Chapter 1276: Book of Death (1)

Chapter 1276: Book of Death (1)

"Roarrrr———!"

Facing the fire serpent, the mysterious Chaos Lord responded with an attack of its own. It spread its arms apart, and shortly after, flames of black and white rose from the ground, forming a solid barrier to resist the fire serpent. The fire serpent crashed head first into the bizarre wall of fire, but what happened left Canary staring in amazement. The fire serpent she created was actually 'sucked' into the barrier and disappeared to nowhere!?

What exactly is going on? Could it be that this BOSS has a certain degree of immunity against magical attacks? In that case, this battle will be almost impossible! Based on the earlier clashes, this BOSS seems to possess extraordinary skills against close-combat classes. But now, long-range magical spells also don't seem to work either. This Chaos Lord is truly terrifying.

However, what surprised her even more was still coming.

The moment her fire serpent vanished, the strange barrier surged in size and a fire serpent of black and white flew out and swung its claws at Canary's group! Looking at this scene, Canary was taken aback. She was certain that this fire serpent that was coming for them was the exact one she released earlier!

"Fia! Sian, Kant!"

Canary broke out in cold sweat. She yelled, raised her right hand hurriedly, and drew an intricate and bizarre pattern in midair. Shortly after, along with this series of actions, a red magical ritual emanated on the ground, enveloping the fire serpent. The fire serpent let out a howl and struggled in midair for a few moments, before rapidly disappearing into the air.

"Phew..."

It was only at that point when Canary felt relieved. It seemed like although the nature of the fire serpent changed, it was still a creature of fire. Fortunately, as an elemental mage, Canary learned the 'Elemental Return' spell, which was something that many elemental mages learned. Through this spell, they could withdraw the summoned elemental creatures because elemental mages could attack by manipulating elements to create similar simulated creatures. This was the preferred method of many elemental mages because the simulated elements weren't as simple as magical spells, but possessed some degree of autonomous intelligence instead. This way, if an elemental mage created a large group of elemental creatures, its threat level would be no less than half an army's. And in turn, in order to prevent other elemental mages from using this trick on them, almost every elemental mage learned the 'Elemental Return' spell. This spell could force all elemental creatures within a certain radius to return to their original state. Through this way, at least the enemy wouldn't be able to manipulate their elemental creatures. And now it seemed like... It was really convenient to use the 'Elemental Return' in such a situation.

"Phew..."

After forcefully withdrawing the fire serpent, Canary let out a sigh of relief. But at the moment, she wasn't entirely relieved yet because the Chaos Lord's abilities were so mysterious that they were able to take in her magical spell and use it as its own. It wasn't that Canary hadn't encountered something similar from other BOSSes, but she had never seen one that was so bizarre. After all, most BOSSes had weaknesses. For instance, if they were immune to magical attacks, their physical defense would be poor. Even if they were immune to both physical and magical attacks, most of them had a conversion process. But now, this Lord of Chaos was so strange. Even though one couldn't judge a Chaos Lord with common sense, it would still be too challenging for Canary to take on a Chaos Lord who was immune to physical and magical attacks, and so powerful that it could wipe out several top players in a split second!

"Holy knights! Cast Divine Judgement!"

Canary retreated decisively and commanded. Along with her yell, the remaining three holy knights stepped forth, raised their swords, and brandished them at the enemy from above. With this attack, three dazzling, sacred light columns descended from heaven, enfolding the Chaos Lord entirely.

"Arghhh...!"

This time, the Chaos Lord finally let out an agonizing screech. It retreated desperately to avoid the holy light. Looking at this scene, Canary's eyes glinted with joy.

Seems like I was right. No matter how different they are, the nature of Chaos will never change. With the existence of its undead power, it isn't impossible to defeat it!

"Close-combatants stand back! Range-attackers focus on attacking. Clerics, maintain the holy barrier. Mages, don't act rashly. Holy knights, activate the guardian halos! Remember, our mission is to delay time. Once Rhode is here, our mission will be accomplished!"

At this thought, Canary hesitated no more and gave her commands. Upon hearing her command, the players got into position swiftly. Shortly after, the three heavily-armored holy knights strode in front of the group and raised their swords and shields to protect those behind them. The shield warriors and thieves who were at the forefront gradually retreated, leaving an open space for clerics and spell casters. These players were the elites of the elites and didn't falter to this sudden change in situation. If it were an ordinary party, perhaps they would be disheartened and confused after witnessing the scene before them. As a qualified party, members should know their roles and mission.

Canary's goal now wasn't to defeat the Chaos Lord before her. After noticing its bizarre attributes, she knew that with the dozens of people under her command, it was still a tall order to defeat the Chaos Lord in a short period of time. That was why she changed her goal into delaying the battle and waiting for Rhode's arrival. Of course, it would be great if she could find out what skills this Chaos Lord owned in the meantime.

And now, the Chaos Lord also seemed to realize Canary's intention. Its wide robe fluttered in midair, while its pair of glinting eyes stared at the humans led by Canary. Upon sensing its gaze, Canary couldn't help but frown. She reckoned that the Chaos Lord had already figured out her true intention. If it were to leave this place, it would be a problem for her party, no matter if it went for Rhode or not!

We can't let it escape. But if we continue this stalemate, it will not be favorable for us. After all, we have no idea what kind of traits this Chaos Lord possesses. What if it is actually preparing for something right now...

"Attack. Harass it."

At this thought, Canary ordered immediately. Upon hearing her command, the three holy knights at the forefront raised their swords and the sacred light columns shone from above once again.

But this time, the Chaos Lord's reaction astonished Canary. It was apparent that the Chaos Lord was hurt by the Divine Judgment earlier. But now, it didn't move at all. On the contrary, it hovered silently in the air as though a spirit devoid of determination. Shortly after, the three golden light columns struck the Chaos Lord.

Boom!

The golden, holy light columns hit the Chaos Lord accurately. But what stunned Canary was that this time, it didn't flee and wasn't hurt. The three golden light columns flashed past its body, before vanishing entirely. Apart from the trembling robe, it was as though nothing happened to the Chaos Lord.

"Oh no!"

Even though the Chaos Lord remained calm, Canary was startled.

"Clerics, prepare the holy knights' defense at once! And standby to heal!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Just as Canary's words left her, a mysterious light flashed by. In an instant, Divine Judgments that were dyed in murky colors appeared out of the thin air above the three holy knights, blasting them heavily. The three holy knights couldn't stand their ground as they swayed to the left and right, standing unsteadily on their feet. But fortunately, as a class with a high level of defense, their defenses shouldn't be belittled. Besides, Canary's reactions were also fast. In just an instant, the clerics' protective barrier enveloped the holy knights and resisted the following attacks.

Something doesn't seem right.

This time, Canary finally realized that something was abnormal. She didn't notice earlier as the fire serpent was forcefully withdrawn by her. But now, she discovered that even though the Chaos Lord reflected the magical spell that it took in, its might was much greater than the original's. The original Divine Judgment was just an ordinary offensive spell, where against the defensive classes, it was strong enough to decrease one-fifth of a character's health! It was especially so for a defensive class like the holy knights. But judging from their performance earlier, it seemed like the reflected attack inflicted a lot of damage to them. If it weren't for them who heeded Canary's words to activate their guardian halo, they could have been half dead by now!

Not only is it able to reflect attacks, but it can also strengthen them?

At this thought, Canary couldn't help but clench her fists. She felt sweat in her palms. She had more or less figured out why this Chaos Lord was immune to Divine Judgments. But if this were to continue...

However, before she came up with a solution, the Chaos Lord spread its arms apart and along with this action, the books in the room emanated an odd brilliance!

It's gonna attack!

Looking at this scene. Canary couldn't help but take half a step back and gnash her teeth. She stared as the Chaos Lord raised its arms and pointed at her party. Her head was spinning.

What should I do? Continue to defend? Or take the risk and go all-out?

Swish———!

But while she was making up her mind, an arrow appeared in the air and punctured the Chaos Lord's eye. The Chaos Lord who was charging up its attack let out a blood-curdling shriek. It stretched out its arm and covered its eye, drifting in midair miserably.

"Little Icy?"

Although Canary didn't see the other young lady, she realized whose attack it was. An attack that could break through space in silence—only Icy Snow was capable of that!

"All archers, fire your arrows now!"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Along with this command, the archers lined up at the back raised their bows and released their arrows at the Chaos Lord. This time, the mysterious Chaos Lord reacted in a fluster. Its body shuddered as the arrows punctured it. Even though the amount of damage wasn't shown in reality, it could be seen that the Chaos Lord was clearly hurt. But...

"Arghhh...!"

The desperate Chaos Lord in the rain of arrows let out a bellow all of a sudden. It shivered and the arrows raining on it vanished in an instant. This similar scene lit up Canary's mind.

Could it be...

Indeed. Right after the arrows vanished, arrows contaminated by Chaos appeared in midair again, firing back at the archers. But fortunately, the speed of arrows wasn't as quick as that of magical spells, after all. The clerics were able to respond quickly enough to cast a layer of protection over the archers and resisted the retaliation. Meanwhile, it wasn't this counterattack that cropped up in Canary's mind. Instead...

"Holy knights, Divine Judgment!"

Canary ordered and raised her arms. Along with this action, the fire serpent coalesced from dazzling flames appeared once again, snapping its jaw open and soaring toward the Chaos Lord. Even though the holy knights were rather dubious of this command by her, they eventually snarled and raised their words, swinging them at the same time and casting three holy light columns at the Chaos Lord.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Like before, the Divine Judgments vanished and reappeared to strike the holy knights. However, Canary's fire serpent wasn't stopped this time as it sunk its teeth onto the Chaos Lord. Shortly after, a string of explosions reverberated. The scarlet flames and blazing heat waves engulfed the hall. The Chaos Lord was caught in a difficult position, where smoke began to rise from its robe!

"I got it now!"

Looking at this scene, Canary's eyes glinted in a flash. She finally understood what exact trait this Chaos Lord possessed. It was apparent that even though it was able to reflect spells and be immune to physical and magical attacks, it could only deal with two of them at the same time and couldn't be immune to ll three attacks at once!

That is its weakness!

"Clerics, maintain the defensive barrier. Everyone else, use your general attacks!"

At this thought, Canary pondered no more and gave a command. But this time, she didn't make her party unleash their mighty attacks, but got them to use their general attacks instead. Through this way, they would be able to decrease the threats of the reflected attacks to the lowest. There were no rules for the three types of reflections. Canary's only choice now was to embrace herself and attack!

Shortly after, along with her command, the players began their attacks. However, compared to the extravagant and vibrant attacks earlier, the attacks now seemed particularly shabby. The archers forwent their proudest abilities and went along with firing ordinary arrows. Meanwhile, the holy knights no longer cast their powerful skills and simply assaulted with their holy light. The mages also released tiny fireballs under Canary's lead, while the clerics maintained the defensive barrier to resist the reflected attacks.

Canary's strategy had an immediate effect. While some attacks were reflected from time to time, they were stopped entirely as their might was already weak, to begin with. Meanwhile, the attacks that the Chaos Lord weren't immune to were blasted at full force. Although those attacks weren't strong, Canary's mission wasn't to defeat it, after all, but to contain it in this place instead. From the earlier tests, Canary discovered that this Chaos Lord didn't seem to possess any abilities other than reflecting attacks, nor did he have any proactive offensive skills. In this case, it was still possible for Canary to contain it!

One had to admit that this strategy from Canary was indeed a bother for the Chaos Lord. It did seem like it didn't possess any proactive offensive skills. Facing the weak magical spells, spiritual spells, arrows, and daggers hurled out by the thieves, the Chaos Lord was caught in a horrible spot. This also proved that Canary was right about it being unable to be immune to all attacks at the same time!

However, good times didn't last long.

Just when Canary thought that everything was about to get on track, a low, hoarse voice echoed in everyone's ears all of a sudden.

"You... are unforgivable!"

"...!"

Along with this malicious bellow, Canary witnessed a black, pool-like presence appearing on the ground instantly. Shortly after, a bizarre force rose from the unknown presence and wrapped the three holy knights in it. The three holy knights, on the other hand, didn't react at all as they collapsed to the ground in this single blow, losing their ability to fight!

Not only that, but Canary discovered that the strange black pool was also expanding and surging into a certain presence that charged toward them!

"No! Clerics..."

Before Canary yelled for help, the pitch-black wave arrived before her eyes in the blink of an eye and devoured her in an instant.

And at that moment...

Boom———!

The solid ground beneath her feet cracked and ruptured with gravel scattering in all directions. Shortly after, a scarlet blade ray flashed and split apart the dark, mysterious torrent.

At the same time, Shira's voice echoed.

"Hahaha, another Chaos lackey! Another Chaos lackey! Go to hell! All of you shall die! Wahahaha!"