The three approaching figures were Overlord-class world bosses, monstrosities of incredible power.

  At the east gate: [Adamantite Dreadshell (Overlord)] - Lvl 38

  At the south gate: [Gilded Juggernaut (Overlord)] - Lvl 38

  At the north gate: [Trinity Vixen (Overlord)] - Lvl 38

  When the bosses reached the stronghold gates, the Blackwind Brotherhood NPCs swarmed out to meet them, forming a desperate line of defense.

  But the moment they saw their opponents up close, their hands went cold and their eyes filled with terror. Against Overlords like these, they were less than ants.

  The system wasn't playing games this time. There were no waves of trash mobs, no warm-up. It had skipped the appetizers and gone straight for the main course.

  As the party members relayed the identity of the boss at their respective gates, a wave of despair washed over them. After her buffs, Hazel’s physical defense was an impressive nineteen thousand; on paper, she could withstand the bosses' basic attacks.

  But a monster of this caliber wouldn't rely on auto-attacks. The Gilded Juggernaut and Trinity Vixen both had massive magic attack stats as well; a single one of their spells would likely one-shot her.

  Expecting her to tank all three was impossible. With Rena spamming heals, she might—might—be able to hold the Adamantite Dreadshell.

  But what about the other two? Kael’s defenses were only around fifteen thousand. He couldn't tank them either.

  All eyes turned to their leader. From this distance, they couldn’t make out his expression, but for some reason, just looking in his direction gave them a strange sense of peace.

  He must have a plan. The thought echoed in all their minds.

  After a long moment of silence, Kael’s voice came through the party channel, calm and decisive.

  “Orion, Rena—take Hazel to the south gate. When the Gilded Juggernaut arrives, kite it to the east gate.”

  “Lila, stay on your watchtower. Don't engage. Just keep an eye on the foot of the mountain for any new threats.”

  “Got it,” they replied in unison.

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  “What about you?” Lila asked. “What’s your plan?”

  A faint smile was audible in Kael’s voice. “I’ll handle the other two myself. Trust me. I have a way.”

  “Yay!” Hazel cheered. “Dawnbreaker is the best!”

  Lila wasn't so easily convinced. Her mind raced with doubts. How can he possibly do that? But there was no time to argue. All they could do was follow his plan and pray he could pull off another miracle.

  The party moved to their assigned positions. Five minutes later, the bosses arrived at the gates, their immense size and suffocating auras radiating pure power. Seeing one such monster would be the highlight of any raid. Seeing three at once was a death sentence.

  Kael watched the three-tailed fox approach his position. He fired a single arrow from maximum range.

  -11,223

  Without a second glance, he turned and sprinted toward the east gate.

  CRACK-BOOM!

  A bolt of lightning seared the ground where he had just been standing. That range is insane! Kael thought, pushing himself to run faster. A few seconds later, his body shuddered as he was struck from behind.

  -6,331 (Shield Absorbed)

  An arcane missile. Damn, this thing is fast, too! he cursed internally. Just you wait. I’ll get you back for that.

  Unlike Kael’s frantic retreat, the scene at the east gate was a chaotic brawl. Dozens of bandits swarmed the Adamantite Dreadshell, hacking and slashing at its armored legs.

  -1

  -1

  -1

  …

  After a full volley of attacks, the Dreadshell’s health had dropped by a little over two hundred. It had 59,999,780 HP remaining.

  With a lazy swing of its massive head, the turtle sent bodies flying. A spray of damage numbers erupted over the NPCs. They were tough, boasting 150,000 HP each, but after a few such hits, they were all below half health.

  The Dreadshell seemed to grow impatient. It slammed its four colossal legs into the ground, launching its entire body into the air before crashing down with the force of a meteor.

  BOOM!

  -54,622

  -55,213

  …

  The shockwave annihilated the surrounding NPCs. A moment later, a fresh wave of bandits charged in to take their place, their doomed bravery a tragic sight to behold.

  Just then, Kael arrived, having taken four spell hits during his desperate sprint. From a nearby passage, Hazel, Rena, and Orion appeared, the Gilded Juggernaut thundering along behind them.

  From her vantage point on the east gate watchtower, Lila saw Kael’s battered form being relentlessly pursued by the Trinity Vixen.

  “Kael,” she whispered to herself. “What buff did you get? What is your trump card?”

  Suddenly, a brilliant golden light erupted from the center of the yard. Lila’s eyes snapped to Kael, who was now enveloped in a blinding aura that grew brighter with every passing second. The Trinity Vixen, sensing a threat, unleashed a volley of arcane blasts at him.

  IMMUNE!

  IMMUNE!

  IMMUNE!

  The Adamantite Dreadshell abandoned its fight with the NPCs, its ancient head turning slowly to fixate on Kael. In the distance, the Gilded Juggernaut broke off its pursuit of Hazel and charged toward him as well. From the man bathed in golden light, they sensed a power that dwarfed their own—the only power in the entire stronghold that could truly threaten them.

  Lila and the others felt it too, a staggering, oppressive aura that was somehow… familiar.

  The light grew to an intensity that was impossible to look at.

  BOOM!

  A deafening thunderclap rolled across the mountain. As the golden light finally faded, Kael’s form was revealed once more.

  He had activated Apollo's Descent.