“Freya, it’s only been two weeks since you worked for Leon, but so much has happened already,” Marco, the CEO of Golden Age Company, started their conversation. The two of them were currently having a brief midday meeting in a cozy café. Marco was comfortably dressed in a warm sweater, while Freya was sporting a sophisticated dark navy executive suit with leggings.
Freya giggled at Marco’s remark. “I knew you’d react this way, Mr. Marco. But yes, even I didn’t expect his progress to be this swift. And now, he has already managed to enter the circle of the Ass Guild.”
Marco nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. “Leon stands to gain a lot if he can earn their trust and align with them. After all, they are a group of elites and wealthy individuals… He will undoubtedly benefit greatly from such an alliance.”
“But, Mr. Marco…” Freya interjected, “Let’s not forget that we are discussing an Anomaly here, a Divine Champion with extraordinary potential.”
Marco’s smile was faint, yet knowing, as he nodded. “What have I missed in the past few weeks?”
“He has met with Elandorr and received a major quest involving the dragon race… and he was rewarded with a legendary-grade ring,” she explained.
“Ah, yes… that one,” Marco responded thoughtfully. “I hope Leon can grow rapidly before the quest outpaces him. But yes, I only ask that you continue to provide your best support for him, Freya…”
Freya smiled confidently. “I have been fulfilling that duty diligently, Mr. Marco.”
“I can see it from his progress so far. I believe he has found an extraordinary assistant,” Marco said with a warm smile.
He continued, leaning slightly forward. “Please let me know if you require any additional support. Of course, as long as it aligns with company policies and remains within reasonable bounds, I will do my best to provide it.”
Freya smiled warmly and nodded gently. “No, sir, your help in securing Lily’s position at her new school has been immensely valuable, especially for Leon, who was deeply concerned about his sister.”
“That was a simple matter, and that school is designed to accept students primarily through scholarships, although many wealthy families also enroll their children and start making significant donations to the school I whimsically established,” he responded with a light chuckle.
Their conversation was momentarily interrupted by a television screen in the corner of the room, which was broadcasting a special segment on Immortal Legacy. It featured an upcoming raid boss battle to be undertaken by a top guild, an event officially streamed and sure to draw a large audience.
“So, that’s the Ass Guild we’ve been discussing,” Marco murmured.
Freya nodded and smiled, knowing Leon was among them.
“Is he ready to showcase his abilities in front of such a vast audience, Freya?” Marco inquired.
Freya shook her head slightly. “It is indeed still too early, but I believe sooner or later, many people will become aware of his power, sir. However, I’m not sure if this raid boss battle will make Leon stand out, especially since he is surrounded by thirteen elite players, isn’t he?”
“But nobody can predict what will happen in Immortal Legacy, can they?” Marco said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
The café patrons appeared enthusiastic as the broadcast showed the Ass Guild preparing to face the notorious raid boss near Clario Town. Such grand battles by a prominent guild always captivated viewers, largely because they loved witnessing something they themselves might never achieve at that level.
***
Melliandra’s heart sank into despair as the monstrous raid boss ensnared her in its writhing vines. The thick tendrils reached out, coiling around her limbs and torso in an ever-tightening grip. The foliage snaked its way up her arms and legs, encircling her chest and face until she was nearly cocooned within a sphere of twisting, suffocating vines.
“I can’t lose this fight!” she cried out, her voice trembling yet fierce with determination.
“I refuse to be the first to fall in this battle – I won’t allow it!”
Despite the fear gripping her, Melliandra’s will to survive remained unbreakable.
They had been so close to victory, just within reach of defeating the beast, but now she could only watch helplessly from her confined prison as her allies fought valiantly against the raid boss.
Isolated and unable to assist in the battle, she could feel her motivation surging within her. “I have to strike back at the monster. I can’t lag behind,” she thought to herself. But her situation rendered her helpless.
She realized there would be no rescue – none of her friends had anticipated the monster’s reach extending so far. They were caught off guard, unprepared for this unexpected turn.
A desperate shout from Skywarden pierced the air as hordes of small, plant-shaped creatures multiplied, swarming over them.
“We can’t continue like this. It’s overwhelming!” he shouted, his voice laced with frantic desperation. “We’ve lost!”
Elincia, with unwavering bravery, proclaimed, “We cannot surrender now! We must continue to fight!”
Elincia tried to assist Melliandra, but her hands were full. A single lapse in focus could mean the demise of the long-range attackers on the ground, including Starfall, Goldrich, and even Maylock. It was her duty to protect them.
From the ground, Maylock shouted, “If the damage we’ve dealt isn’t enough, the monster will enter a Rage state, endangering all of us!”
They needed to maintain a consistent damage output above a certain threshold. Failing to do so would trigger the raid boss’s Rage state at a critical moment, endangering everyone. Could they manage this? Perhaps, by the slimmest of margins and a bit of luck, but they would almost certainly lose Melliandra. She had already been killed weeks ago; another death would carry severe consequences. Her level would be at risk of dropping, a setback she couldn’t easily accept.
“Damn it!” Maylock cursed under his breath, berating himself for his foolish arrogance in assuming his strategy was flawless.
There was never a perfect plan; he should have anticipated this outcome, but he had failed. He gritted his teeth, feeling a heavy blow to his mental fortitude. He loathed failure with a
passion.
Melliandra had been one of their strongest damage dealers, and with her incapacitated, their options were rapidly dwindling. If she were to die and leave the raid party, the battle would
undoubtedly be lost.
“I’m ashamed to admit this, but I have failed this time,” he said, his voice laden with regret. “Elincia, the next move is yours.”
“Maylock!” Goldrich shouted, capturing everyone’s attention. “Your plan was perfect, there’s no doubt about that. But there’s one crucial factor you overlooked in this situation.” Goldrich raised his finger towards a specific spot. As everyone followed his direction, they were astonished to see Broken with a bow drawn and an arrow aimed directly at Melliandra.
“A bow?” someone exclaimed in shock.
“He’s a swordsman, isn’t he?” another added incredulously.
“What kind of madness is this? Does he have both swordsman and archer classes?”
“Does this mean he has three classes? Swordsman, archer, and blacksmith?!”
“No way. Is that even possible?”
Goldrich allowed a small, knowing smile. “Either he possesses two distinct classes with different weapon proficiencies, or he has a single class capable of handling multiple weapon types.”
Everyone was stunned by this revelation.
“This won’t work. We’ll still lose,” Skywarden said dejectedly. “This is the most foolish idea I’ve ever heard! No one can balance their stats to handle more than one weapon type!”
Yet, skepticism lingered among them.