C23 Trash Raid Boss

The guild plus Eddie, headed towards the centre of Goblin’s Gulch. It was eerie to find it so quiet. The bonus of there being no monsters was-

“Free loot!” Eddie exclaimed as he noticed a piece of wire that was glowing purple thanks to Trashman’s Eyes.

{Spider Web Metal Wire}

Grade: Uncommon

Description: A coil used to transfer mana.

Eddie’s eyes glistened with greed as he started running over to piles of loot scattered on the ground. Iron ingots and the uncommon wire filled his inventory within a matter of minutes. He instructed Frank and Robo to run around and bring him stuff. It was like Christmas, only dirtier, and trashier.

It was amazing how much loot Eddie got, the rest of the guild looked at him like he had gone mad. To them, iron ingots were useless.

Eddie suddenly dropped all the iron ingots he was currently carrying when he noticed a grey ingot. He hurried over to it to examine the great find.

{Steel Ingot}

Grade: Uncommon

Description: A hard, robust metal, often used in construction.

“Woahhh,” Eddie said. It was the highest type of metal he had found so far.

You have levelled up Trashman’s Eyes I→II

There are no current boosts to levelling this skill.

“That sucks but I don’t care,” Eddie professed. He could potentially upgrade Frank’s frame with this since he was still made completely out of trash metal.

“Eddie!” Denzel shouted back. “We’re close. Hurry up!”

Eddie scampered off with his two golems close at his heels. Eddie eventually caught up with the guild that were gathering near a large metal pipe. Behind the large metal pipe, was a sprawling fortress made out of… Metal pipes, some bigger, smaller, longer and shorter. Metal beams held them all in place. It stretched up a few hundred metres into the sky making it loom over the guild.

“Holy fudge,” Eddie said.

“Alright, listen up!” Akira said as she stood on a barrel to overcome her small frame. “This is the raid boss’s lair, the boss room is a ten minute walk in. Everyone join the raid party.”

You have been invited to a Raid Party by FemaleBoss13

Accept? Yes/No

You have accepted. You have put into a sub party group called Ranged and Support.

Eddie was unfamiliar with this ‘party’ thing. He could see the entire guild members stats on his screen. They were in percentages and their usernames were next to them.

“Eddie,” Mira said. “Did you speak to Akira?”

“Oh, yeah. We’re calling it cool for now.”

“The guild hall?”

“I still need to discuss it with her,” Eddie said.

She nodded her understanding. “Anyway. Stay with me and Viktor during the raid. I think we have Frank and Robo for protection, we should be good.”

“So they’re not going to be on the frontline?” Eddie asked, relieved.

“No. No offence, they lack the skills.”

“I prefer that.”

“Good then.”

The guild got into groups as they prepared to head into the pipe lair. They crossed into a large entrance way, it was filled with metal that Eddie couldn’t pick up. His inventory was already filled with enough of it.

“Frank,” Eddie said. “Remind me to come back here.”

“Yes, Sir.”

They entered into a pillared room and then down a long hallway; their footsteps echoed against the hard metal floor. The nerves were getting to Eddie but he held it down. Akira was with him and he couldn’t show that he was a massive pussy. He was- but he was trying his best to hide it.

“Sir-”

Eddie jumped. “Jeez, Frank. What?”

“Nothing, Sir.”

Eddie cursed lightly under his breath.

Turning around another corner, they came to a huge door. The outside was laced in weaved bones and skulls. Eddie shivered, whatever was behind that door was going to be scary.

“Right,” Akira said. “Stick to groups. We’ve never done this boss before so don’t go all out. Take it slow.”

“Yes, Guild Master,” the guild said.

Mira and Viktor swung back with Eddie as the giant door opened.

You are entering The Sculptor’s Lair.

You are not allowed to exit unless the Raid Boss is defeated.

Tighten your trousers, shit is about to get real.

Loud drums started to play as they walked in, matching their heartbeats. It was an enormous throne room, adorned with skeletons in unique and terrifying poses that hung from the ceiling by chains. The outside was made of landscaped rock with multiple floors. Six pillars lined the throne room equally, heading towards an entire staircase made of bones.

“So cheesy,” Viktor commented. “You would have thought the ‘throne made of bones’ has been overdone so many times. But no, here we are, in a room full of bones.”

“Shut up, Viktor,” Mira said. “Focus.”

“Focus? I am always focused.”

The group dispersed into the centre and gazed at the throne. There stood a giant, green monstrosity. It was a goblin, only bigger and fatter. It’s head was large and it sank into its neck. One eye was slightly bigger than the other which drooped down into its prehistoric teeth. Its belly overhung it’s giant-

“Why is it naked?” Eddie asked.

The raid boss hadn’t actually noticed them yet. It was sculpting a very curvy goblin while wearing its birthday suit. It was humming along happily as it shaped the female goblins' nipples.

“Ahem,” Akira said.

The raid boss was looking to the side, still happily humming away.

“AHEM!” Akira said again.

The raid screwed up its eyebrows as it slowly turned to face the 50 players waiting.

THE SCULPTOR

RAID BOSS

Mutated Giant Goblin, Level 18

Master Sculptor

Unbridled Strength

Sucker For Romance

Bonemancer

Suddenly, he let off a deep, panicked scream and hurried to find a pair linen to cover its-

“I may not like men in that way,” Viktor said. “But by god, that raid boss is packing heat.”

The raid boss suddenly returned to its throne, now with a white rag covering its dangly bits.

“Uh, hello?” the raid boss asked. His voice was raspy but held sincerity.

“Hi,” Akira said, hands on hips. She was confused as the rest of the guild.

“I’m new to this whole ‘raid boss’ thing. Do we start now or do we talk or something?” the raid boss casually asked.

“Uh, I don’t know,” Akira replied honestly. “You’re the raid boss. It’s your fight.”

“Oh, could you leave Margaret alone please? I’ve been working on her for some time now.”

“The sculpture?” Akira asked.

“Yes. I’ll move her to the side.” The raid boss then casually moved the giant bone sculptor to the side of the throne room. He leaned back to stretch. “I’m not a fan of this thing but I’ll give it a go.”

“Is it self aware?” Eddie asked Mira.

“I think so,” Mira replied. “Kinda weird.”

“I’m not weird!” The Sculptor shouted. “You lot are the weird ones wanting to kill a humble sculptor!”

Eddie tightened his posture as he gulped. “Sorry… Mr Sculptor.”

“My fault, I get angry sometimes.”

“Are you really a humble sculptor?” Eddie asked, much to the dismay of the entire guild.

“Yes. I’ve been sculpting my entire life. This throne room is my gallery.”

“Cool,” Eddie said, looking around. “Are they real bones?”

“Ha, no actually. Keratin, compacted together to mimic bone. I produce most of it myself.”

“And how do you produce it?” Eddie asked.

The sculptor grabbed a small niche and cut off one of its toenails. He popped it in his mouth and broke it apart. He then pulled out a small amount of keratin.

Eddie held the vomit in his throat. “Ni-ce,” he managed to say. “Listen, humble sculptor. We just want the loot you’re holding.”

“Eddie,” Akira interrupted. “You can’t just ask a raid boss for its loot. Why are you even speaking to a raid boss like a real person?”

“‘Cause he seems like a real person. A bit gross-” he turned to the raid boss, “No offence.”

“None taken.”

“But he just likes sculpting, he’s not hurting anyone. So what do you think, sculptor? We’ll leave you alone if you give us your loot.”

“I’m sorry, what’s your name?”

“Eddie,” Eddie said.

“I’m sorry Eddie, as much as I too don’t want to fight, I can’t give you my loot.”

“That’s a pity,” Eddie said, rubbing his chin. “We’re going to have to fight you. Not that we don’t like you but we need your items.”

“I get it,” the raid boss replied, deeply upset. “Make sure you come back after so we chat for a bit.”

“Sure thing,” Eddie said, chirpily. At least the trashmaner had made a friend that he hadn’t built.

You have befriended Raid Boss ERROR ERROR ERROR.

What the fudge did you just-

Mutated Giant , Level 18 now looks upon you in a favourable light.

All goblins in Goblin’s Gulch now look up on you in a favourable light.

Eddie didn’t have time to process what just happened.

“Alright,” the raid boss said. “Let’s fight.”

“Just like that?” Akira questioned.

“Yep, wait, I need to get into character- two seconds.”

The guild members all patiently waited as The Sculptor rehearsed his lines. “Grrr, no, no. Less gr. Grrrrr. More gr. GRRRRRR. That’s better. Right, I’m ready. Let’s begin.”

“I do not want to fight him any more,” Viktor said. “That was depressing to watch.”

“GRRRRRRRRR!!!” the raid boss screamed, causing the throne room to shake.

The Sculptor Raid Boss has started.

It’s too late to go to the toilet.

Soiling yourself maybe be an option.

“All ranged follow me to the walls!” Akira shouted.

Eddie stood still as he watched everyone disperse, unaware of what was coming towards him. “Sir!” Frank shouted, grabbing his collar and pulling him away. A giant bone knife thrusted itself into the wooden door, right where Eddie was once standing.

“Pay attention, Sir,” Frank said.

“Eddie!” Mira shouted, halfway up a rocky slope.

He hurried over and watched as Brody’s team engaged the raid boss. The Sculptor magically sourced huge sculpting knives made of bone that were swirling around him. A huge health bar appeared above its head that was separated into two parts.

Eddie trudged up the slope as fast as he could.

“Focus boss now! Watch your mana and ammo!” Akira shouted.

Dozens of types of magic and arrows rained down on the raid boss. Its health bar only moved down an inch. Eddie was not idle either as he summoned dead cats and fishing rods that were uselessly flung at the raid boss.

“It has no weak points,” Mira said to Akira. “It’s just a tank.”

“Endurance is our speciality. We’ll need to focus on preservation.”

The five healers in a small group were shooting out pulses of green light towards Brody’s team. It was like a goddamn night club in the throne room with all the multi-coloured lights, plus the odd piece of trash that was shooting around.

The raid boss, as far as raid bosses go, was quite basic as it was low level. Although, even a group of high rankers like The Wanderers, raid bosses were always hard.

The Sculptor was swinging around huge pieces of bone weaponry. They were moving incredibly fast and the team down below struggled to get in high damaging attacks. They were still a good distraction for the ranged attackers up above.

The raid boss battle ensued with Eddie wondering what the hell his life had turned into. It was gritty yet exciting with every inch of red that fell from the health bar. It was going good, that was until it went through to the second stage of the fight.

A huge explosion of bones was expelled from the raid boss and a white light covered it.

“Immune phase!” Akira shouted to everyone.

All the bone sculptures hanging on the walls were suddenly let go from their chains and landed on the ground with a powerful thud. Thud, thud, thud- more and more kept falling.

Bone Sculptor, Level 13

Bone Sculptor, Level 12

Ten turned into twenty and soon the entire room was filled with them.

“Mages!” Akira shouted. “Focus on the backlines!”

Brody’s tema engaged the bone horde head on with powerful magic flying over their head accompanied by arrows and spears.

Eddie was surprised something could switch up so fast. There were now a dozen of them running towards him and the mage group. They climbed up the slope at incredible speed.

“Sir, your wall,” Frank said calmly amidst the chaos.

“Oh, yeah, thanks Frank.”

Eddie ran over to the edge of the slope and summoned the wall. Robo and Frank were close at his heels and began to violently attack those that came from the sides.

“Good job, Sir,” Frank encouraged as a bone skull exploded.

“WOOF! WOOF!” Robo barked as he mauled another.

“Eddie, drop it!” Mira shouted. “We need to run!”

“No!” Eddie shouted back with a smouldering look. “Focus on the horde. We can keep these back!”

Now with his larger mana pool, handling the wall was easier. With Frank and Robo to ease the pressure from the horde, he was holding it well.

“Keep at it, Sir!” Frank yelled.

“Woof! Woof!”

Eddie’s mana bar was at half health when the raid boss’s invulnerability phase ended. But the bone sculptures didn’t go away and the raid boss started taking out dealing high damage to Brody’s team.

“Why aren’t the skeletons going?!” Mira questined.

“Don’t ask me!” Akira shouted.

“I can’t hold this forever,” Eddie shouted.

“Use your highest DPS on the boss, we need to burn him quickly before we get overwhelmed!” Akira bellowed.. She herself summoned huge balls of blue fire and started rapid firing them towards the raid boss. Mira too was at it with huge spears of purple space magic.

Brody’s team wasn’t holding up well. They were struggling to kite the boss while dealing with the pressure of the enormous horde; they started dropping like flies.

“We need to do something!” Mira shouted.

Akira was out of ideas. “Like what?!”

“Anything!”

“Sir,” Frank said, strangely calm. “Why don’t you send Robo out to lure all the skeletons. He’s fast and won’t get overwhelmed with his agility.”

Eddie took a heartwarming look towards Robo. He was covered in blood and bone. He had his tongue and was staring at Eddie with his two red eyes. “Go on boy, you know what to do.” It was a moment of trust for Eddie, he was nervous that Robo was going to be injured or worse die but drastic times called for drastic measures.

“Woof,” Robo said happily as he leapt over the trash wall.

“Akira,” Eddie shouted back with his eyes squinted and lip bitten. “Robo’s luring them all away. Focus on the boss.”

“Why’d you do that?” Akira shouted.

“What?”

“Bit your lip.”

“It’s a habit,” Eddie lied.

A second later, Robo was bounding through the hordes of skeletons, using the high agility Eddie had given him to dodge attacks and grabs. He started sprinting around the boss, gathering them up like sheep.

“All focus the boss!” Akira ordered.

With Robo letting Brody’s team regroup and breathe, they all piled onto the boss. Eddie was now too with what little mana he had left.

“Give it your all!” Akira screamed.

The raid bosses' health bar lost inches upon inches.

“More!”

Everyone used their most powerful skills and spells all at once and a huge dust cloud covered the room. They all took cover and covered their mouths except for Eddie who inhaled all of it.

A moment of silence fell across the room. The only sound that could be heard was Eddie gasping for oxygen. “Breath, Sir,” Frank said, patting him on the back. “Breathe. That’s it, you’ve got it.”

“Where’s Robo?” Eddie asked with little breath. He quickly brought up the golem menu to see that the good boy had sustained minimal damage.

DING! DING! DING!

Congratulations to The Wanderers and Eddie!

You have defeated The Sculptor.

+500 EXP

Loot has been withheld and will be distributed via contribution.

By killing your first Raid Boss, you have earned the title: Head Hunter.

+1% Damage to all Raid Bosses.

“We did it!” Eddie screamed at the top of dust filled lungs.

A huge round of cheers all sounded at once.

Robo came back up to Eddie and rugby tackled him to the ground. His metal tongue started ticking off health points as the trashmancer pleaded for him to stop. “Stop boy,” Eddie said but Robow was far too excited to stop. All he could do was lay there and enjoy the victory.