Chapter 422 Suppressing The Indomitable Voice Magic! 1/3 (1/2)

Not too long after the effects of the Lightning Cage wore off, Ooudamu stopped levitating as her feet gently touched the ground. This simple action caused the members of Blue Oasis who were in melee range to react fast and temporarily retreat.

”Why did she suddenly stop levitating?” Feint questioned with a visible frown on his face. He was one of the players who had just fallen back.

”Who knows? I don't know about you, but I've never fought a boss like this before. Everything about this boss' is weird and impractical. They resemble an NPC rather than a dangerous boss monster.” Ace of Saint stated.

”Yeah, I get what you mean. I guess the devs weren't kidding when they said RML raids would be a unique experience compared to what we're used to dealing with.” Feint replied.

Before RML was released the developers, or ”devs” as players called them, were extremely secretive when it came to discussing anything regarding more than the absolute basics of raids within RML. However, due to various factors and wanting to generate a greater buzz about the game, they released an official statement.

Even though it was a short statement, but it was more than enough to excite countless players. The statement went as followed:

”We have accomplished something that will forever change the way gamers experience raids—a unique experience compared to what they have encountered in the past. Although I cannot elaborate on what that unique experience may be, know this—there exists a mult.i.tude of novel implementations that separates RML raid bosses from the raid bosses of other games, however, one thing stands out the most and that's... True Real-Time Awareness.”

All NPCs and monsters within RML possessed Real-Time Awareness—most of which was determined by their hidden knowledge stat. This is what gave RML a realistic feeling when it came to interactions between players and NPCs.

But, only special NPCs and monsters had what was known as True Real-Time Awareness. In simple terms, True Real-Time Awareness gave special NPCs and monsters their own unique personality instead of one that was highly generalized.

While this may not sound like that big of a deal, it completely changed how players had to approach special NPCs or monsters with True Real-Time Awareness.

For example, if a normal boss uses a skill in specific intervals and players find a way to counter it every time, that boss would never change its strategy. However, a boss with True Real-Time Awareness would react to their skill being countered and try a different approach. Naturally, this increased the difficulty more than tenfold! This was also the main reason why currently, outside of those top guilds and big guilds, it was virtually impossible to clear a raid.

At the moment, Abstract and I Do Zero Quests were currently positioned a few meters away from Izroth—they were the closest to his location. Since their main goal was to protect Izroth for fifteen uninterrupted seconds, there was no need for them to go on the offensive. Instead, they would act as the final line of defense if Ooudamu happened to successfully make it through the other members of their Blue Oasis.

”True Real-Time Awareness... Who knew that it could be this terrifying?” I Do Zero Quests said as he furrowed his brows.

”We chose to undergo a hardcore raid with no prior information. We may have prepared as best as we could, but there were bound to be scenarios that we were unable to foresee.” Abstract stated.

He then continued, ”You are well aware of the consequences if we fail. Our Blue Oasis will have suffered a huge loss and the other top guilds will not hesitate to exploit that weakness. True Real-Time Awareness? That changes nothing. In the end, we just have to find a way to make that bosses HP drop to 0—that's it.”

Abstract's eyes turned pitch black as an aura of death spread out into his surroundings. All of a sudden, a bubbling pool of thick black liquid that spanned 24 meters in diameter appeared on the ground.

I Do Zero Quests was shocked when he witnessed the pool of black liquid that had formed beneath his feet. It did not just engulf the ground he stood on, but Izroth also positioned within the black liquid.

”Desolate a.s.sembly: Blight of Demise.” The aura of death around Abstract spiked to new heights as he held his arm outward with the dagger in his hand pointed down towards the black liquid. He opened his hand into a palm as he released the dagger as it sunk into the black liquid as if it were being absorbed and devoured by it.

”Captain Abstract, that skill is-!” I Do Zero Quests looked on his disbelief.

”Resolve yourself, Tang Lin.”

Tang Lin, better known as I Do Zero Quests, was taken aback. Abstract was willing to use such a valuable skill against the first raid boss?! However, he understood what Abstract was trying to say. The raid boss they were facing was abnormal. It was reasonable to no longer think about the path ahead and focus solely on the present.

In the end, if they died here, what path would there be left for them to take? Therefore, they had to do whatever was needed to survive—there was no time to think about the next boss when they may not even make it past the one they were facing!

Meanwhile, as Abstract and I Do Zero Quests prepared to face the inevitable confrontation, Izroth calmly examined the small black box in the palm of his hand. As for the black liquid that had appeared beneath his feet, he immediately connected it to Abstract who was giving off an aura of death similar to that of the black liquid. Not to mention, his Soul Sense would have warned him if it was dangerous, and so, he did not pay it too much attention.

'I purchased this item from the Netherworld Exchange after I defeated that a.s.sa.s.sin that was sent by them. But, I never thought that I would be using it so soon.'

Izroth pressed the tip of his finger against the purple emblem located on the front of the small black box. The moment he did so, the black box crumbled away and disappeared. What emerged in its place was two rings that were the same in size. Each ring was about five centimeters and could easily fit on the palm of one's hand.

'I haven't had the time to test it out personally, however, if it functions the way that it's described, it should operate as a makes.h.i.+ft counter to the voice magic without issue.'

”Let's see, I believe the word was... Infuse.” The second the word ”Infuse” left Izroth's mouth, one of the rings in his right hand shot towards his left hand and latched onto it. In the next moment, the rings that were latched onto both of Izroth's hands started to slowly sink into his skin! It was quite the bizarre sight to behold.

〈System Alert: You have infused with the magic item «Twin Lasting Epoch Sentinels»!〉

〈System Alert: The current energy output available for the «Twin Lasting Epoch» is 100%. Do you wish to activate this magic item? (Warning! Activating this magic item requires the user to be uninterrupted for 15 seconds. Being forcefully interrupted can result in a dangerous backlash from the magic item.)〉

”Activate it.” Izroth responded without hesitation.