“Before we kill the Stalker, we’ll need to get rid of the Ash Goblins. From my Intel skill, it looks like Ash Goblin’s use a channel skill--the one in the center gains Strength, Agility, and high amounts of physical and fire damage reduction. The more it gets hits and the faster it moves the quicker the buff will run out.”

“No shit, totally couldn’t figure that out by myself,” Moon said.

Lan went on. “Because their skill requires one goblin to be in the middle, all we need to do is attack from one side.”

“How do we know they have to be in that formation?” Cijo said. “They could be doing that because it’s just a good battle formation.”

“My Intel skill confirmed it. It will break their skill. We’ll keep that stupid bear in the middle with the rest of the goblins on the other side. it should be aggroed by the goblins more. Gale, you scout around while we go in. If another squad of goblins arrives, we run—if you don’t see anything near, come back and help us.”

Gale moved back while everyone began using their skills. All four used Life Shield. The solid yellow aura covering them like an extra layer of skin made it obvious enough, though he wasn’t familiar enough with it to know if they used anything else. From what he’s seen, all four had a skill that buffed their parameters. It must have been another basic Life Force skill if they all had it.

Lan cast a different skill. Instead of having Life Force over just his body, his Life Force began to ooze into the spear until it shimmered a bright yellow. “Casting a party buff plus a Debilitating Zone. The next buff we’ll get is in three minutes. Ready, set, go!”

Everyone sprinted out of the bushes, warriors in front, Nilbog on the side. Yellow rays burst up from Lan and homed in on everyone.

Ambush Maneuvers

Buff Type: Maneuvers

Duration: 20 seconds

Agility is increased by 10%.

If moving towards enemies Agility is increased by an additional 20%.

Reduce the effects of slows by 40%, and other Crowd Control abilities by 10%.

Dealing damage will immediately remove the buff.

The Ash Goblins noticed them immediately. Without hesitation, they canceled their channeling skill and began to retreat. The Stalker followed them.

Once Lan got into range he threw the spear. It landed in front of the Ash Goblins, creating a spherically brown field on the point of impact. It slowed all creatures within it by 30%. It would have been a terrible skill if it weren’t for Ambush Maneuvers reduction of slows. For the most part, the range allowed them to initiate favorable fights.

Three Ash Goblins and the Stalker were caught in the radius, though because of the Stalker's size, status as a mini-boss, and level, the skill’s effects were dramatically reduced.

Nilbog was the third to reach, right after Cijo and Moon. Moving under the effects of the zone felt like running underwater, but with the enormous difference in Agility, and with goblins backs turned, the kill was easy. He leaped forward stabbing with both daggers at each side of the neck. The goblin fell to the ground with him on top of it. It moved too slowly to struggle as Nilbog’s daggers fell on its back. A few stabs and he broke its weak Life Shield. The fifth time he plunged his knife it went through its skull.

All three of them got their targets.

“Good work!” Lan yelled, lifting the spear off from the ground. The Zone was quickly sucked into the spear. “Their skill is down. Be steady!”

Three Ash Goblins were left. With their skill off, they no longer had a super buffed goblin to contest the Stalker. They tried to run, but the Stalker’s Speed was far too high. They stood their ground and began to trade blows with it.

“Now!” Moon yelled.

“No you dipshit!” Lan yelled, too late. It was far too soon. It’s Life Shield was visibly damaged with the cracks spread all over, but it still needed a few more hits until they can reliably damage its HP. More importantly, the Ash Goblins themselves were not taken down. Because of Moon’s impatience, however, everyone had no choice but to charge after him.

Lan used a class skill called Leader’s Target. There were two forms to it; either it was a projectile that lowered the target's Armor and Agility by 10% for a minute, or a melee attack that lowered Strength by 15% and increased damage taken by 10% for a minute and a half.

Moon used his Life Force Burst. Life Force slid up his arms and his sword, turning it into a bright yellow. The blade pierced through the Stalker’s Armor, bursting within. Pieces of vine sprayed him.

Cijo didn’t have anything fancy. He just stabbed in with all his strength. It didn’t go that deep, but it did send waves throughout its Life Shield, signifying he dealt a decent amount of Shield Damage.

Nilbog didn’t even bother. His weapon was too short and there was no space to get close.

The Stalker howled, taking one step forward and swiping backward. Cijo was unable to step back in time, but he was able to receive the strike on his shield. It blew him away a couple of feet back, denting the metal.

The surviving Ash Goblins took the chance and ran. Nilbog took their spot on its back, and was pleasantly surprised the vines that covered the rest of its back were a mangled mess. The Ash Goblins plus Moon’s Burst attack did a real number on it.

It was still a foe to reckon with, though. Even with the spear Lan was unable to strike without being vulnerable to a counter-attack. Cijo and Moon defended with their shields, stepping back each time the Stalker swung horizontally, and completely jumped out of the way for vertical attacks--there was too much weight behind those to even attempt blocking them.

Meanwhile, Nilbog stayed at its back, harassing it with his daggers. Piercing through its tough vines would have been a tall order, but considering the many holes and slashes leftover from previous attacks, his dagger was able to chip away at its Shield. Life Shield benefited from the same damage reductions that applied to HP, which meant it also suffered from the same weaknesses. That made targeting vulnerable spots deal more Shield damage.

Minor Penetration! You have dealt 14 shield damage to level 54 Woodland Stalker!

He struck it five times before the Stalker noticed him. It stepped sideways and turned, swiping at him. His Dodge skill gave him an extra burst of Agility as he dropped below its claws. Nilbog took a half step-backward, taking advantage of the Stalker’s intelligence. Thinking he was going to retreat, it raised a thickly covered Life Force paw into the air.

By that time Nilbog dashed into its corner instead. The paw struck the ground behind him, sending a Life Force wave that upturned the earth. It would have blown Nilbog if he retreated.

Even with its side wide open, Nilbog did not have enough Strength to deal significant damage. He wasn’t going to take any chances for a few extra points of damage.

It was a mini-boss that was twice his level. Unlike the others, he had no Life Shield. Being struck meant their shield would be reduced. Being struck meant Nilbog would get crushed. He might not die in one hit, but he’s sure to lose a good amount of bones.

The Stalker hollowed as Moon’s blade exploded on its flank. It swung around and smashed its paw to the ground again. He avoided the strike but not the explosion. It sent him flying back a good distance. It then dropped to all four limbs, its muscles flexing visibility as green Life Force covered every part of its fur, turning it into a neon green lump.

Everyone jumped back. They had no idea what it was going to do.

“Hit it! It’s an internal” Lan called out. His eyes were glowing yellow—he must have used some type of skill. Still, even with the added information, no one but Moon had enough offensive power to interrupt it, and he was too far back.

A few seconds later, the Stalker’s Life Force waned. It leaped forward at a much faster Speed. Lan and Cijo jumped in opposite directions, avoiding its charge. Before it passed them, however, its right paw extended to the side. It struck Lan square in the chest, breaking the spear he blocked with. He flipped a couple of times in the air before dropping to the ground with cracks spreading on his Life Shield.

What was truly surprising, however, was that Cijo had dropped his shield. The speed at which he judged the situation was stunning—there was no dodging or blocking its attacks if they let it charge. None of them even thought it could run on all fours with its disproportionate body, but the Stalker made it work somehow. Thus, as it curved around for another round, a brightly lit Cijo leaped onto its side. One hand clutched its fur while the other stabbed at its side.

The Stalker swung around, attempting to shake Cijo off. When it had no success, it stopped and stood up, raising its right paw into the air. Its arms were so long that its arm could reach the other side, and Cijo was in no position to dodge—only one hand was able to clutch the fur. The other had his sword.

What he was successful in doing, though, was slowing down the Stalker enough. Lan's half-broken spear pierced through one of its hind legs, slowing it just enough for Moon’s Life Force Pierce to explode into its other leg. It’s right paw, instead of crushing Cijo, fell forward against the ground. Cijo used this chance to climb into a better position. He would have been shaken off had his sword failed to find the open the spot that Moon blew to pieces. The sword completely penetrated, getting stuck in its thick flesh as he began twisting it inside it. It’s Life Shield completely broke—even Nilbog can penetrate now.

Monsters felt pain. Too distracted by the metal inside its body, it charged heads first into a tree, cutting its howls short, but Cijo jumped too late. His lower body caught the tree, sending him spinning through the dirt a couple of times. His Life Shield cracked and shattered—whatever skill he used to increase his Agility and Strength might have reduced his defenses.

The Stalker leaped from its back to its legs. It stood up on its hind legs

and turned to finish Cijo off, but was met with Moon’s second Life Force Burst. He had jumped, and with the momentum of his sprint his sword pierced the beast's neck and exploded within, discharging red fog from its mouth and ears.

“Fucking thing won’t go dow-” Moon said, landing on his feet moments before the Stalker paws sent him flying again. An audible crack was heard as his Life Force shattered.

“Over here!” Nilbog yelled as he finally caught up. The Stalker’s brain was probably half-blown by now, but even then, it turned towards the dazed Cijo. Having no choice, Nilbog went for the kill. He leaped forward, his daggers finally able to pierce something—its eye holes.

Penetration! You have dealt 54 damage HP Damage to level 54 Woodland Stalker!

You have inflicted minor bleed damage.

Its paw lifted into the air before Cijo bareback, slighting Nilbog in the process. It was as if he wasn’t even there, hanging in front of its jaws with a dagger in each eye. It didn’t even try to bite him.

A spear suddenly appeared out of its mouth, scarring out whatever sanity was left in Nilbog. For a few moments he stared at the metal a few inches way from his face, uncomprehending. Did Stalker’s really have that type of attack?

“Just die already!” Lan yelled through gritted teeth. He twisted his spear, making more blood spurt out. This time, there was no roar.

The beast stuttered a few steps forward and fell, a low squeal escaping its broken throat. Nilbog jumped to the side, coughing as the dust settled. Cijo was able to crawl away in time.

Nilbog immediately searched for any signs of incoming Ash Goblins. If there was going to be an ambush now would be it.

He didn’t find the goblins, but when he focused he did begin to hear that music again, if it could be called that. He didn’t need to be familiar with the art to know that whatever dark power the Life Siren used did not fall into that category. It might have been what a chello or lyre was supposed to sound like. It was heavy, and like last time the more he listened to it the louder it became, and when he looked somewhere else or had a thought the music changed. It didn’t come from a general direction—it played inside his head, and it watched him. That he knew for certain.