Chapter 97 Chapter97-The Gamble
"Only realizing it now? It's oo late!" Lanas Bayley quirked an eyebrow, bursting into triumphant laughter.
Hearing this, Howard's expression shifted subtly, just as the whizzing arrow struck him.
Thankfully, Howard's MP shield was active. A radiant glow erupted, deflecting the arrow effortlessly.
But the flames in the sky began to rage uncontrollably!
"Swift action, we must end this within three minutes!" Howard cried out, brandishing his Soul Nurturer.
Yet, he unleashed just one skill -- Multiple Wind Blade!
Silvery wind blades materialized, seeming chaotic but striking with deadly precision towards every student except Lanas.
While the principle of 'capture the leader to defeat the group' held true, Howard was putting on a performance and couldn't afford to take down Lanas Bayley.
A joke, really.
Did they think Howard, with his myriad of SS-level skills, would fear being surrounded?
As long as there were no experts above LV50 present, just two or three SS-level skills would suffice to subdue hundreds of students.
The reason Howard feigned surprise was merely to lure Lanas Bayley and his crew into gathering more students.
By defeating them all at once, it would save him the hassle of hunting them down later.
High above in the sky, the three mentors exchanged glances.
Jack sighed, "It seems Howard and his group are in for some misfortune, walking straight into a trap. As long as Lanas Bayley can hold them back and prevent their escape, once the other students arrive, all the points they've snatched will be returned to their rightful owners."
Jack was oblivious to Howard's possession of the SS-level skill, only aware that Daniel held Howard in high regard.
Unfortunately, since Tana had initially taken interest in Howard, Jack and Wales had naturally refrained from monitoring him and had missed witnessing Howard's prowess.
Hearing Jack's words, Wales and Tana exchanged skeptical looks.
Shortly after, Tana whispered, "Why do I get the feeling that it's the students who are walking into a snare?"
"Walking into a snare?" Jack chuckled, "Aren't you two overestimating Howard? There are hundreds of students. Even if each spat on him, it would be enough to drown him!"
A playful smirk danced on Wales' lips as he suddenly suggested, "How about we place a bet?"
"On what?" Jack's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"If you win," Wales began in a soft voice, "I'll sneak out a bottle of the Vice Principal's long-cherished Dragon's Blood Wine for you. If you lose, I don't ask for much. I believe you have an Invisibility Cloak? Hand that over to me."
"Invisibility Cloak?" Jack questioned with raised eyebrows. "What would you want with that? Planning some clandestine mischief, are you?"
Tana, with a look of sheer exasperation, snapped, "Shut it! Don't spew such filth in front of me."
Wales replied with a nonchalant tone, "If I wished to be mischievous, would I really need an Invisibility Cloak?"
"Point taken," Jack replied with an awkward grin.
Aware that both Tana and Wales were mightier than him, he hesitated before jesting.
Grinning, he conceded, "Fine, let's bet! I wager that Howard won't withstand the barrage from the students. Even if he manages to flee, I will still count it as my loss!"
Aloft, the trio of mentors, Jack among them, witnessed players amassing from all directions, especially after the fiery flare.
Regrettably, Howard and his team's previous onslaught was so ferocious that the vast majority of the students felt its impact, leaving them utterly shocked.
Otherwise, why would they collaborate and lay such a meticulous trap?
"Let's wait and see," Wales said with a confident smirk, causing Jack to furrow his brow and mutter softly to himself.
Meanwhile, the ground below became a hotbed of frenzied combat.
Despite Howard concealing his true strength, he struggled against several A-level Talent Awakenings simultaneously.
However, thanks to his MP shield, a single skill cast was sufficient to sustain it, effectively blocking the students' onslaught.
Witnessing this, every player within Lanas Bayley's team wore an expression of astonishment.
"Damn it, what kind of skill is that? Or is it the effect of some equipment?"
"Why is his shield so robust, and its replenishment so swift?"
"Forget it, if we can't bring him down, let's just stall him. I refuse to believe that with more reinforcements, we won't breach that shield."
"Change the target, go for the others!"
The group of students wasn't naive. Without needing a prompt from Lanas Bayley, they redirected their assaults towards Nick and his companions.
However, it was Judy who showcased her prowess.
Chanting a spell, an Angel Phantasm materialized around her.
Hum!
Moments later, the Angel Phantasm radiated brilliance, enveloping Howard and his companions within its glow.
[Ding! Congratulations to the awakened Howard. You have been bestowed with the skill -- Angelic Blessing. Upon being attacked, there's a 5% chance to be immune to the assault, a 25% chance to receive healing effects, and a 70% probability that the damage from the attack will be reduced by 50%. Duration: 60 seconds!]
"What the fuck!"
"That's intense!"
Upon witnessing this skill notification, Nick and Mike couldn't help but exclaim aloud.
"Ha ha ha, with this skill at our disposal, what's there to fear?"
With a hearty laugh, Nick, with a shield in one hand and a short sword in the other, shifted from a defensive stance and charged directly at Lanas and his crew.
Being a warrior, he naturally needed to get up close to maximize his effectiveness.
Mike had long been in stealth mode, though he hadn't launched any attack yet.
Yet, both Nick and Mike found themselves wondering: Why hadn't Howard unleashed any of his formidable skills?
Lanas and his associates were no novices.
Witnessing the Angel Phantasm enveloping Nick and his party, they immediately unleashed a barrage of AOE skills, along with those having special control capabilities.
What use were immunity and damage reduction?
If they were swept up by the skill's force, repelled, or controlled, Nick still couldn't advance.
However, not sustaining significant damage and with Judy's intervention, his HP consistently remained in a relatively safe zone.
Lanas and his team played it smart.
They weren't aiming to directly defeat Howard. As long as they could stall him and wait for the other students to arrive, the outcome would be inevitably decided.
For a while, the clash between Howard and Lanas reached a deadlock.
Lanas and Abby, each drawing their bows and nocking arrows, seemed to be in a standoff, blocking each other off.
With the presence of his MP shield, Howard single-handedly held off three opposing students.
Under Judy's protection, Nick made several attempts to break through.
Regrettably, his adversaries weren't pushovers.
Even when Nick executed his Charge skill, he was interrupted and left dazed in place.
Mike remained in stealth, while Jimmy kept glancing around, his eyes darting, seemingly lost in thought.
Suddenly, a look of alarm washed over Jimmy's face, and he discreetly began to retreat, hoping to leave the battlefield.
Yet, before Jimmy could make his exit, the silhouette of Mike materialized behind him, with a razor-sharp dagger pressing threateningly against Jimmy's throat.
"Knew you were up to something shady all along. Trying to run now? It's too late," Mike said with a sardonic smile, "Sit tight. If you try any funny business, once we're back at the academy, you will regret it."
Hearing this, a shiver ran down Jimmy's spine.
Being in the bad books of someone with an awakened S-level talent would spell disaster for his future at the academy, wouldn't it?
Losing points was one thing, a temporary setback. But earning the enmity of someone? That would cast a shadow over his entire academic journey.
Realizing this, Jimmy had no choice but to meekly follow Mike back.
Mike's shout suddenly pierced the ears of Howard and the others, "Boss, reinforcements are on their way. They aree coming from all directions!"
"What the fuck?!"
"How come so many are rushing over?"
Upon hearing this, Nick was taken aback, especially since barely two minutes had passed.
"Ha ha ha!" Lanas Bayley couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Hours ago, we had already set everything in motion, gathering all together, just waiting for you to walk right into our trap! I'd advise you to surrender now."
"They're already in chaos, attack!"
Seeing Mike bringing Jimmy back in custody, Lanas and his crew, sharp as ever, quickly deduced the situation and intensified their offensive.
Their talents were by no means inferior. Without Howard unleashing his SS-level skill and being outnumbered, they might not necessarily have the upper hand.
Moreover, the hurried sound of footsteps echoed from all around.
Howard swiftly retreated, beckoning Nick and Mike to do the same, as the six of them regrouped.
Casting a quick glance, Howard expressed a hint of surprise.
Apart from Jimmy, the rest seemed remarkably composed, especially Judy. Despite being a new addition to the team, she showed no sign of panic.
Howard's eyes narrowed slightly, and he inquired, "Judy, aren't you afraid that we might lose?"
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