Chapter 18: Tidebreaker King – Boss Fight
Mike and his group didn't seem too exhausted—after all, this was still just the easy mode. And honestly, if not them, then who else could breeze through it?
Ding!
Stage 2 Cleared – EXP Gained – Level Up!
A radiant glow enveloped Mike, Jek, Eira, and Auline as their breathing slowly steadied. The echo of battle faded, replaced by the gentle hum of rising power.
[Level Up Achieved!]
Mike: Level 15 → 16
Jek: Level 14 → 15
Eira: Level 18 → 18
Auline: Level 17 → 17
Stats increased by +10 per level.
It seemed only Mike and Jek leveled up—understandable, since higher levels required more experience points.
"Nice," Jek grinned, flexing his bruised arm. "That was worth every hit."
"I can feel it too," Auline added, her moonlight aura shimmering a touch brighter. "My recovery rate improved. Mana flow feels smoother now."
Mike exhaled deeply and checked his status panel. His strength and agility had risen, and his mana surged inside him like an overflowing tide.
"Don't relax yet," Eira said firmly, eyes sharp and focused. "That was just the second stage. The real threat comes next."
As if summoned by her words, the mist around them began to spiral violently.
"Speak of the devil…" Jek muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
Outside the Gate…
Floating screens flickered in the air.
Ding!
Misty Mountain Gate
Mike's group attempting Easy Mode – Second Stage Cleared…
Boss Stage – Ongoing…
"Sheesh, that group's fast," a student remarked, eyes wide. "Are they actually going to break the record?"
James and his team stared at the screen, faces tightening.
"That's impossible," James scoffed. "They're ten minutes ahead of our time when we cleared Stage Two?"
One of his underlings snorted. "There's no way. That's just the second stage anyway. They still have to fight the boss."
"Exactly," James said proudly. "Even on easy mode, a boss is still a boss."
Back inside the Gate…
"Is the boss monster next?" Jek asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Yeah," Auline nodded. "This could be a good fight—great practice for us."
"Okay, let's go," Mike said, scanning his team. He turned to Eira. "You good?"
Eira smirked. "Not even a little bit. Who do you think I am?"
Woosh…
The gate to the final stage opened. A frigid breeze swept past them, bringing a biting chill. Mist cloaked the area like a winter veil. In the center, the water began to churn ominously.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. The water at the heart of the arena spiraled into a vortex. The temperature plummeted. Mana in the air pulsed violently.
A colossal shadow rose from the depths.
The mist parted—and the boss emerged.
Ding!
Final Stage – BOSS APPEARANCE: Tidebreaker King (Level 15 Boss-Class Monster)
— Boss Data —
Name: Tidebreaker King
Level: 15 (Boss-Class)
Strength: 170 | Physique: 145 | Agility: 155 | Mana: 148
Element: Water / Pressure
Skills:
Abyssal Trench Stomp – Disrupts ground and weakens mana flow.
Pressure Dome – Creates a suppression field, weakening defense and regeneration.
Tidal Crash – Summons crashing water pillars.
Hydro Requiem – Emits sonic pulses causing fear and confusion.
Passive:
Tide's Blessing – Heals 3% HP every 10 seconds when in contact with water.
Its massive serpentine form loomed above them—armor encrusted with barnacles, glowing blue lines running down its sleek body, and fins like the wings of an ancient ocean deity. The very tide bent to its will.
Auline's voice trembled. "That… that's a real boss."
Eira's flames flickered, but her gaze didn't waver. "So what? We're not the same people we were ten minutes ago."
Mike stepped forward, sword in hand, his expression calm but resolute. "Formation. We do this together. Jek tanks. Auline supports. Eira and I alternate offense."
The Tidebreaker King roared, summoning Pressure Dome. A shimmering field spread across the arena, gravity intensifying instantly.
"My mana... it's getting pulled!" Jek groaned, staggering slightly.
"Adjust!" Auline called out. Her Lunar Veil enveloped the team, lessening the mana suppression. "You're good to fight!"
The boss charged—its speed shocking for something so large. Its claws slammed toward Jek.
"EARTH SHIELD!"
A thick wall of stone erupted just in time. The impact cracked it, but the barrier held.
"Back at you!" Mike shouted, activating Current Surge. He dashed behind the boss, his Crystalline Sword humming with energy.
"Tidal Edge!"
He slashed across the creature's flank. Water and mana exploded outward—a shallow but clean hit.
The beast roared and summoned Tidal Crash. Massive water pillars erupted like towers from the ground.
"Eira, high!" Mike warned.
Eira leapt, fire trailing behind her. She spun midair, invoking Phoenix Spiral, and drove her flaming lance into the monster's back.
The beast shrieked in pain.
"It's working!" Eira called. "We can hurt it!"
But the creature spun, its massive tail sweeping them both away.
Then—Hydro Requiem.
The sonic pulse struck their minds like blades. Mike's vision blurred. Fear gripped his chest.
"No… not again…" his voice shook.
Auline's voice cut through the haze like a bell in the dark. "LUNACALL BLOOM!"
A radiant moon sigil pulsed around them. Fear melted. Wounds closed. Their mana steadied.
Jek roared, vines curling around his arms. "Way of Nature – Earthen Crash!!"
He slammed into the boss's leg. Stone spikes erupted upward, staggering the creature.
"Hit the eye!" he shouted.
Mike dashed forward, his blade glowing bright.
"Wave of Lotus!"
Petal-like water energy surged in a crescent. The boss blocked, claws raised—just in time for Eira to dive from above.
Her fire linked with Mike's water attack.
A hybrid explosion tore into the boss's flank. It howled, staggering.
Then—Tide's Blessing.
Water surged up its limbs, sealing wounds quickly.
"It's healing too fast!" Auline cried.
"I'll suppress the regen!" She glowed with determination.
"Radiant Thread – Mana Anchor!"
Brilliant threads wrapped the boss's legs, disrupting its mana recovery.
The healing slowed.
"It's now or never!" Mike yelled.
Suddenly, his body burned with strange heat—as if something ancient inside him stirred.
Legacy Skill Awakening: Tier 6 Binding (Dormant)
Detected: Fragment of Essence Binding…
Could this be related to defeating the monster?
Mike's eyes widened.
Then I need to finish this now…
"Everyone—buy me 20 seconds. I can seal it!"
"Say no more," Eira said. "We'll give you that and more!"
She erupted into her Drake Form, sweeping flames with every motion.
Jek rooted himself, vines erupting upward to bind the monster's limbs.
Auline summoned her last strength—Moonstep Mirage, creating illusions that danced across the field.
Mike stood still, glowing silver-blue, energy swirling.
"Wave of Lotus + Current Surge + Crystalline Sword…"
He roared as he unleashed it all.
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the gate. The Tidebreaker King howled in agony—but it wasn't dead yet.
"Now! Another combo—together!" Mike shouted.
No hesitation.
Jek slammed into the boss's knee with Earthborn Drive.
Auline leapt, striking its skull with Radiant Cascade, piercing its nerves.
Eira ascended into the air, flames condensing.
"Final move…" she whispered. "Phoenix Starfall!!"
A meteor of flame dove from the sky, feathers trailing like fire rain.
BOOOOM!
The shockwave shook the entire gate.
When the smoke cleared, the Tidebreaker King lay motionless.
Ding!
Boss Defeated – Misty Mountain Gate Cleared
Performance Score: A+
New Record Set!
Sunlight streamed from an unseen rift above.
They collapsed in silence, breathless.
Jek flopped onto his back. "That… was way too close."
Auline, slumped on her knees, managed a weak smile. "We actually did it."
Mike's eyes narrowed. Something shimmered where the boss had fallen.
He approached slowly.
A glowing fragment floated in the air.
Ding!
Legacy Skill Detected…
Fragment of Essence Binding will drop…
Essence Binding Detected!
Fragment Detected…
Would you like to collect? Y/N
"…Yes."
Woosh…