[Class Shifter (Stage II) has been used]
[Class: Supporter (Tier-7); VIT: 52 (+15)]
I quickly switched to my Supporter Class. It was a gamble. Since my current rank had been decreased, I wasn't sure how much it would protect me.
But I was certain it would help me to stall time at least three or four minutes—and if I were lucky I could make it out through the last five minutes.
"Creation Barrier!"
I cast the spell. A barrier formed instantly, covering five meters in diameter surrounding me. It looked like I was trapped with an inconspicuous green half-sphere.
The horde of Shadow Reapers clashed on the barrier. They stuck it with their shadowy scythes. It deflected their attacks. Consequently, they felt a repulsive force exerted on them, countering the applied effects.
"Phew! That was a close call." I swept the sweat out of my forehead. "The barrier is tough. Nothing looks bad so far. I wonder how much time will it last?"
I knew the answer—and it wasn't what I hoped would happen. If I wanted the barrier to last long, I needed to take measures instead of doing nothing and letting them break it.
[04:31]
"Switch!" I commanded as I selected a different class.
[Class Shifter (Stage II) has been used]
[Class: Mage (Tier-6); INT: 54 (+20)]
The first thing I did after switching the class was to cast an additional spell on the barrier. It strengthened the durability of the barrier and prolonged its longevity. Even the slightest increase in its duration—no matter how minimal—was an advantage I would not overlook.
"GROWL!!!!" They screamed as I commenced attacking them within the barrier. The magic attacks were less effective as compared to when I used them against the Mutated Iceborn.
"Dark Strom!"
"Dark Strom!"
"Dark Strom!"
The dark magical vortexes were unleashed and they hit the enemies one after another. The clashes were tremendous as I put all of my prowess into them, making them even more chaotic at a much higher scale.
And the result…
Of course, my fatigue was skyrocketing.
I could feel the distortions on my nerves. I could feel my muscles being tightened and cramped. The air was fine yet it was becoming unimaginably hard to breathe. Even my vision was gradually becoming blurred.
I was exhausted!
[03:45]
[Fatigue: 93%]
But it was worth it. The reapers were getting less time to strike the barrier.
I took a small amount of time to drink a few fatigue reducers.
[Fatigue: 29%]
Then…
"Crap! I'm out of potions. It's bad news!" I murmured bitterly, biting my lips as I saw there were no potions left in my inventory.
Lately, I have been using them more than I used to. Perhaps I relied too much on them, leading to my carelessness as I forgot to buy some.
"I should purchase them after this quest," I whispered and saw the reapers standing again. I looked at the skill gauge.
[Skill Gauge: 38%]
"Considering my accumulated fatigue and acquired skill gauge, I may be able to use 'that' attack once before hitting 50% fatigue. I'll gain some skill gauge as well, yeah. Then I should use them."
It was time to stand up to my nickname— "Mr. Unreadable." Not always did I show that kind of strategy.
Of course, crazy tactics always worked in a crucial situation like this. I was aware of that—and I knew how to make it a reality as well. At the same time, it was thanks to the system that lifted off the cool-down effects of my 'Class Shifter' Skill. Everything looked suitable for the situation, I chuckled.
"Dark Strom Clouds!"
It was different than the common 'Dark Storm' I performed earlier.
This time, clouds appeared and shrouded the barrier from outside. It was, seemingly, a cloud meant to unleash thunder attacks—and I probably would've done that if Zariel was around. But she wasn't—nor did I intend to exhibit that.
The dark clouds gathered around the barrier, coating it with an overwhelming dark energy. I couldn't see them anymore, nor could they.
There was already a magic spell strengthening the barrier and the additional effects resonated with it, making it even more catastrophic to touch. However, it wasn't for that sort of defense.
[Class Shifter (Stage II) has been used]
[Class: Assassin (Tier-6); AGI: 61 (+20)]
I pulled out the low-graded dagger pair. And then…
"Glitch Strike!!!" I screamed out, slicing within the barrier like a lunatic.
There was no one except me inside the barrier, yet I continued slicing into the air. Like I was dancing with the daggers and striking no one.
[Fatigue: 33%]
[Fatigue: 38%]
[Fatigue: 42%]
[Fatigue: 49%]
[Fatigue: 52%]
It was funny how I increased my fatigue with relentless attacks that did not affect the reapers. In fact, if other players were around, they probably would've laughed.
I stopped at last.
The air I had just sliced took a drastic change. The slashes were now visible and remained where I struck them.
As I said, they were glitch strikes—a deadly combination attack of the Class: Assassin and were registered with indeterminable coordination. Like my 'Glitch Steps' which allowed me to bypass anyone's offense while taking that attack head-on, this strategy was—not entirely, but quite the opposite.
The reapers probably didn't have any idea what I was plotting within the barrier. I could feel them relentlessly striking the barrier coated with dark clouds.
With the high agility and glitch effect of the Class: Assassin, I quickly dashed and reached a safe distance from the barrier.
Standing at the end of the cathedral-looking place, I was chuckling at them as they sensed my presence out of it. As soon as they turned their back on the barrier, looking at me to attack, I said…
"Unleash!!"
The barrier crumbled and shattered but the remaining energy entangled with the 'Glitch Strikes' remained there. Later, the 'Dark Strom Clouds' formed a wall, and with my indication, the strikes hanging in the air, like a glitch in the game, were unleashed through the dark wall. The supporter class's effects buffed the strike and they showered like rain on the reapers one after another.
Strike!
[Skill Gauge: 41%]
Strike! Strike!
[Skill Gauge: 43%]
[Skill gauge: 46%]
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike! STRIKE!!!!!
[Skill Gauge: 51%]
[Skill Gauge: 59%]
[Skill Gauge: 66%]....
…..[Skill Gauge: 99%]
Dammit! The gauge count had to stop just before max out! DAMN!!
Utter disappointment filled my face as my calculation went a bit off the track. But regardless, the outcome was what I had anticipated— entirely in my favor.
[00:57]
The countdown was also coming to an end. I just needed to stand at the last minute and the reapers were in no condition to stand again.
However, hardly anything went as I had planned it to be. The reapers didn't stand again, yeah, but they created a much worse enemy for me.
All of them—shattered and unable to stand again, began merging. Every last one of them fused and made a single Shadow Reaper—gigantic and disastrous.
It rose with a howl and unleashed its aura which was viler than before. On top of that, his scythe blazed like it descended from hell where it was sealed for countless years.
The whole place trembled. Its sheer presence was suffocating. It was tremendously overwhelming. I was pushed back a little.
I was shocked. I was panicked.
Yet I didn't falter.
My unwavering urgency to overcome the situation didn't let me falter.
My sheer will was ready to face the consequences regardless of how bad it had become.
My unyielding confidence was enough to hold my ground against the monster.
Hence, I didn't falter.
I chuckled aggressively as I was ready to conquer the last minute.