Chapter 98: Zarian Dies 1
The pre-fight talk with Bianca was both personal and necessary. Zarian used the time wisely to decide on his alpha skill loadout before the verbal exchange ended. Because of the genuine threat posed by Bianca with good +5, he figured it was best to use his greatest stuff up front.
That included the Parasite Cloak +1, Spectral Spider Network +1, Straight Darkness +2, Grimoire of the Mad Voidling Exile, and Summon Wizard Hat +1.
Having Straight Darkness +2 in the alpha skill section might seem like overkill. But he was facing the most powerful version of Bianca he’d seen yet. It would be the height of stupidity to underestimate her.
That didn’t mean he would leave out the skills in his beta section.
In fact, he had something special in store for Bianca with one of his beta skills in mind. Other than that, he needed his chosen five in the alpha section for their stellar utility.
He would be in a world of hurt without them in top tier shape.
Under the bright twin suns with the scent of blood and smoke in the air, Bianca hit him with the classic flash at the start of their battle. Zarian knew that would happen. But she timed it perfectly – right when he finished saying ‘Give me your all!’ – and before he could cast Void Step.
However, she was a split-second too slow to follow up with a more serious attack. He strode through the void and came out of wrinkled air ahead of the retreating kobolds and far from the fort.
He figured he might as well kill two birds with one stone.