MM - Chapter 124 - SNACK TIME IS BEST TIME

[Soul Flame of Amanesh (doused): (Marvelous Gold) In his final years, Amanesh was subjected to extensive torture that doused the flames of his soul. Reignition requires a soul-drenched flame of significant intensity]

Should have known it wouldn't be so easy. 

Raine did his best not to grow cynical after killing the final Unliving Paroxysm and combining the last Cinder of Amanesh. He now held a slightly larger clump of coal in his hand. The description hadn’t mentioned anything about needing to be ignited until all the pieces were combined. Meanwhile, the boss's roars had become more powerful with each kill, spitting on his efforts to complete the soul flame before facing it. Of the once-proud city, naught remained but rubble and ashes.

Well, good chance the boss is protecting the flame I need. Considering how much harder this raid is than it should be... the flame is bound to be abnormal, too.

The second inviolable law of ZionLine pulled Raine and the group toward the center of the ruined city. There, they found a gaping hole into pitch darkness that would make a dinosaur look small. It led down at a sharp angle, not in the least bit inviting.

“So… What are we going to find down there?” Celeste asked with an audible gulp.

Picking up on her discomfort, Raine found his cheer returning at record speed, “What's wrong? Don't tell me the great and powerful Crimson Nebula is scared of the dark.”

“Shut up! This has nothing to do with that. There's obviously something down there powerful enough to destroy a city just from throwing a tantrum. Crawling into the bowels of the Earth is one thing; doing it when you know a deadly enemy is all you’re going to find for your efforts is entirely different!”

Pointing at the scarlet sky, Raine smirked, “You realize we’re about as far from Earth as it's possible to get?”

“Thank you for that wonderful little dose of your bottomless wisdom!” Celeste hissed, bringing a chuckle to more than just Raine.

“You're welcome,” he snarked back, taking the first step.

A threatening growl rumbled up from somewhere far below. The ground trembled, and dirt fell from above. With little choice, the others trailed behind. Glancing back, Raine had to bite his lips to keep from laughing when he spotted Mel holding Celeste's hand, dragging the unwilling girl along.

Rough gravel beneath their boots crunched loudly with each step. The angle was steep enough, and with the shifting soil, a landslide dragging them straight to the boss was on all their minds. The walls were equally coarse yet somehow held up the high ceiling. No stalagmites or stalactites made it obvious they weren't in a naturally formed tunnel. Eventually, the ambient light faded to the point Raine was forced to withdraw an item that bathed the direct surroundings in a pale, artificial glow.

[Gromglenn Lesser Lantern: (Dull Trash) Releases a dim light via chemical induction. Do not shake vigorously or use beyond listed durability for… reasons (Durability 14/15)]

The tunnel was too vast to be lit completely. But at least they could see the ground beneath their feet. A short while later, gravel turned to cobblestones, and angular, dark shapes could be glimpsed pressing closer to the group. Only Celeste and Rhino caused a fuss, brandishing weapons and dropping into fighting stances. The rest saw them for the buildings they were.

Made from solid stone as though cut from the bedrock itself, they towered high overhead. The structures continued to close in from the sides, forcing the group into the tunnel's center. There were no cracks, alleys, or streets between them, and the few doors Raine ducked through revealed empty rooms save for all but ancient dust.

For the first time, the cave took a turn. It was a slow, gradual thing, and by the time they completed it and the path straightened again, the stone walls now boxed them into an area no wider than the Silverlight arena. Ahead, a blue glow accompanied another rumbling growl much louder than the first. The stone walls tapered to a close just before the source of the light, where an open portcullis framed a bestial demon bathed entirely in blue flames.

It was so massive it would have to duck on all fours to fit through the gateway. Two wicked, straight horns sprouted from its crown, and a long tail made of solid fire lashed the air behind it. Seeing them as well, the demon grew excited, quivering like a puppy as it bounced up and down. There was nothing cute about the monstrous beast nor the molten drool leaking from its gaping maw. The roar it released spoke of a deep desire to rip them limb from limb. Thankfully, it stayed right where it was, waiting for them to cross some invisible line before attacking.

[Avatar of Rhashkahal (Raid Hierarch): Level 30 (HP 4M/4M) An embodiment of a true infernal commanding flesh molded by Bahael Ghaap himself to guard his most precious possessions. Flee now, mortal, for death met by this creature's fires will ravage more than your physical form]

The sounds were certainly intimidating, though not nearly powerful enough to destroy the city above, leading to a realization that the tunnel was acting as an amplifier. Those were minor considerations, though. Because beyond the wall of flames produced by the demon, Raine caught the glint of a golden sheen that could only mean one thing: the raid's end. If they succeeded here, a mountain of treasure was waiting to be claimed.

While Raine wiped the drool from his chin, TwistedReligion threw in the towel, “Well, you can read as well as me. If even the system description tells us to get lost, that's exactly what we should do.”

“Shut up, coward!” Deloralicious snapped, elbowing him hard.

Raine wasn't about to chastise her. Cowardice was infectious, and against a Hierarch's bloodlust, any seeds of doubt were bound to sprout and bloom. But this as well was another step down their martial paths. No matter how well they performed, after today, an assassin or army of players would feel as dangerous as a soft breeze.

“How are we supposed to kill it when it has four million health?!” He countered, "That's two hundred thousand regenerated every ten seconds!”

Raine snorted, dashing Twisted’s wild inaccuracy, “You didn't see it because I finished the last boss so fast, but Hierarchs actually regen ten percent every ten seconds.”

“Four hundred…” TwistedReligion's little confidence crumbled to dust as his shoulders sagged. He flinched when the boss grew impatient, slamming its hands against both sides of the inner gate wall. It stuck its head through the opening and roared again.

When he could hear himself think, Raine responded cheerfully, “You should be happy. Rewards always match the challenge. Besides, ZL doesn't give out truly impossible tasks. There's always a way; stay alive until you find it.”

“Those who have a will shall accomplish great things,” Fizgore chimed in. He scratched at his bare chin, afro swaying from the last echoes of the demon's roar, “Even dripping water can penetrate a stone. Though, that critter's regeneration is bound to be no simple matter to overcome. I have to wonder if brother has a plan to accomplish this deed in our lifetimes.”

“Not really,” Raine shrugged, “Stay here,” he turned to Mel, sensing her apprehension, “I mean it. If you try to help, you'll be the one who dies, and that might cost us the whole raid.” She pouted cutely, unable to completely hide her smile at being singled out.

Raine considered using the last of his potions but decided against it; now wasn't the time. Directing his considerable desire to kill toward the boss caused bloodlust to bound from Raine’s skin in a forward-facing hemisphere. A heavy sword appeared in his grip, its weight pulling at his limb in a satisfying way. He picked up speed, sprinting toward the boss with wide eyes that refused to miss a single detail.

[Immaculate Damascus 2-H Sword: (Lustrous Blue - LVL 15) (Attack Power +85) (PTC +19) (ACU +7) (PHY +19) (Durability 180/180)]

Raine used Guardians Embrace and Guardians Comfort, buffing his defense and starting a crucial five-minute timer that would be easy to track.

The group stayed well back where he left them. Raine had seen enough raids to know they wouldn't be in danger from what he planned. He, on the other hand, was as far from safe as it was possible to be. The Avatar of Rhashkahal froze at his approach, overwhelmed by anticipation. Its beady eyes expanded, and a horn-to-claw shiver swept down its massive body. Raine learned where the edge of its battlefield was when it exploded into action between one step and the next.

It fell to all fours and accelerated so fast that it could only be the result of a skill. It hurtled through the air like a bullet, not needing to touch the ground to maintain its horrifyingly rapid flight; nothing that large should move so quickly. The sight of it sent fresh terror through the group. Thanks to the Acuity boost from Fraction of Grace, and a hefty dose of Discipline filling his skull, Raine was able to track it, barely.

The moment its body passed through the gateway, its unthinkably thick killing intent slammed into Raine. Strengthened after the first boss, his bloodlust managed to fend off the opposing pressure while maintaining a comfortable two-millimeter cushion outside his skin. Unfortunately, this boss wouldn't be nearly as easy as the first.

Raine knew he got lucky being able to give the Gaze of Malefaction a broken body to inhabit. There would be no similar tactic this time. It would be his first attempt to face off against a bona fide Hierarch without any way to cheese it. Worse, as he'd feared, the Avatar of Rhashkahal didn't have the standard type of killing intent for beasts; it sought to deprive him of his sight.

While he was confident in fending off its stigmallage, the loss of sight would be catastrophic for his allies, whom he certainly couldn’t protect with his bloodlust so restricted. There was no time to fully consider the implications with the boss hurtling toward his face. 

Raine Lunged to the side, relieved when the avatar didn’t change trajectory mid-flight to follow him. Realizing it would miss, it canceled the skill and fell. Its clawed hands and feet scraped deep furrows in the ground as it scrabbled after him. Moving faster than he could easily control, Raine reversed directions with another Lunge, catching the boss as its momentum shifted.

Raine breached the heat radiating from its Immolating Aura, noting his armor's Flame Resistance was able to shrug off the damage. With Guardians Comfort boosting his base Resistance, the grand total fire damage he could ignore per second was 328.

The tip of Raine’s sword struck the air, unleashing a Rupture that crashed into the boss’s extended arm. [-11,826] With his momentum canceled, Raine was forced to air Lunge to resume his charge. The tip of his sword lit with a brilliant glow, and Guardians Bane pulled the weapon into the boss’s weakened, fiery hide. [-44,675]

So far, Raine had used forty-eight Discipline in under three seconds. In another seven, its regeneration would tick, and the damage he’d dealt would be wiped clean. More disturbing, the boss didn’t roar or growl in annoyance. It released an excited, huffing pant accompanied by a significant increase in the flow of its caustic saliva. 

Jaws came down to surround Raine. Teeth and a wet tongue crowded his vision while a blast of rancid, hot breath washed across his skin. Parry connected with a tooth and sent its head bouncing to the side. Powerful neck muscles strained, countering the force and bringing it right back for another feral bite. Raine was already gone. He landed on the boss’s shoulder and plunged his sword deep. [-1,223]

This close, the immolating flames from its body managed to break through his Flame Resistance. [-22] Raine was almost shocked enough that he missed the claws shredding through the air to swat him like a bug. He jumped away, kicking off the air with rapid steps in an attempt to circle behind the spinning avatar. 

A Hierarch’s combat standards were not so easily overcome. Without Discipline or Lunge, Raine was too slow to escape its flaming tail that moved like it had a mind of its own. [-814] The force of the blow sent him sailing toward the nearest stone building. Insult to injury, he also received another tick of immolation damage from the brief contact. [-22]

Raine had 3,800 health with Fraction of Grace, meaning he was already down a quarter of his total. With 686 Defense, he expected to take significantly less damage per hit. Meanwhile, Fizgore had a little over 2,000 health and far less Defense; he wouldn't survive more than one hit.

The first and most important aspect of challenging any raid boss was discovering if your tank could handle the damage output. Since Fizgore couldn’t, it was entirely up to Raine. With his primary goal complete, he moved on to the secondary objective.

Raine flipped upon reaching the building. He kicked off its hard surface toward the ground. The boss was a few short paces behind, which was perfect. Triggering Grace of Nirvana, Raine sprinted away with a bonus four hundred percent Movement Speed. He raced along the wall of buildings, the boss hot on his heels and thirsty for a taste of flesh. It didn’t get the chance.

Raine was too quick; he bolted in the rough direction of the group, maintaining his proximity to the buildings. All too soon, he found the expected thickening of the air that had nothing to do with his Connection. Feeling like he was running through sap, Raine adjusted his angle away from the walls, finding the exact dimensions of the boss’s playground. This curved, artificial ‘wall’ was meant to trap both players and the boss inside. Dragging his sword across the ground behind him, Raine clearly marked the arena's edge. Grace of Nirvana ended right after he finished.

Now, there was only one final objective: Fight until one of them died. Raine threw everything he had at the fully healed boss, burning Discipline as quickly as he could to see if it was even possible to overcome its insane regeneration on his own. He managed it, barely, eeking out one hundred thousand more damage per ten seconds than its recovery. Though it cost him over a hundred Discipline in that same period. 

Fraction of Solidity brought his total Discipline to seven hundred and twenty-two. Between that and its life-saving aegis, it was the best fit for the fight. Unfortunately, the lack of speed meant he had to burn more resources to heal, and not be turned into a snack. Raine lasted an entire sixty seconds in an all-out brawl against the avatar. As his Discipline bottomed out, he was caught and promptly chewed on a few times before being swallowed whole.