Vol. 3 - Chapter 208 - Rare boss battle! & !

The alias of <Poisonous Mushroom Cavern Dungeon>'s rare boss is <Giant Mash>.

Just as its name implies, it's an unusually big mushroom, probably around 7 m.

In addition, it also holds personification-type abilities through which it has working limbs too. Equipped with the super giant cleaver and hoplon shield along with purple colour armour which reeks of poison, the boss is packed with crazy high attack ability and defensive ability.

The speed is a little faster compared to <Mother> but either way, its body is just huge. Its reach is too long, corresponding to its huge size, and so it is hard to defeat it with a one-sided advantage, unlike when we bombarded the <Mother> with long-range attacks. (T/N: Mother is Mama Mash, the dungeon's regular boss, in case you forgot.)

It also has a shield for defense, which just makes it even more difficult.

To further aggravate it, the rare boss's unique skill <Giant Mushroom Bomber> is crazy strong.

The main crux is the self-destruction attack. If you accidentally become too immersed in battle and are late to escape, getting caught in the self-destruction will do massive damage to you. Self-destruction attacks have long been a staple in the game as extremely strong attacks. Its might is so great that it can even render a tank incapable of fighting further, so it's of absolute importance to keep an eye on it.

By the way, the self-destructed <Big Mash> doesn't simply fall even if its HP is declining. On the contrary, it still looks all fine, raring to fight. Well, there are times, it truly meets its demise with the HP becoming 0.

Another way this rare boss is similar to <Mother> is that it can summon its familiar <Tiny Mushroom> or unleash spore attacks.

So, if you were swarmed by the <Tiny Mushroom> and lost focus on the rare boss, you'll be waiting for the chopping attack from its giant cleaver.

To be honest, <Big Mash> is truly an all-rounder boss without any blind gaps. For such an all-rounder boss with a big body and strength, one can only respond with equally or stronger firepower head-on.

Or so I explained to everyone in the safety area.

"Doesn't it mean we just have to play like usual and bash it hard?"

"Well, just as Lana said. But we have Karua this time. Try to match her movements as well!"

"Reassured!"

The meaning would be a bit different since, instead of the usual rear guard Hannah, we have vanguard Karua in our time. I urged everyone to take note of this part too.

However, it seems Karua couldn't imagine what I was trying to say, as she asked back, tilting her head in puzzlement.

"Is there so much difference?"

"Yeah, when there are four vanguard. Well, the opponent this time is ridiculously big, so it's fine. However, against the small-sized opponent, strategy like switching is of importance. After all, there's the danger of crashing into each other if we are lacking in cooperation while moving in to attack. "

"Hnn. So we can move as we like today then? "

"Of course, just be sure to not crash into each other though."

"Hnn. Understood"

With that nod ended our time for strategy, and we barged into the boss's room.

Today's the final day to be appraised, so there is almost no one there to challenge the dungeons. As a result, there is no one to defeat the rare boss.

Bosses heal as long as you retreat from the boss room even once, so it doesn't affect the boss even if he has a fight with seniors earlier.

The rare boss assumed its stance as it slowly raised its giant cleaver and a red, poisonous hoplon shield.

Rare boss battle-----begins!

"Ma一一一一aaa一一一!"

"Hey-hey, that's too big!"

"Ohh, as expected of the giant mushroom"

The rise of <Big Mash> had much more impact, it seems, as Lana shouted in astonishment from the pressure it gave, which was more than she probably imagined.

However, Sierra was as cool as ever, even when others were terribly surprised and stepped forward holding her big kite shield.

Sierra, you are amazing!

"<Taunt>! <Aura Point>!"

She hurls her skills, one following behind the other, to garner the aggro.

Recently, <Taunt> skill alone is not enough to attract the aggro of the boss completely because of the recent increase in firepower of members, which caused the boss's target to change to another. That's why she used both skills simultaneously.

"Mamamaamaaaa!"

"<Aura Point>! <Iron wall>!"

"<Healing Prayer>"

Even when the boss began to rampage even more after receiving lots of damage, it still couldn't destroy the defence of attack. <Iron Wall > is a fixed-area skill that cannot be moved once propped in place. However, to compensate for its immovability, it greatly reduces damage taken. If Sierra, whose status alone is high, uses it, it would be too tough to break it. Coupled with Lana's healing, it should be quite impossible to push Sierra into a distressing situation.

However, whenever I saw the giant cleaver exceeding the length of 3~4m moving to attack her, I still couldn't help but be struck with anxiety. Is she really fine with receiving the giant cleaver strikes so many times?

"You all right, Sierra?"

"I'm all fine. Although the attacks are heavy, it still doesn't pose any challenge. "

"I-I see. Very well, we are going to step up the damage!"

It seems my worries were unfounded. This is a world filled with fantasy.

Afterwards, we safely dealt with two spore attacks and two pipsqueak summons, avoiding any incident happening, and dropped the <Big Mash> HP to 10%.

"Mamamaaa, Mash!"

Oh, it has now entered its rage mode. From now till the next 30 sec, its attack power will increase by 1.5 times.

Thuuud

Sierra staggered slightly, receiving a heavy thrust from the cleaver. Sierra was actually dazed!

"Sierra!!"

"<Iron wall>! Fret not, I was just surprised at the sudden increase in shock, that's all. I'll be fine until the next attack. "

I could see Sierra turning serious as she replied. I could feel her determination to take on the next attack.

However, betraying Sierra's determination, the cleaver didn't attack as imagined.

Instead, the <Giant Mash> was now covered in red effects, a phenomenon peculiar only to rare bosses when releasing their unique skills.

"Oh no, <Giant Mushroom Explosion> incoming! Sierra! "

"I can't move until the iron wall expires. Don't worry, I can tank it. "

Sierra replied so, but boss strength is now increased by 1.5 due to the influence of rage mode.

In addition to the characteristics of the self-destruction skill, which exchanges HP for attack power, it is already a crazy strong move.

What's more, it also has the property that the closer you are to the boss, the more damage you will receive. That's when I am not adding the status increase by 1.5 times in rage mode. It's extremely dangerous for Sierra, who couldn't move due to the iron wall.

One mustn't underestimate the unique skill activated in rage mode.

"Come here, Ester!"

I quickly dashed behind the Sierra since there wasn't any time to explain anything and grabbed her arms and waist.

"Ehh, Wha- What are一! Kyaaa! "

And using the high value of STR, I tossed her to Ester. Sierra safely landed in Ester's carriage that had come close. It wasn't totally impossible to toss even when the effect of the iron wall was ongoing. I didn't have the skill, but I was able to slow even the slime. Then there's no way I can't slow the Sierra.

"I'm leaving the rest to you, Ester! <Sonic Sword>!"

"Leave it to me! <Overdrive>!"

Immediately after we got away from the boss range with me using <Sonic Sword> and Ester with <Overdrive>, <Giant Mash> exploded.

"Maaaaaaaaaash!"

BANG

Then reverberated the explosion sound from the super powerful AoE attack and the warcry of <Big Mash> in the boss room.

All it left behind was the two gold chests and mushroom shaped smoky cloud afterwards in its wake.