The sisters were completely captivated by the Ferret’s adorable appearance.
"Dawnbreaker," Grace asked, "are… are we going to kill it?"
"We can't!" Peppa pleaded. "It's too cute! Don't kill it!"
"Dawnbreaker, can't we figure out another way?"
"Yeah! Let's capture it instead!"
Kael couldn't believe it. The two supports he'd brought along were having a sudden surge of maternal instinct. He ignored their naive suggestions, saying only one thing before charging in.
"Maintain your distance."
He knew this creature’s true nature was anything but adorable.
[Marrow-Bite Ferret] (Level 39)
HP: 81,000,000
Physical Attack: 22,000
Magical Attack: 25,200
Physical Defense: 16,500
Magical Defense: 22,000
Kael was now level 35. With three new pieces of level 35 Ascendant gear and the 1000 bonus to his core stats from the Blessing of Elunara, his attributes had reached a new peak:
HP: 150,000
Physical Attack: 80,000
Physical/Magical Defense: 17,200
If he were to activate Apollo's Descent, he could obliterate the Ferret with ease. But doing so would complicate the real mission: stealing the staff.
Kael and his clone advanced to within 50 yards of the Ferret and raised their bows.
Double Shot:
-63,452
-56,783 (Silkbind Shot)
His clones’ arrows struck ho.
-49,751
-224,587 (Critical Hit, Silkbind Shot)
-221,013 (Critical Hit)
The Marrow-Bite Ferret was instantly bound to the ground, unable to move, letting out a series of high-pitched squeaks. Grace and Peppa had been about to plead with Kael again, but the damage numbers left them frozen in shock.
"That… damage!" Grace stamred.
"So this is Dawnbreaker's true power?" Peppa whispered.
"No wonder people on the forums call him the Demon King…"
"If I was that strong, I'd probably get trigger-happy too."
After their initial shock, their pity for the Ferret returned. "Poor little thing."
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Kael had no ti for their misplaced compassion. He was focused entirely on the boss's behavior. As its health dropped by five million, it let out a piercing shriek and unleashed its first skill: Cursed Soundwave.
A shockwave erupted from the Ferret.
A damage number popped over Kael's head.
-21,623
Even with 17,200 magic defense, he still lost over 20k health from the 80-yard AoE. He was glad he’d warned Grace and Peppa to stay back; otherwise, they’d be corpses right now. And this was just a warm-up.
Seeing the sisters still staring in a daze, Kael yelled, "Heal ! Now!"
"Oh—right!"
They snapped out of it and began casting.
4,381 (Grace)
4,215 (Peppa)
The sisters quickly realized how dangerous the Ferret was. "Wow, two rounds of our heals combined can't even top him off."
"This little ferret is seriously strong."
"Who was it that said it was cute?"
"Heh, you said it too."
Their healing output was indeed a bit low, but it wasn't their fault. They were only level 33. Even a fully geared level 35 Ascendant party would struggle here. As a precaution, Kael cast a skill from his Solar Mantle of Apollo on them.
[Divine Ward]: Protects 2 friendly units, granting them 20,000 Physical and Magical Defense.
For himself, he activated Sacred Aegis.
[Sacred Aegis]: Every 2 minutes, generate a shield that absorbs 100,000 damage. This shield does not stack.
His assault didn't let up. He continued to rain arrows down on the Ferret, and its health plumted.
60,000,000…
55,000,000…
It unleashed another Cursed Soundwave every five million health it lost. But when its HP hit 50 million, it didn't shriek. Instead, it threw its head back, its eyes glowing a malevolent red. A beam of red light shot from its eyes and struck a nearby wall.
With a low thump, a hidden chanism clicked into motion. A section of the stone wall rumbled upward. When the gap was about human height, a black shadow shot out from within.
It was a giant rat, its muscles bulging like it had just co from the gym.
The juggernaut rat spotted the Marrow-Bite Ferret and lunged, ready to tear it to pieces. The Ferret simply lifted its head and gave the rat a casual glance with its glowing red eyes. The rat froze mid-pounce, then slowly turned its head, its furious gaze locking onto Kael.
WHOOSH!
The massive rat charged like a freight train. In Kael's mind, this new enemy was even more dangerous than the Ferret.
[Juggernaut Rat] (Level 39)
HP: 100,000,000
Physical Attack: 25,200
Physical Defense: 22,000
Magical Defense: 0
Kael and his clones’ arrows peppered its hide.
-32,472 (Kael, Normal Shot)
-16,432 (Clone, Normal Shot)
-119,824 (Clone, Critical Hit; Silkbind Shot - Root Immune)
The Silkbind Shot had no effect!
CRUNCH!
The rat slamd into Kael, sending him flying back five yards.
-32,171 (Absorbed by Shield)
A debuff icon appeared on his status bar.
[Crippled]: Physical Attack and Movent Speed reduced by 50% for 8 seconds.
The attack was the Juggernaut Rat’s signature move.
[Juggernaut Charge]: Charges a target up to 80 yards away, dealing 200% damage to all enemies in its path. During the charge, Defense is doubled and the user gains Super Armor. The primary target is knocked back and Crippled.
It was an upgraded version of the Warrior's Charge skill, with longer range and immunity to crowd control. Kael could have easily used Blink to dodge it, but Grace and Peppa were right behind him. If the rat had retargeted them, they would have been in serious trouble. With his shield up, he could afford to take the hit.
Kael pushed himself up, still under the effects of Crippled. He was about to tell the sisters to dispel him when a shower of starlight washed over him.
Greater Dispel, Failed!
Greater Dispel, Success!
This ti, the sisters had done their duty, reacting instantly.
Once the Juggernaut Rat stopped, it tried to attack Kael again, but it quickly found itself in the sa predicant as the Ferret: bound to the ground. Without the Super Armor from its charge, it was no match for Kael's crowd control. The rat thrashed helplessly, but the awakened power of Galeharrow was too strong for a level 39 mob to break.
With both bosses locked down by Splintering Arrow and Silkbind Shot, the fight beca routine. Aside from a few more Juggernaut Charges, which Kael now easily sidestepped, the rat caused him no more trouble.
Grace and Peppa cheered from the sidelines. "You're amazing, Sir!"
"Victory is close!"
But just as the sisters were celebrating, the Marrow-Bite Ferret, now with only ten million health left, let out a sharp whistle. The Juggernaut Rat imdiately broke free and began to charge.
Only this ti, its target wasn't Kael. It was the Marrow-Bite Ferret.
As the two bosses collided, a blindingly brilliant light erupted from their bodies, forcing Kael, Grace, and Peppa to shield their eyes. When the light subsided, Kael heard the sisters gasp.
"Huh?"
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