This was the reason why he was so tense and determined to stay here alone. He knew that Ultrabosses gain this terrifying ability at Level 70. And he never shared this knowledge with the rest of his team.

Since when I became so foolishly altruistic? Since I fell in love with Beth? Or since I lost our first comrade? No, it is more than just caring about your companions... If I really only cared about them, then we all should have escaped to Aerhtia as most other Rankers did. Earth is doomed, why I still clung to the slim hope of its survival?

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

The giant crimson heart didn't have any eyes, but he nonetheless felt its hungry stare with his own skin. It was the moment Christopher knew - he is doomed. There is no escape. No survival. No hope.

There was a part of him that bitterly regretted his choices. If he chose to escape from this world, wouldn't things would be better for him? If he chose to escape with his companions after seeing the Portal, wouldn't they still have a small chance that the monster would miss them?

Clang!

A thick tentacle assaulted him with ridiculous power and speed. Even if he blocked it perfectly with his shield and triggered the Perfect Block skill, he still lost 15% of his HP in a moment. It was just a basic attack of the Ultraboss, and he blocked countless similar strikes from the giant brain - they only used up 3% of his HP instead. One the one hand, this boss was, obviously, stronger. On the other hand, most Buffs he received from Beth already expired.

Sorry, Beth. I can't fulfill my promise and marry you. I hope you wouldn't do anything stupid after I'm gone... Why I'm doing all of this? Why?

Another three hits diminished his total HP to less than 40% while his attempts to fight back barely lowered the Ultraboss's HP by 0,05%.

Am I going to die? Just like this? Why I chose this thorny road? Why?

The fear of death made his movements sloppy, lowering his fighting ability even lower. Just when he was ready to just give up the useless resistance, he thought of something.

Yes, now, I remember. The reason why I loved to play video games so much. The reason why I give my all to roleplay and why I became a Ranker. I had a dream when I still was a little boy... A dream to become a hero. Isn't this is why I stayed on Earth? Because it is what a hero would do? How could I forget something so simple?

He blocked another attack, at the same time using a powerful sword skill.

Critical hit!

His sword separated the tentacle that attacked him by half.

Yeah, right! I can't die. Not yet. I stayed here to win time for Beth, Billy, and Jake to escape! Maybe...yeah, maybe they'll meet some powerful players and return here with backup! There is still hope... And even if there is none... so what? My death wouldn't be for naught. Even if I die... I will die like a hero! Yes, I'm not just Christopher Lawrence. Now, I'm a true hero! A hero who protects others at any cost.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

He heard the loud sound of a beating heart. The source of the sound wasn't the boss he fought. Instead, it was his own heart that beat in excitement, faster than ever!

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"Hehehe!" he laughed maniacally. "I'm not going to give up, you ugly monster! I'm a hero! I'm a fucking hero! I will fight you with all I have! Do you want to kill me, to eat me? Just give it a try!"

A crazy idea appeared in his head—something he always wanted to try but never attempted. Why? Because it was too risky. Too insane.

There was one extremely overpowering ability in his arsenal, the Talent he only used once before. It refreshed all his abilities and allowed him to use any defensive skills without triggering a cooldown. Moreover, it busted all of his stats tremendously. There were three problems, though. The first was a condition to activate this power. The second was that it actually cost him his levels. And the third problem was that after using it, all his abilities would be unusable for 24 hours, effectively making him powerless against anyone at the same level.

Achieving the activation condition of this Talent would be a gamble to an ordinary person. But not for Christopher Lawrence, the Ranker. The highest ranking he ever achieved was 83rd place. It doesn't seem a lot, but it means that at that time he was 83rd strongest Player in the world. Among almost a billion players, he was the cream of the crop!

He blocked a tentacle slash. And then another one. His HP reduced to 14%.

After he got used to the Ultraboss's pattern of attacks, the quality of his blocks raised. The damage he received decreased. He used the skill he saved until now - The Wall of Reduction, to decrease the damage he received even more. Two tentacles assaulted him at the same time! He could only block one of them and dodge the other. Otherwise, it would be certain death. And so, Christopher moved his body at the last moment, perfectly dodging one attack and blocking the other at the same time. His HP lowered only by 5%, entering the Red Zone. Still, 9% wasn't enough. Another hit! He needs to survive just one another hit.

He raised his shield above his head to block a sneaky attack from above.

Even if you attack me from a blind spot, so what?! I'll still block it!

Clang!

Blocked! He lost 6% of HP. This was the chance! The time to execute his plan. The activation condition is met, his HP is below 5%, set at 3% of the total. What if he was just a little slower at blocking this attack from above? He would be dead for sure. So what? It wasn't a coincidence, but his skill as a Ranker.

The Last Resistance of The Impregnable Great Knight!

It was the second time he used this Talent since acquiring it. The first time was when he suddenly received it by gaining a certain Title unique to his Epic Master Class, the Title he got for surviving with 3% HP or less, ten times in total with each death restarting the counter. Back then, his whole Party was annihilated in a dungeon, and each of them lost one Revival Point, including him. He got this skill too late for it to change anything. Moreover, it was long before he got his Legendary shield...

The Second Restoration!

He activated one of his two healing abilities, restoring his HP to 48%.

Reinforced Protective Barrier!

The skill that busts his defense temporarily, but has a three-hour-long cooldown.

Absolute Defense of Unbreakable Shield!

And, last but not least, his shield skill!

The Legendary shield increased in size by many times, completely covering Christopher from attacks of the boss. Its protective ability further increased by the burst in his stats from the Talent and by Protective Barrier.

The Great Damage Counter!

This was another powerful skill with an extremely long CD. At its current rank, it allowed him to return up to 25% of received damage.

Maybe if we all stayed and fought properly, we could still win! Now I can only hope that they'll return with backup before 3 minutes of my Last Resistance Talent ends.

Those thoughts gave him some hope. Alas, it didn't last for long...

Even if he used all of his most potent defensive abilities, when the Corrupted Heart started to attack in full force, his "Unbreakable Shield" skill was broken in less than a minute. At the same time, the boss only lost 3% HP in total. It still was a lot, considering that it took 3 whole hours for his Party to kill the weaker Titan Brain.

Based on my calculations, this heart boss has at least two times more HP than the brain one did! Its damage is twice as strong as well...

Thump-thump-thump-thump, thump-thump.

Just when Christopher wanted to activate his Legendary shield skill again, Corrupted Titan Heart started to beat much faster than before, its Tentacles firmly supported it as roots of the tree. It was then...

You are under the influence of Blood Resonance! Your body is temporarily paralyzed.