while. Most players gradually relaxed, having figured out the rhythm of the Void-corrupted White-Striped Violent Hawk's skills.
Its HP were gradually declining. Tanks with their stance used up calmly changed positions with others waiting behind. Only a few players died as their concentration slipped from exhaustion.
Star Gazer stood in the back among the mages. A violet circle lit up below him.
No new tricks…
A smile showed on his handsome face as he casually jumped to the side.
Violet flames erupted, spreading a fierce heat. The resulting wind played through Star Gazer's black hair. Like most players he chose to hide his head gear, showing his fair face to everyone.
Elsewhere Phoenix Feather directed her guild to advance steadily. Continuous attacks chipped away at the haw's HP.
Soon…
The tall woman's mind turned, knowing that the critical moment was not far away. She signaled towards a lanky man in light armor standing at the back of the melee fighters.
Her close confidant and vice-guild leader of Nest of Flames, called Smoldering Heat, immediately understood. He relayed premeditated orders to some officer in the guild serving as party leaders.
With the guild system not yet established this was their only way to communicate, lacking the crucial guild chat.
However, such movements couldn't escape the eyes of other guilds.
Callida scoffed as she watched a similar behavior among Phoenix Feather's and Star Gazer's people. They suddenly began conserving their strength. The frequency of big skills slowed down.
Want to save everything for one last burst?
With both guilds acting like this, Callida knew that their Force of Nature had to follow suit. Else all their efforts would end up benefiting others.
Thus, she quickly sent a message to Earthquake. Luckily her husband listened to her. Although he was battle-hungry he wasn't so stubborn as to be exploited by others.
Subsequently the fight took a strange turn. Despite the world boss's low HP, the fighting players seemingly lost their enthusiasm. They fought carefully, staying vigilant of others.
Everyone had a dream in their minds. Being the one to land the last hit, get the loot, the fame…
Bloody Edge anxiously messaged his friends.
[Bloody Edge: Guys, the fight will soon be over. We need to act now.]
[Bleary Mirage: Don't be hasty. World bosses don't die easily.]
[Silver Blade: We can only listen to Mirage.]
[Bleary Mirage: Get ready to run on my signal.]
Bloody Edge gritted his teeth, watching the boss's HP dwindle.
5%, 4%, 3%...
Suddenly a violent screech shook the entire void-corrupted forest. The players felt their ears hurt, their minds shaken.
No one was able to move as the violent color on the hawk's feather quickly intensified. It crept up its wings, emitting a violent fog.
A silent pressure spread as the fog played around the world boss. The white stripe on its back turned entirely violet. Its face distorted. Its head jerked right and left. A dull look slowly filled its eyes.
Another screech echoed through the forest. The lingering void energy stirred, showing signs of expanding towards the surroundings.
A small village was not far from the forest. The inhabitants watched with worry as the violet energy crept closer.
With tears in their eyes, they prepared to give up their homes.
The players had disbelieving expressions. Violet energy crept up their legs, preventing them from moving.
The changes around the Void-corrupted White-Striped Violent Hawk gradually slowed down. It flapped its wings, taking to the air.
Dull eyes looked down on all the players. They appeared almost disinterested as if not recognizing anything before them.
A brilliant light flashed on the violet feathers. Immediately a small violet circle appeared on the ground around the towering tree. But it suddenly extended, enveloping the entire valley in seconds.
Anxious voiced could be heard from below.
"What's going on? I can't move!"
"It's about to use a skill! How are we supposed to dodge?!"
"Did we miss something?"
"Does someone have a quest item?"
"Boss, what should we do?"
The players were indignant and helpless. Many turned to curse the game for designing such an unreasonable fight. They closed their eyes as purple feathers began to rain down.
But right at this moment a raging voice shook everyone awake:
"Who dares to spread void energy in my Southern Light Kingdom?!"
A middle-aged man suddenly appeared in mid-air. He wore impressive black mage robes with golden highlights. His long black hair billowed in the wind.
The man swung a tall wooden staff adorned with fine golden engravings. An enormous amount of mana flowed through his body into the staff.
A blinding light spread in all directions. A storm surrounded the valiant newcomer, distorting the air.
"Heed my call, light of this world. Eradicate the void!"
Sizzling sounds came from everywhere. Wherever the blinding light fell on the lingering void energy, violet steam rose and the void energy was pushed back.
The villagers at the edge of the forest were forced to avert their eyes but their hearts were filled with admiration. They could hear how the void energy close to their village diminished quickly.
Within seconds the edge of the forest was cleansed of the corrupting influence, leaving only distorted trees and black soil behind.
Another screech shook the world, obviously more powerful than before. A hint of emotion flashed in the hawk's eyes as it stared angrily at the mage who had suddenly appeared.
Violet energy concentrated on its body, pulsing dangerously. The corrupted hawk glared at the mage.
Therim Riverbell, guardian of the Southern Light Kingdom, felt a chill run down his spine. He watched as the hawk spread its wings wide, instantly absorbing all the void energy in the surroundings.
Pain flashed in the world boss's eyes. Its body squirmed. Suddenly dark blood splashed as a pair of dark violet claws, grotesque and bony, sprouted from the hawk's chest.
Flapping its blood-stained wings the world boss abruptly dashed towards Therim.
The mage didn't dare to underestimate it. He stopped his spell, pointing his staff towards the corrupted hawk.
"Heed my call, light of this world. Banish this vile beast!"
A continuous ray of orange light erupted from Therim's staff. It blasted towards the hawk.
A dark claw flashed through the air, meeting the magic head on. A pained scream left the hawk's throat. Violet steam rose from the claw as it violently got shoved away.
The ray of light continued, smashing into the hawk's chest. The beast tumbled and crashed back towards the ground.
Bang!
The floor shook. A shockwave spread through the surroundings, bringing dust and dirt with it. The players felt the violent wind tearing at their clothes, forcing them to close their eyes.
Therim didn't let the hawk of. His magic still bore down on the beast.
However, the world boss wasn't defeated just yet. Its entire body pulsed violet as it struggled to stand up under the suppression of the ray of light.
Its eyes regained their dullness, staring at Therim. The mage could see his own reflection. He grabbed his staff with two hands before shouting loudly:
"Adventurers! On behalf of the Southern Light Kingdom, I beseech you to assist me! Slay this beast and save countless innocent lives!"
With those words the players suddenly regained the ability to move. But they couldn't take action just yet. They stared with wide eyes full of awe at the mage standing in the sky, orange-colored clouds as the backdrop, an indescribably mystical image.
Suddenly the dark claw coming out of the hawk's chest moved. It eerily enlarged, reaching twice its size in an instant, grabbing towards the players.
"Careful!"
"The world boss isn't done yet!"
"Formation! Formation!"
Chaotic orders were relayed, finally waking the players up. The earth trembled as the claw slammed down. Some players managed to dodge in time but two warriors and a thief were directly engulfed.
They could only let out frightened screams as the hawk raised them up, swung its claw and threw the unlucky players at Therim.
"AHHH!"
"OUAHHH!"
"AH… well it's not that bad. The view is quite nice."
In the air Therim gritted his teeth. He had pity for the unlucky adventurers but was in no position to help them. He could only dodge to the side.
The magical ray suppressing the world boss shook dangerously.
Callida drew a sharp breath, urging her guild:
"Hurry up! It looks like the mage's spell can break! We need to kill that hawk!"
Finally, the gravity of the situation reached most players. With renewed fervor they rushed towards the corrupted hawk.
The fight reached its peak. Earthquake swung his great sword like a madman, hacking at the hawk's feathers.
Knight of Honor activated another skill allowing him to borrow strength from his allies. His sword was dressed in a brilliant sheen as it slashed towards the hawk's head.
Only Star Gazer and Phoenix Feather still played the same game, holding back, waiting for the right time to steal the last hit.
And further away in the forest Liam finally signaled his party to move.