[-613!]
Loro was pushed back by the angelic might. Radiant Shield laughed inwardly, eager to prove the potential of his new ultimate skill. He felt as if he was the real boss now. Not only did Radiant Shield become stronger after the activation of [Call of the Inquisition], but all his skills gained additional effects. As Loro charged his lance, about to return a blow, Radiant Shield activated [Shield of Faith].
The angel's majestic shield carried in his left hand lit up with sacred light. His body flashed as he slammed the shield into the boss. Loro was startled, his body shook, and a stun was applied.
[-368!]
Another strike with the sword followed, deducting the boss's HP further. Radiant Shield felt great, joyfully activating skills. [Sacred Protection] increased Radiant Shield's defensive attributes and due to the blessing brought by his ultimate skill his friends also had their STR improved by 10%. After a moment Loro recovered from the stun. He snorted and charged another attack, striking the tall angel with his sharp bone lance.
[-2837!]
Radiant Shield grinned as he saw that the damage had been reduced by about half. He continued attacking, making full use of his [Call of the Inquisition]. Meanwhile his friends naturally didn't remain idle. Everyone attacked at full force. The goal was to prevent the boss from using another skill.
"Keep it up!"
"Five thousand HP!"
"No, he tries to whistle!"
"Ignore it! Don't run! Attack, attack!!!"
"AHH!"
Silent Acacia let out a scream as he, Korn, and Zorn struck simultaneously. A fireball was coming right at him. It didn't matter. The boss had to die now!
"No! Halt! I… I am just protecting my home! Have mercy!"
Suddenly the stone dragon let out a roar. It thrashed around, throwing Loro from its back. With a startled cry the boss fell to the ground. Lying there, he put his weapon away and stared at the players with pleading eyes. At this moment no new meteors fell from the sky. The friends evaded the few which had already appeared before slowly sinking to the ground, huffing deeply.
"Did we… win?"
"I think so."
"But the boss is still there. He has a single HP left."
"Oh, is this a situation where we get to decide?"
The reality of the situation gradually settled in. Everyone's solemn expressions were replaced by joy and relief. They finally made it through! The boss was defeated, at their mercy!
"Hahaha!"
Cyclone and Balm laughed brightly as they hugged. Directly next to them Loro sat on the ground, his face showing confusion as he awaited judgement from the adventurers. Only after a few seconds did the friends have the mind to deal with him.
"So, what should we do with him?", asked Silver Blade.
"Is it even a question? In this situation we have always allowed the boss to leave. If they come back in the future, they will certainly carry more loot.", laughed Cyclone.
"Sure. As long as it doesn't implicate our dungeon run."
Everyone subtly glanced at Liam. His indifference was enough of an answer. Thus, Cyclone confidently addressed the boss:
"Cultist, I understand that it is rude of us to intrude into this temple. We don't want to kill anyone. We are only searching for medicine. Thus, please leave."
"Thank you, adventurers. I…"
"But! Before you go, leave all your loot behind! It would be best to if you gave us a few legendary items. You seem to carry so much dragon stuff on you, some of it has to be legendary, right? Come on, don't hold back!"
As Cyclone spoke, the greed in her eyes became more intense by the second. Loro even crawled backwards in fear. Suddenly he jumped up, threw a small bag on the ground and rushed towards the hole in the ceiling. To everyone's surprise a green light came from somewhere and directly whisked him away, pulling the cultist deeper into the temple.
"What was that?"
"I'm sure we'll find out soon."
The friends didn't care too much. They watched as Cyclone approached the bag Loro left behind with blazing eyes. She rubbed her hands and touched the bag. A blinding golden light shone, and an intricate purple tome appeared in Cyclone's hands. Immediately the young woman broke out into ruckus laughter.
The others watched helplessly until Cyclone finally calmed down.
"I take it you drew an item for yourself?", asked Radiant Shield curiously.
"Yes! Hehe! I'm about to return to the top of the damage rankings! Here, look and be amazed!"
[Bundling Nature's Might
Category: Unique
Level requirement: 64
Attack Damage: 6-8
Intelligence: +10
Source: +13
Effect 1: Every time you deal lightning damage you have a chance of 10% to apply the Conduit effect to an enemy. Enemies who are affected with Conduit will share 20% of the lightning damage they receive with up to three close by enemies. (duration: 8 seconds)
Effect 2: If the target of your lightning-related attack is paralysed and has the Conduit effect, every enemy will receive a lightning strike dealing 100% (MDMG) as lightning damage.
Effect 3: If an enemy has received the Conduit effect more than two times during a single battle, their lightning resistance will be reduced by 10% as long as they are afflicted with Conduit.
Effect 4: Should you receive lightning damage yourself, you will receive the Conduit effect. Subsequent lightning damage will be shared with your enemies. The chance for your enemies to be afflicted with Conduit increases by 20%.
Restriction: Bound upon wearing; INT above 180 points
General Static of the Talor Republic was obsessed with lightning, revering it as the ultimate power of nature. He spent all his wealth developing methods to use lightning. Despite being a famous sorcerer, he accepted the position of general, throwing himself into entire armies and spreading lightning around himself, constantly discovering new applications. Creating Bundling Nature's Might was one of his last great achievements before the general died to a lightning strike during one of his experiments.]
The friends were amazed as they studied the item's description. It was somewhat of a pity that the tome was no set item. On the other hand, it might not be bad as Cyclone already wielded an unique-category wand.
"However, what's with that description? This General Static sounds like a lunatic."
"Yeah. A sorcerer serving as general, diving into enemy armies?"
"Tsk. Who cares about descriptions? As long as the item is strong, does it even matter?"
Cyclone snorted. She felt like the others were searching for a flaw in her beautiful new equipment. She would definitely not let them continue! Cyclone equipped the new tome in her off-hand and presented the rest of the loot to divert the attention of her friends. Other than some less impressive equipment and some potions, there were indeed multiple dragon-related materials. Blood and scales of weaker beasts like wyverns. Although not as potent as real dragon scales, these could still be used to forge high-quality items.
The friends were all wearing set equipment and thus not that keen on replacing their armours. But there were many who would pay a lot of money for an armour made from wyvern scales. If an intermediate blacksmith had some luck, they would be able to make a high-quality unique category armour, which was worth up to seven hundred gold.
With this in mind, everyone was happy with the harvest. Unfortunately, Cyclone's distraction tactic didn't work out entirely as her friends continued teasing her for a bit as they continued on their way.
After Loro disappeared, the dragon souls went back to rest, opening the path. Liam and his friends approached the ceiling, half-expecting another enemy to pop up and block their way. But nothing like that happened this time. The party finally emerged from the hole in the ceiling, entering another room.
It seemed to be some kind of gathering hall for the cultists. There were benches and decorations. Nothing outstanding. However, with only a brief scan the friends found two treasure chests.
"Work first, enjoyment second!"
Silver Blade laughed as she brought her friends to defeat the groups of cultists in the room. They were not exactly strong, mostly common or elite enemies. All the cultists had somewhat strange looks. The most normal were some timid beastkin while the stranger ones where like Loro earlier, appearing to be a cross of two different races. And yet the cultists all fought bravely. From their words the friends came up with a guess. It seemed as if the cultists were all outsiders in some way, not accepted by their own and thus searching refugee in the temple.
The friends felt some sympathy. Thus, they decided to spare all the cultists as they begged for mercy after defeat.
"Thank you! You have a good soul!"
One cultist, a bear-like beastkin with black fur, lightly bowed towards the friends after they spared him. He turned around and rushed towards the big gate at the other side of the room. Yet before he could open the gate, a green light appeared and whisked him away. This cultist set an example for all the others. They rushed towards the gate and were brought away without opening it.