"No, my Nix!" Jane exclaimed as she witnessed Egderos being impaled by icicles.

"It's still breathing!" Andre remarked.

"I can help. Please, cover me," Locci said, before activating [Traceless] and vanishing from sight. Swiftly, he maneuvered through the menacing Wanderclaws without a sound. Moments later, he reached Egderos's side.

With a gentle tug, Locci freed Egderos from icicles. He then activated [Heal], bathing Egderos in a soothing green light that restored its vitality.

As Locci stepped into view before Reignclaw, the boss monster immediately fixed its gaze on him.

Although they stood eye to eye in size, Locci couldn't shake the feeling of intimidation in the presence of Reignclaw, a clear indicator of its higher level.

Undeterred by Reignclaw's menacing growl, Locci maintained his composure. He swiftly activated his trump card. With a precise motion of his claw, he unleashed a torrent of icy energy, striking Reignclaw and freezing its entire body solid.

Seizing the moment, Locci and Egderos charged towards Reignclaw. Egderos rammed Reignclaw with its horn, launching it into the air.

With impeccable timing, Locci leaped into the air and seized Reignclaw tightly. Delivering a shocking bite to its neck, he sent electricity coursing through its body, leaving it paralyzed. Then, he tossed it back towards Egderos, who swiftly struck it again with its horn, sending it soaring once more.

Locci and Egderos continued their mid-air tossing tactic, relentlessly hurling Reignclaw back and forth until it shook off the paralysis. Despite suffering from frostbite, Reignclaw proved too agile for them to maintain their hold.

Their coordinated assault came to an abrupt halt when Locci lunged forward to deliver another electrifying bite, only to have Reignclaw deftly evade and counter with a powerful tail swipe.

Crashing to the ground, Locci quickly regained his footing, though his body trembled with exertion, and he coughed up blood.

As Locci attempted to move, Reignclaw suddenly pounced on him, sending him crashing to the ground once more.

In a split-second reaction, Locci slammed his palm onto the ground, conjuring a wave of cold energy that pushed Reignclaw away.

Rising to his feet, Locci bathed his body in a healing green glow, tending to his injuries. Then, he locked eyes with Reignclaw.

Reignclaw's strength outweighed Locci's own, as evidenced by the debilitating effect of a single swipe from its tail. Knowing he couldn't match its power directly, Locci understood that his best chance lay in immobilizing Reignclaw. Thankfully, he possessed a repertoire of crowd control abilities, a fact that filled him with gratitude.

"Egderos, one more time. We're going for that combo again. Ready?" Locci instructed. While unsure if Egderos comprehended his words, the humanoid rhino instinctively followed his lead.

Locci unleashed [Frostbite Fury], but Reignclaw vanished in an instant, reappearing behind him.

As icicles hurtled towards him, Locci found himself unable to evade them. Just as they threatened to pierce him, a shadowy hand reached out, snatching him from harm's way.

The shadow deposited Locci beside Serena, revealing itself to be none other than Lurkezard.

"Are you alright?" Serena inquired.

"I'm fine," Locci assured her.

"Let me help," Serena offered, before commanding Lurkezard to transform into multiple shadows.

The shadows encircled Reignclaw before erupting into flames, engulfing the boss monster in a fiery explosion.

Locci watched in awe as the fiery explosion blossomed into a beautiful flower shape. Sensing the intense heat radiating from it, he recognized the power of [Fire Blossom].

However, their hopes were dashed when they observed Reignclaw emerge unscathed from a melted ice igloo, revealing its resilience.

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"No way. That was my strongest ability," Serena expressed, her confusion evident.

"Don't hesitate! Our only hope is to immobilize it. Please, lend me your support!" Locci urged as he charged towards Reignclaw.

Reignclaw vanished and reappeared behind him, sending icicles hurtling towards Locci. Yet, Lurkezard countered with shadow spikes to intercept the icy threat.

Locci swiftly adjusted his trajectory and pursued Reignclaw relentlessly.

Closing in behind Reignclaw, Locci and Egderos intercepted the boss monster from both sides, leaving it with nowhere to flee.

Just as Locci prepared to unleash [Frostbite Fury] at point-blank range, an emblem resembling Reignclaw materialized in the air, crackling with lightning.

Simultaneously, Locci and his allies found themselves immobilized, weighed down by an oppressive force that seemed almost tangible. Unable to move, they were ensnared in the grip of an unseen power.

"This is... [Overlord Intent]!" Serena exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm. Despite her attempts to move, she remained immobilized.

Their inability to act left them apprehensive, and their fears were soon realized.

With no obstacles in its path, Reignclaw gained freedom to maneuver. Light radiated from its front leg, enhancing its speed.

"No, Egderos!" Jane's worry was palpable as Egderos positioned itself in front of Wanderclaw.

However, Reignclaw bypassed Egderos, setting its sights on Serena. They could only watch in shock as it lunged forward, slashing at her.

Blood spurted from Serena's body as she slowly collapsed, defenseless against Reignclaw's relentless assault. Despite her vulnerability, Reignclaw showed no mercy, poised to strike again.

However, just as Reignclaw prepared to deliver another blow, their ability to move returned. Riza swiftly commanded her Wanderclaw to unleash Beast Blasters, forcing Reignclaw to evade. Seizing the opportunity, Locci unleashed [Frostbite Fury] at the ground, launching himself forward. He caught Serena mid-fall and immediately administered healing.

Fortunately, Locci arrived in time, but Serena had already lost consciousness, and her Lurkezard companion had vanished, rendering her unable to continue fighting.

As Locci glanced at Reignclaw, he couldn't shake the chilling realization of [Overlord Intent]'s terror. Normally, Serena would have evaded such attacks, but the ability temporarily nullified her ability.

In the end, their combat effectiveness had been severely diminished by the boss. Reignclaw truly lived up to its reputation as a heroic-grade Nix.

"Locci, fall back!" Andre's urgent command echoed through the chaos.

"Egderos, fall back!" Jane's voice joined in, both issuing the same call for retreat.

Locci wasted no time, grasping Serena's jacket and pulling her along as he hurried toward their companions.

Despite the danger, the team continued to battle the relentless Wanderclaws. Locci and Egderos swiftly joined the fray, lending their aid.

As the team battled the remaining Wanderclaws, Riza's Wanderclaw skillfully kept Reignclaw at bay, firing shots whenever it attempted to draw near. Fortunately, the number of Wanderclaws dwindled, allowing them to swiftly dispatch the remaining foes.

Now, only Reignclaw and the team remained. However, despite their combined strength, none dared to approach the formidable boss.

"Any ideas?" Riza inquired, seeking input from the team.

"If we hit it with a major attack, it'll defend itself. We need to keep it occupied so it can't activate its defensive abilities," Goran suggested.

"Our primary damage dealer is down," Andre noted with concern.

"Should we retreat?" Joe proposed.

"No, this mission has the backing of the city mayor himself. Failure is not an option," Riza insisted.

"I have a plan," Andre interjected, eyeing the platform above the arena. "But I'll need you to keep the boss distracted."

"What's your plan?" Riza asked, while keeping an eye on her Wanderclaw as it continued to engage Reignclaw.

"I just need to reach the platform above. Once there, my Vizernix can immobilize the boss," Andre explained.

"How can I trust that you won't abandon us?" Riza questioned.

"If I fail this dungeon exploration, Apollon will expel me," Andre assured her.

"Alright, I'll trust in your organization's ruthlessness. Go for it," Riza agreed.

"Thanks. Locci, can you give me a lift to the platform above?" Andre requested.

Locci nodded, offering Andre a ride on his back. Swiftly, they traversed the tunnel, emerging onto the platform above.

Once there, Andre dismounted and summoned Vizernix. Turning to Locci, he outlined his plan. "Once I immobilize the boss, I'll need your help to further restrain it. I'll need you to come down."

"Understood," Locci replied before darting back into the tunnel.

As Locci reentered the arena below, he found the team facing a new challenge. Goran's Gigarus, tasked with keeping Reignclaw occupied, had just been defeated. Now, Reignclaw was heading towards Riza's Wanderclaw.

The Wanderclaw unleashed a barrage of Beast Blasters at Reignclaw, but the agile boss effortlessly dodged each shot.

Closing in fast, Reignclaw prepared to strike at the vulnerable Wanderclaw, but Locci sprang into action, leaping towards Reignclaw and forcefully shoving it away.

Midair, Reignclaw seized Locci, refusing to release him. They tumbled to the ground, grappling for control, but Reignclaw's strength proved superior, pinning Locci beneath its weight.

Amidst the struggle, Locci heard the unmistakable sound of wing flapping, signaling Vizernix's imminent arrival. The vulture Nix would immobilize Reignclaw, but panic surged within Locci as he realized it was also about to bite him. With quick thinking, he tapped the ground, unleashing a cold wave that sent Reignclaw hurtling away, causing Vizernix's attempt to immobilize Reignclaw to miss its mark.

With a heavy heart, Locci felt a pang of shame for failing their plan. "I'm sorry, Andre! Let's try again! I won't let you down!" he called out, determined to redeem himself.

"It's alright, Locci. You did your best. Keeping my Wanderclaw safe is a wise move since it packs the most powerful punch," Riza reassured him, offering words of comfort.

"Hold on for a minute, Locci!" Andre's voice echoed from above the platform.

With renewed determination, Locci wasted no time. He lunged forward, charging straight at Reignclaw.