Although the Players did their best, effort and numbers could hardly make up for anything when the gap in power reaches a certain level.
With a foe like the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior who was basically a natural disaster with legs, new Players who simply couldn’t fight it could only keep their distance and occasionally throwing a handful of long-range skills—even so, there was not much chance of the skill hitting the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior, with most evaporating into thin air either because of the extreme heat or the distorted air around it.
Second-rate Players above Level 20 who had partially completed their class change could help fight to some extent, but even these Players were basically Holy Lancers who acted as tanks or only running interference.
Only first-rate Players who had risen above Level 40 and had learnt the ultimate skill of their respective class could lead the fight against the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior.
Still, there were too few of them and most had their own objectives, and as such wasn’t interested in this group which the Players organized on their own. Few of them, like Edward came to join even though the quest wasn’t an event.
“The Mountain Tigers around us could tell that we are being wrong-footed by the Boss. That’s why they are attacking and interrupting the second-rate Players around us. We won’t last against such a monster without their interference and cover!”
Gou Dan, who was charred all over but still looking spirited reported in to Edward. “Eleena’s MP is almost gone, and she had too much Pepsi (mana potion) that she is almost becoming immune. Our numbers are going to drop hard without her resurrection skills, so we should retreat to ensure we don’t lose EXP!”
It wasn’t just Gou Dan who was having a hard time-even Edward was left fuming.
Though he was still in command of the battle, the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior’s immunity towards fire meant that he could only attack with spells he learned before changing class, which effect was no better than newbies…
Looking around, he then noticed that there were signs of wanting to withdraw on the faces of other players around him.
It was the first time that the Players would pull back even though they were fighting in a group.
“No, now is the most critical moment!” Edward shook his head, refusing Gou Dan’s suggestion. “I am frustrated with the fight, but it also cooled my head: this fight isn’t about the System or an event our god is holding, but about Zonyan’s group. And unlike fishmen or skeletons, the enemies are actually alive…”
“So, the Boss is no different. Don’t you think that it knows it would self-destruct if it keeps fighting? That much is clear since it was keeping itself locked in that basement that was full of ice blocks.” Edward took a deep breath. “It is fighting with its life on the line for its tribe’s survival!”
The God of Games had set eight doctrinal tenets for his church-memorizing it and keeping it at heart was one of the rare few requirements for his believers.
And there was one part in the eight tenets that read: so remember, that slaying monsters is just a means-slaughter is not your goal.
Edward never cared for that particular tenet since he could kill all his previous enemies that were fishmen, fleshless skeletons or unscrupulous bandits without any psychological burden. In fact, he took slight pleasure from it.
On the other hand, he sensed something clearly different when he fought the Tigermen.
Even though they looked unusual, they remained alive and not monsters entirely. They were struggling to survive as well, to live and to do whatever they could so that their tribe survived.
‘I see… the God of Games didn’t assign us any quest because he wanted us to fully experience this? Even the item drops are much thriftier than usual, so as to warn us not to drown ourselves in the slaughter?’
In other words, the enemies he had slain in the past had actually worked in the world’s favor
– disposables to develop the Players handpicked by the God of Games himself.
To think so far ahead, he truly was the God of Games!
Naturally, the Players’ battle against the Mountain Tigers had reached a point where no quarter was given. Even so, the Players still occupied the moral high ground because the Mountain Tigers had attacked them first without provocation, and mercy was therefore unnecessary.
Retreating here and allowing the enemy to seize the moment and give chase would cost the Players dearly as well, and they might fare worse than fighting to the end. Moreover, they might hide in some place they couldn’t find so that their tribe had a shot at survival, and come harass them again when they had finished healing.
Even though the Players wouldn’t back down from such minor threat and even consider them EXP delivered to their doorstep, the Long Ears could get caught in the crossfire.
In addition, the Players need a representative in the Western Continent—but Zonyan’s status akin to an exiled prince would never work before he reclaimed his rank as chief of the Grayclaw tribe.
In comparison, the Long Ears were a better fit for the job.
Edward gave a rough explanation of his conclusion, and the Players eventually decided to fight on against the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior despite their misgivings. After all, their bodies were immortal and the more spineless of Players weren’t here.
The second-rate Players also tried all they could to get rid of the other Tigermen running interference so that they could return to lynching the Boss.
But the might of the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior was no ditch to be crossed in a single stride. Time passed without the second-rate Players returning to the fray, and everyone’s strategic reviving began to collapse as their MP couldn’t keep up.
In fact, the Players would all be dead if Eleena the Saintess-in-training didn’t tank considerable damage with her sacred barrier.
“Damn it, if we’d only have more people…”
Edward had left the group of Players fighting the Boss and joined a mobile party to help the second-rate Players win quicker.
Nonetheless, he couldn’t help feeling dejected as the situation slowly spiraled out of the Players control, feeling regret for underestimating the event and not mobilizing every other first and second-rate Player.
They actually didn’t even need first-rate Players—with enough second-rate Players or even newbies, they would be able to keep the other Tigermen busy, so that the Players could put in their full power to encircle and take down the Roaring Blaze Tiger Warrior.
And they wouldn’t have to suffer so much like they did now!
That was when an arrow suddenly shot past Edward, striking the Tigerman he had been facing.
Doing a double take, he then turned towards the direction where the arrow came from.
A group of figures with long rabbit ears had appeared at some point in time, and were standing by the gates of the stronghold.
“Don’t worry!” Laybit yelled spiritedly at the Players, a small bow in hand. “We’re here to help too!”