Civilization

The fight didn't take long at all, the moment Selino used her skill, Queen's Presence, all the surrounding specters froze on the spot, unable to move even a centimeter. Her skill was different from my set of skills which means whenever she takes over my body, she must be utilizing her own skills before the Union. A hint of jealousy rises inside me as she displays a dominating force over monsters outside of her race.

Compared to Royalty Presence which is also a passive skill, Queen's Presence must affect all monsters that are below her in terms of status. In addition, it is an active which means she can use it whenever she wants to, strategically damaging her victims. Walking past the monsters, Selino glances around until she finds a door. Advancing to the door, the monsters around us give way, creating a path.

"Do you see deary? Without lifting a finger, I can tell them what to do, however, I do need to tie up the loose ends." - Selino

Standing in front of the door, Selino snaps my fingers, turning around to look at the trembling specters.

"Begone from my sight, Shadow Thorn." - Selino

Piercing through each and every specter in the room, multiple murky black spikes lunge from the ground, walls, and ceiling. Like the inside of a cave filled with helictites, I could do nothing but gulp down the nonexistent saliva in my throat as I look at the grotesque scene. Moments after piercing through the monsters, the shadow engulfs them, wrapping around them like a cocoon before squeezing them tightly until there is nothing left, disappearing as quickly as they came.

"W-well, aren't I glad you didn't do something like that to me when we first met." - Ian

"Oh, deary. I could have done a lot worse." - Selino

"My point taken." - Ian

"Let's leave this palace shall we?" - Selino

Turning back around, Selino opens the door, revealing to us a myriad of platforms scattered in the air. Monsters could be seen walking along them and with the Night Vision, passive, we also notice that there were a few humans jumping from platform to platform. Surveying the area, I start to notice that the humans were all gathering near the top, with some already there, sitting on a platform, beside a rather extravagant door.

"Selino, go to the top. I'm sure Nina and the others are up there." - Ian

"Oh? Nina deary is up at the top? Well then, don't mind if I do." - Selino

Instead of jumping from platform to platform, Selino leaps into the air, grabbing onto the wall. Surprisingly she was able to make my hand stick to the wall, and in turn, started to climb up as if she was a spider. Wait, she was a spider, so I guess it makes sense that she has some sort of passive that relates to wall climbing.

Climbing up the side of the wall feels like cheating as everyone else that was inside the Reaper's Castle most likely had to traverse through the platforms to reach the top. Nonetheless, I wasn't exactly complaining about Selino's method of choice as it made the journey a lot faster and easier.

As she got closer to the top, I was able to make out the voices of the people that have already arrived, however, I didn't want to join them just yet. The duration of the switch wasn't even close to finishing, and I didn't know if Selino has some sort of plan yet. In order to waste some time, I have to make her stop, even for a moment.

"Selino, don't meet up with everyone. Stay a little below them, so we can eavesdrop on their conversation." - Ian

"Hmm… Alright." - Selino

Edging our way closer, we eventually got to the point where we could clearly hear the conversation. At the same time, I was able to make out who was there, as well as some unfamiliar faces.

"Do we just head inside? Or are we going to wait for more people?" - Rebecca

"Honestly, either choice is plausible. We have no way of knowing where the others are or if there is anyone left. The teleportation circle was meant to separate and eliminate us as efficiently as possible. Look at us, out of the 20 or so people that we had before the teleportation we only have 10 people left, Rebecca, Sylvia, Frank, David, Devel, SanShiGo, Helioc, Sabrina, and one more member from Lotus." - Nina

"My name is Ester, by the way." - Ester

"Sorry, I didn't know your name but regardless, I'm not exactly sure we are able to beat the Reaper with our combat strength cut by four-fifths right before the boss fight. Even if the ones that have survived until now are the strongest of our 50-man raid team, it is still concerning that we are going to fight a boss like this with no plan." - Nina

"Sigh… Well, let's start brainstorming now. Does anyone have any information on the Reaper? Even if the information is vague it doesn't matter at this point." - Devel

"The ruler of the undead, the Reaper. I would assume he will have a summoning ability, some sort of necromancy. Maybe even a way to summon demons and ghosts since that has been a monster that has come through the gates earlier in the event." - SanShiGo

"He would most likely be weaker in close combat in that case. A summoner and a mage, generally have lower defenses, but they will have some sort of barrier skill or wall skill to prevent us from attacking him." - Helioc

"I doubt he would be alone as well. He might have a couple of Generals nearby him which we will need to fight first before reaching the Reaper." - Rebecca

"I suspect the being known as Mori Calliope will be there as well. She did mention that she was the apprentice of the Reaper." - Frank

"And her abilities were?" - Devel

"Summoning was all we saw when we encountered her. However, her arrogant and oppressive nature shows that she has more up her sleeve." - Frank

"In other words, we have nothing on the Reaper except for the concepts of what a Reaper should be able to do. We have more information on the potential generals than we have on him. I say we make up a strategy on the fly, after observing the Reaper. The best we can do is create a formation with the members here." - Nina

"Looking at everyone here, I'm guessing David, and I will be at the front. Sylvia and Ester will be right behind us, while SanShiGo, Sabrina, Nina, and Rebecca will be further in the back. Helioc and Frank will be on the sides, ready to flank as well as pick off any enemies that might be alone. Hmm… Unfortunately, it seems like our frontline and our backline are the exact same number which isn't as ideal when facing an unknown enemy.

David, I'll be the main tank, and you'll be the off tank. Ah, wait you probably don't know what that means. Stand close to me, but not next to me. The moment I'm unable to stick to the Reaper, I'll need you to step in and gain his attention. Sylvia and Ester, both of you will be responsible for protecting the backline while David and I deal with the front. On the off chance that we are overwhelmed by numerous monsters, then you will need to step up front as well. In that scenario, the backline will have to defend themselves.

SanShiGo is our joker card at that point since he can also be a close-range dealer. Rebecca, as well, since you have a chance of attacking at lightning-fast speeds, however, your frailness holds you back. Only jump in when the opportunity arises. Any questions? Or does anyone have anything they want to add?" - Devel

Glancing around, Devel observes the reaction of each individual, gauging their response to his suggested plan. After seeing the various nods of agreement, I notice that his tense shoulders loosened. I guess even someone as strong as Devel, would be tense when making a decision for a group with various leaders.

"Deary, I think we should head in after them. I kind of want to see how they will fare against Skelly. Of course, we will jump in if they are in any danger." - Selino

"... Alright. I don't mind watching them. I haven't seen them fight for a while and there are a few people there who I don't know. Learning about their abilities will help in the future, but we MUST rush in if they are in any danger, okay?" - Ian

"Understood, deary. Don't know, I'm quick on my feet." - Selino

"Quickly then, it looks like they are about to head inside. Devel just opened the door. I'm not sure if the door will be unable to open after it closes, so we need to be right behind them." - Ian

"No need to be so impatient, deary… We will be right behind them." - Selino