Chapter 186: Hail Before Storm (2)
Chapter 186: Hail Before Storm (2)
"...do something to prevent the worst-case scenario?" Raina questioned. "What would that be?"
Within the abandoned chapel that was eternally frozen from the appearance of the cacoon, the group all turned towards Blake moments after he had suggested that there was a possibility of a better outcome.
"Yes. From what I can see in the situation so far, we can at the very least do something to prevent the worst from happening," Blake nodded his head. "Well... In actuality, with our current strength, we might do barely make do."
"Does this account for me and Crowelin?" Hikari tilted her head. "Perhaps Shinto too if it's the real one..."
Despite not knowing or having confirmed whether or not Shinto was really the Shinto she knew, it didn't change the fact that there were a few higher levelled players among the group in the Chapel. Being at the top meant that they were ahead of normal players by a few leapshowever, that didn't mean they wouldn't struggle in fights that were a bad match-up against them.
"Although you may be of the higher ranks within the church," Blake calmly shook his head. "That isn't enough to even do averagely. Even with the help of other adventurers, the one thing we especially need if we wish to succeed would be that of the anti-frost element, fire. But, not just any fire, it has to be that of purity."
"Flames of Purity..." Raina muttered out. "Would the Flames of Etheral work? It has the property of fire and purity within it."
[ Flames of Etheral Lv 1 ] [ 600 MP ] [ Cooldown: 30 Minutes ]
By the arts of the great Etheral that holds purity, that can burn through the darkness of sinThe caster shoots out a burst of pure flame as it reaches a target, quickly dealing 1280% fire magic damage + 450% fire magic damage that burns over time for 10 seconds.
When an enemy is hit by this spell, their Light RES is decreased by 25% for 5s and are marked with a burning flame that decreases the overall effects of 'curses' that the enemy may cast.
*When the attack hits an enemy that is judged as 'Evil', the damage is greatly increased to 1500% and 600% respectively.
*After casting the spell, the caster will nullify two effects of curses inflicted on self by enemies judged as 'Evil'.
...
"The Flames of Etheral?" Blake questioned. "No, it won't work to do even average. If I recall, that is of the basic spells within the line of purifying flames. Perhaps if you manage to gain access to Uriel's Hell Flame, it would be a different storyhowever, that is not possible."
"Ah...?" Raina blinked. "If that's so... Then what do we do? Does the priest have any flame spells with purity properties on them?"
"Me? I do have a lot of spells with purity properties, but none are of the fire attribute," Hikari sighed. "I focus mainly on healing and protection, which is why my class is the White Priest that specializes in such. So, I, unfortunately, do not have access to any of those types of spells."
"It's fine. I said we wouldn't be able to do it on average, but, at the almost bare minimum. Though with some troubles here and there, it should be possible using the Flames of Etheral as a holder whilst you supply the holy essence into it."
"...what do you suggest with all these Flames of Purity and Holy Essence?" The man seemingly frowned. "How is that going to work? Bareth's entire being is of cold air with no actual body or matter. Fire won't do anything against it. He needs to be frozen using the Ice Queen's Blade."
"Under normal circumstances... That is usually the case if the legends foretold shows that he could be defeated that way," Blake stated. "However, your blade is at its weakest and won't even leave a dent to him. Do you really think such a blade would work?"
"Ugh... Why should I take your works for it?" The man uttered out. "The one who gave the blade firmly states that I could do it. If you wish to intrude on my matters... Then, I might as well stop listening and get this over with, yes?"
"...you're suggesting that..." Blake frowned as his body soon swayed to the side against the sudden glacial ice that protruded out from the ground. "Tch... Do you truly wish to be blinded by a single path?"
"Look, I've no time to deal with your bullshit," the man clicked his tongue. "He said he needed me to act coolheaded and at the very least act like him when I was here, but enough of that. I give up on this act."
"W-What?" Raina raised her brow in question. However, before she could further inquire on the situation, the floors that were still intact despite the rubble everywhere in the chapel soon turned into icy blocks.
"So I'll do it my way now," his hood finally came off as it revealed the bright green name of [ Vincent ], indicating that he was a player. "But don't worry, my way is a little more brutal, but I'll only temporarily knock you out."
"Hey, you two! At your 3'o clock and 6 positions! The ice around the chapel is heading towards you!" Hikari shouted out as her staff lifted up into the air, soon she began chanting out a spell. "O' light that protects your people, please bring us your divinity protection!"
[ Divinity Protection Lv 4 ] [ 150 MP ] [ Cooldown: 1 Minute ]
With the power of the divine skies that grant thee the wishes of protection, the user casts about a barrier of light around their surrounding allies that absorbs about 700 of the total damage of the attack whilst raising their physical resistance by 20% for 5s.
...
With a gentle light that seeps into the bodies of Blake and Raina, a small shield soon appeared before them.
"If that's how you wish to play it..." Blake helplessly sighed. "then we'll entertain you."
"W-What, we will?!" Reru cried out. "We've got no time! Bareth will be awakening any time soon!"
"Which is why... We'll need to stall enough time for until back-up arrives," Blake stated. "But... I do think stalling may not be needed actually."
Swiftly moving towards the side and summoning out his black box, Blake began aiming forth at the man whose eyes that were once golden were now that of blue whilst the scar that was prevalent disappeared.
[ Preying Eyes ]
Moments after, his arrow soon darkened as he shot it out simultaneously after he had marked his target.
[ Flightless Pursuit ]
"...what?" Vincent frowned as he turned to glance at his health bar. "For someone who acts as if he knew everything... Your damage sure doesn't look that good on me."
"That does not matter," he stated. "All I needed to do was mark you as the enemy."
"...?" The man confusingly raised his brow as he soon shook his head. "Whatever. I'm getting this over with," with the blade in his hand raised, he began to activate a skill. However, at that moment, a shining radiant light quaked the ground as it headed head first towards the direction of the man.
[ Paladin Skill - Smearing Quake ]
"Argh...!" The man abruptly lost his balance at the sudden quake on the ground and, before he could even get a chance to get himself together, multiple rays of light shone down on him as a black fog protruded within the area.
"Hah... Hah..." A man's breath hushed out into the area. "Made it in time, I guess?"
"The heck's going on here?!" Following behind the voice, a female one uttered out.
"Ugh, I don't know! Just punch at the guy in front! He seems to have caused all this," another voice answered. "The fog's intruding his vision, so your chance is now!"
"Alright!" The female voice answered with excitement. "Well, here I go!"
"The hell's going on...?" The man frowned at his sudden blindness. "Blind status? This is..." However, before he could even get out of such a state or use his abilities to immune, he was quickly punched in the face by a brawler. "Argh...?! What the-"
"Do you think I'm done? Nope!" Frey stated as she connected her attacks with her skills. "Take this!"
[ Brawler Skill - Blitz Fist ]
[ Brawler Skill - Palm Shockwave ]
[ Brawler Skill - Frontal... ]
...
Still within the black fog, the same light that was shot out before shone down once again onto the man. However, this time, there was a certain blinding light among the rays.
[ Shadow Diviner Skill - Hallowed Crest ]
"All out attack!" Frey cried out.
"Do as much as you can in the remaining time!" The man's voice protruded by the distance.
"...huh?" Standing by the side as she watched the scene unfold before her, the man that was suddenly barraged by countless skills as if he was treated as a raid boss was seen struggling. "This is..." Hikari thought to herself whilst getting herself together. From earlier to now, she had heard a familiar voice, and that was... "Shinto?"