Chapter 198: Determination
For the next 15 minutes, we struggled against Jahrakal. Its attacks became fiercer as it kept digging in and out of the ground. Kim was busy healing us while also trying to evade its strikes.
And the most frustrating thing, none of our attacks connected. Every single one hit nothing but air.
"Aah, this is so depressing! This fella is cheating!" Bob cursed while stomping his feet to the ground.
The entire ground of the colosseum was now filled with holes created by Jahrakal and it's limiting our movement. Not only did we have to evade its attacks, but we also had to avoid falling into those holes.
"There is only one way to stop him. But I really hate to use it," I told Bob and Kim. I was referring to the Timeweaver class. I admit it was extremely convenient and almost like a cheat skill but relying on it too much would hinder our growth. I didn't want to depend on it unless absolutely necessary.
"No, Alan. If you don't want to use it, then don't force it. I don't want an easy victory either," Bob said with a grin. It seem he noticed my dilemma.
I smiled at him, appreciating his understanding.
"Then there is another way to stop it. Shardstorm Mage!" I switched my class.
"Bob and Kim, attract its attention! I'll try to freeze that monster."
"Huh? Me too? Why does a support class need to be bait? Can't I just stay at the rear and focus on healing?" Kim frowned while clutching his staff, well, my staff that I gave him.
"Monsters love to go after the weak. You're the weakest here, so you're the best candidate, kekeke," Bob teased.
"Ehhh?!"
"Stop teasing him, Bob! Don't worry, Kim, I'll cover you," I reassured him.
Rumble! Rumble!
Suddenly, the ground beneath our feet began to shake. Something was coming up right below us.
"Now!"
We all jumped away from our spot. As expected, Jahrakal burst out from the ground. Bob immediately engaged it, trying to stall for time. I was still mid-air, focusing on my target.
I summoned ten ice shards around me. My mind recalled the new method I had learned from Beltimore over the past few weeks on how to increase my accuracy using ice shards. Of course, his eyes had twitched when he found out I could use the same class and skills as him. But he still taught me how to maximize their efficiency.
"Can you teach me how to make sure all the ice shards hit the target? My accuracy still sucks."
"You mean like this?" Beltimore lazily raised his right hand and fired all ten ice shards at the same stone a few metres away, shattering it into dust.
I squinted at him. "That's great, but you don't have to show off like that."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing! Please, Vice Captain Beltimore, teach me how to do it!"
Back to the current moment…
I raised my right hand, forming a gun shape with my index and middle finger. I closed my left eye, my lips slightly parted as I focused intensely on the part of Jahrakal I wanted to hit.
"Go!"
Zzuuum! Zzzuuum!
The shards whistled through the air, following the path I pointed.
Crack! Crack!
Two ice shards successfully struck Jahrakal's right leg.
[Frozen Thorn activated!]
"Yoshh!" I clenched my fist as one of the shards triggered the passive skill, freezing Jahrakal's leg.
"Nice hit, Alan!" Kim cheered.
"Now it's my turn!" Bob immediately closed in on Jahrakal, wielding dual swords in both hands as he unleashed his Windpiercer Routine.
It was the debut of a new skill we had unlocked after using Aero Slash a thousand times.
"Windslice Flurry!"
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[Windslice Flurry]
- A chain of 5 rapid, light cuts executed in place. Can be canceled early into other skills for combo flexibility.
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"Kreeeku! Kreek!" Jahrakal screamed in pain as Bob viciously attacked it without mercy. Both of its claws shattered as it tried to block Bob's strikes, but they couldn't withstand the damage.
After the combo ended, Jahrakal staggered back and fell to its knees.
Its entire body was covered in cuts, blood dripping everywhere.
An opening! We can finish it now!
I fired another volley of shards while Bob leapt into the air, ready to unleash the Winglash Combo of the Redwing Disciple class.
Suddenly, Jahrakal's eyes shone brightly. It raised its hands and clapped them together, crushing its broken claws. Then, new claws regenerated instantly, and it thrust both hands into the ground.
KKRREEK!!
BOOOM!!
Dozens of giant claws erupted from the ground, shooting upward. They spread outward from Jahrakal, covering half of the colosseum.
"Urghh!"
"Aargh!"
Both of us were hit by the wide-area attack. The situation had turned instantly. Both Bob's and my HP dropped into the red zone.
Moments later, the giant claws sank back into the ground.
"Minor Healing!"
A yellow light showered over me, and I felt the pain ease slightly. My HP barely climbed out of the red zone.
"Kim… me too…" Bob called weakly from the other side.
"Wait, wait…" Kim rushed toward Bob.
Jahrakal's eyes then locked onto Kim, and it charged straight at him.
My eyes widened as I saw the boss rushing toward Kim with its claws ready to pierce him.
"Kim! Move away! It's targeting you!" Bob shouted.
However, Kim didn't move. He remained focused on healing Bob as his eyes filled with determination.
"I will not move until my comrades are safe! This is a pride of a support class!" he shouted.
Jahrakal was already closing in. Kim shut his eyes tightly.
"Kim…" I muttered as I was amazed by his resolve. "If my friend is willing to go that far… then I have no choice but to go all out as well."
I stood up and instantly, my body was engulfed in a red aura.
"HERO GRACE!"
Zooooom!
I dashed forward and intercepted the boss.
I will finish this fight, right here and right now!