Li Wei was silently watching the boss battle. It was a very messy scene; so many things were going on at the same time. Many players died in the process. The Gem Family only had 28 players left, the Stone Defenders were left with 21 players while the Fleeting Clouds Sect still had 30 players since they came in last.
The Fleeting Clouds Sect was slowly getting control of the aggro, but everything changed as soon as the boss went berserk. It was not just the Mutated Giant Worm that started a rampage, all players also tensed up when they saw the boss with only 150 HP.
But as soon as that happened, a group of rogues from the Gem Family started moving. They stayed out of the fights most of the time. Their job was only to rapidly burst the boss when its health was low.
The Gem Family was not crazy to engage the boss first while all the guilds were present. They clearly had a plan and as long as the boss would reach 10% HP, they were almost guaranteed to deal the killing blow.
The group of 5 rogues led by Sapphire immediately charged at the Mutated Giant Worm. They all activated [Stealth] but the other guilds also responded. Although they did not know the Gem Family's plan, it was clearly a bad sign for them.
[Mana Bolts] flew toward the rogues but they were all very agile and were able to get into stealth. They reappeared a few meters away from the Mutated Giant Worm and they all took out potions from their inventories.
Immediately, warnings were heard from the other two guilds; "Crap! They have Explosive Potions! "
"Stop them!"
The two other guilds quickly reacted. Rangers shot their arrows at them, but it was too late. That was the plan of the Gem Family, with just 150 HP, they would burst down the boss with the Explosive Potions. A simple but effective strategy.
This was a very expensive strategy; the price was so high that the guild might even make a loss from this operation but they still chose to do so. The only reason being reputation. Boss kills would be announced every time in the city’s announcement. It was the best way to prove their strength and recruit people, losing a bit of gold to recruit people was worth it according to their plans.
Each rogue was given two Explosive potions and each one of them could deal up to 45 damage. When considering the armor of the Mutated Giant Worm, the possibility of missing and other details, they could still deal a minimum of 250 damage in one go.
As the Explosive Potions were flying in the air, a loud shout was heard:
"Now! Priests!"
The shout came from the Fleeting Clouds Sect. The three remaining priests of the guild used their [Heal] and their level 10 skill, [Light Shield].
Their target was not their guildmates but rather the boss. "+24", "+26","+27" appeared in blue on the boss' body and its HP bar filled up slightly.
"F***! You are playing dirty!" shouted Sapphire when he saw the scene.
At the same time, three bright yellow shields appeared in front of the Mutated Giant Worm, blocking the Explosive Potions. Each shield could absorb 30 damage before disappearing. It was similar to the [Mana Shield] of mages, but [Light Shield] could be cast anywhere, not just around the body of the priest.
"Boom!","Boom","Boom!!"
A series of explosions resonated through the field. The Mutated Giant Worm also howled as it was hurt but in the end, it still survived, left with 38 HP. The priests’ actions were enough to save the boss.
"Oh no! Everyone! Charge!"
"Quick go all out! We are almost there."
"All mages and rangers! Shoot!"
The three guilds immediately reacted. It was a critical time. Anyone could get the killing blow.
Shining Blade rushed towards the boss using [Charge]. Next to him, two warriors also activating their [Blade Draw].
Sapphire and his rogues all used [Rush] and rushed to the boss drawing their curved daggers.
Diamond who was in a safe spot disregarded his safety and went closer to the boss to cast his equipment's skill, [Mana Explosion], a stronger version of [Mana Burst].
The Fleeting Clouds Sect also reacted. They all used skills that Li Wei had never seen before.
"Shrrrkkk"/ As the attacks landed, the Giant Mutated Worm let out a final cry, before convulsing and falling right on one of the rogues of the Gem Family.
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[Announcement: The Mutated Giant Worm has been defeated. Congratulations to players 'Sun Rose', 'Scared Cat', 'Rising Dragon', ' Meng Yan ' and ‘Qin Wentian’ from the 'Fleeting Clouds Sect' for this feat]
"F***!!! "
"God dam***"
"Woohoo!"
As the announcement was heard. Shouts of joy and curses emerged from the players. The Fleeting Clouds Sect ended up being the one to get the killing blow.
Li Wei felt his blood boiling when he was watching the boss fight, he was a disappointed for not having been able to participate but when he thought about it, he realized that he might not have played an important role in this battle.
His eyes swept the crowd, looking for 'Sun Rose'. He did not see that name on any of the players who made great contributions in this fight. 'Sun Rose' was announced first since it was the player who dealt the killing blow. As for the other names, they were the player's party.
When he saw ‘Sun Rose’, Li Wei immediately recognized her; it was actually the mage that spoke for Li Wei when the warrior rejected him. She was showing an expression of delight and was surrounded by the cheering crowd of the Fleeting Clouds Sect. She was being hugged by another girl who was also loudly cheering.
Even though the boss was dead, the battle was not over yet. It was now time to fight for the loot. Compared to normal monsters where players just needed to say "Collect", bosses in the open world were different. To encourage fights between guilds, developers not only made the boss stronger to buy more time for other teams to arrive, they also made it harder to collect loot from bosses.
10 seconds after their death, the boss' body would disappear, leaving the loot in the open. The catch was that they could only be picked by the party who killed the boss but after that one minute, any player could freely collect them.
While the Fleeting Clouds Sect's players were still celebrating their victory, the other guilds were all frowning, trying to get a better positioning for the incoming fight. It was after all, what they were really here for.
As everyone expected, the body of the boss started to disappear. The battle once again began. Sun Rose and her friends stopped cheering, and all immediately focused. Most player's skills were on cooldown right now.
Stone Defenders' Shining Blade tried to block the path of the Fleeting Clouds Sect, but 'Rising Dragon', who was actually the ‘Zhang Yang’, who rejected Li Wei when he asked to join the sect, still charged forward. After killing the Mutated Giant Worm, even if he did not deal the killing blow, he still got some exp and to level up to level 11.
Shining Blade raised his sword and attacked him, but Rising Dragon quickly changed direction and agilely avoided the sword.
He then immediately activated [Howl], his only skill not on cooldown and pushed back Shining Blade by a few steps. These few steps were just what he needed to be able to go past. He swiftly jumped and landed right where the loot was. His hands moved quickly and all the items on the floor disappeared.
At the same time, Sapphire appeared right next to him and made a fast diagonal strike with his dagger. Rising Dragon nimbly rolled to the side, avoiding the blade. Having already collected his loot, he did not waste any more time and fled toward the Fleeting Clouds Sect. Arrows flew and struck him but at the same time, the Fleeting Clouds Sect's priests cast [Heal] on him.
He managed to break through the encirclement and quickly, other Fleeting Clouds Sect members stepped forward to cover his retreat.
"Hey! That is not fair! We all worked for that, the Fleeting Clouds Sect came in late to this fight too. I can let go that you got the last hit, but you should at least share some of the loot with us! " shamelessly shouted Diamond as he stepped closer to the retreating Rising Dragon.
"Keep on dreaming. Did you share with us yesterday!?" answered Rising Dragon.
"Well did you not try to steal the loot from us yesterday?!"
As he heard them arguing, Shining Blade, who was entangled in a fight with a paladin, used [Bash] to push him away and walked towards Rising Dragon.
"Although I normally disagree with that playboy, he is right that you should share some of the loot. The Stone Defenders worked hard two days in a row but got nothing, or you should at least swear to not come for the boss fight tomorrow!" shouted Shining Blade.
"You guys are too much! Ganging up on us when we are just taking what we deserve!" shouted Black Moon, one of the leaders of the Fleeting Clouds Sect.
"Tsssk! You should just look around. We still have 16 players. Stone Defenders have 14 while you only have 18. If we decide to team up, none of you will get out of this place. It is better for you to concede part of the loot," said Diamond with a taunting expression.
"You shut up! Who wants to work with you!" said Shining Blade. He then turned towards Black Moon, "I can protect you from them if you pay us some fees."
"We don't need protection. I know you are just buying time for your reinforcement to arrive. Just come at us if you dare!"
The competition between the guilds was really fierce. They were all aware of the real stakes of New Earth. For the political families, it was an opportunity to break free of those hidden families who pulled the strings from behind in the real world due to their strength.
As for the military, although it did technically work under the political families, it was also their chance to prove their worth and gain some independence. They worked for the nation and being ordered around by politicians was never pleasant.
...
At the same time, Rising Dragon reached the back line of the Fleeting Clouds Sect where Sun Rose was. He immediately took out the loot and shared it among the members. It was safer that way, in case he died, he would not lose all the loot.
Immediately after, the remaining members of the Fleeting Clouds Sect escaped from the field in different directions. The same thing happened yesterday when the Gem Family got the loot, they had to run as fast as possible to protect their loot. As long as they reached the city, they would be safe.
Rising Dragon dashed towards the West with a priest and a rogue but was immediately intercepted by 7 Stone Defenders.
"Where do you think you are going?" A paladin drew a large hammer and stomped the ground just in front of Rising Dragon.
"Sh*t!" Rising dragon quickly jumped to the side to dodge the paladin but a [Mana Bolt] exploded on his shoulder.
"-21", "+24"
As he took damage, the priest healed him while the rogue activated his [Stealth].
[Taunt]
Rising Dragon who was trying to run away immediately grabbed his sword and violently attacked the Paladin in front of him. The latter easily blocked the sword strike, but he did not attack. His plan was only to stall.
As Rising Dragon raised his sword again, a warrior appeared on his right and stabbed him with a spear.
...
At the same time, Black Moon ran towards the East accompanied by 8 guildmates but several members of the Gem Family got in his way.
When they saw that the Fleeting Clouds Sect divided themselves into 4 groups, each one running in different directions, the Stone Defenders and the Gem Family immediately divided into two groups each and chased after them.
They planned to use their numerical advantage to put pressure on the Fleeting Clouds Sect.
...
Li Wei was observing the scene. What Solitary Eagle told him came to his mind, the guilds were really fierce and would not let him go with the loot. He was relieved that he made the right decision to not join the fight.
It might be an idealistic thought, but Li Wei found that it was such a waste that all these players would lose a level and would not get anything in return. He was having second thoughts on joining a guild when he saw a change in the situation.
Black Moon, succeeded in breaking through the ambush of ten players. Although some of the players sacrificed themselves for him, he had no more obstacle in front of him and just needed to reach the safety of the city. However, on the other side of the field, Rising Dragon fell under the sneak attack of a rogue.
Li Wei's eyes turned towards the remaining groups of the Fleeting Clouds Sect. He looked at Sun Rose and could not help but be amazed. Although she looked frail and weak, she was very fast, faster than the rogue chasing after her. Despite being a mage, she was able to move quickly and avoid the blade of Sapphire.
She turned around and cast [Mana Bolt] toward Sapphire. Not waiting to see the outcome, she turned around and started running again. She made a quick zigzag, avoiding an arrow and activated her [Mana Shield] as a [Mana Bolt] flew towards her.
Having blocked the damage, she immediately started to run again. Sapphire and two other rogues were still running behind her, slowly closing the gap between them but Sun Rose did not look anxious. She looked around and made a muffled laughed as her eyes made contact with Li Wei's.
Li Wei's eyes landed on her face, she had flawless, white skin glowing a healthy pink, and rich, delicate lips. She was charming, with a seductive and glamorous look, like a rose with thorns. Suddenly, a thought crossed Li Wei's mind:
'Wait, isn't she running towards me right now? Crap! Trying to use me as a decoy!'