The Healing Solaris Cleric

Chapter 111: Blue Plague, Aosa (2)

The adventurers had questions: Why was Unknown, who was estimated to be around level 100, here at this moment? Why was Unknown, who usually preferred using a longsword, wielding two scimitars instead?

But those questions dissipated like the wind in the face of one clear fact. Unknown and Aosa were in combat!

The adventurers who had been about to run away instantly became spectators, their faces filled with anticipation.

In the next moment, Aosa slowly raised its hand. As it touched the wounds inflicted by the two scimitars, blue liquid dripped from its neck. It was enraged.

—How dare you...

To dare wound the sacred body bestowed by Muldine!

Furious, Aosa swung its right hand. In an instant, the tentacles that had sprung up like a storm shot toward Unknown. The tentacles that were originally sticky became sharp spears.

There seemed to be no room to dodge, but Unknown cleverly stepped on the incoming spears in order to escape them.

“Krrr...”

Having escaped the attacks that were like a downpour of rain, Unknown glanced at his left leg.

The adventurers watching him cheered and applauded.

“That movement is insane! Unknown is surely incredible!”

“It looks like his moves have gotten even better since last time.”

“But... why do his attacks seem to do damage? Mine didn't.”

“You probably didn't hit the weak point, or your attack power is lower than Unknown's.”

“Nonsense. My level is 162, so how could I be weaker than Unknown?”

“But he did take a hit. He got hit directly on his left leg.”

“He must have a movement speed reduction debuff now.”

The adventurers, who had been chattering away, suddenly fell silent.

Smash!

Their conversation had disturbed Aosa. Instead of a fly swatter, it was like Aosa picked up a tennis racket to swat the flies.

Smash, smash, smaash!

The tentacles demolished nearby buildings like a wrecking ball. It then grabbed the falling walls and ceilings mid-air and hurled them at the adventurers.

“Damn it, this savage!”

“Attack us normally for once, will you?!”

“Shut up and just dodge!”

“Everyone, gather here! We're going to use Magic Shield!”

Five Wizards formed a group to cast a five-layered Magic Shield.

The falling debris and tentacles pounded on the barrier.

Bang, bang!

Smash!

Not able to withstand the attacks, the Magic Shield shattered one by one. With each shattering barrier, a Wizard also collapsed, clutching their head. It felt like the pain of a brain freeze from eating ice cream or Bingsoo too quickly!

“Argh, what's Unknown doing?!”

“He's obviously...”

“Fighting Aosa...”

“Huh?”

The adventurers who frantically looked around suddenly screamed.

“Where the hell did that bastard go?!”

***

Meanwhile, Unknown was hiding in an alley, avoiding Aosa's sight.

"Good work."

Unknown, or rather Blizzard, growled in response to the compliment.

"You're hurt. Hold still."

Kai quickly healed Blizzard's leg.

He was fully equipped with the Tyrant of the Sea set, but the reason he sent Blizzard first was simple.

Identifying weaknesses and patterns. That's what's important.

Although they had only exchanged a single round of attacks, Kai had earned considerable information.

First, the attack patterns involve those tentacles.

Aosa's surroundings were constantly enveloped in a blue mist, reminiscent of slime.

Approaching it deals poison damage. Staying far away brings tentacle attacks. And judging by the way it's fighting the adventurers now, it seems to have both physical and magical damage reduction. What a nasty creature.

However, there was good news for Kai.

"You've become incredibly strong."

Since becoming Kai's pet, Blizzard's skills and levels had been nerfed. Even so, the agility and strength he just displayed were remarkable, and the reason behind that was simple.

Buffs and doping are essential preparations for any fighter.

Just as soldiers need bullets for battle, and students need textbooks for school, adventurers needed buffs and doping before starting a hunt.

"Let's see... How many buffs are there in total? Haste, Bless, Solaris Blessing, Solaris Armor..." Kai listed out the buffs on Blizzard's status screen, murmuring in admiration, "There’s fourteen. No wonder you're like a monster now."

With the new skills learned from clearing Lynel’s Dungeon, buffs from being a Solaric Cleric, and Ayana's special potions—Blizzard was the result of all these combined. He was a monstrous summon capable of dodging even the attacks of Aosa, a level 175 raid boss!

He’s not perfect, though. He did get hit on the left leg once.

However, Kai wasn't too worried about that part.

"You can avoid it next time, right?"

Blizzard nodded firmly.

Thanks to his passive skill, Acumen, he grew even during combat. In other words, he was a living AlphaGo!

Kai gripped his shoulder tightly and locked eyes with him.

"Buy me some time. You must not lose or fall."

Considering the extreme level difference, it was quite a demanding request to ask for from Blizzard. Yet, Blizzard sprang up and charged at Aosa without any hesitation.

"Now, time for me to prepare." Kai drank holy water, and his hands began to cast different skills one by one. "Solaris Armor, Solaris Blessing, Bless, Haste, Holy Enchantment..."

In the dark alley, bursts of light from his divine power lit up like a flashbulb. When all the preparations were finished, he slowly stood up. However, his steps didn’t lead to where Aosa was.

***

"U-Unknown is back but..."

"Isn't he kind of in danger?"

The adventurers who barely held off the attacks glanced at Unknown, or rather Blizzard, who was fiercely battling Aosa.

Swoosh! Slash!

Whoosh! Smash!

They exchanged attacks, dodged, and counterattacks. In the relentless combat, Blizzard began to slightly be pushed back.

—You insignificant creature

Whoosh!

While Aosa could control dozens of tentacles with a single gesture, Blizzard's only means of attack were his two scimitars. Even if he dodged a hundred attacks, failing to dodge once would result in Blizzard's defeat.

In the obviously unfavorable situation, one of the tentacles struck Blizzard in the chest as he stubbornly continued his attack.

Boom!

"Kraaagh!"

The moment Blizzard allowed that single attack, the battle was already over. With his flow broken and his movements slowed, it was difficult for him to dodge the next wave of attacks.

Smash, smash, smash!

As the dozens of tentacles pounded Blizzard's body, he quickly turned into a rough state. His matte black armor was torn in various places, and blood dripped from his fingers, still gripping the scimitars.

Despite the overwhelming pain, Blizzard neither retreated nor fled. Trembling with pain, he tightened his grip on his scimitars and got into the unique stance of a Lizardman warrior.

Seeing Blizzard’s persistence, Aosa shook its head.

—Your pride is commendable. But... your skills don't match your pride.

With those words, Aosa flicked its index and middle fingers through the air as if unlocking a smartphone. The tentacles then combined into one and struck Blizzard like a dump truck.

Crunch!

With all his bones shattered, Blizzard flew through the air like a broken kite. The ground where he was about to land was lined with sharp tentacles.

It’s over.

Unknown is finished!

As everyone watching the battle firmly believed this, a chain of divine light suddenly shot out from a nearby building, wrapping around Blizzard’s waist and pulling him to safety.

“Holy Chains.”

The tentacles snapped at the empty air, missing their target, and Aosa turned its head.

“He really turned you into a rag.”

“Krrr...”

Blizzard held onto Kai’s wrist, who was healing him. His eyes were filled not with resentment or blame but with anger at his own powerlessness and guilt for failing his mission.

This game... really knows how to mess with your feelings.

Feeling mixed emotions, he squeezed Blizzard's shoulder tightly.

“You don’t need to look at me like that. You followed my orders faithfully, and I’m very satisfied.”

“Krrrgh?”

Blizzard’s eyes seemed to ask if he meant it.

Kai nodded, his smile gone. “Sorry for being late. There were more than I expected.”

“Krrr.” Blizzard shook his head as if to say there was no need to apologize, then fainted.

I spent too much time saving the NPCs nearby.

Kai knew that any battle with Aosa would inevitably destroy the surrounding facilities, so he had rescued NPCs before the full-scale battle began.

Now, there aren’t any NPCs left around here.

Kai had rescued 132 of them and moved them out of the combat zone in that short time.

—You have... an unbearably foul stench.

Aosa muttered as it looked up at Kai and flicked its finger.

Tentacles shot up from the ground, aiming at Kai and Blizzard.

Whoosh!

As before, the tentacles turned into sharp spears.

Kai, watching them closely, lightly swung his sword.

Slash!

With that single light slash, dozens of tentacles were cut in two, falling to the ground.

At the same time, the Tyrant of the Sea set that Kai wore began to glow blue, reflecting the pale moonlight.

[Courageous Knight effect activated.]

[All stats temporarily increased by 10.]

[Tyrant's Wrath effect activated.]

[Water trait added to weapon for 10 minutes. +100% fire resistance.]