Chapter 302 (2/2)
It flicked its tongue out lazily, staring at them. As it did so, around 5 smaller lizards skittered around it, coming out from behind its large body to look. These were only the size of a large dog, and Lvl 12, but they were clearly of the same species. Children.
David slowly unfolded his arms and lowered his hands to his sides. His hands were twisted into sharp claws.
Seemingly bored, the komodo dragon turned and walked away, leading its young ins. The group visibly relaxed.
“It’s… strange though. I haven’t seen mounts that powerful yet,” Thea muttered after the komodo dragon had walked away. “The highest I have seen is Lvl 20… maybe...”
But then she fell silent, shaking her head, before saying, “We should stop for the night, get some rest. I don’t think we will find anything else-”
A system message appeared, interrupting her speech.
Warning! As you have entered within a certain range, you have detected that a Tier III Raid Boss has spawned nearby in the last 24 hours. Upon visual confirmation of its body, a notification will be displayed to the entire Zone as to its approximate location. As you are the first to discover this Raid Boss, damage to the boss and its spawn increased by 5% for the next week! Experience and skill proficiency gains against the boss and its spawn increased by 10% for the next week.
“Fuck shit cunt and of course this would happen NOW.” Thea swore, fuming.
Simon looked around at both of the people around him, whose faces had turned serious, and said timidly. “So what exactly.... How powerful are the Tier III Raid Bosses…?”
Thea grimly stared at the ground for several seconds before answering, and even when she did, she seemed extremely distracted. “They… well we don’t really know. But we know that it took 3 weeks of Donnyton and Franksburg working together in order to locate it… and another week and a half to bring it down.”
As Simon opened his mouth again, she cut him off, as if she already knew what he was going to ask. “Franksburg has a population that rivals all three of the Northern Villages. Donnyton… appears to have much less, but still more than any one of us, because it was the first village to form. And in terms of firepower…”
She gave him a level look. “...they are currently fighting toe to toe with the Skeleton Knight. According to our information, the skeleton army has dozens of those Reanimator skeletons… and we’ve just seen the one. Which might have destroyed us if not for your friend here.”
Even David seemed concerned, frowning slightly. The group lapsed back into tense silence as Thea seemed to be wrestling with something internally. And whatever it was, it was huge. It probably related to what they should do now.
They had huge bonuses, Simon supposed, relating to chasing down the boss, but there would be costs too. Mostly danger. And they would be giving up their mission of chasing the Wild Rider, right after they obtained evidence that he was nearby. Thea was probably torn by her sense of duty, to figure out which was more important for the village.
“Explains why the creatures are stronger,” David rumbled suddenly. “The Tier III Raid Boss…”
“...Is after the Wild Rider?” Thea whispered, and she turned to look at David, her eyes narrowed. David didn’t see it, because he was peering forward, away from her, but Simon saw how wide and haunted Thea’s eyes were in that moment. She was scared, and fearful, and… there was a weird glimmer of betrayal, hidden in the depths of her eyes.
“People will die.” David continued, making his stance on what they should do clear. Simon, in spite of his fear, found his spine straightening. He heard how quickly the Raid Bosses propagate, and produce minions, who grew stronger along with it. And Tier 3 Raid Bosses started at Lvl 30….
Abruptly, Simon wondered what he was doing. How could he hope to rival a Lvl 30 existence…?
But Thea had made her decision. Eyes bright, she nodded. “Let’s hunt ourselves a Raid Boss.”