Dropping from the ceiling, I see the system notifying us of the change in objective. Reading it quickly, I join everyone else with a worried expression, especially since the dark ominous aura coming from the Reaper bursts forth behind me. No longer wearing a robe, he equips a lustrous black armor, with thin red highlights accentuating the metallic exterior. On his two shoulders sits an obsidian black cat bust and an emerald green frog bust, with amber and ruby eyes respectively.
However, the most frightening scene was the human mask that sits on the Reaper's face. A grin that never drops and eyes as small and sharp as the scythe in his hands. Wearing a golden crown that glitters endlessly like the night sky, he twirls his scythe around his head and sides like a magician's wand, cutting the floor and walls around him.
"We all read the system prompt right? Any thoughts on escaping him?" - Rebecca
"How's the door behind us looking?" - Helioc
"Closed. At least the last time we checked. It's not like we rattled the door knob before advancing this close to him." - Sabrina
"Fight?" - David
"No David. We would get killed instantly." - Ian
"Wait. Are you Ian or Selino?" - Nina
"Ian and does it matter right now? We don't have a way to beat him at least from what I can tell. That's why the objective changed from defeat to escape. How did you guys even get here in the first place? I know I didn't come here through conventional means so…" - Ian
"Teleport circle, right below the Castle." - SanShiGo
"That circle also transported us to various different places, which means we can't rely on it. Did anyone see any windows on the way up? From what I remember from the outside, there were windows." - Devel
"Nothing, of that sort." - Sylvia
"Neither." - Frank
"Bust a hole in the wall then? Devel should have more than enough power to do that." - Ester
"My attacks barely make a scratch on the ground in this place, so I doubt I have the power to break through the wall." - Devel
"Damn, we are running out of options. The Reaper isn't going to just stand there and wait for us. Devel, David, Sylvia, and I will hold him off for as long as we can. Nina and SanShiGo, think of a solution. Helioc and Frank, looking along the edges of this room for a potential way out. Ester and Rebecca, run to the door at the other side and see if it is possible to break or open it." - Ian
"It seems like you are ignoring me and making plans in front of my face now. Do you not feel death quickly creeping by your side?" - Reaper
"MOVE! NOW! SHIFT! COUNTER PULSE!" - Devel
Blinking in front of the group, Devel intercepts the Reaper's deadly swing, sending a shockwave around him at the same time. Naturally seeing the dangers in front of them, everyone splits off to do their tasks while David sprints toward Bael, coating himself in flames in the process. Still, in an awakened state, Sylvia glances toward me and nods, before following David closely behind.
Letting out a deep breath, I see Devel release the seal on his sword, as he catches a glimpse of me approaching beside him. Pointing to the left, he gives me a small nudge of the head, in which case I respond with a slight nod, while I point to the right. A short exchange of signals, not a word between us, but we understood each other, I mean it wasn't that hard. Acknowledging our wordless conversation, Devel leaps forward, approaching the feline bust at lightning-fast speeds. Sensing that Devel was the fastest threat, the Reaper's attention turned toward him. The amber eyes on his shoulder flash brightly, as several gold and purplish-black balls appear around the airborne Devel. Surprised by the sudden appearance of the balls, Devel quickly kicks off the air, jumping higher. However, the balls follow him, floating up rapidly before each one, shining their respective colors as a ray of light emits out from them, targeting Devel.
At the same time, a ruby light flashes from the right, as three pink tongues lash out from the frog bust. Each one as fast as a cheetah as it lands on David, Sylvia, and me, square on the face, dealing considerable damage. Unfazed by the attack, David grips tightly onto the tongue as it catches alight from his passive skill, Ifrit's Favor. Leaping up from the ground, David lets the tongue whip him back to the source, as he flies through the air, reaching the frog bust within seconds. Hovering in front of the frog bust, slightly off the ground, staring daggers into the ruby eyes, David lets out a battle cry.
"HHHAAAAAAHHHHH! JAHANNAM NAAR DIRE!" - David
"Miasma Coat." - Reaper
Condensing a fire blast at the frog bust, at close range, David attempts to deal massive damage, however, his plan was thwarted as quickly as he reached the Reaper. A dense fog of miasma, wraps around the Reaper instance, swallowing David's fire magic. Shocked by the result of his efforts, David, falls down backward as the pressure coming from the Reaper sends him flying. Before he lands with a loud thud, Sylvia uses his shoulders as a platform, leaping into the clouds of miasma.
Her body shines a holy glow, as she pierces through, standing next to the Reaper. Turning his head slightly at Sylvia, he merely swings his scythe in her direction, uninterested at all in her presence. Annoyed by the lack of respect, Sylvia dodges under the scythe, rolling forward, and coats her fists in the same holy light, radiating brighter as she punches the Reaper's lower body. However, her fists meet with the black armor and a loud thud could ring in our ears as the holy power covering Sylvia instantly disperses.
"What…?" - Sylvia
"SYLVIA! GET BACK!" - Ian
Finally reaching the action, I lunge forward grabbing onto Sylvia's shoulder, pulling her back as the Reaper cuts the surrounding area with his scythe, spinning it around his body. Luckily I am able to block part of the swing with my trident resulting in no injuries. However, I no longer had my spider legs, since Selino used them to block the earlier attacks, and the special curse-like skill she used is also unavailable to me.
Devel appears right beside me, stabbing at the Reaper with his lightning bolt, only to be parried by his scythe. Pushing it away, the Reaper slices at our feet, forcing us to jump backward hurriedly, but leaving us open to his second attack. A much faster swing aiming for our neck. Covering for the three of us, I put my body in front of Sylvia and accurately position the body of my trident to intercept the tip of the scythe, narrowly blocking it.
"Earth Spike." - Ian
Casting my skill right in front of the Reaper's feet, I force him to take a step backward, cleverly dodging the attack. Taking this opportunity he repositions himself as he steps around the right side of the spike, swinging the weapon at a much faster speed. This time, Devel dashes forward, intercepting the attack mid-swing, while Sylvia punches at the Reaper's face and I Cleave at his legs.
"Shadow Block." - Reaper
The feline's eyes flash once more, creating two separate shadowy magic shields that block both of our attacks at the same time. Gritting my teeth at yet another unsuccessful attempt to do anything to the Reaper, my brain gears itself up, thinking of ways to survive this ordeal. Surprisingly it seems like my prayers were answered as an explosive crash could be heard above us.
"HAHAHA! FINALLY! I HAVE MADE IT! Friend, LOOK! It's the Reaper." - Mumei
Standing at the edge of a gaping hole, I see Mumei, the Guardian of Civilization, laughing while hugging the floating paper bag. Seeing the Reaper distracted by the appearance of Mumei, I grab onto Sylvia's arm while glancing at Devel and David before dashing away as quickly as possible.
"Another thorn by my side. I guess the saying is true. Where there is one cockroach, there are many." - Reaper
"Friend, it's time to do our job! Down we go!" - Mumei
Leaping down from the hole, Mumei lands directly beside the Reaper, but he wasn't going to let her off that easily. Swinging his scythe multiple times at her, I expected Mumei to be hit, as she had just landed on the ground, however, Friend instead floats between the two, creating a bubble made out of small transparent teal hexagons. The scythe ingrains several deep black marks into the bubble, before the bubble bursts, however, by this time, Mumei was parrying each attack with her small dagger.
Glancing around, I survey the area, looking at everyone else as I hope for them to have found an exit but to no avail. Gulping down my saliva, I knew what that meant. The reason Mumei had arrived at this specific time was to give us a way out. Our escape route was the hole she had created in the ceiling, but the problem was the main fight was happening right below it.
Gathering together once more, as Mumei and the Reaper were engaged in a heated battle, I point directly at the hole, while addressing the solution.
"That hole is our ticket out of the Reaper's Castle as well as the completion of our objective as well as the Third Event. However, I'm not sure how to get there, safely." - Ian
Smiling, SanShiGo steps forward.
"I know how. Summon! PanPan! HAHAHA! The plan is simple. Ride PanPan to the hole and escape!" - SanShiGo
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