Chapter 251
Although they were the first to arrive at the swamp-like Stomach of Decay, their pursuers began to appear soon after.
For the time being, they had left keeping the enemies in check to Reaper alone in order to conserve the other team members' skills, but.
There was a limit for Reaper, an assassin-type class.
Although he had reduced their numbers somewhat, it was difficult to stop all of them.
Thus, the Stomach of Decay they arrived at was a rather bizarre place.
While the surroundings were formed like a swamp, several platforms were visible within the field.
“Are we supposed to go over there?”
“It certainly looks that way, no matter how you look at it.”
“Hmm, it looks that way to me as well.”
“Hahaha! This looks like fun!”
“...Hmph.”
Showing similar reactions to Luna's words, everyone leaped simultaneously and landed on one of the platforms.
The members of the alliance who had followed them also moved to nearby platforms.
Around these platforms lay a powerful stomach acid that corroded everything it touched, with a sticky viscosity like a swamp.
At a glance, it looked like lava.
They had to destroy this place.
Since they had to think about destroying this place first, rather than fighting each other.
Only perplexing thoughts came to mind.
And.
‘There's no guarantee these platforms will remain intact.’
Luna thought so and surveyed her surroundings.
The platforms were not arranged regularly but were in different locations, and she could also spot a few empty spots.
The moment Luna saw these patterns and was quickly trying to devise a strategy.
A reaction was seen from the place facing the entrance they had come through.
A colossal body, so huge it gave the illusion of a giant wall moving.
As the giant body raised itself, they were able to get a clear look at the creature.
“...Huh.”
“Hahahaha! Are we supposed to catch that thing?”
“Is that the Stomach of Decay?”
“Hmm, it looks that way to me as well.”
“That's how it looks to me, too.”
The colossal creature that everyone was watching with serious expressions.
Someone looked at it and shouted.
“A H-Hydra!???”
A monster in the form of a giant snake with nine heads.
Seeing the creature, some of them lost a bit of their will to fight.
Although it was a zone that existed up to level 249.
A raid boss of that enormous size was uncommon, so they couldn't help but be terrified.
However, the backup team, regardless, burned with considerable fighting spirit, their eyes shining.
In that situation.
"W-what the hell is that!?"
"Gasp?!"
"We have to fight that thing!??!"
"C-crazy..."
A moment later, users from general guilds, excluding the anti-Demon King alliance, also arrived.
Then.
[The 『Stomach of Decay』 awakens.]
[Be careful!]
[The 『Stomach of Decay』 is an organ that protects Apophis's stomach and is also its guardian!]
As soon as that message appeared, the backup team reacted to the creature and dodged from the platforms as one.
As they quickly moved to another platform, the 『Stomach of Decay』 spewed stomach acid as if breathing it out onto the spot where they had just been.
Kwaaaaaaa---!!!
Jilcheo-eok---!!!
The sticky liquid covered the platform.
And the platform melted away in an instant.
Those who watched the scene gulped.
In other words, it meant the terrain was one where platforms could easily disappear, and what if they fell into that stomach acid?
They could tell without even imagining it.
From the alliance side, whose expressions had all turned serious, someone shouted.
“...H-how about we join forces for now.”
Seeing them express their intention to cooperate, the Luna team snorted as if it were ridiculous.
As if it didn't matter to them whether they joined forces or not.
Sure enough, the first to move was the light-spear wielder, no, Meilin.
She soared into the air as if riding a spear of light.
From the air, she unleashed countless light spears, firing them at the 『Stomach of Decay』.
However, compared to the creature's enormous body, the light spears looked smaller than toothpicks.
Sure enough.
Pipibibibibi.
Not a single one of the light spears managed to pierce its scales.
All the light spears bounced off powerlessly.
However, neither Meilin nor the other backup team members were disappointed.
This barrage of light spears was not for harassment or attack, but to measure the creature's defense.
Therefore, Meilin fell back, and the one who came out next was none other than the samurai of Joseon.
Kim Chegeon.
As Kim Chegeon, who had taken a deep breath and rushed into the air, swung his sword.
For a moment, light erupted from the sword as it was swung.
And the sword strike in that instant was so fast that some people missed it.
As the swift sword strike was swung, emitting light.
A small, hairline-like wound was carved onto the chest of the 『Stomach of Decay』.
Seh guk.
It was faint, but the scales were definitely cut, and blood seeped out.
Seeing that, Luna shouted.
“Intensity 7! Everyone, only use attacks of intensity 7 or higher!”
At Luna's voice, which sounded like she was reciting a manual, they each shook their heads.
"An intensity of 7 is tough."
"I guess I'll just have to provide support."
"On our side, only Embris will be able to attack."
"Let's focus on providing cover!"
"It's strong, alright."
As the teamwork of the backup team members quickly fell into place and they prepared for the raid on the 『Stomach of Decay』.
The alliance side was the opposite.
Some of them failed to dodge the stomach acid of the 『Stomach of Decay』 and were swept away.
As one platform disappeared, those who were covered in the stomach acid melted away as if dying instantly, letting out screams.
"Aaaargh!!!"
"H-help me!!!"
"I-I'm dying!!!"
Even as their comrades died, the alliance members tried to ignore it and acted separately, attacking the 『Stomach of Decay』, but none of their attacks got through.
A stark contrast to the systematic approach of Seonghyun's backup team.
And they continued to show a sluggish performance compared to the other guild teams that joined later.
It was inevitable, as their teamwork didn't align, and they acted individually rather than uniting.
Even if they tried to find members of the same guild within the alliance, their numbers were too small, and with no one designated to give orders, they were still in a state of chaos.
In that situation, Reaper hid himself for a moment and quietly observed the battle, sizing up the backup team.
Then he muttered as if intrigued.
“Hmm, they are certainly impressive.”
When it came to the Rapid Guild, wasn't Yuna the only popular player besides Seonghyun?
But to think there was such a team with such excellent coordination and skill.
Honestly, it was unexpected.
They were strong, of course.
But Luna, who bound them together and led them, looked amazing.
‘Hmm, my class is...’
Amidst the chaos, the 『Stomach of Decay』 repeatedly spewed stomach acid, and the platforms dwindled in an instant.
The members of the backup team who could fly took to the skies as much as possible.
Those who couldn't fly were either helped by the flying members or utilized the platforms to face the 『Stomach of Decay』.
There seemed to be no need to help them.
Reaper, instead, looked at the anti-Demon King alliance.
Those guys who were attacking the 『Stomach of Decay』 in a state of chaos and whispering among themselves.
Watching them, Reaper was able to quickly grasp the situation.
‘They intend to interfere since they don't think they can win.’
Knowing this, Reaper was not one to stand still.
Assassins were not a very helpful position in a boss raid, but it was in times like these that their role shone.
The moment they were about to charge at the backup team.
Reaper appeared and assassinated them, stopping them in their tracks.
“Thank you, Reaper-nim. Could you please continue to handle that side?”
As Luna, who had quickly grasped Reaper's actions, said so.
Reaper nodded as if it were a matter of course.
"Of course."
Answering so, he launched an attack on the alliances, and the composition of this place began to change strangely.
Reaper VS the Anti-Demon King Allied Forces.
The backup team and other guilds VS the 『Stomach of Decay』.
The battle was formed in this structure.
But the interesting thing was that the 『Stomach of Decay』 didn't leave the anti-Demon King allied forces alone either.
Suddenly, the anti-Demon King allied forces had two enemies.
Their teamwork didn't align, so they were busy just blocking the attacks of the 『Stomach of Decay』.
And with Reaper, an assassin, taking advantage of that opening.
How could they possibly stand a chance?
In the meantime, Luna's team, which was attacking the 『Stomach of Decay』, scowled.
Luna, who had at some point taken off her robe and was now in a bikini.
But her expression was serious as she assessed the situation.
‘This seems like it will take a long time...’
She didn't know what kind of mission would come up elsewhere.
But at least here, it looked like it would take a considerably long time.
Even though more than 10 minutes had already passed, the creature still looked lively.
A boss of this magnitude would likely take at least an hour, or even if shortened, around 40 minutes.
But the problem was that the platforms seemed destined to disappear before then.
Because the 『Stomach of Decay』 was persistently attacking the platforms.
Some users were forced to retire because they couldn't dodge as the platforms disappeared.
‘What should I do?’ Googlᴇ search novelFɪre.net At the moment Luna was pondering this.
A system message suddenly appeared before her eyes.
[The 『Gland of Corrosion』 has been destroyed.]
[The poison of 『Apophis, God of the Black Serpents』 is weakened.]
[User 『Seonghyun』 of the level 200 bracket has acquired contribution points.]
‘Already?’
Seonghyun had definitely said he wouldn't go himself and would leave it to his familiars...
Does that mean, although she didn't know what the mission at the Gland of Corrosion was, that the familiars were stronger than the backup team?
At that thought, Luna couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
Should they attack with overwhelming damage?
There were more powerful techniques than this.
It's not that she didn't have them, but...
That would be troublesome.
‘It would be a problem if we lose strength in the latter half...’
Their purpose was to help Seonghyun.
But if they joined up after losing their strength, wouldn't it be meaningless?
As more time passed.
The number of platforms had dwindled considerably.
At that moment, an attack from the 『Stomach of Decay』 shot out from the floor.
Puuuuuuk!!!
Rocks rising from the swamp of stomach acid rushed towards the users, and the backup team, who was already prepared, dodged them, but in that instant, Luna's eyes sparkled.
A large, cylindrical rock shot out.
Seeing it, she immediately shouted.
“The cylindrical rock attack!!!”
“Oh!?”
“This is it!!!”
The backup team, who reacted to it, quickly attacked the cylinder.
Platforms began to generate faster than before.
Other guild users saw this and followed suit, and the anti-Demon King alliance also tried to follow, but the relentlessly persistent Reaper interfered.
So this is how we're supposed to fight, by making more platforms to hold on.
Luna, who had discovered the gimmick, shouted and explained the strategy.
“When the cylinders rise, everyone attack the cylinders!”
At her implicit shout to act autonomously otherwise, the party members began to run wild.
Embris attacked by madly spraying her blood, and Kim Chegeon also swung his sword continuously, inflicting wounds here and there.
And into the gaps of those wounds, Meilin shoved her light spears, and by her side, Kurosawa Ren helped her. Longfeng, Huayue, Elzahar, Usagi, Menma, and Chako, who didn't have attacks of intensity 7 or higher, also helped them.
Luna also did her part as a tanker, defending against the attacks pouring down on her team members, and Kyou also attacked by madly unleashing electricity.
However, even with all they did.
The 『Stomach of Decay』 still looked fine.
It seemed to have a constitution as sturdy as its massive body.
Still, the moment they thought to steadily press on, even if it took a long time.
Something rapidly rushed in from the entrance.
A teal-colored lightning.
A lightning, even faster and more intense than that of the Storm Lord, Kyou, rained down.
Something shot out.
None other than an old demon and a young elf swordsman who looked like a high elf.
The moment the two flew in on the teal lightning.
He drew his sword and swung.
For a moment, the space around the neck of the 『Stomach of Decay』 wavered and twisted.
Simultaneously.
Chwaaaaaaa---!!!
Six of the nine heads were severed.
It was a sight that left them speechless with astonishment.
But another teal lightning bolt flying towards the remaining heads took the shape of a bird.
With the roar of a bird of prey that sounded like it would tear the air apart.
Kwaddeudeudeuk!!
Two more heads were torn off.
Then, finally, a beastman who looked like a mole popped out.
He clawed at the last remaining neck, tearing the head off with his sharp claws.
In an instant, all the heads of the 『Stomach of Decay』 were torn off.
However, as if it wasn't over yet, the severed and torn parts bubbled and boiled, and the heads began to regenerate.
At the same time, a message appeared saying that phase 2 had begun.
But those present here had no capacity to see it.
No, it wasn't that they had no capacity, but they couldn't close their mouths as they looked at the newcomers.
Even if everyone here had attacked, they couldn't have inflicted such an overwhelming attack.
As they all looked at the familiars with their overwhelming presence.
-Mutter, mutter.
“Hmm, old man... they are still young... please spare them that much.”
-Pieeeeeee!
-Aigoo, that's possible. That's what makes them outsiders.
Watching the familiars speak so leisurely, everyone gulped.
What kind of familiars were they to be so overwhelmingly powerful?
And the Demon King who commands such beings, just what...
At that thought, a chill ran down the spines of the anti-Demon King alliance.
Who they had turned into their enemy.
They could feel it clearly.