Chapter 15

"You really shouldn't feel bad, samurai is one of the highest damage dealing classes. I really can't do anything else....at least you have utility. " Leeroy said, trying to console me after we defeated the elemental.

"Do that damage thing again," I replied in obvious denial. "I think I did better this time.

" Fine..." Leeroy sighed as he activated the damage calculator.

Dungeon Damage...

1...Leeroy...70%

2...Fox...19%

3...Keto...8%

4...MashaMura...3%

5...Jenkins...0%

I threw my hands up in exasperation, "I did worse than last time! How did you get three percent, Sensei? I didn't even see you attack!"

"I threw a few shurikens. " MashaMura replied with a grin " Though if I tried you would be third."

"If I tried, you would be fourth." Keto chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

I turned and glared at Jenkins as he began to open his mouth. "Don't you say it..." I warned.

Everyone busted up laughing, except me.

"Why don't you let him win one?" Jenkins asked Leeroy.

"So you want me to be less awesome...impossible!" Leeroy joked enthusiastically.

"Haha! Very funny. You're going down on the next one. " I replied with all seriousness.

"Well, the next one is the boss. Everyone rest up, while I explain the details again. " MashaMura said, ending our banter.

I had gained 10k experience since we started this dungeon less than an hour ago. We had all leveled up a few times.

I was now level seven, halfway to eight. Jenkins and Leeroy had just hit level seven. MashaMura had become level 8 while Keto remained level 10.

"The boss is just like the boulder elementals we have been fighting but it has an extra ability. Every thirty seconds the boss will drop all aggro, then attack one of us at random for five seconds. During this time we must avoid its attacks. I Fox, you will guard the Samurai, and I will guard the mystic. If the boss chooses you or Leeroy, you must use shadow-jump to help him evade. An essential part of being a good Shinobi is keeping everyone safe. "

"I know, I know." I said, "I must learn to stay my hand. What if there are no shadows? "

"I will use my maki to create spheres of darkness spread throughout the room. If the Boss targets you or Leeroy, you have to grab him and shadow-jump from one sphere to another. " MashaMura quickly replied. "Once the five seconds are up, as long as no one got hit, Aggro should return to Keto. That point is our window to do damage. Attack for twenty-five seconds, then back up and wait for the boss to use its ability again. Rinse, and repeat. This elemental is corrupted, so he will deal twice the damage. Jenkins will have a hard time healing, so I will assist him. "

"You can heal you?" Jenkins asked.

"I have many talents," MashaMura replied. "This will leave all the damage to Fox and Leeroy, which should be fine. Even with my help, Keto may still take a lot of damage. When you get to 50% health use a health potion. "

"Alright, I have plenty. " Keto replied.

"Remember, we need Fox to strike the final blow and absorb the corruption. As soon as you do, you will need to purify your sword again. " Masha explained.

"More Experience down the drain. " I complained. " At this rate, Leeroy will pass me. "

"There will be more experience. Once you get rid of the corruption we can run this dungeon over and over. It's also your duty as the wielder of Majeimiaso. " MashaMura said, consoling me. " Is everyone ready?"

We were all more than ready. As an NPC with one life, Masha was all about preparation.

MashaMura activated his spell and black spheres of darkness appeared all around the room. He nodded to Keto who rushed forward and attacked the pile of rubble that was the boss in its dormant state.

Keto pummeled it over and over as the Corrupted Boulder Elemental assembled its body.

Two earth shields hung in the air before Keto, which protected him as the boss smashed down its arm.

Both earth shields broke and Keto's health dropped by 10% with the force of its attack.

Jenkins began to heal Keto, bringing his health up by 5%. Mashamura cast a similar heal that brought Keto's health back to full.

Leeroy and I moved into our positions and waited.

Keto continued to build aggro with his attacks, sending chunks of rocks flying with each punch.

The boss smashed down again on Keto, dropping the monk's health to 60%.

The healers brought his health up to 75% and recast earth shields. The next attack broke the shields and put Keto at 60% health.

They brought his health back to 70% before the next attack.

The Elemental reared up and used a different attack on Keto, which knocked him high into the air. Keto's health dropped to 20% with the power of the attack. He seemed to be unable to move as he flew backward.

"He chose Keto first! He started the cycle early! Keto! Avoid it for five seconds!" Mashamura yelled.

Suddenly I realized that Keto was stunned. That's why he wasn't talking or moving. Someone would have to act and fast.

I activated shadow jump.