Chapter 18– The Firebird Hunt
SlicerDM's POV
We were shocked by the sudden explosions echoing from below us. It was obvious—they were from Zaphro's team. The blasts lasted a good five minutes, and we clearly saw their HP bars dip by 30%, coupled with a stun debuff.
We had taken flight at a higher altitude to get a broader view of the surroundings, scanning the dense forest canopy for any sign of our target. Unfortunately, there was still no sign of the elusive bird we were tasked to find. Heck, I didn't even know what it looked like. No available data. No sightings. No encounters logged. Not even a shadow.
"We'll keep scouting," I said over the comms to Zaphro.
We pushed further toward the heart of the forest. I was hoping the boss would be there so we could finally clash. I mean—what's the point if there's no action, right?
Still, nothing.
Ugh. Should've gone with the others below. At least they had explosions and chaos. But here I am, stuck in this scouting team.
"This is boring. Where the hell is that bird!?" I growled.
"Stop whining. We'll find it eventually. Just keep looking," Ayana scolded me.
If she weren't my crush, I would've snapped back.
"Whatever," I grumbled under my breath.
"Shh! Did you hear that?" Accel suddenly spoke up, tense.
"Huh? Hear what?" Erik asked, confused.
"There's something in the sky... northwest. Traveling at supersonic speed," Accel replied, eyes narrowed.
"I can hear it too. Faint... but it's there," Verillion added.
Accel and Zaphro had enhanced sensory stats due to their weird class builds, so they always noticed things before the rest of us.
"Zaph, we're picking up a strange sound from above. Might be the target," I radioed again.
"I hear it too. Stay put. We're heading to your location," Zaphro responded.
A minute passed, then another. The sound grew louder—like something massive slicing through the air.
"Guys, look over there!" Aryus pointed to the sky.
At first, we thought it was a falling meteor or maybe a player's skill effect. But as it came closer, it became clear.
It was a bird.
A massive, blazing bird.
Wreathed in fire and larger than most mobs we'd seen. Maybe half the size of that monstrous boss from the Extinction Forest.
"That the one?" Erik asked, stunned.
"That's the bird," Zaphro confirmed, eyes locked on the flaming creature.
"Nice! Finally, some real action!" Jin pumped his fist, excited.
"Brace yourselves! This won't be easy," Verillion warned.
"Well then… LET'S GO!" Shion shouted, amped.
---
[Monster Information]
Name: Skylar Firebird (Agility Type)
Category: Legendary Boss
HP: 1,000,000 / 1,000,000
DEF: 150,000 / 150,000
Element: Fire
Skills: ??????
Drops: ??????
Reward: Fire Stone of Kryptos (Legendary Item)
---
Zaphro's POV
Of course. It had to be a Legendary Boss.
We should've known this wasn't going to be a normal encounter. Despite its relatively low level, the stats were insane. This thing wasn't going down easy.
"Alright everyone, you know the drill! Get into your designated teams! I'm guessing this is gonna turn into a high-speed chase!" I barked, just as the firebird zoomed past us—about a thousand meters away at blinding speed.
"Or maybe not later—NOW!"
I dove through the air at full speed, activating my silver GM set items for boosted agility and acceleration. I had to catch that boss. If we lost it now, it'd take hours to find it again.
Accel, Shion, and Slicer followed suit, catching up behind me. The others were already too far behind—they just couldn't match our pace.
"Accel! Can you hit it!?" I yelled mid-flight.
"I'll try!" he replied, drawing a card from his deck.
"Dark Ray!"
A beam of dark energy shot forward, but the boss swerved and dodged.
"I can't time the shot! The skill's too slow!" Accel admitted.
"We need a ranged class—an archer or a gunner!" Shion added.
"Well, tough luck! We don't have archers or gunners in this squad!" Slicer shouted, irritated.
He had a point. What were we thinking forming an airborne team with nothing but melee and casters?
Damn it. This was a tactical misstep on my part.
---
"Someone's POV"
Tch. These guys are hopeless. You'll never hit a bird like that using slow-ass caster skills.
Guess Grandpa here has no choice but to show them how it's done.
This is exactly why I transferred my account over to EOPH—for moments like this. For real thrill.
I pulled out my XK9900 Version 2.0 Particle Sniper Rifle and positioned myself atop the tallest tree in the Death Woods. The burning bird was now clearly in my sights, gliding across the canopy with Zaphro's crew in pursuit.
"500 meters..." I murmured, adjusting my scope.
"450... 400... Gotcha."
Finger squeezed the trigger.
"Piercing Shot!"
A glowing red particle beam shot from the barrel of my rifle—0.3 seconds later, BAM, a direct hit to the head.
"Oh-ho! Bullseye, baby! Who's your daddy, ar0012?!"
The bird lost altitude immediately, its flight destabilized. It crashed through the trees, landing not far from where I was perched.
From up close... it was massive.
"Hey! You!" a voice called out.
I looked down and saw a masked guy staring up at me.
"Uh... me?" I asked, feigning innocence.
"Yeah, genius. See anyone else around?" he snapped.
"W-Well no... Just wanted to help, is all."
"Appreciate it," another voice chimed in—this one from a guy in shining silver armor.
"Mind doing us another favor?" he asked.
"Hm? What kind of favor?" I replied.
"Help us take down the boss. We need someone like you—ranged class. You've got the firepower to keep it grounded."
"What's in it for me?" I raised a brow.
"We'll give you 40% of the gold reward."
"Not interested in gold," I said flatly.
"What, you want item drops? Bro, 40% is generous—just say yes," the masked guy growled, clearly losing patience.
"I don't want gold or drops," I said, grinning now just to get under his skin.
"Then what the hell do you want!?" he shouted.
"Let me join your guild. That's it."
Call it dumb or childish—I just want to be part of something again.
The silver angel knight removed his helm, revealing a familiar face.
"I'm Zaphro. Guild leader of Fallen Halo. You're in," he said, extending a hand.
A guild invite popped up in my interface.
"Thanks," I said, hitting Accept.
"So? Shall we go catch ourselves a flaming bird?" he asked with a smirk.
"Let's do this," I replied, gripping his hand.
Time to make some fireworks.