Chapter 107: The Malice of the World

"Is the BOSS about to make a move??"

"We just managed to raid a village and got some supplies. Has the BOSS respawned already?"

"Is this what they call the malice of the world??"

"Damn, I think I get it now. The more we harm the native NPCs, the more targeted we become!"

Sterl observed from a distance, able to faintly hear the shouts of the player team. This also led to the player team noticing Sterl's presence, and they excitedly ran towards him.

"Hey friend, a strong enemy is about to appear. Let's team up."

Even though Sterl was positioned relatively far from the epicenter of the ground's upheaval and could theoretically escape, the player squad decided to drag him into the mess without hesitation. An extra person meant extra strength to fend off the BOSS!

BOSSes were something [Transcendence] players both longed to encounter and feared greatly. Generally, the higher the BOSS level, the more it would overpower players of the same level. Back in the day, it took about a dozen level 20 players to barely take down a level 20 BOSS that Sterl faced.

However, for a second-class BOSS at levels 70-80, it might take dozens of players of the same level to deal with it.

So at this moment, any normal person seeing a player team trying to lure a BOSS would likely turn and run.

But Sterl stood his ground, unmoving. Although he was annoyed that this group of players wanted to use him, he did gain some useful intel from their words: indiscriminately killing NPCs would result in the appearance of BOSS-level monsters.

So, he decided to stay and team up to fight the BOSS. Besides, Sterl didn't want to miss the chance to defeat a BOSS and reap the rewards.

What made Sterl both amused and exasperated was that he had overestimated the other players. Initially, they talked about joining forces to fight the BOSS. But when they saw Sterl standing still, ready to face the challenge, they one by one activated their skills and items, speeding past Sterl and fleeing for their lives.

They didn't dare confront the BOSS at all...

Sterl merely frowned slightly and didn't attack the fleeing players because—it was too late!

The creature emerging from the ground wasn't the massive monster Sterl had initially imagined. Instead, it was an unbelievably fast and strange shadow, like a cloud of mist or a stain on the canvas of the sky, extremely bizarre.

After activating Star Insight, detailed information flooded Sterl's mind.

[Shadow of Hatred]

[Category: Boss-level Monster]

[Level: 85]

[Constitution: 500]

[Strength: 480]

[Agility: 580]

[Mental: 300]

[Shadow of Death: This unit's agility attribute is increased by 20%, and each attack deals additional damage based on its agility, granting it terrifying speed.]

"No doubt it's a BOSS." Sterl nodded. Despite only being level 85, the attributes of the Shadow of Hatred, if compared to an S-class profession, would almost match those of a third class or even legendary level.

Excluding Sterl with his cheat abilities, the most talented player recruited by the Dark Moon Alliance only had an S-class profession.

"Could that be Spike from the Principality of Morrow? I heard he has an S-class talent and an S-class profession. It's normal for him to withstand a BOSS."

"Damn! Are double-S players really that powerful?"

The player team seemed well-informed, easily recalling the name of the strongest player Sterl had identified using Star Insight.

As they discussed, they continued to flee frantically, their hearts pounding in fear.

While Spike was indeed strong, strong enough to exceed the imagination of these players—a second-class player holding his own against a BOSS.

But they think, what's the use of that anyway?

"Run, run! While Spike is buying us time with his life, let's get as far away as possible!"

"I have a tool to conceal our presence once we put enough distance between us!"

"Spike, thank you! We'll build a monument for you in the future!"

The players had a clear strategy. Spike might be strong, but the BOSS had an enormous health pool and high damage output. The BOSS could make countless mistakes, but Spike could only afford one. A single mistake would mean death!

The players believed the only thing they could do was cherish the time and opportunity Spike's sacrifice was providing them.

Sterl, floating in mid-air and overhearing the players' conversation, he was both shocked and amused by their audacity. "Seriously, didn't you guys lure this BOSS over here?"

"And now you're brazenly asking me to buy you time?"

However, Sterl did catch one piece of interesting information.

"So, that double-S player I saw earlier is from the Principality of Morrow?"

Unfortunately, as a "newbie," Sterl knew nothing about the Principality of Morrow.

He focused intently on the Shadow of Hatred, which, after slicing off a small hill, transformed back into a billowing cloud, floating in the air. It seemed to have no immediate intention to attack, perhaps searching for a flaw in Sterl's defense.

Sterl was under immense pressure, with no time to worry about the players who treated him as cannon fodder. The second class BOSS was putting more pressure on him than Constantine, the third class.

The Shadow of Hatred's speed was overwhelming. A single misstep could mean instant death. After all, a player's health is inherently fragile.

Even more frustrating was that, even if he unleashed a single-target burst like Star Point Finger, Sterl knew he couldn't kill the BOSS in one hit! Especially now that his stardust was nearly depleted, using a golden-quality ultimate attack was a one-time deal.

The players were half-right! Sterl could only afford three mistakes: one hit absorbed by his life, one by the Power of Protection, and one by the resurrection item.

The Shadow of Hatred, however, could make three to four mistakes, requiring Sterl to unleash at least three rounds of Star Point Finger to possibly kill it.

Hmm... not much different from what the players had guessed.

But given the BOSS's high speed, Sterl needed to find the right moment to use his ultimate attack. Otherwise, he'd waste a lot of energy.

Sterl tried to comfort himself with a bit of dark humor: "This is one of those 'face-slapping' moments from a novel. Those players think I can't take down this BOSS, but soon I'll turn the tables and slaughter it."

"And then I'll have a little chat with them about selling my services."

Focusing all his attention, Sterl saw the Shadow of Hatred's speed surge again, transforming into an eerie afterimage.

Sterl immediately activated Bloody Rush, his form flickering away like light. He then realized the BOSS had no intention of attacking him, but instead, it was insanely fixated on the fleeing player team in the distance!