Chapter 68

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

I nimbly leaped, one, two, three, using backward dodges, a speed buff, and finally a counterattack to evade all the light swords. The spacing and placement of the light swords were just right. This setup would help me prepare for the next special phase.

I immediately charged toward the Archangel and Fallen Angel, dancing between the sweeping light and dark blades coming from either side.

*Swish, clang!*

I blocked the Fallen Angel’s twin sweeping strikes, following up with consecutive casts of *Moonlight Slash* and *Starlight Slash*. The primary target of *Starlight Slash*, a single-target skill, was the Archangel, while I used the instant *Moonlight Slash* to hit the Fallen Angel whenever possible.

[Third Named Boss]

[Level 45 Ancient Golem Dominion, Archangel]

[HP 5,537,547/10,000,000]

[Third Named Boss]

[Level 45 Ancient Golem Baliel, Fallen Angel]

[HP 2,850,419/10,000,000]

Glancing at the boss’s HP, I focused my single-target attacks on the Archangel.

*Whirr.*

The three light swords embedded in the ground around me began generating light fields. However, I knew I could clear these fields with the next timed special phase.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The next special phase began, and three dark swords came crashing down.

I dodged one with a backward step, locked onto the Fallen Angel for the next, and counterattacked, using *One Flash* to strike both enemies while evading the final dark sword.

*Whirr!*

The three dark swords struck precisely where the light swords had landed, causing a brilliant flash.

*Flash!*

When the light and dark swords collided, they created a phenomenon that wiped out the fields.

And then—

*Rumble!*

With a blinding flash, both the Archangel and Fallen Angel lost 10% of their HP and were thrown into a groggy state. This was the *neutralization* mechanic that allowed me to deal damage to the bosses while also clearing the fields.

Ironically, it was easier to discover this mechanic because I was playing solo.

Since both bosses were focused solely on me, the light and dark swords were aimed at me as well. When I intentionally layered the fields, the two swords would inevitably collide.

I smiled as I assessed the situation with the angels.

Solo play was actually an advantage here—at least if you could handle dodging and blocking both angels' attacks simultaneously.

The key was timing the invincibility frames just right. If you dodged too late, the giant swords would land where you originally stood. You had to time it so that they struck the spot where you ended up after dodging.

With the fields cleared, I stuck close to the bosses and began attacking again.

Clearing all three swords at once was manageable. By using backward dodges, counterattacks, and *One Flash*, I could successfully layer them.

But the next special phase would bring four swords, and even with all my invincibility skills, one light and one dark sword would remain. That’s when the true time attack would begin.

The neutralization damage from combining the fields wouldn’t trigger anymore unless I successfully cleared all the fields. It was now out of reach.

However, just completing the neutralization three times had already dealt enough damage.

The Archangel still had more HP, but before the entire battlefield was covered in fields, I had to at least take down one angel.

I decided to focus on the Fallen Angel.

I was concerned about the Archangel's potential rampage if left alone, but I had saved the bracelet’s cooldown reset ability just for that moment.

If it was a relentless area-wide attack, I could dodge ten times at most.

---

*Slash!*

With my final strike, the Fallen Angel’s wings were torn apart, and its magic stone body shattered.

The golem, which had taken the form of an angel, returned to its true form—a pile of magic stones.

I had successfully defeated the Fallen Angel.

Around me, there were still four unremoved fields.

The remaining HP of the Archangel:

[Third Named Boss]

[Level 45 Ancient Golem Dominion, Archangel]

[HP 780,581/10,000,000]

*Rumble!*

Alone, the Archangel began gathering a massive amount of light energy.

This was the start of the rampage pattern. It wouldn’t end until the Archangel was defeated.

Counterattack first? Or backward dodge? Both had the same 8-second cooldown.

*Flash!*

A blinding light burst from the Archangel’s body, engulfing the entire battlefield.

I used a backward dodge to avoid the first area-wide attack, immediately following up with an approach skill to keep up the pressure on the Archangel.

*Whirr.*

The Archangel gathered light energy again.

*Flash!*

I dodged the second attack with a counter.

For the third, I used the instant invincibility from *One Flash*.

The fourth attack—my backward dodge cooldown had returned.

For the fifth attack—my counterattack cooldown was ready again.

*Whirr.*

As expected, the area-wide attacks didn’t stop.

The Archangel’s rampage seemed endless, as though it wouldn’t stop until it had wiped everything out.

*Flash!*

I activated the unique ability of the *Hammer and Anvil Bracelet*: "Reset all skill cooldowns."

This gave me five more dodges using the same pattern.

But—

As I glanced at the Archangel’s remaining HP, cold sweat ran down my back.

There was still over 5% left.

Even with five additional dodge opportunities, I doubted I could deplete all of its HP in time.

Maybe if I tried again, I could balance the two angels' HP better.

I briefly glanced toward the entrance of the boss room.

Should I run? The exit wasn’t blocked.

*Flash!*

Another area-wide attack surged toward me as I deliberated. I used a backward dodge, but this time, I dashed toward the Archangel instead of fleeing.

Not yet, Rain. It’s too early to give up.

I still had one more trick up my sleeve.

Dodging the next wave with a counterattack, I skipped my usual *One Flash* during the third wave and braced myself.

As long as I didn’t die in one hit—

*Flash!*

*Thud!*

Pain shot through my entire body as if all my bones had been shattered.

Blood spewed from my mouth. My internal organs must’ve been damaged.

*Cough, cough.*

My vision turned white.

But I ignored the pain and immediately stood up, blood trickling from my lips.

I grinned.

[*One Flash*]

[Cooldown: 1 minute]

[Grants invincibility during use]

[???]

The hidden condition had finally revealed itself.

[Can be used in true form when HP is below 1%]

It was the same ability I had used back in the Citadel of Asperos.

I silently apologized to *Drizzle Rain*.

Sorry for pushing the limits. I’ll be more careful next time.

Just this once, okay? I’ve taken good care of myself until now, haven’t I?

*Whirr.*

As I stared down the Archangel Dominion gathering light once more—

*Thud.*

I dug my trembling legs into the ground.@@novelbin@@

*Rumble!*

A powerful energy surged through my body.

It’s kind of unfair that I have to be hurt to use this. If it’s a signature move, I should be able to use it whenever I want.

The energy started at my feet, flowing through my legs, up my thighs, into my shoulders, and finally into the sword at my waist.

*Whirr!*

The energy gathered at my sword, vibrating with intense light.

At the moment the Archangel’s body erupted with light—

*Flash!*

My body became light itself.

*Shatter.*

With the sound of stone cracking, the storm followed in my wake.

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

The Archangel, merely a construct of magic stone, was swept away and turned to dust.

I collapsed, watching the remains of the golem scatter into the air.

And then I smiled.

“I did it.”

---

“It wasn’t the right strategy to focus on one angel first, after all.”

In their previous attempt, Chris’s raid had concentrated on taking down Dominion, the Archangel. But the remaining Fallen Angel, Baliel, unleashed endless dark energy that led to a complete party wipe.

“Their HP is too much. Each one may only have ten million, but combined, it’s effectively twenty million.”

“What about mixing the AoE attacks and focusing on both at once?”

“No way! You expect us to dodge both Dominion’s light swords and Baliel’s dark swords at the same time? I can’t do that!” Cherni protested.

Chris nodded in agreement. The range of the sword strikes was too wide, affecting even the ranged DPS. Baliel’s attacks, in particular, had dangerous aftershocks.

Even Death, the fighter, might be able to dodge them, but the ranged DPS wouldn’t survive.

“And the special pattern—the massive sword that targets the opposite tank. It generates a field that’s impossible to avoid. Splitting them up seems like the best strategy.”

Positioning the massive light and dark swords at the edge of the arena had made the fight easier, but as the fields grew wider and more numerous, the battlefield eventually became completely covered.

With each boss holding ten million HP, even with the party’s increased gear, it was still a daunting task.

Thinking back to *Asperos Citadel’s* second named boss, *Lion Valgar*, who had 20 million HP, Chris wondered if there might be a similar gimmick to significantly reduce the bosses' health.

“There might be a way to chunk down their HP. We’ll have to keep experimenting.”

“We haven’t done that many attempts yet. We’ll figure out the strategy soon.”

As the party discussed their progress, Beimerung suddenly rushed over to Chris with a flustered expression.

“Chris! Look at this! Again!”

Chris glanced at the new regional announcement and couldn’t help but smile while shaking her head.

“Oh, really?”

['Noname' Party has successfully completed the first clear of the Elite Dungeon, *Ancient Temple of Berbeia*!]