Fatal Shot
chapter-27

The players were in chaos. Not only were their attacks in disarray, but their minds were utterly confused.

No one would want to throw away the experience of an entire level here. Furthermore, many of the players were red names. If they were killed by the Boss now, causing them to drop some of their equipment, the loss would be quite significant. Many players thought of retreating, plotting to escape quietly and stealthily before the Boss could notice them and target them.

Unexpectedly, an NPC's commanding voice suddenly came in through the communication devices of all the players present. It was broadcast through internal communication channels by an NPC guard Staff Sergeant in the corner of the square.

"Everybody, do not retreat!" said the Staff Sergeant. "Reinforcements will be arriving soon. Attack! Full-on offense!"

At the same time, a red-colored system warning appeared at the bottom-left of the players' HUDs.

Warning: Orders must be obeyed during this mission, or players will face severe punishment!

"Damn! No wonder the mission's NPC soldier would specifically give us a heads-up." Feng Luo clenched his jaw, looking pale.

Damn!

Many players started to curse in their hearts. They felt like they had been conned and tricked by the system. Staying here to fight such a terrifying Boss would be akin to waiting around for one's own death.

But, as Feng Luo has guessed, the system did not assign an impossible mission to the players.

The low hum of engines erupted suddenly from the end of the street. Immediately, seven brownish-green Energy Military Vehicles bearing the insignia of the Federal Guards emerged swiftly from the crossroads. Sitting on the vehicles were about a dozen guards. Every vehicle was armed with a science-fiction-looking, electromagnetic, six-barreled, two-meter-long heavy machine gun. Then, with an electromechanical screech, the six barrels spun vigorously, unleashing their heavy payload onto the Boss.

−233

−255

−259

A huge cluster of damage indicators appeared right overtop of the giant Beetle. Due to its crazy defense, the damage dealt by each bullet was quite low, but the output of seven electromagnetic machine guns clumped together was frighteningly concentrated. The damage dealt was far higher than the players' attacks. Small indentations even started to appear on the Boss's thick, black armor.

"We have a chance!"

The players who were cursing and hiding behind covers have just realized that, with the powerful firepower support from the guards, beating the Boss suddenly seemed to be a possible feat.

Bang!

You have dealt damage to the mysterious Boss lifeform! 1 Medal Point has been awarded!

Several players tried to hurl some Wind Blades and Fireballs at the Boss. Surprisingly, hitting the Boss now rewarded them with Medal Points directly. A few hits would be equivalent to killing a monster.

"Wow!"

Some of the players who were in the proximity and were trapped in the mission stopped trying to escape. If they couldn't beat this Boss, everyone in the Town of Exile would drop in level anyway. If they attacked more now, they could at least earn more points.

Not only the ranged characters, but even the melee players were moving forward. As helpless front-liners in this battle, they'd had nothing to do all this time. They had been hiding behind cover like tortoises in their shells—until now. Now they can get Medal Points just by hacking at the Boss. To the hopeless Warriors, it was tempting indeed. At the very least, they had to take this chance to try to collect 100 Medal Points!

Melee players had yet another benefit; by staying behind the Boss, they could completely avoid the Boss's immensely powerful laser sweep. As for the Boss's sonic wave attack from the side, while it boasted a wide area of effect (AOE), the damage was not very high. These Warrior-class players, who had high HP, could naturally be confident in taking such hits. As such, many Warriors quickly rushed out from every corner, using Charge to get beside the Boss and attack it with the weapons in their hands.

Luo Feng, on the top floor, did not stay idle either. He pulled his trigger repeatedly, firing his M110 at a consistent rate. At the same time, his Medal Points were rising steadily.

The players and the NPCs continued to attack with their full strength, and the Boss's HP started dropping at a quicker pace. The damage indicators on the Boss were appearing so quickly that no one could keep track of them. However, if one assumed that this would be enough to defeat the top Boss lifeform in War, they were wrong!

"Shriek!"

The Boss immediately let out a thundering cry. A translucent yellow energy shield rose around it. Immediately, all the attacks were blocked by the protective barrier. Even the powerful six-barreled machine guns' bullets could only create ripples in the shield.

Not only that, but the Boss shook angrily, displaying a new type of attack against the Warrior players squirreling around it like ants. A stream of green gas spurt out from its belly, covering an area with a radius of 10 meters. The melee Warriors were all swallowed by the cloud of greenish gas. Suddenly, a number of high damage indicators popped up consecutively overtop of the players. In just a few seconds, damage dealt over time had depleted their HP. A few bright white lights flashed immediately.

Poison Attack! It was another huge AOE attack, and it dealt a terrifying amount of damage!

The impregnable black shell on the Beetle Boss's upper body, a protective energy shield surrounding it, a huge AOE poison gas attack, unpredictable sonic waves, and a long-range laser that fired continuously—these capabilities made the Beetle truly worthy of being called a Boss!

Even though it moved slowly, its impregnable defenses made it seem undefeatable. Now, the Warrior players no longer dared to approach it. The Gunners hit by the laser sweep immediately lost half of their HP. If they were hit one more time, their HP would most likely be emptied.

And what about the Manipulators? Facing this immense ball of strength, they could only complain. The players and the Boss both had shields, but why was the difference between their energy shields so vast? The players' shields were broken within seconds when they came in contact with the laser. Currently, the black Beetle Boss's shield had taken more than 10,000 points of damage, yet it did not seem to be weakening one bit!

"How do we fight this? What should we do!"

The emergence of the shield and the gas has shaken the hearts of the players once more. But instead of thinking of fleeing like before, most players were concentrating on their attacks. After all, no one knew the consequences of running away.

Even with firepower support from the guards, the difference in power was clear. With the shield up, all these attacks were just scratches to the Boss. It stood firm on the ground, unmoving. It merely swept its lasers around, casually taking out several dozen players and three military vehicles.

In the meantime, only one-fifth of its shield had been depleted. If this continued, the final victory will no doubt belong to the Beetle Boss!

Tzzz!

But, at that moment, a blue cannon shell fell from the sky directly onto the Boss's shield. As it exploded, a cluster of plasma burst out, dimming the Beetle Boss's energy shield to a significant degree.

It was a charged attack from the town Guards' electromagnetic cannon. It was so devastating that a single blast could have annihilated a Level-40 Eagle Mecha.

"More support from the system has come in!"

On the top floor, Luo Feng, still shooting with his M110, let out a breath of relief. In just a short while, he had used up two magazines. The M110's barrel was steaming hot and in need of a cooldown.

But the Guard's electromagnetic cannon did not stop. After seven or eight consecutive hits, the yellow shield surrounding the Boss flickered a few times and disappeared!

"Attack! Attack!"

The Staff Sergeant's loud voice blared out over the players' comms. Immediately, the three Energy Military Vehicles started to fire their electromagnetic machine guns at the Boss.

Hearing the command from the Staff Sergeant, the players started to madly launch their skills as well. After all, the moment of an enemy's weakness was the opportune moment for attack. But, of course, the melee players are not so foolish as to throw away their lives. They depended on the ranged players to bring down the Boss's health. Nevertheless, even under the fire of so many parties without its shield, the Boss's black armor was still insanely strong.

Under the heavy firepower support of the guards and the full-on offense from the players, it seemed like its HP was dropping steadily.

Perhaps there was a hope of killing this Boss.