Chapter 360
Raiding the Star of Hegon (IV)
It was a competent group--at least, that was what Unul thought. They had good leadership and above average skills for their point of the climb. They had also improved considerably from their last attempt. But... it wasnt enough. They wouldnt be able to defeat her. Not even close. There were still many gaps in their damage output, their healers were already panicking and overhealing,
Theyll survive a minute or so into the 2nd phase before needing to leave. It was admirable, still. If they kept at it, her defeat was inevitable. But... in that group, hidden behind the fighting force, there was a figure. She noticed him imdiately--she would have been blind if she hadnt.
If she werent restricted by the damned chains wrapped around her soul, she would have ran--the feeling that the man gave her... was incomparable. Luckily, he didnt act--he rely stood in the back and observed. When Unul realized that, she also realized he was there simply as a contingency, to make sure that nobody died.
It still begged the question, however, how soone of his caliber appeared so early in the Trials. But no matter what she thought, she couldnt co up with a solution. Whatever was the case, as long as he didnt attack directly, they had no ans of defeating her yet.
She observed them keenly, and noted several levels of skill present within the group--within the top echelon rested the two tanks, three healers, and so ten damage dealers. While there were still levels to them, too, they werent as pronounced as with the remainder of the raid. They didnt seem to struggle with basic chanics, and their continued output closed in on 85% of the ti, which was considered fairly elite.
However, in order to defeat her, the entire raid would have to reach that point at minimum, with several of them hitting closer to 90% per-second-output. It wouldnt be easy; she herself had fought a similar battle many, many, many moons ago. It took her world years of progress to get there. But, then again, they didnt have a man like that by their side to ensure everyones survival.
For her, and for most if not all worlds, its a trial by fire--where every attempt ant that more than 95% of Conquerors would die. Of the few survivors, even fewer would have the fervor to return. And, as such, over the long stretch of ti, a group of grizzled survivors would be ford that was good enough to Conquer the Trial.
She suspected, however, it would be different for this group; even before the man arrived, their casualties were minimal due to their two tanks and the single healer. They would have been far from enough during the 2nd phase, but they never got there before.
Many thoughts raced through her mind, but when she saw the man in question glance at her and smile, she shuddered. It wasnt a dreadful smile--if anything, it seed almost apologetic, as though he was saying sorry that you wont be able to kill anyone. She almost wanted to smile back, but didnt in the end; she had the battle to fight.
Shawn was sweating--in part because of the heat that the flas generated, but mostly because of the dancing health bars. Up and down, like a roller coaster they went. Even while being tested by Domin he never felt this pressured. Back then, at least, it was only his life that was in danger--but now, he held the fates of dozens of other people in his hands.
Calm down, a man next to him suddenly shouted. It was the raids main healer, Yuki. Youre wasting too much Mana. Youve healed Emma twice--ignore the tanks, they should be fine. Ignore other healers too. Ignore Emma, Jamal, Daniel, and Ethan. Make your primary focus the ranged damage dealers.
A-a-rlight, Shawn stuttered. It was remarkable, hed realized from the start--no wonder Cain categorized him as barely passable. Besides Yuki, there were two other healers--both won--who were similarly much more composed and far more precise in healing. It wasnt the world-first party for nothing, he sighed inwardly.
He was complacent, thinking he would make a massive difference; while he was fiddling about and making mistakes, they were consistent. Beyond just understanding their own classes, they understood the incoming damage, the resistances, types of armor, other classes... they instinctively knew who to prioritize, while he simply eyed the smallest health bars.
THE ABILITY IS ENDING!! Emmas voice echoed out even amidst the roaring flas. SHES AT 88%!! WE NEED TO PUSH, HARD! ROLL OUT THE SECOND SET OF COOLDOWNS!! HEALERS, PRIORITIZE PASSIVE HEALING AND SAVE EVERY REMAINING BIG COOLDOWN FOR THE SECOND PHASE!! GO, GO!!
Upon her orders, the raid once again reorganized as the two tanks dragged the boss back toward one of the Pylons. The passive damage output was... scary, to say the least. Every second, it felt, Shawn was tempted to blow his remaining cooldowns. But... he held back. It was in part due to his faith in other healers surrounding him, none of which were much worse than him, if at all, but mostly because of the man standing at the far back of the raid--Cain.
While most newcors didnt understand why they had a dead slot effectively with the random man standing in the back looking at them like its a circus, Shawn understood. He was the safety net. While he had no clue exactly how strong Cain was, the fact that he had soone like Domin casually obeying him... it was scary. Domin, alone, could output more damage than their top 5 damage dealers combined. That wasnt the kind of a pet that just anybody could get, let alone command at will.
Even if boss was scary, Domin, sohow, was scarier. The bundle of darkness that seed insurmountable stood taller than the massive woman hoisting a beautiful sword, surrounded by flas.
The battle resud, but the pace quickly went through the roof. Luckily, they had stacked many, many passive Fire Resistances and classes that were able to diminish so of the passive damage. Otherwise, Shawn shuddered at the thought of having to heal through it. Knowing that the group had already attempted this fight several tis, with only 3 healers, made him respect the trio that stood above the rest even more.
While others, just like him, seed to panic and were on the verge of blowing all they had every second, Yuki and the two won, Leah and Awa, seed far more casual, their Mana pools remaining virtually still, despite casting healing abilities constantly. Aah, the road is long... he sighed inwardly, realizing hed have to practice even more when they left to the outside.
As the boss began to approach the 80% health mark, Cain noticed that the calm in so of the veterans of the fight began to wane. Most of the newcors were hanging by the thread, and most of the most were, really, fighting at 40-50% of their maximum. It wasnt strange. After all, even if they were the most talented among the talented, this was their first ti standing at the absolute plateau of humanity, facing the absolute hardest boss imaginable in the Tower right now. And it just so happened to be the cut-off Guardian, one that, ordinarily, they would have all died fighting.
They were all brave, however. Cain couldnt help but smile. It was much different than the last lifes attempt, where the cowardice reigned. Nobody tried to run away toward the exit on their own, and though they were scared and panicky... they still fought, trusting those next to them. It was a sight so inspiring that Cain took out a bottle of beer and cracked it open. Were the image to ever leave to the larger confines... who knows what kind of outrage would it inspire?
While they fought for their lives, he casually sipped beer. But, then again, he had his own fair share of battles that nearly cost him his life. And there would be many more to co. While his mind was adrift, there was a sudden change.
One of the chains attached to the Unuls back suddenly snapped and a heave of fire ripped out with her as the epicenter. Luckily, everyone had gathered around the Pylons, avoiding the instant wipe.
Unul tossed away her sword, extending her left arm and summoning a spear that was nearly as long as she was. Her expression coated in the shimring flas, she pointed the tip toward the raid.
Blessed be the Fire, she said. And dead be those who deny it!
SECOND PHASE HAS BEGUN!! Emma hollered as everyone swallowed a gulp. First phase was over. It wasnt scary, and though there were still things to optimize, they effectively cruised through it. But the real fight has just started. SENNA, KEEP AN EYE OUT ON THE SHAPE! EVERYONE, BE READY TO MOVE THE MONT WE KNOW WHICH ABILITY SHE WILL CAST!! LETS SEE HOW FAR WE CAN TAKE THIS!!
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