Thrash felt the eyes of an army on him. Thirteen individual cultists - somehow summoned without having entered his dungeon base - stood in front of Juliet, her eyes melting behind green smoke. She was giggling, fingering a small dagger held in her hands. Anthony stood at the front of the group, fingernail shaped holes dotted around his scalp. He gave Thrash a grimacing smile, holding an axe in his hands.
‘Hold on, my darlings,’ Juliet sang above her team. She was casting some form of spell, one that Thrash couldn’t identify. He swore again, raising Sigrid.
Anthony, his patience wavering, began to walk forwards. Thrash smiled. ‘Come on, little man. Prove your worth to Mummy.’
That’s my line, Mush said angrily.
It felt like it when I said it, Thrash admitted.
Anthony ran forwards, and Thrash started forming his own path towards the onslaught, but was immediately halted, his legs locking in place. Tension began to fill the air around him.
Shit, Mush - is this what I think it is?
Mush didn’t need to answer. Thrash felt his gloves burn his hands, a message sounding from them - voice distinctly like Mush’s.
Boss Alert
Nearby boss detected - prepare for battle!
Thrash’s interface chimed as Mush’s voice began to read the notification.
Boss Battle!
Painswick King, Level 5
Commiserations! Your fellow Adventurers have summoned the Painswick King.
Once a noble ruler of Painswick Hill, the King was beloved for his wisdom and generosity. However, as chaos rose from the mines of his city, treacherous betrayal by his closest advisors led to his downfall.
Now, after countless years in the dungeons, stewing over his losses, the king has transformed into a twisted, monstrous figure. He now commands the very thorny vines that ensnared his kingdom, turning his sorrow into rage.
Prepare yourself, for the Painswick King has risen, and he will not rest until he has reclaimed his identity.
A summon spell? They kept that quiet! Thrash exclaimed. He checked out his surroundings while he had a chance, the others in the room clearly having never encountered a boss fight before, all watching with child-like wonder. Thrash found himself in the centre of a vast, circular chamber, high stone walls crumbling around him. Tangled vines and thorny brambles fell from the ceiling above, their twisted forms snaking down past stone pillars and forming on the floor like piles of snakes. The room was dark, with a dim light filtering from the cracks above, casting dark shadows across the room. There was no exit.
Each member of the cult stood on the uneven floor before Thrash, small holes littering the room where the ancient stone had crumbled away. A few pools of murky water dotted the floor, all trailing towards a larger puddle. It smelt like metal, the air wafting the odour towards Thrash. It was ghastly. He would’ve preferred to have done this in the Caves of the Glade - surrounded by grass and trees. This dungeon, and the encounter, felt far too similar to the Ruins of the Fallen, and to Sheila.
Mush - I need something on this beast, now!
Mush chimed on his interface. Please.
Please!
I recommend avoiding his vine-like attacks. I would prefer you fight, but it’s likely the cultists will fall to him if left to their own devices. He’s slow, but strong.
Thrash tried to nod, his body locked in place. Jagged shards of rock and broken beams jutted out from the walls, offering both cover and potential hazards. He assessed the rest of the room in one swoop, a handful of ideas forming; he had some tricks up his sleeve. He had his One with the Foe skill, alongside his new Ring of the Forked Tongue. He spent a moment wishing that there were more Dungeon Master benefits - specific to him and his position. Banishing people from his dungeon would dramatically change these circumstances.
Thrash finally looked toward the forming boss, shivering as his eyes fell upon it. A hunched, golem-like creature was rising from the ground, pulling itself up through the crack it had made upon summoning. The further it erupted, the more Thrash could see its hulking body, made entirely of thick brambles and twisted roots. On its head, an enormous crown of black and red flowers shone, emitting slow pulses of golden light.
It roared, standing upon two short, stumpy legs as it wielded a club, covered from head to toe in thorns. Thrash felt the shift of the battlefield, the precipice of the fight as the air lightened around him. He scanned his inventory again, ensuring a handful of useful items were accessible.
Begin!
Starr-Crossed Lovers VS Painswick King
Thrash immediately activated his One with the Foe skill, feeling the stickiness wash over him as it had once before. The cultists shouted in shock, Thrash running to the edge of the arena to avoid any potential area-of-effect damage. At the same moment, the mob lifted his club into the air and swung it toward the floor, an enormous bang sounding as it connected with the stone. Half a dozen head-sized rocks flew into the air, pulsing away from the monster like a tidal wave. Thrash had to duck to avoid one, and he spotted one of the cultists fall back as her face was crushed, the damage icon above her body noting ‘43 damage dealt’.
Thrash sprung into action, heading for the fallen girl first. Juliet was using some form of witch magic against the mob, shouting orders for her cultists to find Thrash. She kept using one spell in particular, a force of green shooting from her fingertips like lightning, hitting the beast for 25 damage points each turn. Thrash reached the fallen girl, his mind swimming with opportunity, but halted, unsure of his choice. The remaining dozen cultists were flying through the room, spreading their arms and weapons as far as they could.
Do it, Mush ordered without remorse.
Thrash grimaced, but swung Sigrid down, connecting with the girl’s body. A critical hit message bounced above her.
32 damage points dealt.
57 health remaining.
Elemental damage inflicted: 2 burn damage inflicted each second for 30 seconds.
There is no mercy, Mush said bleakly.
Thrash lifted his sword again, still momentarily invisible, when suddenly, the girl’s health ticked up by 30 points, her body glimmering green. A growl escaped Thrash as he swerved around, spotting the cultist responsible for the healing on the opposite side of the room. Thrash checked to make sure that Juliet was still occupied before darting towards the small man, readying his new spell and preparing for his mana to decrease for the first time ever.
With a sharp flick of his wrist, a swirling, ghastly yellow energy surged around his hand, morphing into a shadowy, spectral tentacle that erupted from his palm. It hovered for a moment in the air, its slick surface reminiscent of the Blackwater Sentry he had faced with Mary, translucent suckers glistening threateningly.
Thrash directed the spell towards the healer, the tentacle lashing out with a swift, snapping motion. The cultist gasped as it quickly ensnared his torso, effortlessly lifting him off the ground. Thrash felt the weight in his grip, as if the tentacle was an extension of his own arm, his muscles bulging with newfound strength. A grin spread across his face; it felt good. He yanked the tentacle back, sending the cultist tumbling toward the boss.
Thrash leapt toward the spot where the healer had been, watching as Juliet desperately tried to save her cult member. The boss roared, stomping down and crushing the small man beneath its feet. Juliet’s furious roar echoed through the chamber, and Thrash let out an exclamation of joy. He had defeated one. He kept an eye on his One with the Foe skill, sure that it would end soon. Until then, he needed to speed up.
Without missing a beat, his tentacle reappeared. Thrash considered his next move for a moment, spotting a set of vines hanging loosely from the ceiling, wrapped around a large, trembling rock. The Painswick King hammered against the cultists, sending two of the small beings crashing against the walls. Thrash grimaced, both collapsing to their death; that was three down.
Thrash extended his tentacle toward the ceiling, commanding the suckers to grip the stone and vines with a sickening, sticky sound. He braced himself and pulled, feeling the crumbling rocks strain against his grip. With a loud crack, thunderous in the room, debris tumbled down onto the cultists below. He had managed to hit three of them, each falling to the ground in terror, only one member surviving. Thrash sprinted toward the lone cultist, dodging a swing from the king’s thorny club, and swiftly ended their life with a decisive blow.
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‘HMM, DADDY!’ Sigrid roared with apparent pleasure.
Thrash gulped down air as Mush beeped in his interface. You are a force, she remarked simply. Six down, seven to go.
Plus Juliet, Thrash rasped, his throat dry. What’s the status of the boss, Mush?
140 of 350 health remaining.
Thrash nodded, sending a final tentacle towards Anthony. However, Juliet countered with some form of spell, pulling him to safety. Thrash smiled; this felt familiar. An enemy always revealed their hand in the midst of battle - their priorities, their preferences. He quickly consumed a Shiny Apple, restoring his mana by 50 points. He still had enough for two more spells - though he had plenty more apples in his inventory. A grin spread across his face, but it faded when something connected against his back - a small blade or dagger.
Thrash cursed as his invisibility disappeared, spinning around with Sigrid in hand. He slashed against the forehead of a female cultist.
‘Hm, stop, daddy!’
16 damage points dealt.
14 health remaining.
Elemental damage inflicted: 2 ice damage inflicted each second for 30 seconds.
Juliet spotted him instantly, as did the boss. Thrash swore, slashing once more and killing the Adventurer. She dropped, leaving six more to kill. Thrash roared as a cultist hurled a spell toward him, hitting his chest and sending him flying toward the walls. It felt as though he'd been hit by a train, but a stroke of luck had him narrowly avoid three spikes protruding beside him.
You have received 21 points of damage.
You have 123 health remaining.
Thrash swore, leaping up. Mush - how long before I can use One with the Foe again?
Cooldown begins following the skill’s deactivation. You have 140 seconds remaining.
Thrash met Juliet’s eyes, noting her displeasure, slow realisation dawning on her face. He hoped that she knew she was going to die. Rage filled him to the brim, his pacifier somehow unable to dismiss the fury.
Juliet shouted an order that Thrash couldn’t hear, and the cultists formed around her in an instant. It seemed their intent was to finish off the boss, now at 115 health. Juliet’s mana seemed to have worn down, no more spells following in her wake, and the cultists were downright useless. They swung their blades and formed their attacks, but they were all clueless amateurs. They had no idea what they were doing. A hint of guilt rose through Thrash, but Juliet’s enraged, pointy finger was directed towards him, three of the cultists throwing objects in his direction.
Thrash had just a moment to identify the cultists before charging toward the circle. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the king bringing his club down again, repeating his initial attack. Stones erupted toward all Adventurers like a tidal wave, one striking Anthony and another slamming into a cultist. Thrash quickly ingested a Health Apple, his health rising by 50 points - restoring him to full strength.
Juliet shouted another command, each cultist running to the beast and hacking at its legs. Unsurprisingly, Thrash only had to watch as they were immediately forced away, flying through the room with resounding crunches and smacks. He ducked as a cultist soared above him, narrowly avoiding the outstretched arm holding a small dagger.
Painswick King has 85 of 350 health remaining, Mush said.
Thrash nodded, swinging Sigrid against the fallen cultist behind him.
‘Daddy, please,’ Sigrid groaned.
One more down, Thrash said, ignoring the blade. Five left.
Juliet unleashed another blast from her fingers, causing the king to roar in fury as red text blinked above his head.
22 damage points dealt.
63 health remaining.
Thrash charged toward the group, formulating a plan. Mush, how many enemies will the Sticky Webbing cover?
If a group of enemies are foolish enough to stick together in a tight circle, all of them.
It’s area of effect, then, Thrash confirmed. Annoyingly, the cultists had spread out again, attempting the same attack on the beast as before. Thrash watched as the beast contracted, all vines and thorns condensing into a small area in his thick, plant-like chest. It looked as though he were about to explode.
Astute, Mush noted.
Thrash didn’t need any further warning. He dropped to the floor, rolling behind a fallen cultist. The king suddenly exploded, his dwindling health stagnating as thorns and vines whipped from his centre of mass, showering the stoney arena with debris. Juliet screamed, all cultists other than Anthony tumbling down. She wailed and shrieked as the king shuddered, releasing another whipping attack toward the pair.
Thrash stood, wiping dust from his eyes. The king was fully focused on the members of Starr-Crossed Lovers, club in hand as he swayed towards them. His body was failing, foliage and ancient skin falling like rain to the ground around him. He left a trail as he lumbered away from Thrash.
Thrash clicked his neck and aligned his vision with Juliet before racing forward, spinning the ring around his thumb. ‘I will destroy you.’
The effect was immediate; the Toxic Witch yelped, falling to one knee before rising again. Thrash saw the notification hovering above her head; ‘You have been poisoned’. Sigrid pulsed blue in his hands, and Thrash ran toward the beast, slashing at the vines behind it.
‘Stop, daddy, stop!’ Sigrid roared.
31 damage points dealt.
32 health remaining.
Elemental damage inflicted: 2 fire damage inflicted each second for 30 seconds.
Thrash jumped around the king, launching his Sticky Webbing at Juliet and Anthony. They were both immediately ensnared, their movement speed reduced by 50%. Thrash nodded to himself, dodging the king’s club attack with an instinctive expertise. He slashed twice, Sigrid moaning in his hands. Without fanfare or ceremony, the beast roared for a final time, Thrash delivering the killing blows.
No party, no experience, Mush said. The Dungeon Master wins. Those poor Starr-Crossed Lovers.
Thrash smiled, leaving the beast where it was and stepping over the debris, blood, and bodies scattered across the floor. His mind had been surprisingly clear, but now the hand holding Sigrid was convulsing, squeezing her so tightly he feared she might break.
Juliet’s eyes were fixed on him as he approached. She tried to turn, moving as though time had slowed. Thrash remained still, watching carefully as Anthony attempted to do the same. A chuckle escaped him, devoid of humour, as he walked around their fleeing bodies, facing them in the opposite direction.
They both paused, Anthony trying to raise his axe. Thrash glared at the cultist, offering one final chance for surrender, but Anthony pressed on. In one fluid motion, Thrash swung Sigrid at the man’s weapon hand, and the small man fell to the floor with a scream.
16 damage points dealt.
12 health remaining.
Elemental damage inflicted: 2 fire damage inflicted each second for 30 seconds.
‘No!’ Juliet screamed, losing health herself, her points dropping to only 40 remaining. Thrash stepped back but made no further move. ‘No - save him! Save him!’
Thrash watched, pushing his guilt aside as Anthony’s health ticked down, the cultist clutching his detached hand, sobbing. Thrash placed Sigrid into his inventory, crossing his arms to show his intent.
‘No!’ Juliet wailed again, yellow eyes welling with tears. One of her buck teeth had been knocked out.
2 damage points dealt.
8 health remaining.
Anthony’s gaze met Juliet’s, his arm outstretched towards her, adoration shining in his eyes. Thrash felt a sickening twist in his stomach, his throat tightening. He continued to watch, a distant memory bubbling in his head, just out of reach. Had he done something like this before? He imagined it was Pierre on the ground, while he stood helplessly above. If he were in Juliet’s place, he would be broken - ruined.
Suddenly, Juliet activated some form of healing spell. Green text glowed above Anthony’s head: ‘20 health restored’.
‘I don’t think so,’ Thrash whispered, though the arena was so quiet he felt any remaining mobs in the dungeon could hear him.
‘Please,’ Juliet begged. ‘He was only following orders - I was only following orders.’
Thrash considered her words, but then remembered how they had acted in his base. A flash of anger ignited within him, and this time, he refused to let it settle. He summoned Sigrid again, and Anthony glared at him with such hatred that Thrash had to close his eyes as he swung the blade. It was a critical hit.
32 damage points dealt.
0 health remaining.
Juliet fell to the floor in slow motion, crying and sobbing. ‘Ant -’ she wailed, gulping for air. ‘My baby!’
Thrash’s interface dinged.
1 second ago: Thron the Conqueror: Oh baby - that’s the best TV I’ve watched in years. Finish it, son.
Thrash felt his guilt roar. If his father approved of the battle, what else did he need to prove that he was in the wrong?
Thron the Conqueror! Mush chirped happily. Your father and I are so proud, darling.
Juliet sobbed into the stone beneath her. Thrash watched, pity rising in his chest. He received another message.
1 second ago: Una: It isn’t worth it. This is a huge mess. DO. NOT.
Thrash shuddered, still holding Sigrid up as fatigue washed over him. ‘Explain.’
Juliet looked up at him in horror, tears streaming down her face. ‘We were told that you were weak - defeatable.’
Thrash furrowed his brow. ‘Who told you?’
‘Romeo - it was all Romeo.’
Thrash laughed, harsh and cold. ‘Yeah? Last I heard, you were his right hand woman. Part leader, I seem to recall?’
She sobbed again. ‘No - I’m new, I’m new! Look at my level, I swear it.’
Thrash trembled, wiping his eyes. She was losing health, down to 20 points. He glanced at Una’s message again. How dare she tell him what to do. How fucking dare she. No help, no news, and no explanation. He thought of Zorina, Doren, and then their unnamed family member, the daughter who was supposedly shooting for Starr Eternal.
He made up his mind.
He raised Sigrid. ‘Say hello to Ant for me.’
The sound of something large thudded against the floor.
Combat Over