Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player
chapter-24

The Boss's information was immediately on display for both the stream and Kieran's party to see. As a result, both the party and the stream revealed extremely lively responses. Of course, Kieran didn't have the stream chat open, or else it would just be one massive distraction.

However, he couldn't just turn off his party member's mouths. Therefore, he was forced to listen to their articulated astonishment.

"Damn, this thing is like a bulldozer or something. How in the hell can a bear get that big? Surely it hasn't taken some mutated Viagra, right?" Altair murmured while also analyzing the Boss.

Judging from its appearance alone, it seemed to be a mixture of Guhara and Shibak, just far more fearsome. While it possessed crystalline armor like Shibak, this bear also had large fangs like a sabertooth tiger. In some places, the crystalline armor morphed into incredibly hard blades.

This Boss was indeed a frightening one. Even the parties that had cleared the Normal and Difficult Mode of the Forest of Beasts weren't aware of this Boss. After all, it was an added foe unique to the Very Difficult mode.

In the former modes, either Guhara or Shibak would be the Boss.

「Lv.13 Grifear, King of the Forest (Rare)

Dungeon Boss

Beast Type

Health: 11,000/11,000 (100%)

Special Traits: «Tremor» «Hardened» «Demolish»」

"Damn! My first Boss, and it's enough to make me piss my pants!" Sithik shouted in fright. Although they emerged victorious from every fight thus far, he couldn't help but tremble in his boots while locking eyes with Grifear.

For a second, Sithik could've sworn that Grifear's gaze imposed some kind of debuff that stopped him from moving altogether. Of course, this assumption wasn't correct, nor was it incorrect. What Sithik experienced was known as the general pressure of a Boss.

Bosses, especially Rare ones, exuded a pressure that would inadvertently affect any of its foes. Only individuals who were used to perilous situations could stand before a boss unaffected. Such as Kieran, who merely continued to gaze Grifear in the eyes while raising his Novice Greatsword.

At the same time, he talked to his party with his back facing them. "There isn't much for me to coach you on here. All I can say is that this Boss is essentially the amalgam of every monster faced in this dungeon. So, make sure to properly prepare yourselves for what's to come."

A moment later, he continued, "Sithik. Cygnus-"

"Yes?" Cygnus called out, clutching her small cross between her thumb and index finger. Although she trembled faintly, she summoned the courage to stand straight and listen attentively to Kieran's orders.

"I'm listening, boss!" Sithik exclaimed.

"Good! I need you both to focus—and do it more tentatively than you've ever done before. Force yourself to experience tunnel vision because your healing is unquestionably needed."

Both of them nodded solemnly, conveying that they understood the message clearly.

Meanwhile, Grifear growled menacingly. Although it wasn't a loud growl, the nearby trees and ground rumbled in response. Kieran could immediately tell that Grifear was a significant obstacle that needed to be overcome.

"Ready?" Kieran asked.

"Absolutely. Couldn't be more ready than I am now," Altair nodded. He raised both of his Quicksilver Daggers with a sharp gaze as a light gale kicked up around his body. At the cost of some Skill Points, Altair had increased the level of Swift Steps until the boost rose to 40% and its duration to 15 seconds.

Simultaneously, Kieran used all of the Attribute and Skill Points available to him. As a result, many notifications related to skill increases and attribute increases appeared before his eyes.

〈System: You have used 4 Unassigned Attribute Points. [Strength: 55 → 59]〉

〈System: You have used 4 Unassigned Attribute Points. [Agility: 40 → 44]〉

〈System: You have used 2 Unassigned Attribute Points. [Vitality: 28 → 30]〉

〈System: You have used 8 Skill Points to level «Warrior's Aura» to Lv.5〉

Immediately, Kieran's Health rose to 310, his body felt marginally lighter, and finally, his Attack Power increased to an even 150. After these changes, Kieran was admittedly in his best form as a dense blue aura billowed from his body when he activated Warrior's Aura.

A few veins swelled in Kieran's arm due to the new effects of Warrior's Aura. In exchange for increased Mana consumption, it rewarded more power.

「Warrior's Aura (Lv.5)

Skill Rank: D Rank Active

Mastery (00.00%)

Skill Description: At the cost of Mana, summons an aura that increases your attack damage by 30%. The weight of your attacks increases by 5%.

Consumption: 3 Mana Points every 5 seconds

Prerequisites: Warrior Class

Cooldown: 50 seconds (Only begins after deactivation of the skill.) 」

…

As if Grifear sensed their preparation, it released an absolutely frightening roar before rushing towards the party with speed rivaling Hrulhar. Watching a colossal figure move as fast as a Special Elite focusing on Agility alarmed the party.

Kieran's dashed forward with a cold gaze as he regulated his breathing pattern to one that allowed him to think clearly without any clouded thoughts. At the same time, all of his surroundings blackened. The only thing remaining in his sights was Grifear's rushing figure.

Suddenly, Kieran disappeared before Grifear's eyes. In place of Kieran, Altair appeared and jumped. He rotated, turning into a rapidly spinning black blur. During his final spin, Altair lashed out his dagger like a whip, executing a Concussive Strike.

Peng!

The noise was hollow, and Altair felt a slight throb in his elbow, but Kieran followed up by slamming his sword downward.

Tang!

Surprisingly, Grifear raised its armored paw and defended against the direct attack. It appeared the Concussive Strike had no effect on it. Given its status as a Boss, Grifear possessed a certain resistance towards abnormal status effects. Coupled with its Hardened Trait, Grifear could ignore interrupting or stunning strikes below a certain intensity.

It just so happened that Altair's Skill fell below this threshold.

On the other hand, Kieran immediately retreated by pressing against his weapon. He landed agilely before looking at Grifear. Throughout their exchange, both of their attacks dealt less than 10 damage.

Apparently, Grifear's Defense was approaching 200, which even put Shibak to shame. Nevertheless, unlike before, Kieran didn't feel as if he was in despair. After all, Savage Break's effects shone most against enemies with abnormally high defenses.

Kieran stormed forward, collecting momentum with every step. While doing so, he dodged many of Grifear's attacks by the skin of his teeth. Even though Grifear had Agility rivaling Hrulhar, it didn't possess the Tri-Attack trait. So, as long as Kieran dodged, he didn't need to worry about a follow-up attack.

Not to mention, Grifear's weight produced a small stall between each of its movements that didn't escape Kieran's senses. While the others might now notice the slight 0.2 seconds delay, it was clear as day in his eyes.

Whoosh!

Kieran did something surprising. Rather than Charge, Kieran initiated his damage rotation with Savage Break! Although it was a questionable decision, it was done prudently.

Bang!

An alarming noise was produced from Kieran's Savage Break aimed at Grifear's head.

-435

〈Alert: The Boss Grifear has entered a «Dazed» state for 5 seconds.〉

〈Alert: Grifear's Defense had lowered to 150. [198]〉

Kieran's Savage Break didn't usually cause a Dazed state, but the increase in 5% was not to be looked down upon. Strength didn't just increase direct Attack Power; it also increased the weight behind one's actions, which would become more apparent as the hyper-realism deepened.

Daze was similar to being stunned, except it increased the chances of inflicting a Critical Hit since the target couldn't defend itself properly. Furthermore, it also allowed any skill with effects to be unmitigatedly applied during the state's duration.

Altair, who possessed a significantly higher Critical Chance, immediately emptied his arsenal of skills within 3 seconds. Consequently, Altair dealt almost 1,500 damage in that short amount of time. The boost from Silver Blitz and Swift Steps was simply phenomenal!

In the meantime, Kieran moved right after Altair finished. He couldn't allow his damage to be interrupted or lessened by Altair accidentally claiming the damage boost following Charge.

-250

Although Grifear was already Dazed, Charge's stun effect still applied. With that being said, Kieran wasted no time in unleashing an extremely powerful Force Slash with all of his Strength invested into it. Kieran even wielded his greatsword double-handed, something he rarely did out of habit.

…Boom!

-1,459! [Critical]

"HOLY SHIT!" Sithik screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Oh my lord…" Aspaira muttered as she chanted Flame Wave's spell.

This was the first time they had witnessed anyone dealing over 1,000 damage in a single hit, much less on something as resilient as a Boss! The practicality of Lv.5 skills were simply indispensable. In fact, everyone in the party began wishing for more Skill Points to instantly level up their most-used skills.

After all, this damage was even achievable by them since it was unleashed with a simple E-Rank Skill.

Afterward, Kieran followed up with the rest of the basic skills in his arsenal. In total, Kieran, Aspaira, and Altair managed to deal upwards of 4,500 damage in one sitting. Regrettably, Grifear also recovered from its dazed state and looked at Altair and Kieran, primarily Kieran with bloodthirsty eyes.

Grifear struck the ground afterward and released a booming growl. Many of the crystalline blades on its body cracked off and swirled around its body before flying in every direction.

Instinctively, Kieran moved back right between Sithik and Cygnus and stood his ground with a firm stance.

Ting! Ting! Ting!

Kieran deflected as many flying projectiles as he could, but his Health reduced by a tenth every time he did so. Fortunately, the two behind understood that he was protecting them.

So, they gave Kieran the healing he required by only using their two basic heals in a rotation.

By the time the storm of crystal projectiles ended, Kieran's Health was 60% percent full. But, Grifear didn't enter a weakened state. Instead, it looked at Kieran as if they were irreconcilable enemies!