Chapter 23: [STAGE 1] Boss Raid

Name：I became the Tyrant of a Defense Game Author：
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Chapter 23: [STAGE 1] Boss Raid

-Graaaaaaaaah!

A gargantuan specter, swathed in an immense suit of armor.

The stage one boss monster, Phantom Knight, bellowed an uncanny roar.

-Kukuwoong-!

The entity that had been hovering in the air descended to the ground, shaking the entire vicinity as if an earthquake had struck. We all teetered simultaneously.

Damn!

Confronting the creature on the ground, my fingers twitched involuntarily.

It was gigantic.

Its towering figure was about as tall as a three-story building, just slightly shorter than the fortress walls.

From our position atop the wall, we were nearly eye to eye with the monster stationed on the open ground.

"Ready the cannons! Aim the ballistae!"

I hollered at the soldiers, frozen in awe of the boss monsters overpowering presence.

"We need to take it down before it gets to the wall! Move it-!"

The startled soldiers hurriedly began to load the cannons and ballistae.

However, much of the siege equipment was abandoned during the infantry battle, and by the time they managed to reinstall and reload everything, the Phantom Knight was already upon us.

Blue flames danced ominously within the beasts towering helmet.

Damn it, keep it together!

I almost retreated out of fear, barely maintaining my footing.

Dont get spooked by its appearance, damn it! Its just a stage one boss. Even if its received a boss boost, its only level 25!

"Fire! Give it everything youve got-!"

At my command, the petrified soldiers ignited the cannons and pulled the ballistae triggers.

-Boom! Brrrrr!

-Thud-thud-thud!

Cannons belched fire, and arrows flew from the ballistae.

-Kwakwang! Kwakwakwakwang!

Due to the creatures size, our hit rate was astonishingly high. Scores of shells and ballista arrows hammered into the Phantom Knight.

Flames and smoke swirled around its massive armor.

However, its armor was robust. It sustained no significant damage.

-Thump! Thump! Thump!

Despite the relentless attack, the Phantom Knight continued its advance.

This brute is unbelievably sturdy!

Still, the main objective of the cannons and ballistae was to impede it as much as possible. I swiftly glanced aside.

"Lilly!"

"Yes, yes?"

Lilly looked drained from casting fire magic just a short while ago. But she had a duty to fulfill.

"The third artifact? Is it adjusted yet?"

"It was tuned just moments ago!"

"Activate it now!"

Lilly signaled the alchemists. They powered up the artifact that had just completed its final tuning.

-Wooooooong-!

A gentle light spilled from the blue-tinted piece of magical technology.

The restored third artifact.

Rank R Artifact, the Magic Amplifier!

The effect was straightforward. It amplified a single characters magical effect by 100 percent. But only for one use.

It was merely a single-use magical booster, but its potential was immense, depending on how it was deployed.

"Jupiter!"

I turned around. Jupiter was squinting her only eye, scrutinizing the Phantom Knight.

"Have you recovered enough?"

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

-Crackle!

Sparks danced from the fingertips of the electric sorceress.

"Im not merely ready, Im surging with energy."

Jupiter was all set. I gestured towards the chest of the towering phantom knight.

"Focus your energy on his chestplate. Unleash the strongest attack youre capable of."

-Woooom!

A magic amplifier sprung to life. The target? Jupiter!

A soft blue light enveloped Jupiters form. She blinked once.

"....Indeed. It feels like a return to my heyday."

Embracing the power of the artifact, Jupiter clenched her fists, her face lit with a fierce grin. I gave a nod of affirmation.

"Im relying on you."

"Please watch out for the lightning, Your Majesty."

As Jupiter advanced, the ominous sound of thunder echoed from afar. Rumble...

"And bear in mind, Im not responsible if you get struck!"

Jupiter extended her hands, and a downpour of bright yellow lightning bolts descended from the sky.

-Kaboom!

Jupiters first skill, [Bleaching Zone], erupted onto the Phantom Knight.

Its not a damaging attack.

Its merely a status affliction designed to sap our morale. If you let it engulf you, your mind could be shattered.

"Your Majesty! Its dangerous!"

"Its alright, Lucas."

But mental afflictions held no threat over me.

A frantic Lucas tried to shield me, but I shrugged him off.

And I stood firm, locking eyes with the oncoming ghosts.

"This is human territory."

As all the ghosts lunged at me.

-Kiiing-!

My passive skill [Unyielding Commander] sprung to life, radiating a white light, entirely neutralizing their curse.

The ghosts shattered mere inches from me, impeded from passing through.

Enduring the onslaught of the wraiths, I mustered a shout, while shielding myself with all I had.

"Begone, you fiend!"

-Screeching, wailing...

The final wraith charged at me, only to dissipate like a wisp of smoke.

With the wraiths gone, a profound silence swept over the surroundings.

"..."

"..."

Slowly, the soldiers who had taken cover around the fortress began to lift their heads. Those who had escaped beneath the wall started to emerge.

"That monstrous beast...?"

"The ghosts?"

"The prince... defeated them..."

"Is... Is it over?"

With the wraiths dissipated and Jupiter retracting her lightning magic, the heavy clouds in the sky began to break apart.

Sunlight streamed through the parting clouds.

As if the darkness that had swallowed us was a lie, the brilliant sunlight bathed the battered fortress walls.

"..."

Perched atop the fractured walls, I looked down at the soldiers struggling to regain their footing.

As I shifted my gaze, I caught sight of the wraith knights sword, embedded halfway into the wall.

Thoughts of repairing such a gaping hole in the wall, compensating for todays troop loss, flooded my mind.

Instead of lingering on these issues, I raised a hand high, wearing a wide grin.

"We have triumphed!"

I amplified my voice for the bewildered soldiers gazing up at me.

"We have endured!"

The sunlight poured down from the parted clouds, illuminating me.

"We will keep triumphing! And we will keep enduring!"

The terror in the soldiers eyes gradually receded.

I could clearly see the joy of victory take its place.

Whether it was due to my passive skill or my persuasive speech, I didnt care.

"Weve repelled the monsters!"

With all the vigor I possessed, with all the sincerity I could summon, I could only cry out.

"Lets survive!"

***

[STAGE 1 - CLEAR!]

[STAGE MVP - Jupiter(SR)]

[Characters Leveled Up]

- Ash(EX) Lv.8 (3)

- Lucas(SSR) Lv.29 (2)

- Jupiter(SR) Lv.36 (1)

- Lilly(R) Lv.19 (2)

- Damien(N) Lv.20 (5) (Eligible for first rank promotion!)

[Characters Injured or Killed]

- Jupiter(SR) : Slightly injured

- Tain(N) : Deceased

- Ron(N) : Deceased

- Jia(N) : Deceased

- Peke(N) : Deceased

[Items Acquired]

- Living Armor Magic Stones: 172

- Phantom Knight Magic Core(SR) : 1

[Stage clear reward has been distributed. Please check your inventory.]

- R-grade reward box: 2

- N-grade reward box: 3

>> Prepare For The Next STAGE

>> [STAGE 2 : Knight of Steel]