Chapter 657 - V57C2P3 – Doomsday (1/2)
Thanks to Armada, Jasla and Younhacomet for the proofreading!
Pale: Weed-nim, what should we do? The damage to the city will be extensive…
Weed witnessed Kaybern casting the magic incantation mid air through the windows.
The pillars of flames intertwined and swirled in the dragon’s vicinity.
“It’s a frustrating moment, but we have to wait it out.”
Pale: We may be able to halt the incantation if the a.s.sault squad is mobilized. It might even change the target.
“We can’t do that.”
Pale: If Morata is struck, the casualties will be far greater.
“Stick to the plan and move accordingly. The a.s.sault squad will remain on standby. If we start this war with an aerial fight, our chances of winning will slip away.”
Weed had already considered such circ.u.mstances before the battle.
A dragon like Kaybern had various a.r.s.enal of attacks and, therefore, he extended the range of variables.
“Still, I feel like we are starting off on the wrong foot…”
It was horrific to imagine the damage that would result from the ultimate fire magic spell.
The damage dealt to the cities already destroyed by Kaybern was beyond that seen in movies dealing with natural disasters.
Back then, Morata was a ghost city, but this time the buildings were filled with players.
– Solar Absolute!
After a short time had pa.s.sed, Kaybern activated the ultimate fire magic.
The magic that created another sun.
In the sky of Morata, a blazing red sun formed. The air flushed and intense heat s.h.i.+ned down on the earth.
The blooming flowers and green gra.s.s dried up rapidly.
The streams and riverbanks of Morata also dried up, leaving their banks bare and shantytowns were set ablaze from the unbearable heat.
“Fire! Fire!”
“It’s a fire! We have to get out of here!”
“Run. To the safe concrete building!”
It was a calamity to the players who came to watch from the shantytown.
The houses were set on fire, forcing them to the streets. Most of them were exposed directly to the heat and died.
Solar Absolute!
You are surrounded by the skin burning, choking heat.
Magic resistance is nullified.
Fire damage reduces health points by 1,340 per second.
The damage will increase over time.
Novice players could rarely withstand a regular fire magic spell.
If one moved while sticking right up against the walls and buildings, the damage could be somewhat mitigated, but even so, for players under level 200, to deal with such an attack was futile.
“Kyaagh!”
“My body is on fire. I am on fire!”
Too many players were roasted to a crisp out on the streets.
The priests of the a.s.sault squad mobilized and only could save a few with healing spells.
Pavo: I tried preventing the fire… but I did not get to the shantytown in time. I’m sorry.
Pavo made an apology on the regional chat.
He received a.s.sistance from other architects and players and could therefore spray water and pile sand on vital structures.
The shantytown was better off being left to be rebuilt, hence he did not tend to it, but the houses were the first to be set on fire and grew into a ma.s.sive disaster.
“Evacuate, we have to leave.”
The shantytown was expected to be safer than most areas for the players.
It was thought to be less attractive for the dragon than other structures, but under the ultimate magic spell that caused damage over an area, the entire town was razed.
The flames engulfed the buildings and grew further.
About 10% of Morata was set ablaze.
Fortunately, buildings in specific areas were demolished in advance to prevent fire spreading to the entire city.
– Humans, let it be an honor for you all to die under my wings.
Kaybern forged a rain of obsidian spears and fired them at the players roaming on the ground.
– Spear Array!
Like a bombardment, the magic spell fell upon the earth.
The black spears penetrated the buildings and roads, pinning down the players and causing their deaths.
“S-Save me!”
“Don’t run anywhere. We must not become burdens to everyone else!”
Chaos filled the corners of every street in Morata.
The players ran towards the city gate away from the dragon. Others ran inside large buildings or slid into the trenches.
Loss of life was common while playing Royal Road, but the dragon’s indomitable presence and magic attacks plunged everyone into despair.
Some were weary of being obstacles in the war and accepted their fate right where they stood.
The black spears continued to rain down on the city.
Pale: Everyone, stay in your positions! It isn’t our time to act yet.
Pale who led the a.s.sault squad spoke concernedly on chat.
He, too, wanted to save the players, but he agreed with going by the plan, which was to hunt down the dragon.
Furthermore, the confusion on the streets was too risky for him and his forces to become involved in.
Python: Oberon-nim! Stop Oberon-nim from doing anything!
The dwarf who always wanted to look out for others!
The players of the a.s.sault squad grabbed Oberon tightly.
Meanwhile, more players perished.
Buildings crumbled and the growing fire forced the Hermes Guild members out of their location.
There were underground tunnels and trenches, but not everyone was in the position to use them.
***
“d.a.m.n it! Our positions sucked.”
Lancellot came out of the shantytown and looked to his surroundings.
His unit was responsible for reinforcement and ambush, so they hid in the shantytown a bit further down from the rest. The fire got out of control and they were forced out to the streets.
“We are heading to the safe zone. Hurry up and move.”
1,000 Hermes Guild members moved out of the shantytown and proceeded to the industrial sector, but they were caught by Kaybern.
– I see you over there. Die!