Footsteps echoed through the tall, black tower, creating a solemn atmosphere. The party continued until a black barrier blocked their way further down. They found themselves in a small square space with four doors in all directions.
Liam picked the next best, entering a spacious, round room. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling offering a dim light. A smell of decay stayed in the air, accompanied by the wail of ghosts originating from various black banners spread throughout the room.
“I never thought you would reach this place.”
A familiar voice echoed in the room, containing a chilling coldness.
Heavy steps rang out. A tall demon slowly walked out of the shadows. With a bare upper body and black-red skin he resembled the city lord Rentrasn’ar. In his hands was a heavy, spiked club with sings of blood on it.
“Is this the boss?”, asked Cyclone, somewhat intimidated by the imposing figure.
“Yes. But no.”
“What?”
Cyclone glared at Liam, annoyed by the ambiguous answer in such an important situation.
But a moment later she received her answer when the staircase behind them mysteriously flickered before vanishing.
The party watched the strange scene with surprise. The staircase disappeared entirely and revealed a small man with red skin sitting on a throne. He had striking horns, wearing a multi-layered, black robe.
A green staff was in his hand which was surrounded by the faces of crying ghosts.
“You could’ve taken the road to heaven, but you walked straight into hell…”
“Well, literally.”
Getting interrupted the small man glared at Cyclone with poisonous eyes, apparently not appreciating her joke.
“Sorry, sorry. Go on. I will let you finish your speech.”
“Insolent adventurers! Since you made it to this place, I will have to take care of you myself.”
“Master, don’t forget about me!”, sounded the Black Abyss Demon’s deep voice, causing the master to grit his teeth.
“Of course not. How could I…
Slaughter these intruders and I will reward you handsomely.”
“You said it!”
The demon showed a foolish grin, his look towards the party turning enthusiastic.
“Now, it is time for you to stop interfering with my plans. Don’t worry, I will treat your souls well after your deaths!”
When the small man finished speaking, the party regained the ability to move. They immediately gathered information.
[Devil Child Kelsnim
Rank: Boss
Level: 23
HP: 8200/8200]
[Rouna’ar, Kelsnim’s servant
Rank: Boss
Level: 23
HP: 8800/8800]
“What’s going on? Two bosses?”, asked Cyclone in surprise.
Silent Acacia immediately focused on the important questions:
“Mirage, how should we fight? Do they share damage? Do we need to kill one first? Or kill both at the same time?”
“Let’s focus Kelsnim, the mage! His skills can be quite troublesome!”
“Alright.”
As if to prove Liam’s words the devil child immediately swung his staff before even leaving his throne.
A ghostly wail spread through the room, echoed by the black banners. It got louder and louder, turning into a cacophony of saddening cries.
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The players involuntarily held their ears as they entered a dazed state. They watched helplessly as Rouna’ar took a large step, arriving next to Cyclone, rising his bloody club above her head.
At this moment a strong brilliance suddenly flashed in Silver Blade’s eyes. Using her skill [Will of the Vanguard] the tank broke out of the dazed state and gained increased magical defense.
But even so she would still be unable to save Cyclone in time, seeing herself forced to follow up with [Luring Barrier].
The demon was just about to bring down his club when he felt affected by a strange force. He turned his head towards Silver Blade. With the club still raised, Rouna’ar reluctantly switched targets, trampling towards Silver Blade.
But the demon wasn’t the only one affected. Kelsnim’s sinister gaze fell on Silver Blade’s back. He swung his staff, sending out a sphere of dark magic.
The attacks of two bosses reached Silver Blade at the same time.
[-1189!]
[-1123!]
Silver Blade was forced to endure a large amount of damage. Her barrier was immediately overwhelmed, shattering. Some damage couldn’t be averted, affecting the tank’s HP.
[-375!]
Fortunately, original nephilim had a bonus in the Will attribute, helping them to resist against mental afflictions. Thus, the others regained their ability to move a second later, except for Radiant Shield and Bloody Edge.
“Stupid boss! My head hurts!”
Cyclone complained angrily as she swung her wand.
[-101!]
[-255!]
[-139!]
Three ranged attacks arrived simultaneously, taking away the first chunk of Kelsnim’s HP. The devil child appeared to be startled. With a wave of his hand, he turned into grey smoke and flew through the air.
Kelsnim stopped below one of the black banners, returning to his solid form. A ghost separated from the banner above his head and drove into his body.
[+100!]
“Quick! Destroy that banner! Any amount of damage is enough!”, urged Liam.
“Let me do it.”
Balm’s eyes lit up. She was somewhat annoyed by being a pure healer but even her [Holy Strike] simply didn’t deal enough damage to be relevant. She was glad that she could attack for a change even if the target was only a banner.
With a wave of her wand, a small sphere of magic flew through the air and hit the banner. The slightest touch was enough to cause the black cloth to crumble.
At the same time the close combat fighters arrived next to Kelsnim and began to drown him in a wave of attacks.
Liam’s swords moved skillful as always, slicing at the small devil’s child.
[-235!]
[-117!]
[-353!]
Liam attempted to perform his usual combo but before he could apply all the holy marks an angry voice echoed in the room:
“Get away from the master!”
Roaring loudly, Rouna’ar smashed his heavy club into the floor, causing the whole room to shake. A fissure spread on the floor, releasing dangerous black fumes and aiming for the players around Kelsnim.
The devil child himself hastily took on his smoke form, dodging the damage, watching the intruders scramble to escape.
After a whole day of fighting no one could avoid signs of exhaustion. Quickstep was only distracted for a second, but it was enough for Rouna’ar’s skill to hit her.
A heavy shockwave rattled her body while black magic froze her bones.
[-1519!]
[-390!]
The next instance the demon turned its body, slamming its heavy club towards Silver Blade’s side. Fortunately, the tank remained vigilant, defending in time.
[Stance -33]
“I apologize for failing my duty. Silver Blade, let me hold back the demon!”
Radiant Shield’s voice sounded out as soon as the tank could move again. He arrived behind Rouna’ar, slamming his shield into the demon’s back.
Noticing that his opponent didn’t turn around yet, Radiant Shield knew that one attack wasn’t enough. He quickly used a skill, hitting his hammer against his shield and sending out a wave of holy light.
He positioned himself carefully, only targeting the demon. This time his skill achieved its intended effect, catching the demon’s attention.
Silver Blade nodded at Radiant Shield as she was freed up, able to concentrate fully on Kelsnim, who was already throwing out his next attack.
[Stance -23!]
Meanwhile the others quickly closed the distance towards the mage. Surprisingly the first to arrive was Bloody Edge, his sharp daggers eager to cut the enemy apart.
[-223!]
[-111!]
[-580!!!]
Dangerously high numbers popped up as Bloody Edge’s [Cut Throat] landed a critical hit. Silent Acacia didn’t want to fall behind his fellow thief. He activated [Mark of Death] while his arrow glided through the air.
[-510!!!]
“Wow, what’s going on with all those critical hits? Did someone turn on a cheat?”
Cyclone exclaimed in surprise during her cast. She was somewhat anxious, fearing that Kelsnim might die before she got a single spell in.
Luckily the devil child still had a few tricks up his sleeves. He changed into his smoke form again, landing below the next banner.
[+100!]x2
Kelsnim managed to heal himself a little before Balm interrupted him by destroying the banner. This time however the devil child didn’t turn back into his normal form. Holding his staff in a hand made from smoke he waved it furiously.
“Pesky intruders, feel the wrath of a devil!”
Kelsnim’s staff began to shine in a fiery red. All around the room, eight ghost faces slowly came out of the walls. They opened their mouths at the same time, spewing large balls of fire.
The temperature in the room rose while the balls of fire moved slowly.
Cyclone glanced suspiciously at the fire moving in seemingly random patterns, asking Liam:
“What is the catch here?”
But she didn’t need to wait for Liam’s answer as someone else delivered it to her. With an angry roar the black abyss demon suddenly began to spin, holding his menacing spiked club before his body.
Radiant Shield gulped noticing the abnormal movement. He didn’t dare to take a direct hit, jumping out of the way. However just as he landed, he felt a hot air blowing against his face. The tank glanced to the side and saw a ball of fire about to collide with him.