Chapter 21: Battle in the Darkness
"White Day is inviting you to join a party. Do you accept?"
Just as I was nervously considering my options, a sudden system prompt echoed in my ears.
I was taken aback—someone wanted to form a party at a time like this?
Still, I accepted almost instinctively. As I looked toward White Day, I saw the blood-red ice crystals rapidly melt away. With a sharp shout, White Day swung his greatsword, wreathed in swirling violet battle energy, sending a flash of purple and a glimmer of dazzling white streaking forth.
He aimed directly for the wound he'd previously carved into the head of the Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast, unleashing a vicious Violet Strike!
A deafening roar tore through the air!
The Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast, just freed from a prison of countless ice crystals and biting frost, hadn't even shaken off the lingering numbness before White Day's greatsword crashed down again, dealing a fresh, brutal blow!
"White Day hits the target! 56 damage dealt to Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast!"
The unfortunate beast was truly down on its luck—facing a warrior whose attacks were nothing short of spectacular. The advanced Tier-2 skill, Violet Strike, increased his attack by 30%. Struck unawares on the skull, the beast felt its world spin; its massive body crashed heavily to the ground, once again succumbing to a stunned state...
"Stun effect triggered. Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast is stunned for 3 seconds."
Of course, this was also thanks to the water mage, Black Tea, whose timely Ice Burst spell had given White Day the chance to restore his HP and recover his strength.
The two fought in perfect harmony, each blow seamless with the next, leaving the beast barely able to lift its head.
Yet, even as a mere bystander, I could sense how dire things had become—Black Tea was clearly exhausted. If not for the second stun, which allowed her a brief respite, her third spell would likely be her last. As for White Day, being a warrior, his MP reserves were limited. After unleashing two of his strongest Tier-2 skills, he could probably only manage one more technique...
Worse still, the Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast showed no signs of weakening despite being struck by four consecutive spells and skills. None of us could gauge how much HP it had left.
The situation had become more desperate than ever.
...
"Gah... Damn it!"
White Day was gasping for breath, eyes fixed on the beast he'd just knocked senseless. But relief eluded him.
That last strike had followed the original wound, but...
The attack had been too swift for careful adjustment. Now, gazing at the two parallel lines on the Kodo Beast's face, White Day felt a wave of frustration. To achieve the same damage bonus as Scavenger Kirin had against the Ocean Kodo, it was no easy feat.
He glanced at Black Tea, and in a moment of wordless understanding, they exchanged a look:
"This is our last chance!"
Black Tea nodded tensely, then steeled herself and chanted in a low voice:
"Chain Ice Spears!"
The spell she'd once used on the Plump Kodo Beast was cast again—three massive half-meter-long ice spears, brimming with frigid energy, materialized above her head...
Yet, as the spears formed, it was as if all strength drained from her body. She collapsed to the ground in exhaustion!
But even so, she clenched her teeth, mustering the last of her will to direct the three ice spears at the trembling Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast!
Before the spears could strike, White Day, forgoing any skills, thrust his sword at the wound atop the beast's head with all his might!
A sickening slice—the flesh torn open by the Violet Strike was struck dead-on!
Unfortunately, since it wasn't a skill attack and the sword didn't pierce deeply, White Day failed to achieve the three-digit damage he had hoped for.
"White Day hits the wounded spot! Damage bonus applied: 64 damage dealt to Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast!"
The beast, recovering its senses, retaliated without hesitation. A thick bolt of lightning sent White Day flying several meters back...
The poor greatsword warrior—White Day was utterly defenseless against the paralyzing effects of lightning. The system instantly declared him paralyzed.
The one bit of fortune was that, as the Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast prepared to give chase, the three ice spears struck almost simultaneously...
"Black Tea hits! 34 damage dealt to Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast."
"Black Tea hits! 36 damage dealt to Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast."
"Black Tea hits! 39 damage dealt to Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast."
"Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast affected by Freeze: Speed reduced by 2!"
The over one hundred points of damage from the three ice spears drew the beast's fury toward Black Tea.
Its savage gaze shifted, and it lunged at Black Tea, who was slumped on the ground, utterly spent.
Even with its speed reduced, the ten meters between them vanished in the blink of an eye. Black Tea's already pale face turned even whiter:
It's over...
At that very moment, a string of system prompts flashed through Black Tea's mind:
"Scavenger Kirin has left the party!"
She froze, a spark of realization flaring in her eyes...
"Scavenger Kirin performed a hostile action against White Day. No damage dealt—automatic counter-defense mode activated!"
"White Day is no longer paralyzed!"
...
The instant he broke free from paralysis, White Day shot forward like a cannonball!
He quickly downed a large healing potion, faint violet energy surging onto his greatsword almost simultaneously!
With several long strides, he intercepted the slowed Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast before it could attack. Without a word, he brought his sword down—kill!
White Day poured the last of his mental strength into the blade, compressing every ounce of will into the strike. With no hesitation, the purple light stabbed straight for the old wound!
That gaping injury, already torn open twice...
This was the opportunity White Day had prepared for. He knew he couldn't match Scavenger Kirin's precision, so he'd made the wound as obvious as possible to improve his odds!
If he couldn't hit such a glaring target...
"Then I might as well be dead!"
With a roar, the greatsword wreathed in violet energy plunged mercilessly into the wound, tearing it anew—
This time, the sword sank in deep!
A piercing howl split the air as the Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast, driven to madness, broke free from the ice and lashed out, sending White Day flying...
Bang!
White Day, chest shattered by the blow, crashed six meters away: "Wound hit! Damage bonus: 112 damage dealt to Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast."
Still not dead?!
Completely spent, White Day fell silent, his heart sinking...
It's over! He knew the Enchanted Silver Kodo Beast was barely holding on; one more hit and it would collapse. But he had no strength or chance left to attack again, and the beast would not give him another opportunity.
Yet...
Just as he resigned himself to fate, the system prompt sounded unexpectedly.