Worldboss

None of them kept track of how much time had passed. The search had left many rocks overturned and trees chopped in its wake. Darshel had been trying to keep the morale up, but everything Myx did struck a nerve with Poltas.

"I think we should split up to look for her. At this pace, we won't find her anytime soon."

"And then what. That person who finds her, gets caught as well and we are back at square one."

"Don't talk to me right now Myx."

"I think both of you are right, let's split up in pairs. Poltas you can come with me, Winzton can go with Myx."

"Is it safe to send Winzton with him?"

"I know you are angry with the oracle, but Myx won't harm him, trust me."

"Hmph"

The dense forest was a superb cover for all creatures. Coupled with how dark it was at night, even identifying an insect apart from a plant was hard.

Darshel and Poltas began a rhythm of back and forth. Poltas would chop a tree, and Darshel would immediately light up a fire orb to observe the surroundings. The noise had disturbed the birds already, as well as a few rodents. But there was no sign of imps.

"How long ago did you find out about the barrier being weak?"

"A while. Why?"

"You really don't think someone from Pamsteria would intentionally plot this?"

"If you think Myx did it, you're wrong."

"You are the one hung up on Myx, I am just asking if you don't suspect anyone."

"Hmmmm, there could be a few suspects if I think about it."

"After we find her, you should sort those people out."

"Okay boss."

Poltas didn't get a chance to reprimand Darshel for the teasing remark because at that moment a loud scream was heard from the east. The high pitched sound scared him at first, but when he recognised it as Winzton's voice, he knew something must have gone wrong.

"Something happened to Winzton."

Poltas broke into a sprint towards the direction of the sound. He didn't hear the warning Darshel gave him about it being a trap.

Poltas arrived at a swamp. The putrid smell overwhelmed him immediately. But he powered through, stepping on rocks and grabbing tree branches to reach the desired location.

On the other side, he saw a wounded Winzton collapse on the ground. The injured man was being protected by Myx who was fighting a 8ft monster.

The monster looked like a mix of an ogre and a fairy, with a pointed tail. It was not attractive to look at, but the glowing orb in its hands was eye-catching.

Poltas tried to recall where he had seen this object before as he pulled his sword out.

The small satchel he carried was overfilled with items. While searching for the portable version of his sword he accidentally pulled several other things out too. Two of these things were genuinely useful in the situation. One was a potion Darshel gave him for external wound recovery, Poltas threw it at Winzton who was curled up near his feet. And the other was the weblet.

Seeing how much Myx was struggling with this creature, there was no way Poltas could fight it with his non-existent skills. Despite its high cost, he had to borrow help from the battle-mode. He had learned from his lessons, so he didn't carelessly use it this time.

"Winzton, who is that?"

"That's a garganimp."

"What?"

"An evolved version of an imp. After an imp gathers enough magical energy by feeding they evolve into a more mentally developed creature called garganimp. Unlike normal imps, garganimps can make use of their magical energy."

"Did this garganimp take Brandial?"

"I don't know, but it seems to be guarding an imp hideout. We tried sneaking past it and got caught."

To fight an overpowered (OP) enemy or not, that was the question. If he had to put this in gaming terms, the garganimp was definitely a world boss which players would work together to kill. Its presence in this quest was only there to help players identify its location and element.

Fighting a world boss alone was not advisable for noobs, and a noob is what Poltas was in the world of Floretia.

He put his weblet away for now and turned to Winzton.

"While Myx holds this creature off, we should go inside to look for Brandial."

"I…is it safe to leave the Oracle here alone?"

"Even if it isn't, he can run away by himself, or Darshel will come help him. But if we miss this chance, we can't enter the lair again."

"...Miss Poltas makes a good point. I'll come with you."

Myx had not heard this conversation, but he believed that if the guardian's messenger was as smart as she claimed to be, she'd not engage with this monster.

His considerations were proven true. Still, it was a bit heartless of them to just run off without telling him.

Myx unleashed his battle aura and began to pace the fight so Poltas and Winzton would have enough time to find Brandial.

Darshel had taken the long route around the swamp. When he finally arrived, only Myx could be seen fighting a garganimp.

A lonely back holding the weight of everyone's lives on it, muscles straining with each move, a ceaseless blade attacking and defending. And behind it all, a person who's entire being is just this single battle. No thoughts but only following instinct and predicting.

The sight was mesmerising to him. It reminded him of his own past when he was a slave to his lust for glory, but all that was far behind him now. Now he just needed to assist others in creating such beautiful scenes.

"Myx! Try to back up towards me, I'm gonna lay down some buffing circles for you"

He did not receive a reply, but Myx did as he was told.