Vol. 5 Chapter 19: Dark River BOSS Raid (4)

Chapter 19: Dark River BOSS Raid (4)

The blackened stone, fired like a cannonball, sent waves of black mist spiraling around it, smashing into the body of the flame giant. The elemental structure of the giant was disrupted by the mist, transforming it into a bare human form that plummeted to the ground.

"Is it just you? Still not enough…" Dark River's words were cut off by the sudden appearance of a massive toad-like creature descending from the sky, its gaping mouth releasing a scarlet tongue that shot out.

Despite Dark River's swift reaction to evade, he was caught by the tongue, which yanked him towards the toad's maw. Instinctively, Dark River's ensnared body turned into black mist, escaping the grip. From the toad's mouth emerged a slime-covered figure with enormous orange wings, wielding a radiant chain that struck Dark River.

Dark River's form dissolved into mist to dodge the chain, but he sensed a restraining force within it. His body solidified just long enough for the chain to smash into him, spilling blackened blood formed from the mist.

A nimble figure darted close, her cat-like tail revealing her identity. She whipped her shadow-infused lash around Dark River's neck, yanking him back to restrict his movement. The Shadow Assassin appeared silently behind him, bringing another figure close.

This person, with hands as pale as jade, gripped Dark River, freezing his misty form into an ice statue. The seamless cooperation among these unfamiliar allies caught Dark River off guard.

First, Xiao Zhang acted as the bait, absorbing an attack and drawing Dark River's attention. Then, Meng Xi descended from the sky, delivering a second strike. Next, Luo Yan restricted Dark River's movements, while the Shadow Assassin brought in Bing Bing for the final freezing blow.

As they watched Dark River frozen, the group exhaled in relief. A subtle tension arose among them. Facing the threat of death had united their beliefs, making them purer than ever before, boosting their powers significantly.

Like Zheng Long, who doubted himself and lost power, only to regain his strength by reaffirming his faith under the threat of death. The strength of a sin-emotion wielder depended heavily on the intensity of the emotions they embodied.

Amid the barrage of Dark River's endless weapons, the fear of death had stripped away their distractions. Xiao Zhang became fully elemental, Zheng Long reclaimed his belief, and with Meng Xi's bolstered defenses, they evaded the attacks. Cat Queen Luo Yan weaved through the sea of weapons with her catlike agility, while the Shadow Assassin, shielded by Bing Bing's freezing power, froze every incoming assault.

Xiaomi and Lao Hu, positioned farther away, managed to dodge in time. Lao Hu's expression grew solemn. He wasn't worried about Bing Bing but found the attack strange: "It's like using a cannon to kill a mosquito, and without even aiming."

Seeing the others freeze Dark River, Lao Hu remained cautious, turning to Xiaomi. Xiaomi's device continued its analysis before he looked up and shouted, "The black mist hasn't dissipated! The Fear King isn't dead!"

As they processed this, the black blood from Zheng Long's chain attack swirled, absorbing the surrounding black mist. The blood rapidly multiplied, forming a vague human shape.

"Wow, that was close. Almost became a permanent ice statue." Dark River exaggerated, then raised his hand. A spear made of black mist pierced the Shadow Assassin, pinning him to a bridge column. The assassin coughed up black blood and fell silent.

"Now you're finally worthy of harvesting. Killing all of you will have your essence absorbed by the masks, and once I gather all seven, I'll become the god of original sin." Dark River, inwardly mocking Lu Li's scriptwriting, delivered his lines with unchanging tone.

"Time to clear the obstacles." Dark River's masked face concealed a sneer as black mist formed numerous weapons behind him, firing them like cannonballs at Bing Bing.

Bing Bing's expression tightened with excitement but hesitated, recalling Lao Hu's warning. She reached out, freezing the air in front of her to maintain absolute defense.

The air in front of Bing Bing solidified into ice. The black weapons clashed against it, producing loud impacts but failing to penetrate the icy shield.

The others seized this chance to continue their assault on Dark River. Even Xiao Zhang transformed into his elemental form, taking the lead. However, Dark River's resilient mist body, though injured, quickly reformed. In contrast, their defenses struggled to withstand even a single hit from him.

A gust of wind blew across Wujiang Bridge, clearing the dust and revealing black patterns etched on the bridge surface. Lao Hu's eyes widened in realization: "Xiaomi, use a ring to nullify the patterns on the bridge."

Dark River, swiping his hand, formed a misty staff that struck Zheng Long, sending him flying. He dodged Meng Xi's toad tongue with a backflip, distancing himself from the group.

"Now, die!" Dark River snapped his fingers. The group tensed, ready for anything, but nothing happened. Dark River, puzzled, spread the mist to uncover the intricate patterns on the bridge.

He had prepared this trap earlier, condensing high-density mist into the patterns, ready to unleash a forest of weapons. Yet now, the patterns were inert, stripped of their power.

Xiaomi's ring crumbled into fragments as its nullification effect dissipated.