Star Gazer watched the hundreds of players struggling against the world boss with a calm expression.
Screeching shook the sky and earth as the void energy pulsed on the hawk's body. It fought fiercely against the ray of light holding it in place.
The world boss casted skill after skill, each with more power than ever before. The number of players able to hold on dwindled.
Fire erupted right next to Star Gazer, tingeing his fair face in a violet hue.
It's almost time…
Watching the world boss's HP, Star Gazer was almost ready to give the signal for his followers to go all out.
At this moment, a commotion suddenly broke out at the edge of the valley.
[Spiked Pen: Boss, Hotpot are coming back!]
[Bleary Mirage: I can see it. Tell our outer team to do their job and hold them back!]
Liam narrowed his eyes as he rushed in the direction of the world boss.
"Get ready guys! Remember to keep the formation!"
The party members nodded, focused on the world boss. Their hands shook from excitement and nervousness.
Suddenly they saw movement coming in the group of thirty warriors whose job it was to hold the party back. Unfortunately, the void corrupted trees were sparse and couldn't hide the party from view.
Thus, the team could react early and block their way. Mocking gazes locked on the party.
"Haha, the beaten dogs return!"
"What is this? A last-ditch effort?"
"Here to throw your lives away?"
The guild players joked with each other showing no fear of Liam's party.
"Truly, the newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger.", murmured Liam. Liam's competitive pride took a hit, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. When had he ever received such disregard in the game?
The veteran raised his swords staring at the team not far away.
For some reason the guild players felt chills run down their spines.
"H… hey! Get ready, they are close enough!"
"Yes!"
The team mostly consisted of warriors who were supposed to physically block the path. Only two mages were mixed in. They pointed with their wands, aiming for Liam's party.
"Now!"
Two [Holy Stike] skill instantly arrived above Liam and Silent Acacia. Brilliant light sought to smite their bodies.
But the two professional players didn't take the attacks seriously. With skillful sidesteps they caused the holy strikes to miss. The skills barely intercepted their advance.
"What?!"
"Idiots! Learn to aim!"
"Shut up! My aim was on point!"
The guild players argued in annoyance but didn't take their eyes off Liam's party. A seconds later the two groups crashed into each other.
"Die!"
The warriors shouted with confidence as they jumped at Liam's party. The person in the center carried two swords, facing Liam bravely.
Two pairs of eyes met. Full of confidence. Sparks ignited in the air. Four swords flashed.
"Wha…?!"
The warrior let out a voice full of disbelief. He watched his HP emptying out in a single moment. Throwing an unwilling glance at his opponent he only saw a young man with an ordinary face but eyes full of indifference.
Liam didn't care for the warrior falling at his feet. There was a stark difference in level and equipment. The opponent never stood a chance.
At the same time the others focused on their designated opponents. Arrows, magic attacks, and swords slammed into the guild players.
Within moments five enemies went down, revealing a gap in the defense.
Liam's party didn't linger any longer. Radiant Shield and Silver Blade shielded their flanks, allowing them to pass the team of guild players.
Dumbfounded eyes stared at the backs of Liam's party. It took a few seconds for the players to snap out of it.
"F*ck! Chase them!"
"Quick! Don't let them get closer!"
"The boss will be furious!"
Liam and his friends already stepped into the valley before the guild players remembered to give chase.
"Haha, that felt great!", laughed Cyclone happily.
"Don't get carried away, this was only the beginning. Get in formation!"
Liam spoke sternly, his eyes always on the world boss's HP. The others felt the tension, adhering to the plan made beforehand.
The squishy players were protected in the middle, while the rest prepared to clash with the opponents.
Silent Acacia stepped to the side strangely, leaving a seemingly empty spot.
Moments later they reached the core of the valley. Rows of armored backs were within reach.
Liam cleverly chose a spot filled with casual players showing low coordination. Those hadn't even noticed the danger behind their backs.
Only as Liam's party arrived did the guild players deign to shout some warnings.
"Behind you!"
"Don't let them through!"
"No, focus on the world boss! That's our priority!"
The situation was already chaotic beforehand. Now that Liam and his friends were added to the mix, no one could agree on how to behave.
Liam used the situation to his advantage. His swords flashed at a woman in black leather armor. She tried to dodge but Liam saw through her movements at a glance. His swords arrived at a tricky angle, quickly taking the first life.
The other party members didn't show any mercy either. With their advanced levels no enemy could endure more than one or two attacks as long as the tanks were focused on the world boss.
Cutting into the crowd as if harvesting wheat Liam's party advanced unhindered.
A few seconds later the disorganized players finally showed a reaction. Two warriors turned around with grim faces as they perceived the movement behind them.
"It's not your turn to steal the world boss!"
The players were understandably angry. They had been working hard for a long time to weaken the world boss. The guild players were already behaving strangely and now another group arrived to compete for the kill.
A spear and sword shot through the air, aiming for Liam's face. The veteran only scoffed. His opponents didn't even show the most basic coordination, both attacking the same spot.
With a swift jerk of his head, Liam dodged the attacks, retaliating in kind.
The sword wielding player got hit in the chest, but he survived. His eyes glanced at his HP full of disbelieve. But a moment later realization hit him, and he smirked at Liam.
"Ha! You are stuck h…"
The player couldn't end his sentence as Liam immediately used [Double Slash]. His swords flew skillfully, killing both his opponents.
The rest of the party wasn't idle either. Silver Blade and Radiant Shield focused on defending the squishier classes, allowing those to dish out attacks unhindered.
Arrows and magical attacks shot through the air, keeping the surrounding players at bay.
Suddenly Cyclone's body stiffened. A chill ran down her spine. Alarm bells rang in her head. Without thinking she instantly used [Static Domain], a new skill of hers which was transformed from her [Push] skill after changing to an advanced class.
Instantly a bluish shimmer spread from her feet, forming a circle around her. Crackling noises came from the air. Cyclone's hair exploded in all directions from the ubiquitous static.
A lightning bolt suddenly flashed.
"Ah!"
Letting out a surprised shout, a thief was hit in the chest, breaking his stealth. His dagger was already taking aim at Cyclone's neck, but his body froze in shock from the skill.
Cyclone sighed inwardly as she hastily kept her distance.
Meanwhile her static domain remained active. Lightning bolts stroke at the thief continuously, twice per second. They only delt a single point of damage. However, after the fourth bolt hit the thief, Cyclone's passive triggered, paralyzing the enemy.
The young woman didn't hesitate to throw attacks, quickly ending the assailant's life.
"Wow! Good job Cyclone!"
"Way to go Cy!"
Balm and Fortune, who stood closest to Cyclone, couldn't help but praise. They were genuinely impressed by Cyclone's instinctive reaction.
Cyclone smiled proudly, her chin raised so high it almost touched the sky.
"What's going on? Where are our magic attacks?!"
Liam's voice sounded slightly angry, suddenly shaking the mages.
"Coming, coming!"
The three women didn't dare to delay, throwing out attacks quickly.
Liam's party mowed down players left and right. Seeing their ferocious advance many didn't dare to get close.
Thus, the party even sped up in the middle of the crowd instead of slowing down.
Star Gazer gritted his teeth watching the scene.
"Those useless players! Unorganized rubbish!"
The guild leader considered sending someone to black Liam's way. But with a glance at the world boss, he dismissed the idea. The corrupted hawk only had a sliver of HP left. Now the most important period had arrived.
A tense atmosphere engulfed the players. Everyone could see that the world boss was about to fall. Its claws reached out desperately but had no power to change the situation.
Earthquake led his powerful warriors to hack at the weak bird. Phoenix Feather and Star Gazer signaled their guild members to stop holding back. Liam and his friends suddenly broke through the tank line, facing the world boss.