Chapter 206: The Bearded Devil The air sparked with tension as Xin and the others faced the Bearded Devil, its form illuminated by an eerie, otherworldly glow.
Its eyes, ablaze with malicious intelligence, scanned the group.
This creature was no ordinary foe; its Devil’s Sight allowed it to pierce through magical darkness, ensuring that no tricks of shadows would impede its vision.
Midnight Duchess’s stealth and shadows would no longer be effective in this fight.
The Bearded Devil’s confidence was further bolstered by its Magic Resistance, rendering it formidable against spells and magical effects.
Unyielding, the devil stood steadfast, its resolve unshaken by [Fear] as long as it could see its allies within 30 feet.
This meant that Xin and the others had to be not only strategic but also agile, constantly aware of their surroundings.
"Lord Schrodinger, don’t summon your golems too much. Reserved it in the final fight," Victor said.
Xin nodded, and the battle began with a fierce onslaught.
The Bearded Devil moved with lethal grace, launching a series of attacks. Its glaive, a wickedly sharp weapon, arced through the air, striking at Xin and Yuzuro from a distance.
Fortunately, he was fast enough to create a Basic Golem that shielded them.
The impact was brutal, dealing 800 slashing damage to the golem despite its high DEF.
"Ugh . . . What kind of damage is that?" Rever exclaimed in shock. His voice strained with disbelief.
Doubt crept into Yuzuro’s mind about their chances in this dungeon. "A-are we were going to be alright?"
"Stay strong, everyone! We can endure this!" Victor shouted at the group, attempting to bolster their morale.
But the devil’s true menace lay in its beard, which it wielded with surprising dexterity.
It lunged forward, its beard a blur of movement, seeking to pierce Xin’s defenses.
Fortunately, Rever was quick to block, but the attack landed, dealing 600 piercing damage. Worse, the poisonous barbs embedded in its beard injected a potent toxin into Rever’s veins.
Rever’s vision blurred as the poison took hold, making each movement a struggle. The devil’s malevolent grin widened; it knew it had the upper hand.
Yuzuro was quick to heal him while Rever assumed his beast form. With an agile leap, he intercepted the devil’s next strike, his claws clashing against the devil’s glaive in a clash of metal and magic.
Meanwhile, Victor barked out warnings, reminding everyone of the devil’s resilience and their limited resources. He urged caution, emphasizing the importance of strategy.
Yuzuro’s fear etched on her face, and she kept her distance. She tried to focus on the fight and not make mistakes . . . at least so many mistakes.
The fight raged on, the devil’s attacks relentless.
Rever, Midnight Duchess, and Victor coordinated their efforts, dodging strikes and launching counterattacks.
Despite the devil’s relentless ferocity, it lacked the defense necessary to withstand the onslaught from three seasoned players, all of whom were at level 90+.
Gradually, their coordinated efforts wore down the devil’s formidable resistance, and with a final strike, the devil succumbed to their combined strength.
With the beast vanquished, they were finally liberated, free to advance to the next room, their victory a testament to their skill and teamwork.
"The monsters here are incredibly strong," Yuzuro remarked, her voice tinged with worry. "Do you think we stand a chance?"
Victor and the others exchanged knowing glances. They were all aware that clearing this final dungeon seemed nearly impossible.
"Let’s give it our all," Victor said instead, attempting to lighten the mood.
Rever sighed, his shoulders sagging in resignation. "Right from the beginning, this dungeon’s been designed to be nearly unbeatable at our current level. Even the top guilds have failed. If we get wiped out before reaching the final area, it’s not a shame."
"Then why are we even attempting this?" Yuzuro questioned, her voice barely audible.
"Let’s make the most of it," Victor replied, his optimism undiminished. "You never know; perhaps luck is on our side, and we might become the first group to conquer this dungeon."
Rever and Victor shared a hearty laugh, while Yuzuro could only sigh in response, apprehension flickering in her eyes.
With a deep breath, the group ventured into the next room, where the atmosphere shifted subtly with each step they took. It was as if the very room held its breath, anticipating their next move.
Three doors, each leading to different paths, beckoned them, promising both mystery and uncertainty.
The waiting area of the Shapeshifter Mirage appeared deceptively tranquil. Weary adventurers could sink into plush chairs, the illusion of comfort enveloping them.
At the room’s center stood a magnificent table, intricately carved and alluring, tempting players to pause and rest.
Yet, this semblance of tranquility was nothing but a trap.
Hidden dangers lurked beneath the surface, and the group was keenly aware that their every decision in this deceptive room could be a matter of life or death.
"This room feels strangely peaceful," Yuzuro observed, her voice laced with surprise. "Perhaps we could take a moment to catch our breaths?"
Victor, however, remained cautious. He scanned the room, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Be careful," he warned. "This place may seem inviting, but we can’t let our guard down. Sometimes, appearances can be deceiving."
However, Yuzuro was [Charmed] by the room’s apparent calmness and gestured toward the comfortable chairs. "Come on. Look at these chairs. They seem so inviting. We deserve a break, don’t we?"
Xin hesitated, still on high alert. "I’m not so sure about this. The furniture might not be what it appears to be. It could be a trap."
Rever, ever the optimist, waved off Xin’s concerns. "Oh, come on, Grey Smoke, Lord Schrodinger," he said dismissively. "What could possibly go wrong?" He reached out and patted the table beside him.
To everyone’s surprise, the table suddenly sprang to life, revealing its true form as a mimic –– a creature that imitates inanimate objects to trap unsuspecting prey.
Victor shot a stern glance at Rever, his earlier warning now ringing true. "This is why we can’t afford to be careless. Everything in this dungeon is unpredictable, and danger lurks in the most unexpected places."
Rever awkwardly laughed and brushed his nose with his finger.
With the mimic now exposed, the group braced themselves for battle, their earlier sense of ease shattered.