The situation happening with Micah's team was actually something to be expected. All of them knew this event would occur and that the only question they didn't know the answer to was, who would be unlucky enough to be abandoned by the other teams.
It was clear the task of defeating the Bone Dragon was impossible for any team to complete alone. The chances of success were not even certain with two teams collaborating together in tackling this great challenge.
Even the cooperation between Annara and Armand, two teams composed of all-star privileged class acolytes, were not enough. Hence, the reason for the collaboration of every acolyte in Group 7.
One had to know that Group 7's acolytes were barely managing, as they battled the Bone Dragon and whittled its health bit by bit. They cooperated because they all wanted to beat this challenge. However, things were not the same anymore the moment the dragon's health approached the 10% mark.
It was because each team was now confident they were able to defeat the dragon by themselves. Thus, all pretense of cordiality was immediately torn off when matters of glory were placed upon the table.
It wasn't that Micah nor the Kaleos didn't realize this. They just didn't expect the Nephilims would start when the dragon hadn't even reached 10% of its health. This slight from their part become their biggest mistake and cause of their tragedy.
Unfortunately, at the last moment, no one would ever imagine that one acolyte would go against expectation and meddle with Nephilims' plan by saving the Kaleos. As if that wasn't enough, the acolyte even brought the Bone Dragon to their steps.
This instantly enraged the Nephilims. They retaliated by throwing all of their [Soaring Shuttle] toward said acolyte.
The said acolyte, Emery looked toward Anas and said, "That is my cue. Good luck."
Right after he said that, Emery cast [Blink] again and disappeared from their side, leaving the Kaleos to deal with the Nephilims themselves. His figure reappeared at where his friends were.
Emery didn't agree with what the Nephilims did and even loathed them, but he had no responsibility to help the Kaleos either. After all, his act of kindness could easily complicate his group in a bad way, endangering them. Hence this was the best method he could think of.
When he returned and stood next to Roran, the man showed an amused look on his face.
"Hahahaha, that is indeed a way to deal with this matter!"
From the distance, they could clearly see and watch how the Kaleos managed to get their revenge. Sigurd transformed into a literal beast, as he ran amok one more time and disrupted the Nephilims' group, turning them into a crowd of headless chicks.
But by then, the Bone Dragon had graced them with its presence and quickly bit one of the Nephilim acolytes, eliminating him from this bonus challenge. Watching how their companion could do nothing but face his demise, the faces of Armand and the other Nephilim turned ugly.
They were forced to use their special ability, lest they suffered the same fate. A pair of glimmering golden wings appeared on their back as their figures rapidly flew away from the area, leaving the furious dragon alone with the two Kaleos.
Turning its attention to the two nearby preys, the Bone Dragon spun its body and utilized its tail to attack. Caught off guard, Sigurd was whipped away by the tail and sent flying dozens of meters through the air, crashing to the wall.
His body fell lifelessly onto the ground as he lost his consciousness. His entire body was completely covered by his own blood. As for Anas, he knew he couldn't even last one second with his condition and without Sigurd's assistance.
Knowing he would not be able to shake away the dragon that was chasing after him, instead of using his flying weapon on the dragon, he decided to send it toward the two Nephilims. This was his last act of retaliation.
Splat!
It managed to hit Armand's companion, making him lose his balance and fall to the ground. The dragon was only a meter behind Anas when the latter just decided to dash toward the fallen man. Anas was laughing madly in satisfaction, before he and the Nephilim were both smashed by the dragon's claw.
[Total number of acolytes : 13/692]
In the meantime, Armand placed his entire concentration on running as fast as he could toward Annara's team. A fearful look could be seen on his face, as he knew the Bone Dragon had turned its attention to him and was chasing just behind him.
"Help me!!!" Armand shouted desperately.
His face lost its color when he saw Annara had a smile he knew all too well, the same one he just gave to Micah before. Realizing his fate was sealed, Armand threw a hateful glare at her and screamed loudly.
"You damn bitchhh!!!"
BAM!
A booming sound rang in the air, as Armand's figure slammed to the ground. Accompanying it was the distinct sounds of many bones being broken.
The Nephilims were indeed great long range fighters. Unfortunately, when their formation was broken and with no one to help them fend off the enemy, they were simply unable to defend themselves.
[Total number of acolytes : 12/692]
After Armand's body dissipated into motes of light, Roran quickly told everyone to charge at once.
"This is it!! The last fight!", Roran shouted passionately. "Let's go! Don't hold back and muster everything you have!!"
[110/1000]
The Bone Dragon only had 11% of its initial health remaining, while the acolytes still had twelve people on their side. The two remaining groups swiftly focused their firepower, using everything in their repertoire to take the last points away and bring the dragon down as quickly as possible.
Clank! Clank!!
Now that they were attacking the dragon together, there were no longer any sides. At the moment, everyone just tried to dish out as much damage as they could, while also trying to not get killed by the dragon's retaliation.
However, to be sure, Roran still proposed to do what he did best.
Turning his head toward Annara, he shouted. "Let's make sure none of us attack each other!!"
While throwing her flaming whips at the dragon, Annara scoffed at his words. "Huh?! Roran, you are the worst of them all! Don't think I don't know what you're trying to pull off!! Don't you dare get close to me or else!!"
Even though she said those words, Annara was not so stupid as to reject the help in killing the dragon.
Everyone focused their battle arts, spells, and weapons at the Bone Dragon, bombarding it from every direction. Loud, rage-filled roars were unleashed by the dragon everytime it received critical damage.
[103/1000]
Clankk!! Clankkk!! BOOM! BOOM!
[101/1000]
One hitpoint more and the Bone Dragon would reach its last 10% health. However, it was at this moment that Chumo's [Eye of the Raven] suddenly reacted and showed him information, warning him that it was changing.
Chumo quickly grabbed Emery who was next to him and said, "Something is going to happen. Watch out!!"
[100/1000]
The moment the Bone Dragon reached the mark everyone had been waiting for, cracks suddenly appeared on its armor-like bones. This caught everyone by surprise. They didn't even have the chance to say anything before the cracks multiplied and exploded, sending hundreds of shards in all directions.
The explosion successfully threw everyone off their foothold and flung them away, inflicting various degrees of injuries.
Emery struggled to open his eyes, to see beyond the smoke that arose. The dragon was roaring loudly, appearing even stronger than before.
At this moment, a new notification came to everyone's mind. A notification that stunned all of them.
[Undead Dragon]
[Mythical Beast – Level 60]
[100/100]
[Battle power – undefined]
However, what shocked him next was the notification after it.
[Total number of acolytes : 9/692]
Group 7 just lost three more acolytes.