Ryven, Liora and Keth moved in formation, weapons ready, each fully aware of their roles. Zack followed slightly behind, calm and composed with [Detect] highlighting nearby threats.
His dagger glowed faintly with divine light as he readied his spells. For now, their party held back, watching from the edge of the battlefield. As dozens of players clashed in the distance.
Zack opened the party tab, a translucent blue window flickering into view before him.
[Party Status]
Zack – Priest (Level 3)
HP: 240 / 240 | MP: 360 / 360
Ryven: Fighter(Level 3)(Leader of party)
HP: 260 / 260 | MP: 110/ 110
Liora: Mage (Level 3)
HP: 200 / 200 | MP: 215 / 215
Keth: Defender(Level 3)
HP: 400 / 400 | MP: 100 / 100
Zack's eyes drifted over the party's stats for a moment. Even as a Priest, his HP was creeping close to Ryven's fighter level, thanks to all the gear and bonuses he'd stacked.
Meanwhile, Keth, the Defender had clearly maxed out Vitality, his tanky frame reflecting the focus on sheer survivability. That kind of build made sense for a tank; their class naturally came with bonus health.
After closing the status window, Zack refocused on the battle unfolding before them. If the party managed to land the last hit on the Verdant Colossus, they'd likely earn a title or server achievement.
With the current trend of titles granting bonus stats, Zack's mind ticked with possibilities. Add to that the massive experience they'd gain from the boss, their early-game power spike could be substantial.
Still, he kept his expression calm, carefully masking his thoughts. Flashing all his offensive magic too soon might make them suspicious— label him a troll or worse, get him kicked from the party.
For now, he would rely on heals and protective spells, biding his time and only unleash his true power once he'd earned their trust.
Patience. Timing. Trust. That's how you survive and thrive in this mess, he reminded himself, his eyes flicking over the battlefield.
As the numbers of players continued to decrease Zack observed, the Verdant Colossus lumbered forward, each step shaking the ruins beneath it. Arcane energy glowed around its massive form, warning of the devastating skills it was about to unleash.
[Shockwave – 150 AoE damage]
Unfortunate spellcasters or slow movers found themselves crushed by the boss's Shocking AoE attacks. The quicker or sturdier players scrambled to their feet, sprinting for safety as the Colossus unleashed yet another devastating skill
[Crushing Blow – 280 damage to a single target]
Only a full Vitality defender could survive these blows.
[Verdant Flame – 200 fire damage, burn effect]
The burn effect sizzled across the unlucky adventurer, dealing 20 damage per second. Purify would fix that, Zack thought from his vantage, he could see the opportunity.
The boss was strong but distracted.
Ryven's voice cut through the battlefield with calm authority. "Keth, hold the front. Liora, pick off anyone trying to flank. I'll handle the rest."
Liora didn't argue, her staff weaving pinpoint frost bolts at opportunistic players. Keth's shield absorbed every incoming strike with practiced ease, stepping forward only when the line needed reinforcement.
Zack stayed slightly behind, [Detect] active, hands glowing faintly with divine light. He didn't need to speak; his presence as a Priest was enough to keep the formation steady.
Only when a reckless adventurer slipped through did he cast a [Heal] or [Divine Barrier], ensuring the party stayed in top shape.
Ryven grinned, sword at the ready. "Alright, squad, let's show them why they shouldn't mess with us!"
From the ridge, four players spotted them; Grumblefoot, Snickerdoodle, Bubblebeard, and Snortfang.
"Oi! You think you can take the boss from us?" Grumblefoot shouted, swinging his massive axe. "Time to wipe you noobs off the map!"
Snickerdoodle cackled, tossing a frost bolt. "Yeah! Let's send these clowns packing!"
Bubblebeard swinged his hammer. "Hope you like losing!"
Snortfang hissed, daggers gleaming. "I'm gonna have so much fun with you guys."
Ryven didn't hesitate. "Targets locked! Hit them all, no mercy!"
The moment Zack's party spotted the red-named players in the clearing, tension thickened like fog. They weren't ordinary opponents; those Dark red names meant notorious contenders in the current PvP scene.
Ryven cracked his neck. "Strong or not, they're in our way."
Zack raised his dagger, a golden shimmer radiating outward.
[Skill Activated: Divine Barrier]
→ Ryven gains a 200 HP shield for 10s.
The fighter didn't waste a second. He charged forward, sword blazing with skill.
Ryven's Fast Strike – 68! – 70!
His target — Grumblefoot, who had walrus-style mustache, a fighter wielding a two-handed axe grunted, as he stumbled back.
"Snickerdoodle! Cover fire!" Grumblefoot roared.
The enemy mage responded instantly.
[Frostbolt Cast] → -120 Damage (Blocked by Divine Barrier!)
Crystals shattered harmlessly across Ryven's glowing shield. Before he could counter, Bubblebeard, their defender, slammed his tower shield down in front of Ryven, locking him in place.
"Wall's up, boys!" the defender roared.
Grumblefoot retreated, pulling a potion from his belt and gulping it down.
[Health Potion Used: +100 HP | Cooldown: 30s]
Zack's eyes narrowed. Their formation was solid — Fighter up, Mage behind, Tank blocking front and somewhere unseen ... their Assassin.
That could only mean one thing. Snortfang was already in stealth.
"Watch your backs" Zack warned, already guessing the assassin's target. If I were him, I'd strike at me or Liora first.
Meanwhile, Bubblebeard slammed his shield into the ground.
[Fortify Activated] → Physical Defense +50% for 10s
Not to be outdone, Keth mirrored the motion.
[Iron wall] → Incoming damage reduced by 30% (within range)
Unfortunately, Zack and Liora were outside the radius.
Then came the tremor.
[Earthquake Slam] – 130 damage to Keth | 80 to Ryven | Knockdown!
The ground erupted under their feet. Just then, their mage locked onto Ryven who cursed, rolling as ice magic whistled past him — another Frostbolt, dodged just at the last second.
Zack followed up with a quick heal — Heal +60 HP to Ryven. (MP -10)
The fighter steadied himself, breathing hard.
"Right on cue, thanks!!" Ryven words barely escaped before it happened—
A blur appeared behind him.
[Backstab!] → 170 Damage to Zack!
Pain flashed crimson across his vision. Zack spun, retreating fast, heart pounding. Snortfang emerged from stealth, twin daggers glinting wickedly.
"Heh. Didn't expect the healer to still be alive" The assassin smirked.
Zack's eyes hardened. "You won't expect this either"
He realized there was no point in holding back anymore.
[Arcane Surge Activated] → Magic Attack +25% for 30s
[Ice Lance Cast] → 242 Damage!
The ice spike pierced through Snortfang's chest.
His HP plummeted instantly to zero. Before his body broke into incandescent pieces, the arrogant smile froze on his face.
For a heartbeat, everyone froze, thrown off guard by the sudden turn of events.
Zack didn't waste a second. He raised his dagger and a crackling bolt of electricity arced forward.
[Chain Lightning] → 306 to Grumblefoot (Defeated!) → 303 to Bubblebeard
The bolt snapped from one enemy to the next before dissipating, there was no one else for it to jump to. The fighter crumpled instantly defeated, leaving only a crackling afterimage.
Ryven staggered back, jaw dropping, "…. what the hell?!"
Liora's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "Zack… t-that just killed one.. no two of them?!"
The remaining enemies blinked, finally realizing what was happening and instinctively began to retreat.
The surviving mage, Snickerdoodle, took a step back, panic visible even through her robe.
"Retreat! Retreat!" she shrieked.
Ryven, still catching his breath, growled, "Not so fast, you bastards!" With a swift movement, he unleashed [Shield Breaker] → 150 Damage (Armor peirced!) on the running tank.
→ Bubblebeard defenses collapsed, his HP bar dropping to zero as before he could even react.
Only Snickerdoodle remained.
Zack's boots pulsed faintly — a burst of speed enchantment.
He dashed forward, launching another Ice Lance. The mage twisted to evade but the shard erupted at her feet, grazing her.
30 Damage | Slow Applied (-30% movement)
With a chilly smile that broke the atmosphere, Liora approached the other woman menacingly while brandishing the staff. "So, the clown is finally exposed."
[Firebolt] → 140 Damage (Burn effect!)
[Shield Bash from Keth] → 80 Damage
Snickerdoodle couldn't even scream before she joined her fallen teammates.
Silence followed —
Zack exhaled slowly, lowering his dagger. Ryven turned, still catching his breath. "You call that standard priest stuff?"
The Party now focused their eyes on Zack, even with his thick skin he felt uncomfortable from the stares.
"Heal people, keep you alive— your standard priest stuff," that's what he had told them earlier.
Ryven let out a quiet breath, eyes narrowing in interest. Liora glanced over, her expression tightening for a moment. Keth shifted his stance, his shield rising a fraction as he tried to process it.
Can you see this guy…?
The unspoken thought passed between them, heavy and unanimous. Every movement Zack had made, every spell and strike that had turned the tide of the fight, replayed in their minds.
Zack shrugged with a sheepish smile.
His party exchanged expressions of disbelief and awe.
For the first time, they truly understood how dangerous their "support" could be.
Had Zack not been there, they might have shared their enemies, fate.
A shiver ran down their spines.
They weren't sure if Zack was joking or pulling their leg but seeing his strength left them thankful and uneasy.
Zack shifted focus, drawing the party's attention back to the Verdant Colossus.
[Boss Detected: Verdant Colossus – Level 5]
HP: 2,145 / 25,000
Its health had dropped to 2k, but it was taking miniscule damage from stray players and lone adventurers nearby. Scattered solitary players hung at a safe distance, eyes shining with enthusiasm but wary since they knew their team was among the best in the field.
With the distractions managed, the team readied themselves. Ryven tightened his grip on his sword, Keth braced his shield and Liora's staff shimmered faintly. All eyes were on the massive Colossus as they prepared to strike.
"Let's finish this" Zack said, his voice firm, without hesitation, the party surged forward, beginning the boss fight in earnest.
[Boss Detected: Verdant Colossus – Level 5]
HP: 2,000 / 25,000
With vines and bark-covered limbs that shook the ground with every step, the Verdant Colossus' enormous shape towered over the area. The earth shook under its weight as its brilliant crimson eyes examined the gathering.
Keth stepped forward, planting his shield and raising a defensive stance. "I'll draw its attention. Tanking's on me."
Verdant Colossus swung its massive arm — Crushing Slam!
[Keth Blocked – 200 Damage → 140 after Iron Wall | Cooldown - 300 seconds]
The earth cracked under the impact but Keth's shield held firm. Ryven charged in immediately, launching a flurry of heavy strikes.
Ryven Slash –68 | Heavy Strike –72
Boss HP: 1,860 / 2,000
Heal - Keth
The boss roared, slamming the ground with both fists — an AoE Tremor. Ryven staggered but Keth positioned himself in front absorbing the brunt.
[Keth's –30% Damage Reduction applied to nearby allies]
Ryven takes –50 damage → HP 160 / 260
Liora takes –40 damage → HP 160 / 200
Zack's dagger flashed with divine light as he casted heal.
[Heal → Ryven +60 HP | MP -10 | Cooldown 5s]
Liora hurled her staff, firing Firebolt straight at the Colossus' glowing chest.
Firebolt –180 Damage → Boss HP: 1,680 / 2,000
The boss lashed a vine at Ryven but he rolled aside just in time. Keth slammed his shield into the ground, stunning the boss for a bit, giving the party a brief opening.
"Now! Full DPS!" Ryven yelled.
Zack raised his staff and unleashed Chain Lightning, arcing through the Colossus' limbs.
Chain Lightning –220 Damage → Boss HP: 1,460 / 2,000
The Verdant Colossus roared, swinging wildly in frustration. Divine Barrier to Keth as he braced himself and took the hits head-on:
Crushing Slam – 280 Damage (200 absorbed) → Keth HP: 240 / 400
Tremor AoE – 60 Damage → Ryven HP: 210 / 260 | Liora HP: 150 / 200
Zack immediately cast Heal on Keth (+60 HP → 300 / 400) and Purify to remove a minor debuff.
Ryven charged and slashed. Liora cast accurate spells. With his shield acting as a barrier against devastation, Keth endured each blow, though one heavy strike nearly knocked him off balance.
Ryven Shield Breaker –150 Damage → Boss HP: 1,310 / 2,000
Liora Firebolt –170 Damage → Boss HP: 1,140 / 2,000
[Arcane Surge → +25% Magic Attack | MP – 10 | Cooldown 1m]
Zack Ice Lance –242 Damage → Boss HP: 898 / 2,000
The Colossus tried to stomp Keth again but the defender expertly blocked.
[Crushing Slam – 150 Damage → Keth HP: 150 / 400 ]
[Keth HP: → Heal +60 → 210 / 400]
"Keep tanking! We're almost there!" Zack shouted.
The boss enraged, slammed all four limbs into the ground simultaneously AoE Tremor, shaking the entire clearing.
Ryven narrowly rolled past one swing. Liora dodged behind a tree root, while Keth planted himself in the center, taking most of the damage.
Ryven HP: 160 / 260 → Heal +60 → 220 / 260
Then, in a single synchronized strike:
Ryven Fast Strike –72 | Ryven Slash –68 → Boss HP: 758 / 2,000
Liora Firebolt –170 → Boss HP: 588 / 2,000
Zack Ice Lance –242 → Boss HP: 346 / 2,000
The Verdant Colossus staggered, its massive limbs shaking violently.
Electricity danced along his dagger as Zack unleashed Chain Lightning. The bolt struck the boss first, crackling across its massive chest, 297 damage. The Colossus let out a deafening roar, staggering violently: HP → 49
A casual player who had come hoping to get a final hit was struck by the arc's sudden leap. The adventurer was sent tumbling as 297 damage shot through him, causing him to burst into tears.
The lightning then bounced back to the Colossus, striking its weakened chest again. Sparks exploded across the massive body as the final 291 damage surged through it and the Verdant Colossus let out a deafening roar, its massive limbs buckling.
With a thunderous crash, it toppled forward, each step shaking the ground like falling boulders. Trees quaked and dust billowed into the air as its colossal form smashed against the forest floor, splintering wood and shattering stone beneath its weight.
The once-mighty titan lay defeated, a shattered monument to the party's overwhelming power.
[Verdant Colossus has been slain, 2000 EXP each]
[SERVER BROADCAST — GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT]
THE VERDANT COLOSSUS HAS BEEN SLAIN!
First Kill on the Server!
The earth shakes and the trees shiver as the mighty Verdant Colossus falls before the unstoppable force of players named, Ryven, Keth, Liora, Zack !
See the heroes whose names are inscribed in the Hall of Fame.