A Sabotager
The Evil World Tree shook its head again, dropping a barrage of apples. While the tanks endured the attack, a sudden announcement rang out.
[Third Server Team 1 has defeated the raid boss]
Another team had taken down the first boss. Annoying to hear these updates from other teams, isn't it? Fortunately, they can be turned off. Let's do that.
Distracted by the unexpected announcement, one of the tanks was lost.
"Damn," I muttered as the Evil World Tree suddenly cloaked itself in dark shadows.
The condition for its special skill seemed to be the loss of a certain number of NPCs.
We'd already lost quite a few.
"Feast upon me! My branches, leaves, and fruits! Take what you will! My wrath for the suffering endured by you all will be your end!"
"Wow, that's quite a dramatic line," I remarked, impressed by the Evil World Tree's words.
But then, the head of the mage supporting us next to me was blown off.
What?
NPCs started getting blown away and lost in large numbers. Liora wasn't spared, taking damage as if she'd been struck in the face.
"What is this?"
Everyone stopped moving in confusion, and the mysterious damage ceased. It seemed the attack was caused by the Evil World Tree.
And since the damage stopped when our attacks ceased, that meant…
Reaching the same conclusion, Myumyuu shouted out.
"Look at the fruits of the Evil World Tree, nyun!"
Indeed, the fruits bore faces. At first, they were strangers, but now they resembled members of our raid team. I even spotted Liora's anguished face.
"We shouldn't attack those, nyun! Magic attack team, avoid hitting the fruits, Myumyuu!"
Realizing this quickly was a relief. Without noticing, we would have been wiped out. Still, many NPCs had already fallen due to the special attack. It was a skill designed to kill on the first encounter.
"Liora, let's head to the front lines. We may not deal much damage without a headshot, but…"
"Yes, God! Right away—!"
"Liora?!"
Liora's body was suddenly blown away by mysterious damage. As she lay on the ground, she continued taking damage.
This was definitely due to the Evil World Tree's special skill.
But this damage shouldn't occur without attacking. Looking at the Evil World Tree, I spotted it.
"Die, die, die, die!"
An NPC was climbing the Evil World Tree and specifically targeting Liora's fruit with relentless attacks, causing her constant damage.
I gritted my teeth.
"What are you doing?"
Without the skill [Manifestation], my shout only reached Liora.
"Liora, endure for a while. I'll make sure you win."
I handed her a potion from my [Item Box], created through alchemy.
Although it was a basic recovery potion, it would help. I also gave her a painkiller potion and headed toward Samurai.
"Samurai, we need to stop that! Liora can't join the front lines while taking sudden damage!"
『――』
"Mode: Horse."
Samurai transformed from an octopus shape to a small horse, the perfect size for Liora to ride. Mounting Liora, I leaped onto Samurai and dashed through the battlefield.
"Hey, Zephyr!? Without that octopus, the rear guard—"
Ignoring the voice calling out, I proceeded. Only I had noticed the malicious NPC's actions.
"I want more rewards! That first boss was taken out solo, that bastard! You won't hog the top rewards, right, you vicious dark spirit?!"
From his shouts, I understood his motive. This event raid wasn't a true raid.
Normally, a raid battle involves a team with aligned goals and cooperation. However, this event paired random members together.
Motives and motivation didn't align, creating a rabble. We'd managed well so far, and that was praiseworthy.
"So you're good at dragging people down."
Still,
"You should try when you're stronger…"
The person who lost beside me probably died from a single hit due to the power difference. The malicious NPC, despite relentless attacks, hadn't managed to kill Liora.
Impressive, Liora, the regenerating girl. That name suited her well.
The malicious NPC's assault weakened as he struggled to maintain his position. We reached the front lines quickly. I commanded Samurai.
"Now! Throw me!"
『――』
Transforming from horse to octopus, Samurai grabbed and threw me with a tentacle.
A fastball!
In an instant, I reached the malicious NPC, immediately deploying [Dark Aura]. I also unleashed [Gift of Venom].
With [Dark Aura] over level 30, I had two new arts: [Area Damage Infliction] and [Owner Status Effect Infliction].
The goal here was the latter. This meant the status effects that Liora and I possessed were inflicted within the aura's range.
While the probability was low, the frequent checks ensured it was almost certain unless there was resistance.
The malicious NPC was paralyzed and fell from Liora's fruit.
Samurai's tentacle caught the falling NPC, bound him tightly, and threw him into an ally's spell.
Boom!
The malicious NPC exploded, his eyes wide with confusion till the end. It happened so fast he couldn't comprehend what had occurred.
"What was that?"
Some NPCs were bewildered by our actions, but that was understandable. From an outsider's perspective, we just launched an ally into a spell, killing him…
It's worse if a streamer had captured this as evidence. An explanation on the forums would be necessary, how troublesome.
But now, Liora could finally join the fight.
She dashed towards the Evil World Tree as soon as we finished our target, barely crossing paths with me.
Wait, she could do that?
"God decrees, I shall win!"
Liora, wielding her scythe infused with [Killing Blade], jumped, using the tree's branch to launch herself into the air.
As she descended, she activated an art while passing by the large fruit embedded in a hollow.
"[Rabbit's Slash]!"
It was a new active attack art for Liora, designed for aerial combat. She glowed red and spun in midair, slashing vertically.
Like a rabbit pounding mochi in the moon.
With MP consumption, this art allowed continuous activation, dealing additional hits. The Evil World Tree's HP depleted rapidly.
While Liora dished out immense damage solo, the attackers below also roared and launched their attacks. The DPS finally did its job.
Their combined assault, especially the [Eight Destroyers], inflicted tremendous damage with each hit. Each strike resonated with explosive force.
Even a tanky raid boss couldn't withstand this onslaught.
After a minute of full-force attack, the Evil World Tree's HP was completely depleted. As Liora deactivated her art and descended, Samurai caught her with a tentacle.
Liora screamed, hating Samurai's slimy grip.
"uegahhh!!"
It was my first time hearing Liora scream. And her own tamed monster caused it.
"Hahah!"
As the Evil World Tree crumbled, I realized something was off.
"Liora, be on guard! It's not over yet."
"Yes, God."
『――』
Seeing Liora ready, Myumyuu and the [Eight Destroyers] issued commands.
As the Evil World Tree withered, the large fruit shattered upon hitting the ground. From the remnants, a small sprout emerged.
It grew rapidly, forming a plant dragon.
"Liora, use [Shadow Slash]."
"Understood!"
With Liora's attack, the magic users unleashed their power. As the five-meter dragon took shape, our desperate attacks left it with minimal HP upon emerging.
'This was probably a DPS check. If we failed to deal enough damage, it would essentially mean another raid boss fight.'
We succeeded in the DPS check.
Just a bit more damage, and victory would be ours. The plant dragon tipped over as its HP was fully depleted.
**[Third Server Team 3 has defeated the raid boss]**
The announcement rang out.
As we tried to comprehend, a small figure emerged from the plant dragon.
An elderly elf.
"Hmm, harsh on old bones… Rasen-dono, is this acceptable? … Hmm. Then may I prioritize my goal next? … Hmm. I don't wish to stifle the future of the young… Let's do that."
The newly appeared NPC looked kindly at Liora and spoke.
"During the next raid boss fight, I shall PK you, Liora."
[The third raid boss had appeared!]
A three-headed bird monster appeared in the field.
But before I could even analyze it, the elderly elf, with a rapier, had already taken Liora's back.
His old eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
'Shit-!'