Chapter Ten: Noon, Ten Minutes Past, The Moment of Death
Chen Ling had not yet responded when Scorched Earth completed its mutation. A horde of Flame Rock Soldiers burst from the ground, wielding massive axes, their bodies coursing with sinister lines of molten flame, making them appear unspeakably grotesque.
Fortunately, the boss’s increased damage came with a corresponding drop in defense—otherwise, who could say how anyone could survive this fight...
“How does it look, boss?” After downing a recovery potion, Zhang Long couldn’t wait to ask.
“Almost ready! By the way, how did you know the GM sells recovery potions?” Chen Ling genuinely hadn’t known they were available for purchase.
“Heh heh! Me? I’m terrified of dying, so I asked the GM all sorts of questions about staying alive—eventually, I learned about the recovery potions. But I never expected a level-one potion to be this powerful!” Zhang Long replied, a hint of excitement in his voice.
“...”
“...”
“Come on, Xiao Long, just tell us—how many black coins for a level-one recovery potion?” Chen Ling was a hundred percent convinced Zhang Long’s price was a lie.
“Boss, what are you talking about? I don’t get it.”
“No need to hide it, Xiao Long,” Xing Ye interjected. “Who would believe you except Wei Zi?”
Liu Wei scratched his head, mystified. “What are you guys talking about that I don’t know again...?”
“Two hundred black coins...” Zhang Long finally confessed.
“Two hundred! You—” Chen Ling was just about to scold him when Scorched Earth’s furious roar interrupted. “Roar! Humans! You have enraged me!”
“My soldiers! Advance! Slaughter every human!”
At the boss’s command, the Flame Rock Soldiers charged at the stunned players without a trace of hesitation. The battle was upon them; there was no time to berate Zhang Long further. Defeating the boss was the only thing that mattered now!
As the other players faltered in fear before Scorched Earth, Chen Ling shouted with all his might, “What are you afraid of?! Our mission is to hold the square! Fifteen more minutes and we win! Hold on!”
“Chen Ling is right! Just fifteen more minutes and we finish the mission! Don’t be afraid, everyone!”
“He’s right! With me!”
“Liu Hao! Let’s go!”
“...”
For a moment, courage spread among the players, and they rallied against the oncoming, grotesque Flame Rock Soldiers. Under the players’ concentrated fire, the first eight soldiers to charge were riddled with bullets and fell like wheat. But Scorched Earth’s attacks soon forced the players to scatter, giving the enemy troops a gap to break through their defenses.
Chen Ling continually unleashed card attacks at Scorched Earth. Despite the boss’s enhanced power, its hatred for Chen Ling never waned.
The Card Double Strike skill had an ultra-short cooldown—after two basic attacks, it could be used again. Even under the boss’s onslaught, Chen Ling’s damage output didn’t falter. Scorched Earth’s aggro remained firmly fixed on him. Wave after wave of Flame Rock Soldiers emerged, were slain, and replaced...
Such a formidable card-shooter—how had he not realized it at first? Chen Ling began to regret spending his coins on bullets...
Twelve minutes left. Nine minutes. Six minutes... Time oozed by like thick mud.
“Three minutes left! Hang in there, everyone—defeat this last wave of Flame Rock Soldiers and we live!” Chen Ling called, raising his arm.
“Alright...!” the players responded in unison.
The final three minutes crawled by, agonizing as an old man threading a needle. Unnoticed, the sun had climbed high into a cloudless sky. Noon had come.
Brilliant sunlight shone on the players, and on the boss and his minions as well...
The players felt warmth. The monsters, however— “Due to the scorching sun, boss Scorched Earth and his summoned Flame Rock Soldiers have increased attack and reinforced defense!” The GM’s announcement arrived on cue.
Just as the situation stabilized, disaster struck! The Flame Rock Soldiers’ power surged, their attacks nearly doubling. Scorched Earth now rivaled a weaker level-three boss.
“Damn it! How could this happen?!” The monsters’ sudden boost hit the players hard. Some were already giving in to despair.
“Another power-up? What now? Is the world determined to kill me?”
“Luo Yun, looks like I’ll be seeing you soon...”
“So we’re doomed after all. Xiaoyu, your death was meaningless...”
...
Chen Ling wasn’t going to play the nice guy any longer; he’d helped enough. The rest was up to fate. “We split up! Hold out for three minutes! Brothers, you must survive!” He looked at his three companions with determination. “Don’t die...”
“Don’t worry, I’m not dying here!” Zhang Long declared.
“That’s right! If Zhang Long doesn’t die, how could I, Liu Wei, possibly die? Hahaha!” Liu Wei added.
“Mm.” Xing Ye nodded softly.
With the Flame Rock Soldiers closing in, Chen Ling said no more. The four split up, each taking a different direction.
“Roooar!” Scorched Earth thundered, and his soldiers, emboldened, attacked with even greater ferocity.
“Double Strike!” Dodging a volley of fireballs, Chen Ling rolled aside and unleashed his skill on the boss. Scorched Earth hurled several more fireballs at him, but when none connected, the boss ignored Chen Ling’s card attacks and turned to slaughter the remaining players.
“Getting smarter, are you?” Chen Ling thought grimly. With the boss no longer focused on him, killing it was impossible. Their only hope was to outlast the clock.
The other players weren’t so lucky. Against the stronger, surging tide of Flame Rock Soldiers, their resistance was pitifully weak. Many were overwhelmed while reloading, swept away by the relentless horde. Only a handful of level-one players remained standing.
Chen Ling had already shifted his focus to the soldiers—the boss was beyond hope now. The Tiger King passive activated, dramatically accelerating the damage he dealt.