The scene before me was a grim for the party involved.
The Viscous Overfiend towered above the dozen or so adventurers who were locked in a desperate struggle against it.
That monstrous slime constantly shifting and undulating as it absorbed and deflected attacks.
The air was heavy with the sharp smell of acid and blood, and the confined space making the odor even stronger.
Scattered around the battlefield were the remains of those who had fallen. Some corpses were grotesquely torn apart, while others were melted into unrecognizable puddles by the Overfiend's acidic nature.
The sight was nauseating.
The adventurers who still stood were clearly on their last legs.
Those in the front line had their armor battered and broken, their weapons dulled and chipped.
Many were visibly exhausted, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated.
Their mana pool most likely nearly depleted, if not already exhausted.
"This thing just won't go down!" shouted a man, his voice strained with fatigue as he swung his sword at the Overfiend.
I watched as a swordsman was knocked back, his shield splintering under the force of the Overfiend's attack. He staggered to his feet, his expression one of sheer exhaustion. "We're running out of time!" he gasped.
"Keep your spirits up, everyone!" a burly man holding a giant axe called out. "We can do this together!"
The Overfiend let out a gurgling roar, its body swelling and contracting as it lashed out at the adventurers.
Despite the damage it had sustained, it still held the upper hand.
The guild was being pushed to their limits, their morale beginning to waver.
Seeing this, I realized I couldn't stay idle. Failure was inevitable, and staying put would only endanger me. I had to locate the exit and make my way there.
But As I scanned the area, my heart sank.
There was no sign of an exit. Panic began to rise within me.
"Boss, I get where you're coming from." one of the adventurers said with a grim expression.
"But let's face it, this isn't looking good. More than half of our team is dead, and we're barely seeing any progress. We need to consider pulling back."
"We can't retreat." The leader replied firmly. "We've invested too much into this raid to give up now. We need to push through."
Another adventurer, a woman holding a staff, stepped forward. "He's right. We're about to die a meaningless death. Please reconsider, leader!"
The debate continued, with the majority in favor of retreat while the leader argued to press on.
The tension in the air was palpable, the weight of their argument heavy.
As time dragged on, the deaths of their comrades weighed heavily on the group. One by one, they fell, unable to withstand the fear and stress.
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"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!" the leader shouted, disbelief coloring his voice.
Those who had advocated for retreat broke ranks, fleeing in desperation.
They left behind a dwindling group to face the boss alone.
"Your poor planning and stubbornness have led us to this point, leader! We won't sacrifice ourselves for your greed and thirst for prestige!"
I watched as they ran past the Overfiend, surprised by their actions.
Curiosity drew me to the side, where I noticed a small gap in the wall.
The boss's massive form had obscured the exit all along.
As I cautiously made my way to the exit, staying close to the wall to avoid detection by both the boss and the remaining adventurers, I was relieved to see that the boss's attention was still focused on those fighting it.
It was crucial to slip away unnoticed to avoid any unwanted attention or accidents.
"You traitors! Do you think I'll let you leave like that?!"
As the leader took out a scroll from his pocket, a sense of dread filled the air.
Everyone, myself included, watched in tense silence, unsure of his intentions.
His words sent a chill down my spine.
"If I have to die, then I'll take every single one of you traitors with me!"
Confusion rippled through the group. What did he mean? My mind raced, considering the worst.
The leader's hands trembled as he unraveled the magic scroll.
A faint, ominous glow emanated from the intricate pattern inscribed on the parchment.
"What's this?" The deserters, unaware of the scroll's contents, hesitated, looking back at the unfolding scene.
I recognized it immediately!
"He's really planning on killing everyone here!" I realized in horror.
Magic crafters are specialized artisans using various methods such as rune crafting, talisman crafting, and the most common method, scroll crafting.
These scrolls can be used in a variety of situations and typically contain offensive, defensive, or support magic.
The teleportation magic formation that had transported me to this location was an example of a support-type magic scroll.
Such scrolls are a significant investment and are usually reserved for specific situations, like the guild's plan to teleport the boss to their location for the raid.
However, the scroll the leader was holding was a different story.
It was a Tier 5 Explosion magic scroll, indicating it was crafted for a specific destructive purpose.
While Tier 5 spells are considered the lowest in power, an explosion spell at this level was more than enough to cause significant damage.
It seemed that the leader, distrustful and possibly facing betrayal or death, was intent on taking everyone down with him.
The scroll he held was his insurance, ensuring that if he fell, he would not fall alone.
"Let's meet each other in hell, you traitors!" The leader's voice was filled with malice as he tore the scroll apart.
I had to think fast. "What can I do, what can I do? Think!" But it was too late. With a deafening roar, the scroll ignited, unleashing a massive explosion of fire.
"DIE!!!!!!!"
The force of the explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the air, knocking everyone off their feet.
The ground beneath us shook violently as flames erupted in all directions, consuming everything in their path.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.
Your [Summoned Slime] has perished against a 'Tier 5 Explosion Magic'.