After a long trek through the field, we arrived at a large, open area. The gateway to Floor 11 lies beyond it.
It seed deserted at first glance.
"The boss... where it is? It should be here—Ah, it's above!"
"—!"
We found our target up in the air, his wings beating furiously as he swooped down. We looked up to see a boy, slightly smaller than us, with fairy wings on his back, pointed ears, and dressed in what looked like tribal attire. He was making a beeline straight for us.
A classic ambush, designed to catch you off guard. It's a nasty trick that could deal massive damage right off the bat, a real one-hit wonder if your defenses and gear weren't up to level.
But, knowing was half the battle. Since I had already cleared it, we just have to drag him down from his vantage point. But knowing is half the battle. If he's coming, we'll just knock him out of the sky.
As soon as I got a fix on the Fairy Chieftain, I pointed with two fingers and hollered my instructions.
"Lana!"
"«Shining Sacred Sabre»!"
At our end, we launched a long-ranged attack to counter surprise attack.
The «Fairy Chieftain» made a sweeping gesture with the spear in his hand. He charged in, swung his spear wildly, but then retreated back into the air.
We could've tanked the ambush with shields, but dragging the boss to ground was far more efficient in long run.
Lana's single-target attack materialized in the air. Its luminous tip aid at the Fairy Chieftain, it shot forward like a bolt and struck him square on.
"——!!"
"Nice shot!"
Ambush countered! Blasted by Lana's attack, the Fairy Chieftain was sent spiraling from his dive, crashing to the ground in a slip-down.
"Go ham, everyone! «Lightning Burst»! «Sonic Sword»! «Brave Slash»!"
"«Spear Charge»! «Flash Thrust»! «Raging Spear War Dance»!"
"«Force Sonic»! «Star Boost Tornado»! «64 Force»!"
"«Sacred Shining Saber»! «Blessing of Guardian Dog»! «Greater Blessing - Agility UP»!"
"«Aura Point»! «Shield Force»! Taunt!"
We imdiately swooped in with all weapon hot, blasting one skill after another.
I opened my combo with a magic attack, then used «Sonic Sword» to slide forward, closing distance, and further smashing my attack.
Ester and Karua followed with rapid strike attacks. The only disappointing aspect was boss's small size.
With , Ester, and Karua surrounding him, Lana and Sierra didn't have much room to maneuver. So, Lana focused on buffing us after her initial big hit, and Sierra concentrated on drawing aggro. Since Lana had generated a massive amount of hate with her attack, Sierra had to work extra hard to keep the boss focused on her.
Still, it was going according to plan. We landed so solid hits right from the start.
"——!"
"He's getting up! Switch!"
"«Shield Bash»!"
The boss was recovering from his daze. As the attackers quickly pulled back, Sierra stepped in, leading with a shield charge.
He might have been sent reeling from the impact, but the damage wasn't substantial, and the knockback was minimal so the boss recovered before long. It was within expectation. The strategy was to put Sierra as the main target to draw in «Fairy Chieftain» attention.
The spear in «Fairy Chieftain»'s hand shone, and he began attacking Sierra straight.
"«Citadel Shield»!"
After safely surpassing aggro on Lana, an exchange of offense and defense unfurled between Sierra and «Fairy Chieftain».
The «Fairy Chieftain» spear was nearly two ters long, and he swung it wildly, sweeping and creating distance between himself and his target. It was his tactic, and if he managed to create enough space, he would take flight and launch long-range magic attacks. So, the key was to keep him pinned down in close quarters. It was also why evasion tank were advised against him.
But with a shield-tank holding him down, he had fewer opportunities to fly, which was a lifesaver for us lee attackers. We continued to chip away at his health with hit-and-run tactics.
"——!"
"Ah—watch out, Sierra! He's about to use «Rapid Spear Strikes»!"
"«Iron Wall»!"
I warned Sierra imdiately when I noticed familiar pattern. It was one of the attack to watch out which I had already explained to everyone.
The «Fairy Chieftain» activated his skill, holding his spear short and adopting a thrusting stance, then unleashed a rapid series of sharp thrusts at the sa spot. This attack carried a powerful impact and knockback effect. If the tank failed in resisting its stepped was forced back, «Fairy Chieftain» would lengthen his grip on spear and thrust again.
He would repeat until there was long enough gap. And it wasn't the end, the spear strike also carried knockback effect. If succesful, he would deliver strong knockban effect to knock down the target.
In preparation of it, Sierra displayed her ingenuinty, and used «Iron Wall», a skill that rooted the user to their spot for the duration of skill.
"Now's our chance! The «Fairy Chieftain» is vulnerable during his skill animation! Lay into him! «Sonic Sword»!"
"Hn! «Starburst Rain Edge»!"
"Understood! «Triple Shoot»!"
He was wide open during his skill activation. As Sierra took the hits, we sward him and poured on the damage. Suddenly, «Fairy Chieftain» wings began to glow. Of course, I knew it—an AoE attack!
"! Get away!"
"——!"
"Aack!"
"Kya!"
«Frozen Bomb», an ice-attribute area-of-effect attack, erupted around the «Fairy Chieftain». Karua and Ester, caught in the icy blast, took damage. I managed to scramble out of the range in ti, so I was safe. That attack cos out fast. Karua and Ester just didn't get away quickly enough.
"«All Heal Prayer»!"
Lana's party-wide healing magic instantly flew out, restoring everyone's HP. But the «Fairy Chieftain» had already taken to the skies.
When he accumulated enough damage, he had a certain chance of retreating into the air like this, from where he would launch a barrage of one-sided attacks. But we weren't going to let that happen.
"Lana, shoot him down!"
"Leave it to ! «Four Sacred Shining Saber»!"
We unleashed our attack before «Fairy Chieftain» could even prepare his own.
"——!"
"Ah, he managed to tank it? Then I've got a present for him too. «Thunderbolt»!"
"——!?"
Maybe he had gained resistance after the first fall, «Fairy Chieftain» dodged two of the giant swords Lana throw at him. The remaining two did struck, but he endured it. I imdiately followed up to toss a surprise gift. And—ooh, it fell!
The point to rember against «Fairy Chieftain» was never let it throw array of magic, or you would be forced to escape, reducing the opening for counter-attack. In short, shoot him down before he can attack!
The «Fairy Chieftain» did fall after that, but he landed on both feet, so we couldn't get a knockdown. What a sha.
Sierra closed the distance, sealing off his magic attacks while racking up damage. In the end, just as he was about to enter Rage Mode and fly up, Ester finished him off with «Triple Shoot.»
As the boss faded away in effect, it left behind... a silver chest, and inside was a recipe.
I later had it analysed, and learned it was the «Fairy rcenary Equipnt Recpie», the sa type Karua was using. And to throw in another wrench, the recipe only had details for leg and arm equipnt part.
What a bumr. It was a fumble.
Marie-senpai should have it, I think. ...I wonder if it would even fetch a price?
T/N - Vol.2 illustration page has been fixed! (Really had to dig in my too many folders). But it appears Vol.1 page is also bugged, and Vo.10 page need to be confird. Welp, this weekened.
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