Chef in the Apocalypse

34  Last Hit

Amidst the chaotic battlefield, Jayce stood before the transforming Goblin Shaman, his mind focused and his heart resolute. With a decisive gesture, he activated the power of the Executive Chef's skill, unleashing a surge of strength that coursed through the veins of his party members like a torrential wave.

A palpable aura of invigoration enveloped the swordsmen, their bodies trembling as newfound power flowed through them. Bewildered glances were exchanged between them, uncertainty etched across their faces. Before they could voice their questions, the Shaman's roar shattered the momentary stillness, sending forth a shockwave of energy that bore down on the party like an insurmountable weight.

But the party was not to be deterred. Fueled by the unexpected boost in strength, the mages and archers sprang into action. Arcane spells crackled to life, and arrows were loosed with unerring precision, converging on the transforming Shaman. The onslaught of spells and projectiles pummeled the Shaman, driving it backward until it collided with the unforgiving wall of a nearby building, momentarily stunning the frenzied creature.

Jayce's voice pierced through the chaos, "Swordsmen! With me!". With unwavering determination, he commanded the swordsmen to follow him, his own resolve mirrored in their eyes. The newfound strength surged through Jayce's limbs, propelling him forward with an explosive burst of speed that left his chef's hat clinging tenaciously to his head.

As the Shaman struggled to regain its footing, Jayce closed the distance in an instant, his sashimi knife gleaming in the dim light. The blade arced through the air, biting into the Shaman's flesh with a savage precision. A gaping wound was rent across the creature's body, a result of Jayce's increased stat boost and the lethal accuracy of his strike.

The swordsmen descended upon the immobilized Shaman, their blades finding purchase in the creature's flesh with merciless determination. Piercing and slashing strikes rained down upon the Shaman, each blow driven by a potent cocktail of resolve and violence. Their eyes burned with an intensity that mirrored the flames of battle, as the party united in a synchronized dance of destruction.

The wounded Shaman thrashed and roared in a desperate bid to break free from the onslaught, its crimson eyes wide with a mixture of pain and fury.

The battlefield was a maelstrom of violence and chaos as the Goblin Shaman continued to lash out in a desperate bid for survival. Its crude staff swung wildly, its frenzied movements a testament to the last vestiges of its dying strength. But it was a futile struggle. The party, bolstered by the surge of power that Jayce's skill had granted them, proved to be an unstoppable force.

Blows rained down upon the Shaman, the swordsmen attacking with relentless precision. The clash of steel against flesh and bone filled the air, each strike inching them closer to victory. The Shaman's attempts to dislodge its attackers grew feeble, its movements becoming sluggish as the strength drained from its body.

Time seemed to stretch on, each moment an eternity as the party pressed their advantage. And then, as if a spell had been broken, the Shaman's struggles began to ebb. Its movements grew slower, its once-ferocious roars reduced to feeble gasps. The light in its crimson eyes dimmed, replaced by a vacant emptiness.

Jayce's eyes gleamed with determination as he seized the opportunity. With a swift and decisive motion, he maneuvered the razor-sharp edge of his sashimi knife. The blade descended with deadly accuracy, severing the Shaman's head from its body in a single clean stroke. The creature's sluggish 10:39

movements came to an abrupt halt, its severed head hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

accuracy, severing the Shaman's head from its body in a single clean stroke. The creature's sluggish movements came to an abrupt halt, its severed head hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

The swordsmen, lost in the heat of battle, seemed not to notice the cessation of their enemy's struggles. Their swords continued to pierce the flesh of the fallen Shaman, each strike filled with a desire to survive. But in the next moment, Jayce's voice cut through the haze of battle, bringing the swordsmen back from their frenzy.

"It's over."

[You have slain - Goblin Shaman Boss]

[You have gained 1000 EXP]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up!]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up!]

[Congratulations, you have leveled up!]

[You are the first to kill a Goblin Shaman Boss and will receive an epic item]

[Goblin Staff (Epic) acquired]

Exhaustion hung heavy in the air, weighing down the swordsmen as they collapsed to the ground, their breaths ragged and their bodies trembling with fatigue. The fierce battle against the Goblin Shaman had taken its toll, pushing them to the limits of their endurance. Their chests heaved with each labored breath, and they exchanged weary glances, a silent acknowledgment of the tremendous effort they had exerted.

Amidst the aftermath of the battle, Jayce spared a brief moment to check his notifications, his face etched with concern. His thoughts were immediately drawn to Colin, the stalwart Guardian who had faced the onslaught of five Goblins alone. Jayce's brows furrowed, his worry evident as he surveyed the area where Colin had been left.

"We can't stay here," he declared, urgency lacing his words as he turned his gaze back to his exhausted comrades. "We need to help Colin."

Without waiting for a response, Jayce set off in a determined sprint, the rest of the party following in his wake. Their concern for Colin spurred them forward, their hearts racing with a mixture of fear and determination. As they reached the spot where they had left Colin to hold back the Goblins, a sight greeted their eyes that left them momentarily stunned.

Colin stood amidst the chaos, his back to them, his head raised to the sky. His posture exuded a sense of strength and resolution, a silent testament to his unwavering will. Strewn around him like morbid sculptures were the lifeless bodies of the five Goblins, each one a grim testament to the ferocity of his struggle.

The sight was so jarring that Lily couldn't contain her visceral reaction, sinking to her knees and retching. Jackie's focus, however, was solely on Colin. She dashed towards him, her worry palpable as she threw herself upon him, checking for any signs of injury. Colin's body seemed to radiate a sense of exhaustion, yet his vitality remained unbroken.

Meanwhile, Jayce observed the macabre scene with a mixture of awe and respect. The name "Divine Shield" had taken on a new depth of meaning, embodying Colin's unyielding determination and indomitable spirit. The Guardian had embraced his role to its fullest, becoming a bastion of strength in the face of overwhelming odds.

Jackie managed to flag down Lianna, who hurried over to heal Colin's wounds. The healer's magic worked its restorative magic, and a sense of relief spread through the party as they witnessed Colin's wellbeing being ensured.

In the midst of the reunion and the collective sighs of relief, Colin turned his gaze towards Jayce. Their eyes met, and in that unspoken moment, a profound understanding passed between them. This new world was unforgiving and treacherous, yet it held boundless potential for those who were willing to adapt and overcome. Colin's mindset had been transformed through the crucible of battle, and the unspoken vow between leader and guardian was etched in the resolve that burned within their hearts.

Thanks for reading. I'm getting some chapters in the bank for priv tiers next month. How are you guys liking the story so far?

leeroycgna