Chapter 593 Do They Need Me?
Villain Ch 593. Do They Need Me?
Sophia's group, in stark contrast to Allen's group's nonchalant demeanor, immediately recognized the presence of Father^Alex among them.
The knight leading Sophia's party couldn't help but voice his observation, "Hey, isn't that Father^Alex? Celestial Vanguard's healer?" The group continued moving forward without slowing their pace.
The paladin, also aware of Father^Alex, chimed in, "Yeah, I noticed that too." His gaze fixated on the unfamiliar group up ahead.
A hint of confusion and suspicion crossed the hunter's face as he commented, "It's a little strange seeing a well-reputed healer like him together with random groups and random guilds like this." His furrowed brow conveyed his uncertainty about the situation.
The magic scholar, studying the scene, added his perspective with a frown, "Yeah." His eyes flicked up to the name and guild displayed above Allen's avatar.
Al <Shadow Syndicate>
"I've never even heard of the Shadow Syndicate guild before," the magic scholar added, furrowing his brows in contemplation. He tried to recall where he might have encountered that guild name—was it part of an event, a quest, or some notable achievement? Yet, the elusive guild remained shrouded in mystery, lacking any significant reputation. Moreover, a quick appraisal of their gear didn't reveal anything particularly noteworthy.
"Not only that, there are too many of them. Eight DPS and a tank, but only one healer? I feel sorry for Father^Alex. They seem to be forcing him and intend to use him as they wish," the paladin chimed in with a disdainful smirk. He cast a skeptical glance at Allen's group. "I'm not sure Father^Alex can support them all. I bet their group will fall apart in an instant," he continued, confidently predicting the downfall of Allen's party. His attention remained fixed on the scene unfolding ahead.
Sophia interjected, her tone carrying a hint of amusement, "But I'm also used to supporting seven players, remember?" A subtle challenge lingered in her words as she subtly reminded her party that she, too, had experience managing a substantial number of teammates.
The group turned to Sophia, their expressions a mix of surprise and realization. "Really?" the magic scholar questioned with a furrowed brow, struggling to reconcile this newfound information with his existing knowledge of Sophia's playing team. As far as he remembered, Sophia's group hadn't seemed as extensive.
Sophia nodded confidently, her eyes scanning the faces of her skeptical teammates. "Yes. Mac, Gil, INeedAHotGF, Arrow_Master, Lord*Hunter, Greg, and Player_Eater. Seven of them," she listed off, punctuating each name with a raised finger.
A moment of stunned silence hung in the air as the group exchanged glances, their initial skepticism giving way to a dawning realization. "To think again, that's right," the magic scholar admitted, a sense of understanding washing over him. The memory of Sophia's main team composition surfaced, and the puzzle pieces began to fit together.
Sophia smiled, attempting to downplay her own abilities. "Well, not all healers can do it though. As far as I know, Father^Alex's main group consists of five people. So maybe he's not really used to supporting that many people," she said, subtly implying that her skills were superior to Father^Alex's.
The knight, catching on to Sophia's hints, remarked, "Oh, that's why you have the Mass Healing Light skill."
Sophia nodded with feigned modesty. "Yes. That skill is very essential for my team," she replied with a smile, her eyes momentarily glancing over at Allen's group. In reality, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of uncertainty. Having witnessed Allen's group in action, she knew they were formidable even without the assistance of a healer's buffs. Not to mention, she recalled that Allen had purchased a Grade S Enhancement Stone from Greg, further fueling her unease. The thought of Allen's strength coupled with Father^Alex's buffs was something she found hard to imagine.
The paladin, still observing Allen's group, remarked, "So Father^Alex might have a challenge with them. Supporting eight players is no easy feat."
Back in Allen's group, their steps came to a halt. "We have our first prey," Allen announced, his gaze fixing on two Undead Royal Guards emerging from the end of the corridor. Despite their undead status, the guards held gleaming swords, and their armor, though darkened, retained an air of menacing durability. Their movements were eerily lifelike, resembling those of living warriors rather than the typical lumbering gait of the undead.
"Guys—" Father^Alex began, intending to caution Allen and the others about the potential danger posed by the two guards. However, Shea casually interjected, "I'll take care of the right one."
"I'll handle the left," Allen declared, swiftly drawing his dual blades.
Allen's assault was a blur as he closed in on the Undead Royal Guard with remarkable speed, courtesy of Father^Alex's buffs. Even Father^Alex found himself momentarily taken aback by the swiftness of Allen's strikes.
Seizing the opportunity, Shea elegantly lifted her magic book, a prelude to her Earth Spike skill. The surrounding ground responded to her command, transforming into menacing spikes that surged toward the monster. However, Shea's finesse lay not in dealing direct damage but in strategically hindering the monster's movements. The spikes ensnared the guard, leaving it immobilized and vulnerable.
With a practiced motion, Bella, taking on the guise of a sorcerer, extended her hand, conjuring the power of Fire Bolt. The flames descended upon the trapped monster in a relentless downpour, each strike chipping away at its health.
[Critical hits!]
[You have burned an Undead Royal Guard for 251 HP] X 10
Vivian, taking on the guise of a hunter, smoothly drew her bow, readying herself for the next phase of the assault. With a practiced motion, she unleashed her Arrow Strike skill. Silver arrows sailed through the air with deadly precision, finding their mark in the undead monster's head.
[Critical hits!]
[You have shot an Undead Royal Guard for 1023 HP] X 2
Exploiting the monster's vulnerability to holy and fire elements, the damage inflicted was substantial, and the creature staggered under the onslaught.
Seizing the opportunity, Shea conjured her Fire Ball. The fiery projectile hurtled towards the immobilized monster, creating a resounding explosion upon impact.
- Boom!
[Critical hits!]
[You have shot an Undead Royal Guard for 521 HP] X 5
The explosion, a symphony of flames and destructive force, engulfed the monster in a fiery crescendo. The combination of Vivian's precise marksmanship plus Shea and Bella's devastating fire magic proved to be a lethal trio.
As the echoes of the explosion subsided, the first Undead Royal Guard lay defeated.
[You received Undead Rusty Ring 1 ea, Dark Thread 1 ea (quest) and 21 Coins.]
On the side, the second Undead Royal Guard and Allen engaged in a dance of blades and dark energies. The monster's sword slashed through the air, releasing ominous dark energy that surged toward Allen with deadly intent.
With an assassin's agility, Allen swiftly evaded the oncoming attack, sidestepping the dark energy with a well-timed maneuver. In the blink of an eye, he activated his Hiding skill, disappearing from the monster's view. The Undead Royal Guard, momentarily disoriented, swung its sword through the empty air, searching for its elusive adversary.
In a strategic repositioning, Allen reappeared behind the monster, dual blades at the ready. The swift, cross-shaped slash he executed left a deep wound on the monster's undead form.
[You have slashed an Undead Royal Guard for 1021 HP] X2
The wounded monster roared in response, its attention sharply turning towards Allen. With precision and speed, the Undead Royal Guard aimed a horizontal sword swing in an attempt to seize Allen. However, Allen's reflexes were unmatched; he expertly ducked beneath the sweeping blade and retaliated with a spinning kick to disrupt the monster's balance.
[You have kicked an Undead Royal Guard for 136 HP]
The Undead Royal Guard, caught off guard by Allen's swift counter, stumbled and lost its footing.
With the Undead Royal Guard momentarily incapacitated, Allen wasted no time exploiting the opening. Swiftly, he planted one of his blades firmly into the monster's chest, aiming for a critical strike.
[Critical hit!]
[You have stabbed an Undead Royal Guard for 2221 HP]
The blade plunged into the undead creature, dealing a significant blow and eliciting a guttural groan from the monster. But Allen wasn't finished yet. With a seamless transition, he raised his other blade and swiftly executed a lethal slash at the monster's exposed throat.
[Critical hit!]
[You have stabbed an Undead Royal Guard for 2984 HP]
The second critical hit landed with devastating effect, sealing the monster's fate. The dark energy surrounding the Undead Royal Guard flickered and dissipated as its life force extinguished. The silence that followed marked the conclusion of their encounter.
[You received Royal Soldier Emblem 1 ea, Dark Thread 1 ea (quest) and 37 Coins.]
Once the Undead Royal Guard defeated and vanquished by Allen's precise and coordinated assault, Allen withdrew his blades, wiping the dark residue from their gleaming surfaces.
Father^Alex's eyes widened as he observed Allen's combat prowess. The fluidity and precision in Allen's movements left him in awe. The brutality of the battle was met with a calculated efficiency that spoke volumes about Allen's skill.
He couldn't help but question his own relevance in this formidable group. The speed, agility, and strategic finesse displayed by Allen raised doubts in Father^Alex's mind. He wondered whether his healing abilities were truly necessary amidst such a skilled and coordinated team.
A question lingered in his thoughts, 'Do they need me in the first place?' Father^Alex marveled.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel