The sound of the explosion was still echoing in the plain.
Lian’s fist had hit the Lava Behemoth’s face like a cannonball, and for the first time in the entire battle, the massive monster had been pushed back several meters.
The tall grass around bent from the shockwave, soil and rocks scattered in the air.
And for a short moment... everyone was silent.
"Did he really punch it?!" Rhea was looking at the scene with wide eyes, she did not expect someone she thought was a freeloader to have such power.
Zak, the group’s swordsman, blinked.
"Why do I feel he dealt more damage than the mages?"
But before anyone had more time to be shocked, Kael shouted with a firm voice.
"Focus on the monster!"
At that same moment, the Lava Behemoth roared, a sound like a volcano erupting, its body moved and it stood on its feet again.
Its yellow eyes were locked on Lian, it was clear that now it had identified him as the biggest threat on the battlefield.
And the biggest threats must be eliminated first!
Lian stepped back a few steps and examined the field, he could observe the group’s fighting up close.
To be able to coordinate with the group to kill this monster, he needed to see what their main battle strategy was.
And what he saw... was not at all like temporary groups.
The group’s shield would move forward exactly when Rhea retreated, the main attacker would strike exactly when the monster’s attention was on someone else.
Elias, the group’s healer, would heal wounds without needing to be asked, and Kael controlled the entire field.
There was no extra movement, no mistakes could be seen.
With just one look, it was completely clear that this group had not just fought together for days, but for years, and they were fully aware of each other’s fighting styles.
’This level of coordination is not seen in normal groups.’ He thought to himself.
’They are probably from a professional guild.’ That was the most likely guess, and another reason that made him sure of this was that their power was not normal.
It was clear that none of them had passed their first evolution, meaning they were below level 20, yet they had the ability to fight a level 27 monster.
The monster suddenly lowered its head, and like an armored truck, it charged at the group’s shield, the ground trembled beneath its feet, and Bren, the group’s shield, immediately raised his shield.
[ Titan Wall. ]
Mana gathered around the shield, a massive semi-transparent wall formed in front of him.
The next moment... the monster’s giant horn hit it, and the sound of an explosion echoed in the plain.
The mana wall trembled but fortunately stopped it, Bren gritted his teeth, the muscles in his arms swelled.
Even for a powerful tank like him, this attack was too much, and he could barely stop it.
Then he activated his second skill.
[ Earthhold ]
His feet sank into the ground.
Mana flowed into the soil around him, his body connected to the ground, now it was almost impossible for anyone to move him, the monster’s second collision could not push him back either.
At that same moment, Rhea moved upon seeing the situation from a distance, the monster was confused and disoriented, and this was the best opportunity for a powerful attack.
Red flames twisted around her massive sword.
[ Blazing Charge ]
Her body shot forward like a fireball, her path left a trail of explosions on the ground, in the blink of an eye she appeared next to the monster’s leg.
And she brought her sword down.
[ Crimson Break ]
Dense flames exploded on the blade, the strike landed directly on the joint of the monster’s right leg, and the sound of the monster’s natural armor breaking was heard.
The monster roared, but Zak, the group’s dual-wielding attacker, did not waste the opportunity, his body faded.
[ Hidden Step ]
Suddenly he appeared behind the monster, his swords moved like a storm.
[ Hundred Cuts ]
Dozens of strikes in less than a second, sparks spread in the air and multiple wounds appeared on the monster’s back, its natural armor was slowly cracking and breaking.
He was sure that if they continued like this, they might finally be able to penetrate deeply.
He looked at their group’s healer and shouted.
"We need support!"
At that same time, Elias raised his hand, glowing flowers bloomed around the field.
[ Sacred Bloom ]
A calm green light spread over the group, Rhea’s wounds began to heal, Bren’s fatigue lessened, even Lian felt his body become lighter.
But the healer’s face became paler, the more he used support and healing skills, the more his mana was drained.
With just one look, it was clear he probably could not last more than five minutes.
But most of Lian’s attention was still on Kael, the golden-haired boy stood calmly, while everyone else was fighting, he was waiting for the right opportunity.
Then he raised his hand, thunder gathered around him, the sky darkened and suddenly...
[ Thunder Spear ]
A massive spear of lightning fell from the sky, like a meteor, like a judgment from heaven.
The spear directly hit the monster’s shoulder, the resulting explosion even forced Lian to squint his eyes.
When the smoke cleared... a large crack had been created on the monster’s armor.
"No matter how many times I see it, his control over the lightning element is unmatched." Lian watched carefully, this level of control and experience could only be gained through fighting and practice.
"But his raw power and mana are low, if it were higher, his attacks could be more devastating." Now he realized why Kael wanted that plant to increase his mana affinity.
He was looking for a way to increase his mana as quickly as possible, the most key stat for mages, although it was already high, it could go higher.
The monster attacked again, this time its mouth opened, magma gathered in its throat, but before it could fire... Lian moved.
His right hand froze, the air around him turned cold.
[ Glacial Reaper Claw ]
A massive ice claw formed on his arm, he jumped and landed the claw on the same crack in the armor.
The sound of breaking ice and armor was heard at the same time, the wound became deeper.
The monster roared in pain, and fired the magma ball wildly and without aim, the fireball came directly toward the group.
But Kael was ready.
[ Storm Prison ]
Dozens of lightning pillars fell from the sky, a network of electricity formed around the monster, its movement was stopped for a moment, creating an opportunity for Lian.
Lian, while still on the monster’s back, continued his consecutive attacks and punches, and the monster’s natural armor was breaking quickly.
The magma ball that had lost its path exploded a few meters away.
Lian was truly impressed, this damn armor was amazing, it had been able to withstand hundreds of his punches thrown with full power until now and not completely shatter.
Even the armor he himself was wearing right now did not have such resistance and would show signs of collapse with fewer punches.
But this also made him more excited, such skin could be sold for much more than normal.
Now it was time to finish it, lightning gathered on his fists, the air began to tremble.
[ Thunder Calamity ]
Each fist acted like a thunder explosion, the monster’s armor, which had barely held on until now, started cracking one after another.
Then he prepared the final attack, his entire body filled with mana, the ground beneath his feet trembled, and he thrust his hand forward.
[ Cataclysm Pulse ]
A massive shockwave was released, as if the entire space had exploded, the massive body of the Lava Behemoth was thrown back.
And the monster finally showed signs of wavering.
"It’s falling!" Rhea laughed.
"Just a little more!" Bren shouted.
Even Kael smiled briefly, victory seemed near, finally they could see victory close.
Finally he could obtain that plant.
But... at that very moment.
Suddenly, a notification appeared for all of them.
The Lava Behemoth’s body began to tremble, all smiles faded, the wounds that had just been created began to close.
Magma burst out from the cracks in its armor, its height increased, its muscles swelled, its massive horn turned bright red.
And a wave of pressure spread across the entire plain.
[ The Monster has entered Berserk state ]
[ All stats Increased ]
[ Pain Suppression Enabled ]
Kael’s face changed, for the first time his calmness broke, Rhea cursed under her breath, Bren unconsciously stepped back, even Zak lost his smile.
"Berserk state? Why the hell does this damn thing have a berserk state!"
"Damn it, how are we supposed to defeat it now that it’s even stronger!"
"At this rate, if we don’t run, we might die!"
"Idiot, you want to run? The plant is right here! Brother Kael needs it! We have to get it no matter what!"
"In exchange for our lives? Are you serious? We can always find another one!"
The monster raised its head and roared, its roar sounded like a volcanic mountain exploding.
[ Molten Armor ]
Magma flowed over its natural armor and covered its entire body, now every close-range strike could burn the attacker.
[ Volcanic Rupture ]
The ground around it cracked.
Dozens of magma pillars erupted from the soil, the entire plain turned into a field of death.
The monster’s eyes were completely red, no rationality could be seen in them anymore... only rage, only killing.
"Well, I have to say I expected this." Lian felt that this fight might be much harder than he had imagined, but he had expected the berserk state beforehand.