Time is running out

Seeing that Silent Acacia finally arrived next to Cyclone, Balm found a chance to demonstrate her newest skill. Aiming carefully, she activated it in the center of the party.

An illusionary statue silently appeared. It resembled a lush tree, lavishly decorated with lanterns and strips of cloth. The tree symbolized the manifestation of Monlitae, the goddess of life.

It emitted a vital, green magic, which filled the area around it, healing everyone it touched.

[+1712!]

Simultaneously some of Balm's equipment triggered as well. A radiant wing flashed behind Bleary Mirage, forming a small shield around his body since his HP was already maxed out.

Additionally, the healers passive granted increased stats to Silver Blade, Silent Acacia, and Fortune.

The party members happily thanked Balm, focusing back on dealing as much damage as possible while the tree blurred and disappeared.

Under everyone's efforts the boss's HP continuously decreased. Finally, it stopped its skill, letting out an angry roar.

"Beast, stop roaring. You won't intimidate anyone by now."

Enem directed its eyes on Radiant Shield, showing no change of emotions after being mocked by the tank. It swung its arms again, finally breaking through the man's stance.

[-930!]

"Damn, guess it didn't like that."

Another exchange of attacks followed. The boss was closing in on 2000HP while Radiant Shield still had a comfortable 5000 points left. Everyone felt that they were on the right track.

But the boss wouldn't go down without a fight.

"I won't let you succeed! The master shall prevail!"

It was the first time that the ghost head spoke during the fight. Next, its horn lit up in an ominous red color. Its face slowly changed as well. A horrifying aura spread from the monster.

The party members felt a vague sensation suppressing their bodies, turning their bodies sluggish. With a look at their status, they realized that they were afflicted with 'slow', decreasing both their movement- and attack speed.

Simultaneously the boss began to twist its body, sending out another wave of green blobs.

Silent Acacia was annoyed by the sensation. He raised his bow and slowly pulled the string. Each movement felt like a battle against himself. Only when the arrow was finally released did it return to its usual speed.

[-147!]

Suddenly the hunter noticed a green circle beneath his feet. His eyes widened as he tried to dodge, but his body showed none of its former nimbleness. Before he could escape the attack, green jelly landed on his head.

[-1597!]

Acacia shivered finding his Hp reduced to less than five hundred. Without waiting for Balm, he hastily drank a health potion.

Liam noticed the hunter's precarious situation. He had a bad premonition:

"Don't stand still! Everyone, keep moving!"

Right as his words fell, Liam found another green circle appearing below Silent Acacia. He knew that it was already too late for the hunter.

Luckily Radiant Shield was on high alert. He noticed what was happening and used his [Holy Barrier] without hesitation.

A bright, sturdy shield enveloped Silent Acacia, not a second too late. As soon as it appeared, green jelly exploded on top of it, splashing in all directions.

"Thanks, Radiant Shield. You saved my ass there!"

Liam also threw Radiant Shield an appreciating look. He knew that every bit of damage was of importance. They were still racing against time.

Fortune was also aware of this fact. Thus, she didn't even bother to dodge when a green circle appeared below here, fully focusing on casting her [Arcane Bolt].

[-1622!]

Fortune shivered noticing the huge chunk of HP disappearing.

"It's only fair to retaliate in kind!"

The mage's staff lit up brightly, indicating that her cast was completed. Concentrated magic shot towards the boss, aiming for revenge.

[-125!]x5

"Awesome, Fortune! Only 1288HP! We got this, guys!", cheered Cyclone excitedly while sending another lightning strike.

Bloody Edge shook his weapons, freeing them of the jelly, prepared to end the fight. Watchful Eye slammed his staff into the boss.

[-3!]

The stern man showed an astonished look for a second. But he quickly understood what had happened.

Since Watchful Eye's passive granted him additional damage based on the QI he had left, his damage naturally decreased in long fights.

Since attacking again was useless the monk could only take a step back. He folded his hands, activating his [Meditation] skill.

A strange, transparent force gathered around Watchful Eye. It offered some protection while allowing him to recover QI at an increased rate.

However, the unmoving player naturally became an easy target. A green circle appeared below him, followed by a blob of green jelly.

[-490!]

The others were worried for a moment but seeing the comparatively low damage, everyone ignored Watchful Eye and focused back on the boss.

A small explosion of holy light erupted after a [Brutal Strike] from Liam. Just as everyone was looking forward to the jelly monster's death, a pulse went through the sky, spreading towards the ground and shaking the entire graveyard.

The boss stopped its movements and turned towards the sky. A rough, frightening laughter came from its mouth.

"Hahaha, this will be your end! Victory is mine!"

The black magic in the sky suddenly surged and pressed towards the golden light, eroding it quickly.

When the party saw this scene, everyone showed forlorn expressions. Cyclone rubbed her eyes in disbelief:

"Is this it? Did we lose…"

"I thought we had this."

"My friends, don't despair. Now that we know our enemy, success is guaranteed."

"My blade was not sharp enough."

Just as everyone was disheartened, Liam let out a loud shout:

"What are you all waiting for! Attack! Quickly!"

"Expert? Didn't we lose?"

"We will lose if you don't go all out now!"

The others were quite confused by the situation but listened to Liam anyway. A new wave of skills rushed towards the Boss.

At the same time, an exhausted voice came from the sky:

"No! I can't disappoint the divine servant! You won't succeed today, monster!"

Suddenly a pink spark appeared in the sky. It looked like it would be devoured by the black magic any time, but it stubbornly held on.

The next second it exploded with the last bits of its strength, pushing back the black magic.

Onrabell swayed in the sky, on the verge of passing out. She cast one last hopeful look at the adventurers below. She used all her power to buy three seconds.

Three extremely valuable seconds.

Enough time for another wave of attacks to rain down on Enem.

The ghost face stared at the sky. It's victorious grin slowly transformed. It turned into shock, then horror.

Liam let out a sigh of relief.

"We did it!"

"0HP! The boss is done for!"

"Haha, good job. I never doubted it."

The party's emotions erupted violently after turning from despair to celebration. In their eyes the boss's body began trembling. The violet void energy suddenly seemed out of control, spreading through the entire body.

Shortly before it could reach the ghost face, a black figure shot out of the body. Without turning back the ghost escaped into the distance, fleeing through the hell portal.

However, the now headless body seemingly held a grudge against the ghost which dared to posses it. At an unbelievable speed it chased after the ghost.

The jelly body tried to squish between the chains in front of the portal, squeezing through the gaps.

But this time the portal didn't let it in. A red light lit up on the chains, connecting them together and forming a barrier. The jelly creature angrily hammered against it. With every move it dissolved slowly, the experimental creature not able to bear the void energy.

A purple liquid slowly coated the barrier. Purple-red smoke rose with a hair-rising hissing noise.

In order to ensure its stability, the barrier suddenly produced a huge suction force. The black magic in the sky was attracted, quickly surging into the barrier and fighting against the void energy.

"Is this a case of allies turning against each other?"

Cyclone joked while the two forms of energy grinded each other down. Eventually both of them faltered at the same time. Only a small pool of purple liquid remained on the floor, with a few dilapidated chains soaking in it.

A sigh came from the sky:

"We succeeded…"

At this moment an incomparable brilliance erupted. Golden snow fell from the sky, illumination the entire world, peaceful and beautiful.

Whenever a piece of blessed light fell on one of the graves, a ghostly figure would emerge wearing a liberated expression. They solemnly bowed to the sky before dissipating in the air.

The otherworldly spectacle continued for a few seconds, enthralling the party.

When every grave was cleansed, the golden light subsided. Only a lonely fairy was left in the sky. She returned to the ground, her flight unsteady, and sat down with an exhausted expression.

"Adventurers! Thank you. We did not let down the divine servant.

I have one last request. Please enter the portal and bring the mastermind to fall. Then this invasion will finally end!"