Chapter 231 - 163: Powerful Hidden Boss
’Calamity has arrived... What does that mean?’
’Level 41? Isn’t that the Tier after Scorching Charcoal?’
’So this weird sound is just this thing muttering to itself? Saying it over and over again after a certain period?’
’I don’t get it. None of this makes any sense.’
’This thing’s gotta be a hidden boss, right? After all, if we followed the normal route, we probably wouldn’t have found any clues about it.’
’Probably. Whatever, why worry about it? We’ll tell the storyteller about this later and let that kid figure it out. For now, let’s find a good opportunity and see if we can kill this boss...’
’...’
The two of them started muttering in their channel.
But Shore, at that moment, didn’t notice that Tasolomo’s roots, which had originally retracted, extended once more after confirming there was no danger.
And this time, one of the roots, by a strange coincidence, headed straight for Shore’s lower body, attempting to pass through it.
When Shore, who was still talking to Li Miao in the chat channel, felt the strange sensation from his crotch, his pupils instantly contracted and he instinctively shuddered.
"Holy shit!"
WHOOSH!
Almost at the exact moment he cried out.
Li Miao’s pupils contracted. ’We’re screwed,’ he thought.
And things indeed developed just as he had expected.
In a mere instant.
The Tasolomo in the center let out a terrifying shriek, far more powerful than the eerie sounds from before.
VMMMMMM—
The two of them, being extremely close, were hit with splitting headaches and a tearing pain throughout their bodies, as if their very souls were being ripped from their flesh.
The effect of [Imitator’s Gaze] could no longer sustain their disguise, and the two of them instantly reverted to their original forms.
And before they could even recover.
Countless thick roots swarmed toward them, binding the two, who were still stunned.
The next moment, one root after another pierced through their bodies like steel needles through a doll, and then they were tossed into the distance like garbage.
[DEAD][DEAD]
Two Wandering Souls rose up.
"What the hell were you yelling about?" Li Miao was speechless.
𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
"What do you mean, ’yelling’? That thing was poking me in the ass! Could you have kept quiet if it were you?" Shore retorted, completely pissed off.
’That kid Li Miao sure has it easy talking. Who wouldn’t have yelled in that situation?’
"..." Hearing this, Li Miao was at a loss for words.
At this point, Tasolomo’s shriek still hadn’t stopped.
The Hosted Incarnations at the bottom of the pit, who had been chasing the Giant Sound Dolls, were also drawn by the noise. They all turned and began to approach Tasolomo.
’Well, great. We found the source of the sound, but it’s useless. In the end, to beat this Tasolomo, we still have to clear out all these mobs...’
’However, it looks like that Tasolomo can’t move.’
’Maybe we can use this opportunity to make a play.’
But the two of them soon came to understand the true worth of a Level 41 boss.
"Oh, holy shit, this sound is coordinating with the mobs!"
"Seriously, why are these Hosted Incarnations so damn tough? I can’t even damage them. Do they have invincibility frames?"
"The boss is buffing the mobs!"
"And it’s sneak attacking! Fuck, how are we supposed to fight this?"
"Dodge!"
"I can’t dodge it!"
"..."
In the ensuing battle, Tasolomo fully demonstrated the terrifying power of a Level 41 boss with one foot in the next Tier.
The eerie sound was secondary. Not only could it summon mobs and support them with various Abilities, but it also periodically summoned Parasites and Hosted Primordial Bodies, all while looking for opportunities to sneak attack.
As for the surrounding Hosted Incarnations, while not strong individually, their main feature was their sheer numbers, with some difficult Elite Monsters mixed in.
And these monsters respawn!
Although the rate was a bit slow, it still ensured the number of mobs was maintained at a basic minimum.
All in all, this was basically Hell-level difficulty!
During this time, the two did try to bypass the Hosted Incarnations and attack Tasolomo directly.
But, as one might expect, doing so was even more difficult.
Dying over and over again nearly made the two of them numb.
"I can’t take it anymore, I’m gonna puke." Shore felt dizzy and his head was throbbing. He raged, "What the fuck is this thing? It’s on a completely different level from the previous monsters. The boss itself is strong enough, but it even gangs up on you. Who can beat this?"
"Are the developers braindead, making a stage like this?!"
Listening to Shore’s complaint-filled rant.
Li Miao scratched his head, also annoyed. "This boss is definitely tough. It doesn’t feel like something we can beat at our current level."
However, when it came to suffering, the two of them had a pretty high tolerance. Otherwise, they would have quit this game long ago.
So, after a round of complaints and a short rest, the two roused their spirits once more.
This time, they prepared to change their strategy.
"Let’s clear out the Hosted Incarnations first. We need to play it safe, otherwise we’ll never get close to the boss."
Li Miao had a bit of a headache and could only suggest this as a last resort.
This method was relatively safer, but its drawback was also obvious: it was slow.
And if they weren’t careful, all their previous efforts would be for naught.
"Alright. You pull the mobs, I’ll clear them out."
Shore could only nod helplessly.
After confirming their plan and strategy, the two made their preparations and then began a new round of battle.
...
Li Miao and Shore’s progress had stagnated, and it was much the same for the others.
Niuniu and Mushroom had also lost count of how many times they had died.
"BLOW UP!!!"
"All of you, die for me!"
Niuniu roared, igniting the Explosive Flame he had been accumulating for a long time.