Vol. 13 - Ch. 747 - Bumor, The Tank Destroyer vs. Sierra

"Guh!"

"Nya!?"

"Ester, Karua, fall back and heal up! «Lightning Burst»!"

"MOOOOOOOO!!"

As expected of the strongest Intermediate dungeon boss, «Bumor» was a beast. Its wide-range greatsword swings were relentless, catching Ester and Karua and sending them flying.

Estelle took a heavy hit, losing nearly 40% of her HP, but Karua—the glass cannon—was in the red, with over 60% of her health gone in a single strike. I issued out the order for them to retreat before the boss could follow up and finish them off.

"«Blessing of Greater Healing»! «Prayer for Recovery»!"

Lana was on it instantly. Her healing magic washed over them, patching their HP and getting them back into the fray in seconds. Meanwhile, Sierra continued to keep the «Bumor»'s target on her; she hadn't let the aggro slip for a moment.

She'd like an immovable boulder even as Bumor blasted its terrific onslaught on her.

What's important in any battle was for the tank and healer to stand their ground; and as long as they're active, a party would still have the chance to come back. They're the safety net that allowed attackers to go on rampage, even if it meant taking some hit.

"Ngh, it’s strong."

"Should we switch to hit-and-run tactics to keep our distance? «Triple Shot»!"

"I know I say avoid the damage, but don't play it too safe! Remember, we've the best tank and healer! Go ham for all it matters, just avoid critical situations!"

"......Hn, understood!"

"—! You're right. We can’t afford to let this drag on. Here I go—«Spear Charge»!"

My words encouraged them. We didn't have all day. While we could do what Ester said, take the distance and wait for the opening, that would stretch the fight. The longer the fight lasts, the more MP we burn, and the less time we have for more grind.

You'd not want to run out of MP in the boss fight after all. This was further important for tanks who couldn't replenish their MP for as long as they're holding the aggro. The whole party would be exposed to the threat if that happened.

That’s why the attackers had to end it fast. Even if they take a few hits along the way. Of course, being reckless was not a way to do it either.

"Rgh! «Flash Stab»!"

"«Phase Slash»! «Star Burst Torndao»!"

Ester threw herself on the boss, taking a hit, but also countering with her own attack, dealing decent damage.

Hmm, the light attribute was working best against demons. Karua, too, intensified her approach, focusing more on hit than run.

"That's the spirit, Ester, Karua! «Holy Sword»! Time for healing, Lana!"

"Sheesh, I am already spread thin! «Recovery Prayer»! The buffs are about to expire. I am refreshing them!"

"You're going to have a bit of a rough time, Sierra!"

"Let... it... be!"

"«Soul’s Oath»! «Debuff Resistance Blessing»! «Blessing of Protection»! «Anti-Magic Blessing»! «Blessing of Agility»!"

Just as Sierra's reply echoed, Lana invoked her spell «Soul’s Oath»—when activated, the target would lose all their existing buffs, and instead get a refund of MP for each buff removed this way—on her.

Since tanks couldn't leave the battlefield for as little as 3 seconds—the duration to drink a potion—this was one of the only means to help them with their MP. Sierra lost 6 of her buffs, but that granted her 60 points of MP.

The buffs were gone for a split second, but Lana reapplied them immediately. Sierra had timed her defensive stance for the gap, so there wasn't a single opening for the boss to exploit.

With their buffs refreshed, the attackers went back to work with renewed vigor. The HoT recovery effect from Lana kept them at full health, even as they received a little damage here and there. In return, we continued to blast it with our attacks.

The fight had been ongoing, and it wasn't long after that when «Bumor»'s greatswords suddenly glowed in special effect.

"! That's the cue for unique skill! Sierra!"

"—! On it!"

The rare boss had activated its unique skill just as its HP struck 30%—«Brenmor Style: Twin Howling Slash».

«Bumor» tossed aside the staff it was holding, and tightened its grip over the two greatswords. Its muscles bulged, veins throbbing with surging power.

"MOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

The air thundered as if the space itself was trembling under the swing of «Bumor»'s greatswords.

I didn't expect the roar to be so soul shaking. I fear it would've easily paralyzed anyone faint-hearted, like Lacritta. I wonder how she would've dealt with it.

While feeling the pressure from «Bumor», the boss went for a left swing first, cutting through the air with a deafening whistle.

The two hit strike was something even tanks would've had a tough time if they didn't know what was coming for them. The first strike had the effect of «Shatter Defense», and the second strike was the main damage dealer.

There was no escaping from it, either. If you tried to escape, the boss had the mechanic where it would chase after you with lightning fast speed, and the unique skill wouldn't dispel until it had struck someone. In other words, you couldn't run, and you couldn't hide.

But, it wasn't without its counter.

"—«Iron Wall»!"

Sierra chose a skill that locked her in place but massively reduced all incoming

damage for a set duration.

"MOOOOOOOOOO!!"

*BOOOM!*

The impact sent shockwaves all over, even sending Sierra's four autonomous shields flying—an effect of «Shatter Defense» ability.

Just before the attack had struck, Sierra had pushed the four shields between her and the boss while activating «Iron Wall». This shields bear the brunt, and nullified the only attack that could've seriously dealt a heavy blow.

Immediately, the second greatsword strike closed up.

Since her main shield hadn't been "broken," it held firm. Combined with her «Impact Absorption» passive, she only lost about 20% of her HP.

"MOOOOOOO... OOO?"

«Bumor» let out what appeared to be confused noise. It had put everything into that "sure-kill" move, only to see its opponent still standing.

This was the famous combo defensive skill of «Sanctified Shield Princess».

By utilising the unique aspect of her job—controlling two shields at once—she'd easily tanked what would've otherwise been a game-deciding moment. Truly, it was like the natural counter against «Bumor».

Against Sierra, a two-stage attack was just a minor inconvenience.

"Now’s our chance! «Brave Slash»!"

"MOOOO?!"

Dealing massive damage to the boss while it was stuck in a recovery animation of unique skill was the easiest way to push them to «Downed» status. And sure enough, «Bumor» collapsed under my attack, completely vulnerable.

"Don't hold back! «Brave Heart»!"

" "Of course!!" "

"«Princess Knight Awakening»!"

Lana and Karua shouted in unison as they unleashed their strongest moves. Ester followed up immediately after. We carved into its health bar, and even after it stood back up, we kept the pressure on until its HP hit the critical zone, triggering its "Rage Mode."

Now was the tricky part. «Bumor» picked its staff back, and started spamming magic in every direction, and swung its swords like a blender.

We took our distance. Against this boss, the only tactic when it hit rage mode was to never approach it, and focus entirely on dodging the chaotic attacks. Well, if the party had the means for long-ranged attack though, then it was advisable to use it from distance while dodging.

As the only one with reliable ranged options, I stayed on the edge, chipping away at its health. Once the rage subsided, everyone swarmed back in for the kill.

"This is the end! «Holy Sword»!"

"Moooo... ooo..."

My final strike caught «Bumor» across the chest. Its HP finally hit zero. The boss toppled backward, dissolving into a sea of effect, vanishing entirely.

And when the area became visible again, there were two «Gold Chest» enshrined where it was. Alongside, the 5th Conqueror's Mark appeared on our hand, signaling the conquest of yet another intermediate-high dungeon.