Return Of Aegis

"Sirs, if I may, I actually have 1 more skill we can use, however the cost is a little too high even in my opinion, it's something that was a last resort I used during the defense of Butterfly Nation, during the war with the 10 allied dark nations in the previous game." WeiChiang said quietly.

"Butterfly nation was on the brink of destruction when suddenly the tides were turned and a sea of flame engulfed all members of the 10 nations - erasing them from the battle and allowing Butterfly Nation to survive. So it was your skill that saved the day. What is it and what's the cost?" asked ZeRen.

{Sacrifice} Permanently Increases caster's INT stat by 10x at the cost of 1 Skill Point. Cooldown period: 1 year real time.

"This skill comes with my title as Strategist, it's a last resort use and only possible feasible if there is a hyper magic damage dealer. Otherwise it'd be a waste to use it at low levels, without good reason."

In theory with that buff, WeiChiang would spike to 990 INT, and that in turn passed to Nanthan via {Encouragement} could succeed in ending it in a few shots of {Eruption}. But the cost of 1 SP was not a laughing matter, once used, that SP was gone.

Although there were quests to get SP, those were insanely difficult to complete alone, groups would not do it, because the quest rewarded only one person, and people could never agree to it. Having 1 SP more than your opponent could mean the difference between life and death.

"I'll leave the decision to use the skill to you, should you choose to use it, we will do our best to complete a quest to get you a SP back later on. I swear on my name as guild master of Yggdrasil." promised ZeRen

"You don't have to but I appreciate the offer. I promised to serve Yggdrasil and this is just part of my duties." nodded WeiChiang. "ZeRen is a great leader, he didn't force me to use the skill once he knew of it and the cost." WeiChiang said to himself.

{Sacrifice}

-1 SP

{Encouragement} Duration Remaining: 00:16:29

"Go on! We only have 16 minutes, Nanthan, what are you doing! Start now!" yelled ZeLin.

{Eruption}

"Aaaarrgghhh!! IT BURNS!!!" screamed Nanthan as red magic coursed through him like lightning striking a beacon. Faint sizzling sounds could be heard as Nanthan collapsed to the ground; the smell of burnt flesh permeating around.

[System Notification: Player Nanthan has been killed and will respawn in 10 seconds.]

-11,686,691

The Earth below Nidhogg crumbled and magma flowed from below, flooding the valley and encasing and solidifying around the already immobile monster, further preventing it from thrashing around.

{Observe}

| Nidhogg (Lv.100) : World Boss |

| Debuff - Awakened - Immobile |

| Berserk |

| HP: 12,341,621 / 50,000,000 |

| MP: 0 / 10,000,000 |

| ??? |

| Scale Armour: Final Physical Attacks are lessened by 30% |

| Acid Spray: Deals 150 armor piercing magic damage every 3 seconds for 15 seconds |

| Stranglehold: (Locked) |

| Acid Spike: (Locked) |

[System Notification: Respawning Player: Nanthan]

"God f.u.c.k.i.n.g dammit, that shit hurt! ARGH F.U.C.K! I lost a level too!" curses could be heard from the tunnel exit a way back. Nanthan was cursing his lungs off as he walked back to the rest.

"F.u.c.k.i.n.g worm is still alive, that backlash was intense. You owe me because I have to do this one more time!" yelled Nanthan at ZeLin.

"Yeah yeah, we'll pay you later. Just end the damn thing already, o'great halfling." replied ZeLin sarcastically.

"F.u.c.k off! You try getting hit by lightning and see if you're standing." Nanthan said as he downed a bottle each of the HP and MP potion, glaring at ZeLin.

{Eruption}

"AAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

[System Notification: Player Nanthan has been killed and will respawn in 20 seconds.]

-11,621,918

In full preparation, everyone muted Nanthan, as the message for his return popped up.

[System Notification: Respawning Player: Nanthan]

They watched and tried their best to hold their laughter in as Nanthan reappeared and started cussing. They could clearly see him mouthing a few choice words, but they could not hear him.

Only as he was downing the potions did they unmute him.

{Observe}

| Nidhogg (Lv.100) : World Boss |

| Debuff - Awakened - Immobile |

| Berserk |

| HP: 719,703 / 50,000,000 |

| MP: 0 / 10,000,000 |

| ??? |

| Scale Armour: Final Physical Attacks are lessened by 30% |

| Acid Spray: Deals 150 armor piercing magic damage every 3 seconds for 15 seconds |

| Stranglehold: (Locked) |

| Acid Spike: (Locked) |

"WeiChiang, please shut off {Encouragement}, around ten more normal {Eruption} should do the trick, the rest of us, whomever has ranged attacks, please help as best as you can." instructed ZeRen.

"Pass all your MP potions to Nanthan, so he can keep the {Eruption} coming," said ZeLin as he passed his MP potions to Nanthan.

-72,335

-8,764

-2,191

-7,668

-2,191

-2,191

-2,191

-2,191

-7,668

-2,191

-2,191

-72,335

-2,191

-2,191

-2,191

-8,764

-7,668

-2,191

-2,191

-72,335

-2,191

-2,191

-2,191

-2,191

-72,335

{Observe}

| Nidhogg (Lv.100) : World Boss |

| Debuff - Awakened - Immobile |

| Berserk |

| HP: 354,775 / 50,000,000 |

"We're almost there guys, it's mainly up to you now, Nanthan, do your best. My STA is out and the rest of us can't get close enough to hit it." said ZeRen as he sat down, stamina completely dried out. The only skill he could still use was {Observe}.

"You better make me an armor piece later, ZeLin." growled Nanthan.

{Eruption}

-72,335

*Potion Guzzling sounds*

{Eruption}

-72,335

*Potion Guzzling sounds*

{Eruption}

-72,335

*Potion Guzzling sounds*

{Eruption}

-72,335

*Potion Guzzling sounds*

{Observe}

| Nidhogg (Lv.100) : World Boss |

| Debuff - Awakened - Immobile |

| Berserk |

| HP: 65,435 / 50,000,000 |

"I wonder if I can get Sim to make these potions with different flavors, this tastes too bland." muttered Nanthan as he downed yet another bottle of blue liquid.

"All right boys, last one!" yelled Nanthan.

{Eruption}

-144,670

"Oh great, now his critical props, what great timing," shrugged Galahad shaking his head.

With a low hiss, the great snake drew its last breath, trapped in lava with only it's head and a bit of its tail visible above ground.