"Is that a frickin' regeneration?!" Roran shouted in disbelief, as he looked at the notification displaying the health of the Undead Dragon. He still couldn't believe that all the things the group had worked so hard for had been rendered completely meaningless.
Orion, who was currently healing Chumo and someone specialized in the path of restoration, shook his head at Roran's words and said, "No, it's not. A high-level regeneration spell will not heal that fast. It has to be a high-level instant heal or something similar to it."
Roran was entirely annoyed by this, while Emery was still trying his best to help Gerri on stopping the heavy bleeding in his shoulder, which now had no arm. The sight of him lying on the ground helplessly was pitiful, to say the least.
The skin of the acolyte known as Violet Flame was strikingly pale. His body was violently trembling as his eyes stared directly at Emery's, an unusual serious look was seen on his face.
"Em… Emery… I can feel it. I am dying… Don't let me die. Don't… I don't want to die!"
"…"
Emery couldn't hold himself from shaking his head wryly. He really couldn't tell if this friend of his was joking or actually being real. His motivation to bring Gerri back to his normal condition had increased exponentially, to make sure the other party stopped his incessant yapping as soon as possible.
"Emery! Roran! Let's work together!!"
Annara's high-pitched yet charming voice was heard from the side opposite of where they were at the moment. It seemed the arrogant girl had finally chosen to let her pride go and cooperate with them.
Upon hearing this, Gerri, who had regained some of his healthy complexion once more screamed pleadingly. It was as if he would die right there right now if no one paid attention to him.
"Emery, what about me? D-don't leave me?"
Orion quickly knocked the Violet Flame's head with his fist, while still keeping his focus in alternating his healing spell on both Chumo and Gerri.
"Let's go!!"
Roran quickly explained he believed there was some kind of limitation placed on the dragon's ability. Even though it could heal itself back to full, it should certainly have a limit of two or at most three times. Otherwise, this so-called bonus challenge won't make sense. It would be merely a joke designed to be impossible to clear.
While Orion stayed at the back doing his job of bringing Chumo back from the death's door and Gerri from his somewhat critical condition, the four individuals who still boasted some degree of fighting ability commenced their assault at the Undead Dragon.
Emery, Roran, Annara and Yunxiao, the four of them once again dashed towards the dragon, approaching from four different sides. Without any comprehensive nor detailed discussion, these four talented young individuals immediately went on and did their part. Annara was the one restricting its movements, Roran would be the one leading the attack and acting as the vanguard, while Emery and Yunxiao proceeded to launch their greatest offensive capability with their respective weapon of choice.
CLANK! CLANK! BAM! ROAR!
Various sounds rang out loudly in the air, creating a cacophonous yet strangely harmonious melody. As if it was the accompanying musician, the Undead Dragon also took part in this music creation session by unleashing similarly ear-deafening, rage-filled roars from time to time.
[Shadow Edge]
Now that Emery showcased his skill side by side with Yunxiao, who also discharged his own battle art skill, the quiet man seemed to have some level of acknowledgement toward him. This was evidenced by the nod the man gave when their eyes accidentally met.
The same thing also happened to Annara, who gradually became more and more surprised as she watched how the battle progressed. This grew even further when she finally recalled that Emery was still a rank 8 acolyte.
To be able to go on par with Yunxiao, who was a bonafide rank 9 acolyte with 7 pillars formed was truly an extraordinary feat. For a moment, she couldn't help but think that no wonder her senior brother and master paid so much attention to him.
Of course, Emery would not be able to do such a remarkable thing if it wasn't because of his double core and [Fey Transformation] that helped empower his attacks.
[52/100]
Seeing that they had reached where they were earlier, Roran quickly shouted. "Don't stop!! Don't let it have a chance to regain its health!!!"
However, right as he finished speaking those words, without the dragon roaring like before, its health had already returned to full, as if all the damage the group had done to it was simply an illusion.
The four people stopped in their tracks and looked at each other, where they could clearly see the dumbfounded expressions on their faces. They really had no idea as to what could possibly be the reason.
Neither of them felt any fluctuations in the surrounding spirit energy, which should happen when one cast a spell. This meant whatever the dragon used, it wasn't a spell.
"How could this be?!!" Roran shouted in disbelief, again. He was really confused by all of this.
"Do you have any other bright ideas, Harlight?" Annara asked sarcastically, as she continued to restrain the dragon. "If you don't have it, then you better think fast! I really can't hold on to this monster any longer!!"
The Undead Dragon once again unleashed its roar that by this point Emery thought it must be its signature move. The roar, like its predecessor, generated a strong gust of wind and forced everyone to take several steps back.
"What else can we do?" asked Roran in the same sarcastic tone. "Just keep on attacking!! Let's see if we or it will fall first!"
Roran still held to his belief the dragon had limits in using whatever it was that brought its health back. Alas, the third time the group arrived at where they were before, the dragon's health once again returned to its original state.
"This is impossible!!"
Things turned to worst, as not just they were all tired and hurt. It had been such a long fight and everyone had already reached their limit long ago. Now, not only they were at their last breath, they also had no idea how to fight the dragon.
It was at this time that Gerri joined the four people in battling the dragon. Even though he had lost one of his arms, there was no trace of anxiety on his face. He arrived at Emery's side and then shouted what Chumo had told him to tell them.
"Chumo said the dragon always heals itself exactly one minutes after the first strike lands on it!"
"!!!"
Chumo has his [Eye of Raven] ability that could analyze the enemy, it appeared this really was the key to defeat the dragon.
Upon hearing this, Roran appeared to be laughing furiously.
"Why didn't I think of that?!! Great work!"
Everyone did a quick calculation in their heads and found that what Gerri had just said was true. They also finally realized what the challenge was all about. The headmaster must have put this last detail of the dragon to make sure only a group that could work together could pass the bonus level.
With the way it was, not even the strongest rank 9 acolyte could have the necessary firepower and attack rate to take down 100 of the dragon's health points in one minute's time.
However, everyone was stunned when they realized they might not have enough people with enough strength to make this feat achievable.
It was at this moment, a figure approached the group from behind Orion.
"Heal… me… I will… help!"
Apparently, the group had forgotten one person who was still alive, albeit briefly. Furthermore, this one particular person made everyone who was previously unsure become confident in their chances of completing this challenge.
After all, he was the strongest person in Group 7: the Titan's Bloodline holder, Sigurd.
The man had been resting and maintaining silence in the corner, where he had landed from the last hit of the dragon. He didn't originally plan to join the fight anymore, but when he reached the same conclusion as the others, he offered to help.
With this, Roran quickly led the discussion and told the group to be patient. Their success was nigh, so they shouldn't do anything risky.
Soon, it was decided that they would take their time distracting the dragon, allowing them to take turns to heal and prepare themselves for the decisive attempt.
Emery also quickly released his [Fey Transformation], because he would definitely need it later.
Few minutes later, after the group of 8 people were completely prepared, at the same time that the dragon roared once more, Roran immediately made the signal.
"Now!! Everyone, give everything you got!!"
———————————-
Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v..e.l,