Edward Walker frowned. "We'd better be careful."

Chapter 8 Perfect Mission

"What are you afraid of? The three of us are all classed players—can't we take down a level 10 elite BOSS?"

Thomas Lewis gripped his longsword, looking confident, and said with a smile, "Relax. In a moment, you and I will charge in together to pin it down—don't give the BOSS a chance to fight back. Leave the rest to the ranged!"

As he spoke, he shouted toward the woods not far away, "Old Thompson, what the hell are you dawdling for? Get over here, the BOSS could show up any second!"

"Coming, coming."

From the bushes, a fat, bloated middle-aged man emerged. His body was covered in flab, and his dark gray leather armor was almost bursting at the seams. Yet, oddly enough, he had a quiver slung at his waist and a war bow in hand—he was actually a sharpshooter famed for agility!

[Old Thompson] (Novice Sharpshooter)

Level: 10

Squad: Dragon Hidden Mountain

……

"Three people in total."

I hid beneath a tree, watching them from afar, thinking to myself. Since becoming a BOSS, I hadn't tangled with classed players yet, and I didn't know if the skill damage in "Illusory Moon" was strong enough. So, to play it safe, I should use my strengths—go for a sneak attack. Take out their sharpshooter first.

So, I crouched low, my whole body turning into a shadowy phantom, silently treading across the grass as I approached them.

Old Thompson wiped the sweat from his forehead, smiling. "You two, don't walk so fast. The team's getting split up. Shouldn't we wait for the others?"

"They haven't classed up yet. Even if they come, they're cannon fodder. The three of us can handle this." Paladin Thomas Lewis said confidently.

Swordsman Edward Walker frowned. "Let's protect Old Thompson, one in front and one behind. I heard that BOSS is good at ambushes. If he strikes first, we could be in trouble."

"Is that really necessary?"

Just as the paladin finished speaking, I suddenly appeared behind Old Thompson. My bronze dagger flashed with fierce light, and my Backstab skill exploded in a terrifying burst of damage behind him!

"1215!"

"Beep!"

Battle prompt: Kill successful, contribution +2! EXP +300!

"Ah…"

Old Thompson cried out, eyes wide. Before he could react, his HP was already gone. Still holding his war bow, he turned to look at me. "Damn… this BOSS is so cunning…"

With that, he closed his eyes and collapsed, his soul turning into a white light that flew back to the newbie village.

"Damn!"

Edward Walker was shocked, but his hands moved fast. In a flash, he dashed up to me, his sharp sword wreathed in flames slashing across my chest—a heavy blow I couldn't dodge!

"104!"

A three-digit damage number popped up, which surprised me a bit. He actually broke through my defense. Players who class up at level 10 really are different!

"Die, bastard!"

Edward Walker growled, golden six-pointed star light bursting from his longsword. His combo skill came rolling in—his attacks were too fast, and his movement matched his strikes. He closed in with overwhelming force, making this sword nearly impossible to dodge!

No way!

I suddenly stepped back, and in that instant, thrust my dagger forward!

Gouge!

"Thud!"

"672!"

A streak of bloody light flashed by, interrupting Edward Walker's combo. He stood there, eyes dazed, stunned. But my Gouge didn't finish him off—must be that green bracer of his greatly boosted his defense and HP. Otherwise, he couldn't have survived.

"My turn!"

To the side, Paladin Thomas Lewis roared. As he moved, a layer of white light covered his body—the paladin's passive skill, Fortitude, boosting his HP and armor by 20%. As the tankiest class early on, the paladin's advantage was obvious. At the same time, his sturdy longsword swept through the air, and a lightning-fast Smite landed on my shoulder!

"225!"

So strong!

I couldn't help but be amazed. That sturdy longsword gave him enough attack power to break through my defense by a lot. That's terrifying! No, I have to kill Thomas Lewis first—Edward Walker can wait!

As we passed each other, my reflexes were faster. My left dagger slashed sharply across Thomas Lewis's arm. At the same time, I stepped on the grass, spinning around instantly, sticking to Thomas Lewis like a falling leaf. My Backstab, with a 3.5-second cooldown, was ready—so I struck, piercing straight into Thomas Lewis's back!

"441!"

"669!"

After two hits, Thomas Lewis still had a sliver of HP left. His total health was over a thousand—his gear was really strong!

"Damn!"

He dashed forward, shouting, "His attack is insane—he can one-shot me!"

"Turn around, try to block! Don't let him backstab you again!" Edward Walker shouted.