The boss monster who left for a while has returned with more hostility than ever. When I thought death can never be scarier, the horror-like face of the Rainbow Serpent is now directly in our face.

Another obvious thing that changed when this serpent turned to its second phase beside its appearance, is the odour it releases. The stench it gave out was something I can imagine coming out from hell if ever there is one. It forced me to immediately turn down the olfactory senses in the game settings to a minimum.

I am impressed that my character is not taking damage every time I breathe in the air.

"Oh, God! This thing smells awful!"

"That is not our main problem. We're pinched on both side-- If you ask me where do I want to die, I will prefer dying being swallowed alive than dying in the hands of those people. I'm just saying"

"Well, I think we can all agree we don't want to die to Smiling Hound's group."

"So that idiot name is Smiling Hound. I'll remember that piece of shit. Why did you not tell us earlier?"

"It's pointless, isn't it? And by the way, Michelle, the serpent's mouth is right above your head."

While we were having a dilemma as a group, the Rainbow Serpent did not care about any of it at all.

"Aaaaaaaah~~ Just joking. I hope this thing dissolve the equipment we drop somehow. I don't want to imagine them using my armour, or worst my dearest great sword. Brrrr… Just thinking about it made me shiver.

Seems like Michelle already decided to die in the hands of the Rainbow Serpent and gave up avoiding being swallowed whole. I respect her choice and it seems like Aria also wants to do this route.

[Michi Mochi have died]

Only five seconds after she was swallowed, she is now waiting for her respawn time. However, during that time, the people chasing us was already in melee territory.

Looks like the snake is having a difficult time swallowing Michi taking its dearest time.

While watching it eat my friend, I just realize that the serpent looked funny and the situation was a good insult to throw Michi later on. She is so thick that a thirty-metre serpent was having difficulties eating her whole. Of course, I am talking about her armour.

It is probably not the best time to have my thoughts sway away from the fight because a dozen attacks were coming right at me.

-Miss

-Miss, -Miss, -Miss

-194

-Miss

…

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It is a miss festival when they barraged me with their attacks. Thankfully, it seems like my agility and dexterity was much higher than theirs. I am even surprised by how predictable the blades and arrows were moving towards me. This must be the effect of the additional 10 points in my stats-- Thank you very much, Luna-san.

Although the same thing cannot be said to Aria which also mainly focus agility as her main stat. Her stats must be on par with these people especially the assassin since he was able to connect most of his attacks.

These three seems to have noticed I was more difficult to deal with that is why they focused Aria instead.

[Retreat without me.]

I was about to help her when a message suddenly popped up. It came from Aria who was in front of me being beaten down. It was amazing how she was able to send me a private message me even with the current situation.

Her message was simple. Even with only those words, I can understand what Aria wants me to do. While those three was busy killing her and the serpent is taking its good time devouring Michelle, it was better if one of us leave this place alive.

It was not a pleasant feeling to do, but I know if I tried to save her somehow, I will get the most of their scolding if I die now and we respawn together.

"[Stealth]"

I took the opportunity given by my friends to retreat however, the next notification was just adding more salt to the wound.

[LadyQueen Blade have died]

'Damn it!'

I wanted to shout, but I know I cannot be careless especially they have someone with high-level stealth and maybe even high-level detection skill. Fortunately for me, the serpent has finally consumed its food at the same time Smiling Hound and the rest of the group was able to catch up.

My escape was successful.

Yet I did not leave the area. I am not letting them go easily after killing my friends just like that.

I am currently hiding in a tuft of tall grass to cover my presence while I observe what was happening back where I retreated. Smiling Hound and his teammates have already changed their target and are currently fighting the Rainbow Serpent. Because the field boss was still alive, no Hydrophis was roaming around in which I do not have to worry snakes sneaking up on me any time soon.

Making sure I have a good view of what is happening to the enemies, I am planning to kill some of them or even maybe steal the boss if an opportunity shows up. I know it is very unlikely, but I wanted some repercussion on their part for crossing with us.

It is a personal grudge that made me watch their situation intently. Seeing what was happening it was clear to any person that they were having difficulty with the Rainbow Serpent. Besides the occasional shouting, twenty minutes have already passed by. The second phase must be hell for them-- Deserving for those scumbags.

Aria even messages me if I already left safely and was returning back to the city to regroup. That was how long I was waiting for an opportunity to rise.

I had no choice but to reply to her with a lie. I do not want them to worry about my reckless action, and if I die somehow, I'll just write a five hundred word essay of apology later for them.

Having an idle time alone made me appreciate that there is always something alluring playing solo. My chance of dying is almost close to a hundred percent, but I cannot help but feel excited at what I am about to do.

Soon after, a shrieking whistle rang throughout the whole Marsh causing some grass to even vibrate. My ears feel like it was bleeding, and I was stunned for a good five seconds because of it

Although there was no time to worry because I can see the Rainbow Serpent has finally reached its rage mode. That scream was the turning point for the Rainbow Serpent to change the tide of the battle on its favour. Because after it, it releases purple mist which was remarkably similar looking to its poison.

"Damn, the mist is blocking my view. I need to move closer."

I have no choice but to risk getting closer to the centre of the battle. I am not afraid of the players inside it because it would be difficult to see me due to the same reason why I needed to move closer. Rather, I was afraid that somehow someway, a stray attack of the Rainbow Serpent would kill me.

But luckily I was narrowly outside its range of attack when I can see what is barely happening inside the mist. Now, this is my chance to get revenge.