Chapter 627 - The Raid 1

The entire stadium was shocked speechless. Aside from only five or so people, everyone else crumbled like dominos, not even willing to rise to their feet again as if they had witnessed the most horrible monster in their lives.

This prompted the crowd to inspect the smirking fellow who stood there. He had perfect male features, spiky white hair, and blood-red eyes that pulsed every second like a sonar.

His face was angular and tapered to a point, his lips soft and inviting, his jaw soft and sculpted. His body was of good height, around 5'10, just enough to tower over most females, and quite well-shaped.

He wasn't buff or large, neither was he skinny. He had just the right amount of muscles and compactness to make him look sleek and lithe while manly and strong at the same time.

He wore a set of black armor that was scaly like the body of a lizard, with a large lion's medallion in the center of the chestplate.

Two swords were sheathed on either side of his hip, one black sword that radiated blackish energy, with a hilt that was styled like a dragons' head. The dragon had glowing red eyes and looked alive, giving the sword a playful vibe.

The other one was a clean blueish-green sword that was more like crystal than metal. Within it swam many sea nymphs who were extremely sexy, alongside terrifying sea behemoths that acted as their mounts and friends.

The crowd's eyes lit up, especially the ladies. After the feast of high-quality men they had enjoyed in terms of Umbra's core members, this fellow had taken the cake!

Many fellows also fired bright beams of light out of their eyes, but when Draco looked over them, they felt their necks choking as if a hand grasped them. While some felt endless regret, some fellows released strange sound effects along the lines of 'pui pui', their lower garments gaining random weird stains.

Draco's Avatar tsked and looked away, folding his arms. However, one fellow in the crowd was stunned as he was the first to realise something.

"Hey! Look at his name!"

Many were startled but decided to check and were shocked. That name… Draco! When they saw this and put together the reaction of the other players, they finally understood!

Holy shit, talk about the creative, the Raid boss was literally the number 1 player in the game!

However, when more of the spectator's noticed this, they were not amused but confused. After all, Draco was a player just like them.

Sure, he was the number 1 player and might have godly skills, but there were literally 1,000 contestants versus 1 for Christ's sake!

How could they possibly fear one man?!

If he was a giant Black Dragon, a Devil God, or some Demon King, maybe they would understand the fear of the players, yet the way the contestants behaves was as if he was all three of those things, which was definitely impossible!

Amber enjoyed seeing the despair on the faces of the core members thoroughly. These fellows had behaved how they wanted during her competition because they knew she was Draco's bitch (unrequited).

However, now that Draco himself was here, it was time for THEM to get bullied!

Amber saw a chance to drive the despair further and cruelty coursed through her body. She hovered low and waved her hand displayed a screen before all the fighters before Draco.

"Now, please look at the screen, so I can describe the structure of the Raid events and its stages!"

｢First Inter-Player International Competition

Final Event: World Boss Raid

Raid Target: Draco Morningstar (Avatar)

Raid Target Power: 100%

Raid Target Introduction: This is a specially made Avatar of the strongest player, Draco. It has been contracted by the game staff to act as the Raid Target in exchange for some benefits. It had only 50% of the original's total power, but is still powerful enough to act in this capacity.

Raid Difficulty: Impossible.

Raid Stage 1 – Deft Swordsman

Description: Raid Target fights using only his swordsmanship techniques.

Raid Stage 2 – Mystic Warlock

Description: Raid Target battles using his skills in the Mystic Arts.

Raid Stage 3 – Mage God

Description: At this stage, Raid Target displays his full magical prowess.

Raid Stage 4 – Control Master

Description: At this stage, Raid Target displays the true power of a Control master.

Raid Stage 5 – Devil Form

Description: Raid Target transforms into his class-based Devil Form.

Raid Stage 6 – Demon Form

Description: Raid Target transforms into his class-based Demon Form.

Raid Stage 7 – Dragon Form

Description: Raid Target transforms into his class-based Dragon Form.

Raid Stage 8 – Dark Angel Power

Description: Raid Target transforms into his Dark Angel True Body and fights.

Raid Stage 9 – Horned Demon Terror

Description: Raid Target transforms into his Horned Demon True Body and fights.

Raid Stage 10 – Black Dragon Transformation

Description: Raid Target transforms into his Black Dragon True Body and fights.｣

When the core members saw the details, their faces changed into a myriad of colors. What little hope they had was quashed, and despair coursed through them like thunder.

Just as Amber was thoroughly enjoying, the Avatar frowned and spoke up. "Stop this and get on with it."

Amber was startled by this and smiled cryptically. "Sure, was just having fun."

She then faced the players as well as the crowd and began speaking in her usual charismatic tone. "Well, here are some rules and spacial details about today's Raid that will make it different from any other!"

"Firstly, the Raid Target is not a programmed enemy, but the Avatar of the strongest player that was created using a system skill. It only has 50% of his total power in all aspects and we haven't buffed his power in any regard."

"Secondly, due to the system calculations, it had been appropriately tagged as an Impossible raid! Unless the system offers some benefits to the contestants, there will be one clear outcome! As such, the death penalty has been revoked for the contestants during this event, allowing them to infinitely respawn while also removing all skill cooldowns!"

"Thirdly, the Raid has no timer and only ends when the Raid Target is killed at Raid Stage 10! To progress through each stage, the Raid Targer's HP has to be reduced to zero, after which they will shift to the next stage immediately!"

"Finally, the Raid Target will be limited to only use the theme of the current Raid Stage to fight, though their equipment and class passives will carry across the stages, so beware!"

By the time Amber was done speaking, the crowd seemed enlivened. With such rules, this raid was bound to be interesting but short. After all, the raid target only had 10 million HP which was not even as much as some monsters on the first floor of the various battle towers.

However, some sharper fellows in the crowd had solemn expressions. They didn't understand much of what was listed, but they could glean from Amber's words that the 1,000 fighters were being given so many benefits while the Raid Target was being weakened slightly just so that they could have a chance to win.

Just who was this Draco fellow that even his 50% weakened clone had to be limited like this just so the rest of the game's strongest players could have a chance against him?

The contestants themselves did not seem moved by the changes. They still knew that even with this, it was going to be hell to end this raid, much less rank first.

It wasn't until Draco's Avatar clapped that they were awoken from their despair. "Alright, alright, enough moping you lot. You are supposed to be the core members of my guild, and I know Eva had taught you well enough about what such a position means and what you have to do."

The core members gritted their teeth and rose to their feet among the other players. The Lady Boss had always told them to never succumb to despair and to always beat their foes to death while laughing… or be beaten to death while flipping off their enemy.

They took deep breaths, knowing they had been caught offguard by being given an impossible foe to beat, but it was still their right to fight with all they had and qualify themselves to be members of Umbra!

Seeing that their backbone had returned, Draco smiled with approval. He then turned to Amber with a neutral smile and commanded.

"Get things rolling, I have a sea route to manage."

Amber nodded. "The contestants will now have two hours to prepare a strategy before the Raid will officially commence!"

Draco floated in midair and entered a mediative position. He removed some items from his Inventory and began analyzing them using Control Tier 4, memorizing their molecular shape.

Draco and his Avatar shared the same memories and experiences, but since one was on the Main Plane while the other on a Unique Quest, their link was cut, so they were disconnected.

However, he was based off everything Draco, meaning he had the same personality, memories, and more. He figured his other self would be too busy enjoying the Tower of Babylon, so he focused on brushing up their Refinement with any good items he found while running the sea route.

He had found a lot of rare and unique resources this way.

Well, given what the other Draco was doing at the moment, it was clear both he and his Avatar would enjoy a pleasant surprise when he returned and their memories/experiences connected once more.

Soon, the two hours came to pass as the 1,000 contestants had thoroughly used that time to analyze Draco, their chances, and their best options at fighting him and each of his stages.

The Guildmaster had never hidden the scope of his powers from his Umbra members, so they largely knew what to expect.

However, knowing was one thing, and beating him was another. The core members remembered how they had been toyed to death by him without even forcing him to move from one spot.

Not only that, he had only been defending at the time to see their power, waiting until each had made their all-out attack before neutralizing it, turning them into meat paste and tossing them aside.

Now it would be different. Draco would be actively attacking, so there was no chance to be sly. The members decided to work together in the same way they had during the Abyss Event.

Amber then appeared before the group of ready fighters. "Before I call the raid to begin, here is a reminder. This is the list of all passive skills Draco will have activated throughout all 10 stages, so take note of them!"

She waved her hand and a screen appeared before each fighter.

｢Draconic Superiority (Rank 3) – Passive skill

Effect: Health regeneration is always active, and is set at 15% of your total HP every 5 seconds.｣

｢Demonic Might (Rank 3) – Passive skill

Effect: All physical activities consume no stamina, focus, willpower, and concentration and are boosted by 75%.｣

｢Devil's Guile (Rank 3) – Passive skill

Effect: All mental activities consume no stamina, focus, willpower, and concentration, and are boosted by 75%.｣

｢Foresight – Passive skill

Effect: You are able to perceive danger in combat 0.75 seconds before it occurs.｣

｢Nature's Resonance – Passive Skill

Effect: All attributes are boosted by 30% when in a forested area. Health regeneration is allowed during combat, and is boosted by 100%.｣

｢Sword of Promised Victory – Passive Skill

Effect: Damage dealt by one-handed swords are boosted overall by 3,000%.｣

｢Isle of Avalon – Passive Skill

Effect: The first five times you die every day, you survive with 5 HP. For the next minute, you enter an invincible state.｣

｢True Sight – Passive Skill

Effect: You are able to see everything and anything within your Rank.｣

｢Paragon of Destruction – Passive Skill

Effect: Destruction Energy no longer damages targets you deem as allies and does not negate drops.｣

｢Reverse Scale – Passive Skill

Effect: Covering the key weakness of a Black Dragon, this item allows no harm to come to the reverse scale while equipped.｣

｢Absorption – Passive Skill

Effect: This item automatically absorbs ambient Worldly Energy to empower the user in all aspects.｣

｢Resistance – Passive Skill

Effect: Physical and Magical Resistance are increased by 40%.｣

｢Defense – Passive Skill

Effect: Physical and Magical Defense are increased by 40%.｣

｢Speed Boost – Passive Skill

Effect: Attack speed is increased by 40%.｣

｢Technique Supplement – Passive Skill

Effect: All attack-based techniques executed are empowered by 20% and cost 30% less resources to use. ｣

｢Speed Aura – Passive Skill

Effect: Movement speed is increased by 40%.｣

｢Technique Boost – Passive Skill

Effect: All movement-based techniques executed are empowered by 20% and cost 30% less resources to use.｣

Looking at the list, the faces of the various fighters hardened, but they had already reached this point. It was impossible for them to back down now, so they could only nod to Amber to show that they understood.

Amber then hastily floated away so as not to get included in the upcoming slaughter-fest. "And with that, the final event, the Raid, begins!"

The moment she spoke, the fighters got into action!

Phase 1: Stun!

Tremor! (Uno)

Disable! (Cobra)

Space Lock! (Sublime Notion)

Chains of Evil: Card! (Joker)

Written Word: Bind! (Happy Scholar)

Etc!

Phase 2: Buff and debuff!

Inspire! (RamButt)

Lyrical Lines! (RamButt)

Disenchant! (RamButt)

Endless Night! (Silent Walker)

Aero Spirites Summon! (Slight Breeze)

Nature Sprites Summon! (Gentle Flower)

Etc!

Phase 3: Transform/Empower!

Beast Fusion! (Loli King)

Super Warrior 2! (Kiran)

Void Dragon Form! (Essence Stalker)

Wood Elf Genes! (Tunder Power)

Muster! (Deployed Soldier)

Etc!

Phase 4: BOMBARRRDDDD!!

All of Sublime's Spells!

Wind Blade Storm! (Slight Breeze)

Barrage! (Wee Cunt)

Condense! (Deployed Soldier)

Searing Ray! (Maple Forest)

Spray and Pray! (Shani)

Etc!

The crowd was left screaming and breathless from the beauty of the actions of the players on the field. They didn't give their opponent a chance of even thinking about what to do before showering in perfectly coordinated attacks.

The crowd was exhilarated by this sight and also disappointed. Was this really all the number 1 player amounted to? A single barrage and he was already cleaned out?

How easy!

However, despite this, the various members here did not pause, continuing their barrage on Draco's previous spot since they had no cooldowns for their skills and spells.

Nevertheless, they had merely been freed from cooldowns, they still had to pay the cost in terms of mana and stamina, so they eventually tired out as they panted heavily. When the dust settled, they saw that the area where Draco had been was so thoroughly ravaged that it had become a hellscape.

Suddenly, the faces of all the combatants changed as they heard a snide voice from behind them.

"Tsk, tsk, imagine how great it would have been for you all had any of that connected." Draco remarked with amusement.

All of their stuns? Resisted!

All of their debuffs? Ignored!

The only thing they succeeded in doing was buffing themselves and the other key fellows who transformed. As for their final bombardment, they had struck nothing as even Draco didn't dare to stand there.

He had hundred of movements techniques and they were empowered by so many passives, so how could he fail? On that topic…

"Guess it's my turn, eh?" Draco commented with a smile, as the horrified members how now turned to see him, readying themselves to fight for their lives.

However, such action was frankly taken in extravagance. Draco simply cricked his neck and flourished both of his blades before bringing them to the level of his face.

"Paragon Sword Style, Sword Skill 356: Two Swords, No Army."

If any of the Five Generals retained their previous life's memory, they would smile bitterly and lower their weapons, for they knew their death was already decided.

Worldly Energy rushed into Draco like a whale sucking in water, causing many to lose their balance as it created sheer winds. He then blasted forward like a blur, the only thing showing his rapid movement being sword lights of a blue color that were left behind like afterimages.

After making so many slashes, Draco appeared on the opposite side of the group, wielding each of his swords lazily as if he had not done anything special.

Intermediately, the heads of almost all 1,000 fighters slid off their shoulders at the same time, flopping to the side. This excluded the likes of Kiran and Essence whose forms were too powerful to be dealt with like this, as well as Slim Fatty, Fitter, Tunder, and Uno.

Those who survived did so thanks to various means, but the core of it was that they were shuddering heavily. They had been so close to death that they felt the arms of the abyss reach out to them comforting them that their time in hell would be as horrible as they expected.

"Hmm, some fellows survived and not by the skin of their teeth. Well, this was a casual attack to weed the easy kills from the hard ones." Draco muttered.

He then gazed at those who revived, ignoring those who were respawning as his eyes narrowed.

"Aaron, Kiran, Uno, Boyd, Cobra, Sheila, Justin Davis, Xela, Ilverios, Lucky Bastard, Christian, Keira, and Aunt Fyre." Draco began listing off those who survived his attack with a cold voice.

He then smiled as his Dragorugio sword erupted in black flames.

｢Dark Fires – Active Skill

Effect: Cover the blade in a blackish miasma that is a mixture of Destruction Energy and Darkness Energy for 1.5 minutes. Cooldown: 8 minutes.｣

Then his beloved Divine Fragarach glowed with a bright blue-green color that was soothing to Draco, but deadly to his enemies.

｢Unstoppable Force – Passive Skill

Effect: Every attack from this blade ignores 50% defense, including spatial, temporal, and metaphysical.｣

｢Sea's Blessing – Passive Skill

Effect: Every attack with this blade can summon the wind and waves, dealing 500% water or wind damage, whichever is greater, to a single target.｣

The key group readied themselves for the second wave as they quickly adopted what survival measures, they had.

Kiran directly launched himself at Draco as he roared.

"The will of a martial artist! To never fall! Die under my attack, Draco! Realm King Fist, HAAAA!!!"

(Author's Note: I've noticed that most of you have missed the references, so I gotta point it out. Google 'Realm King Fist' and "Heaven Star Lunar Fang' so you don't miss 'em next time!)