Defense specialization and raid boss three.
"Damn, I thought it’d be tough, but I’ve already broken through."
"Looks like Sally and the others are safe too."
Iz watches through binoculars, observing the giant’s head. Twelve people, having successfully deflected the water spears, are now each moving apart and descending back to the ground.
Maple and the others have similarly overcome the assault without issue. From here, it is our turn to advance toward the boss.
"When knocked back or hit by a piercing attack, I’ll shield you. Keep moving—no need to worry! You’re safe!"
"Yes!"
Crom could also use his shield to block multiple attackers at once, as with [Multi-Cover]. While Maple’s [Pierce Guard] was on cooldown, she would hold her shield, and Crom would intercept any piercing attacks aimed at guild members, ensuring Maple took no damage. They advanced step by step toward the boss.
The monster’s summoning had ceased after the water sphere was destroyed. Yet the tsunami and water spouts intensified. The creature now wielded a massive spear, swinging it in wide arcs. Players began falling in scattered locations.
“Spear of water incoming! Please, [Angel’s Ward]—anyone but me!”
“Ah, [Multi-Cover]!”
Crom raises his shield, positioning himself to block the incoming strike meant for Mai and Yui. Maple shields Iz, absorbing the lance with her shield and taking no damage. Kanade eliminates the attack entirely using her 【Divine Archive】 skill.
The assault is fierce. Either long-range attacks from magic or bows, or aerial strikes delivered by flying tame monsters in hit-and-run fashion.
Sally and the others move between ground and sky, alternating between 【Gathering Holy Sword】 and 【Imperial Flame Nation】 members, exploiting openings and dealing steady damage. Yet, despite their efforts, the raid boss proves too strong. They lack the necessary volume to finish it.
To change this, the boss’s attack must be interrupted briefly. Then, all players must strike at once. For that, one decisive blow from Mai and Yui is essential.
The closer one gets, the more intense the boss’s attack becomes. The number of descending spears increases. The gaps between gushing streams grow narrower. The force of the rushing water grows stronger, pushing one back.
“Me and Maple will take the hit—damage won’t land—but the knockback is brutal!”
Using 【Heavy Body】 renders Maple immobile. And since the skill is inactive during cooldown, there is no way to avoid the knockback. The shorter the interval between knockbacks, the more difficult it becomes. Currently, they manage to approach without taking damage. So they proceed with caution, avoiding any sudden changes to the situation.
Then, a voice calls from a distance.
“What’s the matter? Taking quite a while, aren’t you?”
“Lily-san!”
“I’ll clear the path. Otherwise, I won’t know how long I must hold this position.”
Lily calls forth more soldiers and issues commands, redirecting the assault to absorb the impact.
"Come now, shall we proceed? It would be a great help if you could stop this troublesome water as soon as possible."
"Understood! Let’s go, everyone!"
"Ah, this I can manage. Thank you!"
Crom and Maple move forward, guarded by soldiers, leading the guild members. The range of attack is just ahead.
"Perhaps I can join the assault soon?"
"Yes. Let us wait until arrival."
"Ah, then let us provide support fire from behind."
Thus, Lily and Wilbert watch the faces of the 【Maple Tree】 as they push through the waves with the soldiers, waiting patiently for their chance to strike.
They endure countless attacks, dodge great techniques, and finally reach the boss’s feet. There is only one thing left to do now.
Hurry and apply the buffs!
I’ll use the spellbooks as long as I can. If we don’t go down, it’ll be a disaster.
Yeah, leave the rest to me. Hit him hard!
Do your best!
They apply buffs with short duration but strong effect, one after another. Each time, the damage dealt by Mai and Yui grows heavier. When every possible buff is in place, a presence rises—thick with various auras, pressing down with weight.
“Let’s go!”
They synchronize their breath, swinging sixteen great hammers in unison.
“Double Impact!”
A basic skill, accessible to anyone. Yet at the moment of impact, the water clinging to it explodes outward—replaced instantly by a torrent of damage effects. The sheer, unnatural force—unfathomable even after countless views—reduced the raid boss of the final day to staggering on one arm, barely holding himself upright with a spear.
It is a signal unmistakable to every player. Proof that the heavy blow they’ve witnessed before has finally landed.
As the players surge forward in renewed vigor, Maple and the others press the attack, determined not to let the boss rise again. Then, Sally and Kasumi finally join them.
“Maple! Looks like it worked!”
“Sally! Kasumi! Glad you’re safe!”
“Got rescued just in time. How’s the situation?”
“Now—full assault!”
Sally and Kasumi brace their weapons, turning once more toward the boss, whose posture now presents a wide opening.
The first to strike the fallen boss is the Flame Emperor’s Guild.
"Haha, interesting fellow that was..."
"Vanished like a storm... literally."
Velvet recalls the image of Hinata floating beside her as she retreats toward her own guild.
"They’ll handle their side. We’ll not miss this chance."
"Yes, yes! Let’s do it, Crack Sword!"
"Not much I can do... but I’ll prepare for when we rise."
"Go ahead, everyone. I’ll handle healing and revival if they counterattack."
A single rider, capable of high-level abilities, is possible, but the four of the Flame Emperor's Kingdom excel in coordinated group combat. Mizari's healing, Markus's traps—these only matter when deployed in formation. Now that they have secured positions near the boss, even if it rises, they can manage it while still striking back.
"Wen, [Wind to the Far Side], [Invisible Sword]."
[Flame Emperor], [Flame God's Flame]!"
Of course, Shin and Mii are not incapable of supporting those around them. Shin expands his skill's range, adding wind blades to nearby players' attacks. Mii spreads flames across the area, dramatically boosting everyone's stats.
As Lily said—numbers are power.
"Overwhelm it!"
The group attacks in unison with Mii’s command, dealing heavy damage in sequence.
As 【Empire of the Flame Emperor】 launches its assault, 【Gathering Holy Sword】, positioned on the opposite flank, likewise surges forward.
“Both sides swamped with buffs, huh?”
“Haha, no need to worry about defense—this is easier than usual.”
“Who’s always making you think, I wonder?”
“Not the time to dawdle. Getting up will be troublesome.”
“Right. Let’s begin. Ray, 【Blessing of the Holy Dragon】.”
“Shadow, 【Shade of the Horde】.”
“【Berserk】! Earth, 【Spear of the Earth】!”
Each activates their own buffs, summoning their summoned beasts. Meanwhile, Frederica, drawing on Notes’ power, finishes applying buffs to all, then nods firmly.
“Hit hard. Reapply buffs the moment they wear off.”
As Frederica relaxed, having finished her duty, she was yanked by Drag.
“Keep up the assault. I’ll rely on you to join in.”
“Ugh, you’re rough with me. If I’m this big, I can’t possibly avoid it anyway. Might as well aim true.”
Frederica’s magic, usually dodged with ease in duels, now packed greater force—multiple effects layered, amplified by Notes’ power, allowing more spells to be cast at once. A hit would be devastating.
“Pain, I’ll transfer all buffs to you at the right moment. Do it when I say.”
“Yeah. Leave it to me.”
All buffs to one. This skill’s absurd power peaks when applied to many. Now, it operates at full capacity.
The radiant longsword swings through the air, its brilliance cleaving the boss as if splitting the sky. All of them shift to attack.
While the other guilds surround and assault, Maple stands at the front, relentless in her strikes. Fewer in number than the others, yet she matches their damage—literally two hundred hands of strength with Mai and Yui beside her.
“This one… there’s no way we can win against this!”
“It’s beyond comparison.”
Kasumi and Sally flank Mai and Yui, carving the boss apart. Maple, from behind, rains down continuous volleys from the mechanized weapons. Izu has already thrown her pre-fabricated bombs. Crom and Kanade join in, hurling their own.
“I can’t contribute that much firepower, but Kanade can, right?”
Look—there’s my exact twin over there pushing hard, isn’t there? So, Sou—【Breach Cannon】! Well, conserving resources, you know. Besides, my damage output is negligible compared to those two.
Do what you can. Oh—buff’s wearing off. Crom, toss her a strength potion.
Oy!
Eight of them had been dealing damage—only a little left when the boss rose. It thrust its spear forward. Naturally, the target was Mai and Yui, the ones dealing the most damage.
“Alright! 【Giant’s Ache】!”
Each of their eight massive hammers struck the spear’s tip. The impact meant to strike them rebounded entirely onto the boss. The sheer strength of the two, their buffs stacked to the limit, exceeded that of the giant. The spear recoiled. Their remaining HP dropped to the very edge of survival.
“Right! Let’s push together!”
Maple fired without pause. Sally and Kasumi unleashed rapid strikes. Crom and Kanade used every available skill they could. Izu poured out damage items, in addition to bombs.
““That’s the finish!””
The final blow came from Mai and Yui—the greatest contributors to the raid boss fight. Their massive hammers descended. The giant’s body transformed into light and vanished.