Chapter 4

End.

…This… is our end…. We´re going… to die here….

Breathing out heavily, I was at lost as I tried once again to get up. My surroundings were quite blurry, as it felt like my mind was going at its limit.

…No! …Must keep fighting! …

Three hours into the battle, and I barely had control of my body. Three arduous days straight, and only three or four hours of sleep had dragged us to these conditions. The only thing keeping us going was the will to survive. And yet, it seemed that even that wasn't going to last.

We can't take this much longer…. Where… are the reinforcements!? …

6:00 am. February 24, 2023.

For many, the final battle began.

Getting unreliable information from an NPC, and the speculation of many others, command issued the order to mass only ALS members. Our guild basically making up a third of the whole clearing group; with a bit more that forty members, it was almost a full clearing raid party. And now, despite many efforts to dissuade command from such a precocious move, we were mobilized into the dark boss room. With the squad assigned to me being in the top four strongest of the ALS, we were a must, whether we liked it or not. But orders were orders and we had to comply; and yet, everything about the situation was too alarming to go unnoticed.

Creek!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The fire lamps ignited one by one as we entered the large chamber, dimly lighting up the room. Carefully entering, everyone braced their weapons, readying for any sudden attack. It was the mood set by the chamber that forestalled us not to enter with swords blazing and war cries, but rather with caution. And despite our mute entrance, low clinging noises coming from metallic pieces bumping on each other and as the peculiar sound of blades being brandished slightly sounded, as we scurried inside. Dark and large, we gazed at the whole chamber, and with silence upon us, we didn't make any sound in order to hear the monster´s moves. But with the rising tension, low whispers of questioning resounded faintly as we moved in slowly into battle positions. With few wary movements, we were finally inside.

The undermined shape of the chamber made it easy for sound to be amplified. Yet with several seconds of wait, it was strange that it hadn't shown itself. Every passing second was an eternity; however, just as we lifted our guards, a faint sound of air flowing began to rise. Eyebrows rose with question, and as we looked around, we didn't expect what came next.

Bang!

Exploding with a tremendous force, it landed right in the center. Shockwaves burst in all directions, the room became dark again as some dust particles flooded the scene. Growling sounds coming from the center of the commotion, there was no clue about it; it was the boss.

Hit by a storm of debris, the visibility was low for a short moment; but it was soon dispersed, as we watched idle while it immediately stood, as if manifesting its power. With no doubt remaining about its power from its sheer size, it was clearly the boss; and with its rising, white letters signaled the obvious, its name: [Troban the Amok Ogre].

Five HP bars and partially armor covered body; it was the biggest boss we had faced. Its gargantuan mass would make it hard to do close-quarters combat, but we would somehow have to manage. Armed with a large crude-steel battle mace and covered in a thick, greenish-brown, scale-like skin; its dark eyes looked down at us from above with murderous aim, and with this action, it steadily raised its weapon, but not before its tremendous roar shook the entire room.

But not yielding to its threat, and with our own cries overshadowing its own, we rushed in from all sides. Forty figures with weapons high in the air; yells rang out, blocking the fear inside, as everyone moved in.

"Tank groups F and G! Move in! Squad B in support!"

"C, D and E …Attack!"

Orders being given, players merged with their respective group. My men and I were assigned C, so we also charged towards the front; with full throttle, we were almost the head of the group. And even so, like me, everyone knew that hesitation to beat the boss early on would be our downfall.

The best gear gathered and equipped; swords swinging and shields in optimal defensive posture, the fight finally began.

Boom!

Raining down a massive blow, its hammer didn't hesitate to work out a preemptive strike even before we reached it. And not long after, the already too familiar shattering noise rang out as the hammer was lifted. Widely unexpected, everyone froze for a second, witnessing the unmatched power of its weapon. The unfortunate lancer was reduced to nothing, as even his weapon was gone.

One hit!? Shit! …..How…how the hell are we supposed to beat this thing!?

"Spread out! Don't try to block its attack!"

Issuing commands, my company and I swooped in from the right, trying to go unnoticed to get a hit out. But with our sudden movements, it was stranger to the see the monster standing so unconcerned from our retaliation. However, it wasn't time to question, as we were already too close to strike it. And with the other teams doing the same, it wasn't long before our blades shined and hit their target.

Bash! Bash!

Like fireworks, beams came down, as everyone unleashed their combos and quickly retreated. Light trails shone; green, blue, red etc. More than forty weapons swayed in the wind, moved by the system itself. Thinking that the massive counterattack would be enough to take a chunk off its HP gauge, I looked up.

What!? …Not even a scratch! ...Dammit!

Its first gauge almost fully green like if nothing had happened, it soon became clear why it didn't act while our entire force bashed their most powerful attacks. Its skin almost impenetrable, combined with a superbly massive weapon, the task felt impossible.

Every single player gasped in disbelief from the near null damage we inflicted. We stupidly stood our ground for a moment, but soon many figures took action once more. Not even bothering to organize, they ran; as a massive shadow was cast upon them.

"Ahhhrg!"

Two squads raced in to attempt another raid, but the trap was already set.

"No! Turn back! …It's a trap!"

Bang!

Bursting into pieces, yet another two perished. And if that wasn't enough, four others were in red.

"Cover them! ….Everyone… Attack!"

Recklessly rushing in, no one had the slightest idea of how to beat it. But that didn't mean we should rush in. it would be useless to simply attack mindlessly, as that could cause even more casualties. And yet it seemed that they weren't thinking tactically; and it wasn't their fault, because every single battle up until now was just a "rush in and fight" scenario. But the game changed on this day; if we wanted victory, we would have to organize.

We need a plan, and fast! ….…Think! ...

With Kato at my side, and for a moment, we began to think about any possibility to beat it.

"Its weak spot! It has to have a weak spot! …We just need to find it!"

"But we need to figure out its attack patterns first!"

Easier said than done!

Clank!

Another player was hurled out, his HP in red. Our concentration broken by the attack, it was clear that not even our strongest tank group members had enough to effectively block the hits. The heavily-defended fencer thrown like a rag doll, his armor was barely enough to take the damage.

"Avoid its attacks at all costs!"

"Come on! Get back out there!"

"Kyaaaa!"

Once again, everyone rushed towards the beast. Fury within their eyes, they knew that they would once again deliver little to no damage. It was logical, but we had to do our best.

Switching out and turning back was the play. If we wanted to bring it down, we would have to use hit and run tactics and trace its patterns; with this, and all while avoiding its crushing steel, we would have to look hard for its Achilles' heel.

Woosh!

Barely dodging the horizontal attack, we all ran back. Our HP still in green, with some of it nicked off by the aftershock of every blow we managed to avoid. But not that many were so lucky, as many already had theirs in the red zone. The possibilities looking bleak, the tables hadn't turned in our favor.

Everyone beginning to breathe out heavily, our momentum had decreased. The minutes passing slowly and without finding out a way to defeat it, frustration began to rise. And with this, mistakes were bound to happen.

Crash!

Heavy armor hitting the floor, a player fell. The bulky armor getting in the way whenever tank group members ran. But it wasn't the armor this time; the player was shaking violently, with the nervousness taking over him. Trembling as he struggled to stand, he once again fell, as it was useless. His tiresome face said it all; he was giving up.

"Get out of there! …Hurry!"

Not heading my command, he gave up and laid on the surface. Stopping my retreat, I didn't hesitate to run and retrieve him. The many factors that affect the frontlines were all present in his eyes. Yet with all the mix of emotions, it was clear he was just scared; scared of death.

"Come on! …"

Stretching my arm in order to capture him as fast as possible, and almost within reach as I kept trotting, it happened. An overcast aiming for us, the large shadow trailed fast, and with unseen speed, it rained down. In a split second, the shadow materialized into a solid figure.

Boom!

The shattering sound ringing in my ears for a second, the shockwave hit me next, launching me meters away.

"Ugghhh!…"

Landing with force, I quickly stood, as it was still dangerous to be in the area I was in. All in one piece and while revising myself as fast as possible, it wasn't a surprise that I had taken heavy damage, as my gauge was in yellow.

"Commander! We must retreat! Our forces aren't…"

"Keep fighting! Retreating is not an option!"

"This is an impossible feat… We´ll be killed in any…"

"Victory must be ours! …We´re almost half way there! Now move it!"

Shit! …Stubborn as ever! …But I just can't leave the rest of my comrades to die! …Someway…we must defeat it!

Boom!

"Ahhhh!"

Another death. The screaming and shattering short after were agonizing, nothing capable of blocking their sounds; with every shatter, more and more fear was fed into our hearts. And yet, the surviving instinct was too loud to not hear it. The battle between the fear of dying and the illusion of winning deep inside, it wasn't clear which would win. Everyone had it, but it seemed that even loyalty was more engraved into these soldiers' hearts than all those factors combined.

Zoooch!

"Squad B! Cover squad G! Everyone else…Forward!"

Clink!

Clank!

Weapons flashing everywhere, it seemed illogical that a mob this size would still be standing from the thousands of hits received. But the more attacks it received, the more it dealt with its mace. Like if it was channeling our energy against us, we were being wiped out. And with each death, more blind hate enveloped our souls.

Infuriated from the useless command and every single painful death so far, I gripped my sword tighter. But the frustration and agony couldn't get in the way of rational thinking. With the lives of my friends on my hands, I couldn't afford to lose my cool; but it was excruciating.

"Yo Kato, Ray! Cover me! …Let's go!"

Once more going in, we took our positions and stormed towards the monster´s feet. Kato and Ray in the front, Tak and I right behind them and Zero and Token in support; we infiltrated its line of sight with the help of another group and unleashed our attacks.

"…Argh!"

Swish! Swish!

Kato taking the lead, he hit first with a three-hit move, then Ray with a four-hit move. Tak released his three-hit skill and as it was my turn, I revealed [Phoebe Moon], a five-hit sword skill with four horizontal strikes plus a downward thrust.

With the last light trail of my blade, more screams reached us. Fighting the boss head on, the other squad was retreating with heavy damage. The agile support group, they had managed to keep it busy while we dealt some damage; but now out of the boss´ reach, they were safe; however, it was then when it was our turn. Being the only closest threat, it knew we were the new target, and with a tremendous change of plans, it gathered strength as its mace began to shine. And with Zero finishing his attack, it was Tokens turn.

"Abort! Token! Turn back!"

Too late to hear my words, his axe was already in motion. Missing his target, Token was left in an inescapable situation. The force created as the boss lunged upwards was felt inside the whole room, and with the great motion, it executed a special skill; thrusting towards the ceiling, its mace shone brighter as it began its descent. With no choice but to execute his remaining hit, Token was now in [Post-Motion]. With treacherous danger within seconds of striking, but unable to move for as he was in a cooling state, we didn't hesitate to rush in.

"Cover him!"

With strong rising heart beats and feet moving so slowly, the surroundings had begun to freeze; Token just a few meters away, I still couldn't reach him. Like if the system was holding me back, my whole body got heavy. With pressure at its highest, a giant light rapidly came into sight, just right before Token was just able to turn around. In a split second, he too realized it; the inescapable situation confronting him, all I saw was a faint smile from his lips. Putting all my strength into my legs and feeling like they would break form the force, I executed a dive; but it was useless, as it finally came.

Smash!

The full force thrust at my face; my right hand was blown off, as red polygons burst out.

And as the mace lifted, tiny white particles rose. With a high-pitched roar, the creature turned as if nothing happened. My scream also fused with its roar, anger and rage filled me; Token, was no more.