"Kill it!"
"Use everything you got!"
"The bird can't hold on much longer!"
Chaotic shouts shook the battlefield. Players desperately shoved to the front, attacking fiercely, dealing as much damage as possible.
Mages tried to time their casts perfectly for the low chance of landing the last hit. Sneaky thieves made their way through the crowd praying for that one critical hit to win honor and reputation.
In this heated atmosphere Liam's party reached the frontline. A murderous hawk the size of a house stood below a towering tree. Its violet feathers emitted an ominous air. A powerful, mysterious ray of light held it in place and suppressed its power.
"Go!"
Shouting loudly, Liam's narrowed eyes focused on the big bird before him. He even ignored his party. His mind entered a special state, knowing only himself and the enemy.
Liam felt reminded of the chaotic, difficult battles of his past life. When his fame was its peak and enemy teams brought out all their tricks to deal with him. Countless dangers shot at him, but Liam remained calm with a confident smile on his lips.
The veteran let himself go, sinking into this feeling. These were the moments he craved for. When the odds were stacked against him.
A shadow darkened the sky. Liam didn't need to look to know that the hawk's claw swiped through the players.
His body tilted forward. Suddenly he jumped and rolled. A sharp wind hit his back as a black-violet claw passed above him.
Keeping the momentum Liam jumped to his feet and dashed towards the corrupted hawk. He was quick as lightning.
With movements fluid like a dancer his swords fluttered through the air. Just as one attack landed, the next was already activated. Skills flowed one into the other seamlessly.
In no time at all five holy marks were stacked on the bird.
And exploded!
A bright light erupted from the hawk's head. Liam's friends suddenly attacked at the same time. Cyclone activated the skill attached to her boots for the first time.
A phantom figure which looked exactly like her appeared, repeating her movements. Two bolts of lightning crackled, slamming into the corrupted hawk.
Next to Liam a person suddenly appeared. It was Bloody Edge who stayed invisible until now, only for this moment.
The light walker activated his ultimate. Another blinding light erupted, melting the world boss's armor. Two sharp daggers sprung up like the teeth of a poisonous snake.
A sad screech rang through heaven and earth. The hawk raised its head. Anger and despair replaced the dullness in its eyes for a second.
High in the air Therim Riverbell took a breath of relieve. He watched as the void energy on the hawk's body twisted eerily.
Suddenly the destructive energy backlashed, eating into the White-Striped Hawk's feathers and body.
Within seconds the hawk disappeared piece by piece. The scene was more fascinating then eerie.
Liam frowned, looking over his shoulder.
[Bleary Mirage: What are you doing?! Follow the plan!]
Suddenly Liam's friends woke up. Just like most others they were preoccupied with staring at the world boss, almost forgetting their predetermined plan.
They carefully closed the remaining distance, coming to a stop right next to the world boss.
By now only a few tail feathers remained of the once proud predator. A moment later those vanished as well. Only a thick violet cloud hung in the sky.
Suddenly it shot into the air, exploding in a deafening rumble.
Those standing too close had to avert their faces, feeling a strong force shaking their bodies.
Even Liam was caught off guard for a moment before immediately coming back to his senses.
A complicated emotion flashed through his mind, but he instantly suppressed it. His full focus had to be on the former world boss.
[Bleary Mirage: Ready!]
Glittering stars fell from the sky where the violet cloud exploded. They shimmered in green, blue, and even yellow.
As soon as those hit the ground Liam's party reacted, swarming forward. With fast hands they focused on the most conspicuous items.
The couple yellow and all the blue lights vanished quickly. The rare scrolls and recipes were pocketed as well.
Liam and his friends were like a swarm of locust, taking everything of value.
The rest of the players only reacted when the most precious items were already gone.
Star Gazer stood at the back of the crowd with his eyes wide open. A fierce shout left his mouth:
"STOP, Silver!
Pen! Move! F*CK! Move everyone!"
Callida was hit by surprise as well.
Why did the loot drop openly?!
It was impossible to be prepared for this situation. After all, so far loot always stayed with the opponent's corpse until touched. No one could expect the world boss to pop like a pinata.
[Callida: Big guy! Quick! Grab everything! You are the closest!]
The intelligent woman recovered quickly, messaging her husband. But at this point Liam and his friends had already made a satisfactory harvest. Noticing that movement came in the crowd, Liam didn't dare to be overly greedy.
[Bleary Mirage: We move!]
[Cyclone: But there is still this blue item…]
[Bleary Mirage: MOVE!]
Cyclone shook, not daring to argue any longer.
Liam's party got into formation, escaping in the direction of the towering tree not far away.
Players began to rush past them.
"There! Green, blue! Everything mine!"
"Keep your hands away!"
"Who pushed me?!"
The situation was chaotic. Everyone swarmed towards the center of the valley, eager to get a piece of the pie. Many faces flashed by Liam's party, ignoring them, blinded by greed.
But not everyone lost their rationality. A lot of players had noticed Liam and his friends picking up the majority of the loot.
A small team separated from Force of Nature. All of them were burly guys with fierce faces and thick muscles.
An orc holding a large red shield showed an ugly grin.
"Nothing personal, guys. But how about you stay here?"
Liam's face turned serious. Just from their positioning he could already tell that those players opposite him were seasoned fighters.
They kept a perfect distance to each other, granting enough space to move but also the ability to quickly help each other out.
Liam's thoughts moved. He glanced around. Before him were the guild players, unmoving, clearly buying time. Right behind him were his party members waiting for directions. And on all sides were scattered players attempting to reach the valley's center.
At this moment they could only go forward.
Liam took a deep breath. He rushed towards the opponents. A mocking light flashed in the shield-wielding player's eyes.
He dug his boots into the ground, shielding his body, ready to hold Liam off.
A few seconds ae enough…
The orc had such thoughts as he readied himself for impact. But strangely it never came.
"What?!"
"Careful!"
The anxious shouts of his team members reached the orc's ears. But he couldn't make sense of the situation.
Suddenly sword attacks crashed into his back. Damage plopped up continuously, but the orc wasn't able to move. He was affected by a stun caused by [Brutal Strike].
Liam's moves were seamless. The moment he arrived behind the opponent with flash step, skills followed immediately. A message was sent to his party simultaneously.
[Bleary Mirage: NOW! Blade and shield, open the way!]
Attacks shot out immediately, downing the enemy tank. Liam's friends showed great tacit understanding. All the damage dealers used everything at their disposal,
Before anyone was able to react the tank already dropped to the floor, still none the wiser about the method Liam used to appear behind him.
Meanwhile Silver Blade and Radiant Shield moved to both sides. They slammed their bodies into the two warriors closest to the party.
The enemies were forced back a couple of steps but quickly regained their balance.
"They want to attack! Stop them!"
The guild players showed their qualities at this moment. They weren't stunned, instantly trying to stand in Liam's way.
They still didn't intend to clash with the party directly. Their only goal was to delay for time until Earthquake had gathered all the loot in the center.
Liam scanned the situation with worried eyes. With the guild players dragging them down it was difficult to find a way for everyone to escape.
He didn't want to sacrifice Silver Blade and Radiant Shield. Everyone in their party had deep red names. Dying here would mean potentially losing multiple items. And everyone carried some of the loot received from the world boss.
Just as Liam was ready to take a gamble, Quickstep and Silent Acacia glanced at each other. The hunter raised his hand while his girlfriend dashed towards Radiant Shield.
Suddenly a creature appeared out of thin air. It had a long body and thick white skin. Liam naturally recognized the being looking like a smaller version of Dorn.
"Go!"
Silent Acacia had a hint of sadness in his eyes as he sent out his newly acquired pet.
The level eight alligator roared before approaching the players facing Silver Blade.