Boom!

  A massive explosion shook the surroundings, traveling along the forest. Dirt spshed in all dires, almost hitting the party members.

  [-488!]

  [-324!]

  Big Crow and his brothers suffered alike under [Big Berta].

  “Wow, nice aim for an old man!”, joked Final Fend.

  “Hey, Final Fend, if you tinue like this you should hope my eyes don't get worse some day!”

  “Haha!”

  Laim gweewo men, amazed that their retionship was this good despite the differen their age. Simultaneously he slipped behind one of the smaller crows, his swords moving fluidly, unleashing his skills.

  Just then he felt a faint sense of danger. He go the left, finding a small magic sphere fly in his dire. No! It wasn't aimed at him, but at Quickstep who was just about to approach.

  “Careful!”

  Quickstep didn't need Liam's reminder, seeing the magic aiming for her head. But instead of retreating she advanced even more bravely. A huge amount of her special resource storm ent as she activated her skill [Carrier of Storm].

  A violent wind swept over the battlefield, surging towards Quickstep and engulfing her body within. Her figure was obscured, repced by a sharp bde formed from wind. Its speed increased terribly, sshing across the battlefield.

  The magic aimed at Quickstep missed helplessly while the bde chaotically stormed over the battlefield, hitting every enemy in its path with physical and wind damage.

  [-211!]

  [-31!]

  [-277!]

  [-43!]

  “Let's go babe!”

  Silent Acacia happily cheered for his girlfriend while firing his arrows.

  His mood improved even more when he nded a critical hit, dealing more than 600 points of damage. Thinking his lucky hour had e he immediately used [Rampage] on Zorn and ordered her to attack.

  The alligator mixed into the other party members, targeting the boss together. The smaller crows' HP par dropped dangerously low.

  Suddenly the staff-wieldiki out a hoarse shout:

  “We won't die like this! Brothers!”

  His hand moved towards his neck, pressing on an inspicuous neckd crushing it in his palm. Immediately a ripple of mysterious magic spread over the battlefield.

  Big Crow remained ued but whehe pyers were hit, they froze on the spot.

  [Final Fend: Hey, what's this?! I 't move!]

  [Radiant Shield: I feel reminded of Kelsnim...]

  [Bloody Edge: I hate this feeling.]

  Unfortunately, the party's pints didn't bother the bosses. Big Crow tinued moving leisurely, his cws smming into Radiant Shield's chest.

  [-554!]

  [Radiant Shield: Damn! Just you wait, monster...]

  At the same time four of the smaller crows gathered around their staff-wielding brother. The tter murmured, ting ominous intations. A magic circle spread with him as the tre, engulfing his brothers within.

  The other crows slowly closed their eyes when the mysterious runes passed over them. Looking as if in a peaceful sleep they trusted their brother fully.

  Suddenly the magic circle began to revolve, gliding into the air before falling on the sword-wielding crow o Big Crow.

  Affected by the magic the smaller crow slowly levitated into the air. An illusionary figure formed, engulfing the boss. Standing as tall as two humans, it had a crow's head and a humanoid body. Its hands transformed tinuously from hands holding swords to beastly cws.

  [Final Fend: I guess we 't call that one Small Crow anymore...]

  [Melodious Edelweiss: Maybe Biggest Crow?]

  The party had no time to discuss as they regaiheir ability to move at this moment.

  “Hey, big guy. Think you are strong now?”

  Overbearing Zen's voice rang through the clearing as he and his brother immediately used their skills. One fming and one freezing sword appeared above the monster's head, sshing at its scalp.

  [-0!]

  [-0!]

  “Wait, what's that?”

  Gng at everyone’s surprised faces, Liam hastily urged to his party:

  “Ighat big guy, focus ohers behind him.”

  “Oh. If that's the case, let me take the aggro. You all attack the other bosses!”

  Final Fend swung his on while talking, the trying to bind the boss. Unfortunately, the stun of his [ Lock] skill didn't trigger but at least it served to catch the boss's attention.

  The tall figure looked down on the pesky warrior. A murderous gleam was in its crow eyes as it swung its arm at Final Fend.

  The arm tinuously transformed in the air, making it difficult to prepare for the attack. The moment before it reached Final Fend did it turn inte sword aiming to cleave the pyer into two.

  Final Fend looked upwards, hiding his apprehension behind a sneer. He was still protected by Radiant Shield's [Holy Barrier]. The sword and barrier collided, sending heavy vibrations through the floor.

  Final Fend watched as the barrier rippled dangerously but ultimately held on.

  [-1319!]

  Meanwhile the rest of the party mao get past Biggest Croroag his brothers. The five enemies were protected by a barrier as well, ting on Biggest Crow to defend them.

  “Let's get rid of this spell!”

  Liam led the charge, hammering his swords against the barrier. His friends followed up. For a while the barrier shook tinuously but it didn’t break.

  “I won't let you succeed!”

  A hoarse voice left Biggest Crow's beak sounding terrifyingly unhuman. He suddenly ignored Final Fend, turning towards Liam. Its sharp eyes focused on the enemies as it swung its arm. Bck shadows shot out at unimaginable speeds, almost impossible to dodge.

  Liam already felt the movement when the enemy began tet them. He initiated a fsh step while warning his friends.

  But the attack was just too fast. Braag turned his head, realizing that the bck shadows were flying daggers, one of them aimed at his scalp. He tried to use a fsh step but faltered uhe pressure.

  A pained groan could be heard from the dwarf as the flying dagger cut into his arm.

  [-1669!]

  Overbearing Zen and Dominating Ze saw the enormous danger, gritting their teeth. Notig a flying dagger aiming at them they reacted cleverly, dodging in two different dires.

  The single flying dagger couldn't target two mages. It made a slight curve, smming into Dominating Zen's chest.

  [-1838!]

  Dominating Zen drew a sharp breath. Without Melodious Edelweiss's heals and the earlier health potion he would have died here.

  Dying on his first mission he would have been too embarrassed to tinue following the party iure.

  “Ha! I always knew I'm the more talented one!”, joked Overbearing Zen gloatingly.

  “What talent?! You're just lucky!”

  “You...”

  Suddenly Liam's urgent voiterrupted the two brothers:

  “If you have time tue, use it to attack!”

  “Sorry...”

  The two mages smiled apologetically, juring new magical swords.

  The horror caused by the flying daggers subsided. Apart fr and Dominating Zen, Quickstep was hit as well. Now the entire party veheir anger against the barrier.

  Seeing the magical defence holding on, Liam furrowed his brows. Suddenly his eyes lit up with an idea. He put away his ons exging them for an inspicuous fishing rod.

  [Gabe’s first fishing rod

  Category: rare

  Effect 1: Increase your luck when fishing by 50%.

  Effect 2: be used on nd to fish items off others. he steal skill.

  Effect 3: be used on nd to tie up others. Afflicts a stun of maximal 5 seds.

  Effect 4: Ignores barriers to a certain degree.

  A fishing rod used by Gabe during his younger years. He created a lot of trouble with it, earning him a notorious reputation. Luckily, he calmed down in his older years.]

  With a flick of Liam's wrist, the fishing line whipped through the air, aiming for the bosses. Hitting the barrier, it froze for a moment before mysteriously slipping through.

  Ihe barrier the staff-wielding crow felt something strange, gng towards the top. It took him a few seds to spot the thin line dang in the air.

  The slight dey was enough for the fishing lio around the staff. Liam felt the feedback, abruptly yanking the fishing rod upwards. His liretched taut before ripping the staff out of its owner’s hand, delivering it to Liam.

  “What?!”

  Not only the boss was surprised, Liam's friends appeared incredulous as well. They stared at the staff in Liam's hand, their view on the game ging.

  “NO!”

  Biggest Crow let out a hoarse shout, despair in his eyes. The illusionary figure trembled, slowly dissolving, its st gnce directed towards his brothers who were now without a barrier.

  Liam grinned as his pn succeeded. But notig the ovement around him, he swiped his eyes over the party.

  “What are you waiting for? Attack!”

  Liam's friends came out of their stupor. Afraid that further dey might lead to more ued ges they hastily attacked the bosses.

  Uhe new assault their shared HP bar emptied instantly. When it reached one HP, the smaller crows suddenly got a boost in speed, dispersing in all dires.

  “I don't want to die here!”

  “Big brother, let's go!”