[Bleary Mirage: Careful! There are archers hiding in the mist! Fire your magic at the mist, preferably AOE. Keep targeting the lizards with physical attacks.]
Liam's orders quickly showed their effect. The mages switched targets, firing at the mist. Fortune had just finished the cast of one of her newer skills [Arcane Explosion]. She flourished her staff and pointed at a spot in the mist.
"Explode!"
Instantly a large amount of mana congregated at the spot causing a violent explosion. The surroundings shook and the mist was blasted away.
"Ah!"
"Damn!"
"Keep going!"
The curses of injured mist dwarves could be heard. With the mist gone their bodies were revealed. They looked quite similar to their brethren but with a lankier build, carrying large bows and heavy quivers. The archers which got revealed immediately became everyone's targets, dying withing seconds.
However, despite everyone's efforts the frontline didn't stop early. The first batch of elite lizards had mostly fallen, and common ones came out of the mist, pushing further towards their target.
The mist dwarves advanced their position about two thirds towards the wall when the mist stopped moving further. Suddenly arrows shot out of it and the defenders faced a real attack for the first time.
"Duck!"
"Shield, shields!"
"Sammy, watch out!"
Thanks to Dream Avenue's efforts so far there were less arrows than the mist dwarves would have hoped for, but they still managed to cause the first injuries. A second later even the first casualty appeared as an NPC got knocked down.
Fortunately Dream Avenue was prepared. Two players immediately appeared and brought the NPC to safety, which would allow him to participate again in the next wave.
[Bleary Mirage: Mages, stop firing blindly! Watch from where the arrows are coming!]
Liam did his best to command the battle while constantly throwing spears. He noticed an arrow coming towards him but simply ignored it. The occasional arrow posed no danger to the players, who had about a hundred healers to support them.
The mages adjusted their aim and successfully took down the archers at an improved rate. However, the latter also adapted and began rushing around randomly, never staying in one position. The archers prolonged their lives but fortunately their numbers had already been reduced to a level where they didn't remain a significant threat.
Meanwhile, as the defenders had to spread their concentration, the first lizards actually made it towards the walls. Luckily, they were indeed only cannon fodder fully geared towards defence. Even ramming their heavy bodies into the wall didn't cause much damage.
The seconds ticked by. Gradually there were less lizards coming out of the mist and the arrow attacks also slowed down even further. Just as the guild members thought they had made it through the third wave did a deafening roar come out of the mines, causing the entire battlefield to tremble.
"What's that?"
"A new monster?"
"Don't slack off, guys!"
The mist surged as an orc appeared on the battlefield. He stood at a towering height, easily overlooking a two-story house. Just like his brethren he had grey skin adorned with terrifyingly sharp horns and six arm. His weapon of choice was a massive club reeking of decay.
The orc was surrounded by a large, reddish dome and the number 1 floated above it in a blood-red colour. No other enemy dared to step within the dome and even the mist was pushed aside.
Together with the tall orc came two teams of orcs and a few more lizards. But all eyes were focused on the biggest threat.
[Cyclone: What's that? What's the meaning of that dome?]
[Balm: Is this some kind of boss?]
[Fortune: Should we focus it?]
[Bleary Mirage: It's a boss and we can't damage it. We need to enter the dome but the number suggests that only a single person can enter.]
The chat fell silent for a second.
[Cyclone: … ok, I will sacrifice myself.]
[Quickstep: No, you are our guild leader. We still need you. I will go!]
[Silent Acacia: How could I let you take on such danger, my love? I will do it!]
[Quickstep: Don't worry. I'm more likely to win as proven by the tournament. I will do it.]
[Silent Acacia: Damn, why are you aiming for my sore spot? However, don't be too confident. With my new skill who knows which of us is stronger...]
[Bloody Edge: I will take on the burden. I wouldn't want our fair couple to argue over this.]
[Final Fend: I would love to do it as well!]
[Silver Blade: You? Do you think you have enough damage?]
[Final Fend: Ah! Sis, can't you show me some support?]
Liam had to shake his head as he read through the chat. Obviously, everyone was eager to fight the boss. It would allow them to score an achievement and maybe earn the respect of the guild.
After a moment of contemplation Liam decided on a suitable candidate.
[Bleary Mirage: Final Fend, you can go. Try challenging the boss openly. Then the other orcs should allow you to freely reach him.]
[Final Fend: Haha! See that guys, Mirage knows who's the man for the job! Just wait for the good news!]
As someone who enjoyed attention Final Fend was naturally ecstatic. He placed one foot on the wall's battlement and shouted as loud as he could:
"Disgusting orc! Do you dare to take my challenge?!"
A loud, angry roar answered Final Fend. He took it as confirmation and hastened down the stairs to leave the wall.
Fortunately, Final Fend didn't know the real reason why Liam chose him over the others, or his pride might have taken a hit…
Liam needed someone who wouldn't kill the boss too quickly. If there were only a low number of enemies remaining after the boss died the rest would flee, thus ending the wave early. However, they needed a bit of time to thin out the enemy lines.
Watching as Final Fend left the wall and rode his basilisk towards the boss, Liam ordered all others to keep up their attacks.
Whilst they were obeying, the members of Dream Avenue still couldn't help but follow Final Fend with one eye. Under everyone's gaze the warrior fearlessly entered the red dome.
"Hey, you ugly thing, prepare to die!"
"Lowly human! Become... mist!"
The orc's voice was jarring, his breath carrying a foul smell. Although it was an ugly monster, Final Fend's look towards the orc was almost loving. The orc was his chance to stand out in this war!
There was something Final Fend hadn't told anyone yet. Perhaps some people spotted some signs, but he felt it was unlikely. After all it happened only two days ago that Final Fend managed to become a tier 2 character!
After the members of Hotpot, Final Fend was the first to do so in the entire guild, perhaps the entire server, or even the entire federation.
The concept of tier 2 characters had still not become public. There might be others who had discovered the secret, but they kept silent. Therefore, Final Fend was confident that he was one of the very few members of this exclusive circle.
Final Fend could already imagine all the admiration his guild members would shower him with. But in order to deserve this, he had to perform beautifully now. Final Fend didn't lose sight of his objective redirecting his focus on the enemy.
[Mist orc chief Eratxung
Rank: Sub-boss
Level: 36
HP: 25.500/25.500]
After a brief [Inspect] Final Fend instantly got going. Since one of the effects of his chest plate improved his damage if the enemy was beyond a certain range, Final Fend directed his basilisk to stay at the edge of the red dome and threw out a probing attack.
With a leisurely flick of his wrist, his sharp chainblade cut the air apart and pierced the towering orc's waist.
[-2218!]
"Ha! Six levels below me? Easy!"
Witnessing his own damage Final Fend exclaimed confidently. The boss was truly too weak. The young man feared that it was not even enough to showcase his strength.
"Argh!"
The orc let out a strange roar. His legs transformed into mist, which carried him into the air. At an insane speed he rushed towards the lowly human who dared to attack him.
Final Fend didn't expect the orc to be so fast. He almost failed to react in time. He only brought up his arms wrapped in chains at the last moment.
[Stance -23]
"Ugh!"
Final Fend groaned as a massive club attempted to ram him into the ground. Even his basilisk let out a pained cry. From up close the mist orc looked quite terrifying and the smell was even worse.
Eratxung took a step back, already rising his club for a second attack. Final Fend knew he couldn't only take a passive beating. In a flash his chainblade jumped at the enemy as Final Fend used his fastest but also weakest skill [Quick Slash].
[-2488!]