Second World
chapter-1701

The two ethereal soldiers who were fighting Thelgrun were level 60 and level 65 special elites. They were not a problem for the president. Still, it took time to defeat them considering they were natives with high HP.

Viking had better progress. He used Berserk and went all out. He managed to reduce GraphicZ's HP to critical, but the battle became more difficult because GraphicZ activated Last Stand. Under Last Stand, GraphicZ's defenses greatly increased and all the damage he received was halved. Avenging orbs were also produced even when GraphicZ didn't suffer any hits.

Viking was frustrated by the slow progress but he kept his calm. As the leader of his team, he had the experience of dealing with many frustrating situations. He wouldn't have lasted this long as a leader if he lost his cool just because the opponent didn't lose as quickly as he wanted.

Even though he kept his calm, he made it seem as though he was losing his cool. He made several wide swings that appeared clumsy. He also cursed loudly to emphasize his acting.

GraphicZ bought the act. He thought he saw an opportunity. He took it by using Punishing Smite. The skill consumed all the raging orbs that were floating around his body. The ten avenging orbs increased the power of his blow by a great deal.

Viking was ready, though. He deftly jumped up the long dining table next to them before jumping away. GraphicZ's powerful attack destroyed the table instead.

While GraphicZ was stunned by his failure, Viking charged through the wreckage of the table and landed a clean slice at GraphicZ's neck, causing critical damage. That slice should have ended the fight, but GraphicZ used to be an Avenger. An avenger possessed the skill, Final Retribution.

This skill kept GraphicZ alive, much like the Sacrificial Dummy. His HP stayed at 1. Furthermore, he became invulnerable for three seconds. If he still had avenging orbs, these orbs would have turned into soul bombs that dealt soul damage to Viking. Luckily, the Punishing Smite had consumed all the avenging orbs earlier.

Viking was aware of this skill. That's why he wasn't surprised when his supposed fatal attack failed to claim GraphicZ's life. He sent a powerful kick that pushed GraphicZ to the wall. He then sent a flurry of attacks that kept GraphicZ pinned. GraphicZ might be invulnerable at the moment, but he was unable to cope with Viking's relentless blows.

When the three seconds ended, GraphicZ was resigned to his fate as he watched Viking's axe heading toward him. A raven suddenly flew past and hit Viking, right in his eyes.

"Argh…!" Viking hurriedly jumped back, but he felt his body turn heavy. He momentarily lost his vision so he couldn't tell what was going on. The heaviness of his body was followed by a strong impact from above.

The one who had saved GraphicZ was Gridhacker. The raven was his familiar. After his raven stole an opportunistic strike, he cast Gravity Weight Hammer.

GraphicZ didn't waste the chance. He lunged forward and used Raging Strike. The blow threw Viking back to the table's wreckage.

Viking's HP fell to thirty percent from the subsequent hits. He grunted as he was getting up. He saw GraphicZ drinking a recovery potion after hitting him. It was such a pity. If only the enemy's reinforcement came one second later. He also saw additional ethereal soldiers go to Thelgrun. Those must be the ethereal soldiers who followed after Gridhacker.

He then noticed the wooden wreckage on the floor moved by itself. He realized then despite all the things he saw, there were also things he couldn't see.

He immediately rolled to the side. He heard a clang from where he was a moment ago. Finishing rolling, he looked back and saw Soundeffect become visible after almost killing him.

"Soundeffect, go and capture Thelgrun!" Gridhacker commanded. "I and GraphicZ will deal with this guy."

"Heh. Catch you later," Soundeffect said with a threatening gesture to Viking. He then turned and ran toward Thelgrun.

"Come back here!" Viking exclaimed. Thelgrun was dealing with six ethereal soldiers now. The first two were near death but with six opponents, the President was having difficulties.

Blue chains suddenly appeared in front of Viking. These blue chains prevented him from chasing Soundeffect. The blue chains were a spell from Gridhacker.

Viking could only watch as Soundeffect approached Thelgrun. Thelgrun saw the assassin approach but he had his hands full against six opponents. There was nothing he could do.

Soundeffect used Phase Strike once he got into range. He shifted position to behind Thelgrun. Instead of delivering a stab, his hands were holding runic ropes. He was about to bind Thelgrun with the runic rope when he was suddenly enveloped by water. He found himself unable to do anything as his body floated within the water.

Those who watched from outside saw a giant water bubble appear out of the blue. This water bubble encased Soundeffect inside.

While they were flabbergasted by the occurrence, several long water tentacles came and slapped the ethereal soldiers away from Thelgrun. Thelgrun, who was still confused by the whole incident, found himself coiled by one of the water tentacles before he could react. This water tentacle pulled him away.

"Put me down! Put me down!" He struggled while using his hammer to hit the tentacle. Damage numbers appeared following his strike.

"Hey! Cut that out! "I'm helping you," Thelgrun heard a familiar voice. He turned and saw John standing at a nearby opened door.

The water tentacles were John's. A total of ten water tentacles extended from his body. This was the Sea Deity's Arms. The third active skill of his bloodline. The water bubble that trapped Soundeffect was also his spell, Living Water Prison.

"Viking, come!" John called. His water tentacles also slapped at Gridhacker and GraphicZ. He added by casting Repeating Mana Bullet at them. They were unable to stop Viking from going to John.

"Go, go, go!" John told them. His water tentacle shoved Thelgrun out the door he came in from.

"Ouch! Can't you be gentler? I'm a President, for God's sake!" Thelgrun protested.

"I will take your complaints once we are out," John replied. "Now, hurry and scram! Go up! Our force has almost taken the upper deck. You should be safe once you reach the deck."

Viking rushed past John. He said, "Thank you."

"Pay me back," John replied, which just confused the hell out of Viking.

'What did you expect to be paid with? Saving you in return?' Viking thought, but he didn't stop. He continued running and said to Thelgrun, "Follow me!"

John also retreated following them. His water tentacles continued to slap at the enemies, preventing them from coming near.

The three moved through the corridor toward the stairs. The enemies followed but couldn't approach due to John's water tentacles. But another figure blocked their way when they almost arrived at the stairs. It was Kaghast, Liguritudum's high executor.