103 OP vs. Night Rattler
After an afternoon run to clear his head, QJ visited his parents and spent a half hour helping his mom weed her garden plots. By the time he returned home, he desperately needed a shower.
The sound of Lotte's hairdryer caused him to peek in the open door of her bathroom. She noticed his presence immediately. "You've been busy prepping?"
QJ nodded, putting a hand out to stop her from hugging him. "I need a shower... badly."
"Just a kiss then," Lotte leaned forward and brushed her mouth against his. "I made two fashion kills today! You should check them out."
"How bad was it?" QJ asked.
"Man dressed in woman's underwear with brown socks, the second was female in a pink dress... She wore an orange hat; you don't mix those colors." Lotte wrinkled her nose and pointed the hairdryer at him.
QJ shook his head in disgust. "Maybe you'll win."
"Doubtful," Lotte replied. "There have been almost five hundred fashion kills on Phoenix. I think Mai'Tai has the most in our guild at 9."
"She must be into fashion," QJ quipped while walking into his room.
"That must be it," Lotte replied. "The other servers have started similar Fashion Kills. Who knew Sato would have a great idea?"
"Not me," QJ admitted.
After a long shower, QJ relaxed at his desk, staring at the raid sheet.
They could take a dozen dark elf archers from the keep without weakening their defenses. OP's balanced roster worked against them in planning for Night Rattler. First, he divided the Raid into anyone who could inflict range damage, sixteen from OP Keep and twenty from the branch guild. Oddly enough, the 3rd years had a Cav tank named Umber that could do range damage (Sword/Shotgun).
(Ranged Damage)
Ringo, Lotte, Drax, Potshot, Junzo, Unchained, Maric, Dunnie, Riker, Dusk, Wisk, Luca, Nightrain, QJ, Mika, Solo, Mai Tai, Yuta, Shana, Brano, Tagon, Bolder, Cranshow, Lunzo, Vale, Bonio, Racta, Pontan, Forshaw, Kanto, Quron, Jigsaw, Umber, Til, Tempest, Ulla.
"Eight healers total. Six medics have a sidearm in a pinch, but it won't be good if we get that desperate."
(Sarah Jol, Ra, Enju, Travoli, Niche, Dessi, Horton, and Naseem.)
"The remaining eighteen are a mixture of classes without a ranged attack."
(Breeze, Bungee, Ty, Lil Jack, Erizo, Baco, Shonie, Shell, Verta, Hamsho, Scrampi, Sato, Yuyu, Addis, Nexxus, Sum-Sum, Dervin, Whazzit.)
QJ was optimistic. Counting the dozen dark elf archers, they had seventy-four raiders for the World Boss; about four dozen were the ranged/dps they desperately required. He sent a query to Ringo and only had to wait a few seconds before she answered.
"You look ready to go," Ringo observed.
"Ready! I've been studying our roster for the Raid," QJ said.
Ringo smiled since she'd been doing the same thing. "I've had Sato and Breeze making Molotov cocktails for the Raid; as you suggested, we're using standard lamp oil. The damage should be minimal, even if someone drops one at their feet. We'll give three to everyone who doesn't do ranged damage."
"Let's get eighteen Kite shields from Exodus Marketplace; we'll assign our melee as shieldmates for our dps." QJ smiled widely, "obviously, Breeze is with me."
"Share your screen with me," Ringo asked.
QJ did what she asked and leaned back in his chair. "We'll also have our Ba'Avriel flying security. I wouldn't put it past RH to try and sabotage us."
Ringo laughed. "Chupa Lupa did a number on them, but they were doomed from the start. We'll put Night Rattler on his heels and keep him there; the fire-based ammo you made will be the deciding factor."
Robin watched from the ridgeline as OP prepared to start the World Boss raid. The rest of the Songbirds and Merci, the Ba'Avriel Assassin Queen, were nearby.
"I'm stepping in if the Young Prince is killed," Merci declared.
Nightingale shook her head. "Under no circumstance are you to interfere with QJ. Heroes often die during their struggles; our mission is to evac Ra if the Raid wipes."
Robin smiled lazily. "Don't underestimate OP; I'm starting to feel threat from some of them, especially QJ."
Wren nodded in agreement; she felt it, too. It wasn't anything like what Q gave off during the Cross-Server war a few weeks earlier, but it was present. "QJ's like a young lion whose mane is starting to grow."
Lark pushed a wisp of green hair behind one of her pointed ears. "Any word from Angel?"
Nightingale nodded. "Her prey has gone to ground and waits. Angel thinks whoever is responsible for the plot against the Riley family will show their face sooner or later."
"You changed your name, Sister?" Merci was the first to notice. Nightingale's name in the guild list had changed from Lara Sy to Lara Riley.
Nightingale blushed slightly but didn't immediately respond. It was something she had done on her own. Neither Leah Fintree nor Mora Jol changed their names when they married Quinn, but Tal had. After some thought, she decided she wanted to share his surname. "Quinn doesn't know yet. I did it for myself. My reward for not giving up."
"It used to be a common tradition in the hero world, but Tal told me it isn't done as much anymore," Robin pointed out. "Going start calling QJ son?"
Nightingale laughed loudly. "No... I'm only a few years older than you."
*************
QJ positioned the dark elf archers in front of the clerics. Although they were designated as ranged fighters, the archers of the Jol Clan were also rogues. They were dagger experts who could see through stealth.
Eighteen shield bearers were each paired with two ranged fighters. QJ assigned himself and Lotte to Breeze. On either side of him, Sato held a shield for Tempest (Maya) and Jigsaw (Nina), while Nexxus shielded Ringo and Mai' Tai.
The Riders built two separate sniper nests four hundred meters from the center of the pit.
[Raid: QJ] Raid Brief Incoming.
[OP vs. Night Rattler]
This is going to be a ranged battle. Our target has shown a weakness to fire damage but is very resilient to everything else. Avoid meleeing him if he closes on your position; retreat if you can, but not in the direction of our clerics.
[Shieldmates]
There will be 18 shieldmates set in stationary positions around the target. If your health is getting low, take cover behind a shield and wait for healing.
[Spawning Adds]
Our eight Riders will deal with any adds that come. This is their primary responsibility.
[Clerics]
Focus AoE heals on the shield bearers. Sarah Jol will be doing our BRs (Battle Rez).
[Archers]
Rain flame arrows on our target.
[Ranged DPS]
We'll be in the thick of it without any tanks. Engage Rattler from behind your shieldmate. If you die, get rezzed and return to your position before reengaging.
[Wranglers]
Jigsaw and I will focus on dps, but if Rattler starts to roam, we'll use our pull ability to lock him down.
[Molotov Cocktails]
Each of the shieldmates has three. Keep them in reserve at the start.
[Raid: QJ] Everyone should know their responsibilities; ask now if you have a question.
[Raid: Ringo] As always, use group chat for comms and raid chat if you need healing, rezzing, or see something that needs to be addressed.
[Raid: QJ] The front line will be broken down into six-person groups, two shieldmates, and four ranged damage.
[Command Group]
Breeze: Shield
QJ
Lotte
Nexxus: Shield
Ringo
Mai' Tai
[Raid: QJ] Finish any last-minute preparation; we'll start in two minutes.
Two minutes later, QJ targeted Night Rattler and waited. The figure sat calmly on his dark throne, surrounded by a constant haze of black smoke. His posture was different from the last time they saw him. Rattler held his six guns in either hand, resting them both on the arm of the chair while his shotgun leaned against the throne.
[Night Rattler] World Boss Level ?? (22,000,000/22,000,000)
[Raid: QJ] I want everyone's best shot for the opening; we'll synch it with a five-second timer. Sarah will give updates on his health bar.
[Raid: Sarah] Night Rattler 100 percent!
[Raid: QJ] Starting timer now. [Timer] 5...4...3...2...1...GO!
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 19,103 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 3,821 damage.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Ringo has hit the target for 6,199 and 3,477 damage.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Lotte has hit the target for 5,122 and 3,671 damage.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Mai Tai has hit the target for no damage.
Night Rattler flattened back on his throne, dark eyes widened in pain, and he burst into flames an instant later.
Night Rattler catches fire and takes 206,113 damage.
[Raid: Sarah] 601k damage, 97 percent.
Night Rattler screamed in agony, shooting randomly into the Raid. One shot blasted the ground near Breeze; the shield took the impact, her heels digging deep into the ground, driving her back a step. Nexxus's shield took a shot head-on, blasting him, Ringo, and Mai Tai high into the air.
[Mai Tai] has been slain.
Nexxus and Ringo lost a large chunk of their health.
[Raid: QJ] Keep the pressure on.
[Group: Ringo] Recover and return to the shield, Tai.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 16,188 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 3,238 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Ringo has emptied her gun into multiple targets for 4,324 damage,2,754 damage, and (Critical Hit) 8,491 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Lotte has emptied her gun into multiple targets for 2,531 damage, 4,111 damage, and (Critical Hit) 9,001 damage.
OP poured damage onto Night Rattler, engulfing him in a constant pillar of flames.
[Raid: Sarah] 95 percent.
"NO MORE!" A sphere surrounded Night Rattler as he knelt on one knee, his hand buried in the ground.
[Aimed-Shot]
QJ has hit the target for No Damage.
[Direct Shot]
Ringo has hit the target for No Damage
[Double Direct Shot]
Lotte has hit the target for No Damage.
[Raid: QJ] Hold fire.
"DESTROY THEM," the hardened tar surrounding Night Rattler bubbled as a dozen black pit vipers slithered from the depths. They were three meters long and as thick as a person's leg; their rattles filled the air.
[Raid: QJ] 50-level elites, leave them to our snipers.
[Group: Mai Tai] I'm back.
Night Rattler walked back to his throne, still protected by the sphere of invulnerability. There were still three snakes alive when he took his seat. Instantly, his health began to recover.
[Raid: QJ] The snakes hard to kill?
[Raid: Chainy] They have a ton of HP.
[Raid: QJ] Next time he becomes invulnerable, everyone assist in taking down the adds.
Night Rattler remained seated until the last of his summons died. "YOU SHALL SUFFER!"
[Raid: QJ] Open fire.
[Raid: Sarah] Back at 97 percent.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Mai Tai has hit the target for no damage.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 22,188 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 4,438 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Ringo has emptied her gun into multiple targets for (Critical Hit) 9,004 damage, 3,101 damage, and (Critical Hit) 8,888 damage.
[Direct Shot]
Lotte has hit her target for 11,322 damage.
[Raid: Sarah] 95 percent]
OP continued their assault, keeping the Tar Pit Lord screaming in misery. The random shots from Night Rattler grew more accurate; Sato's group took two direct shots, killing him and the two sheltering behind.
[Raid: Sarah] 91 percent.
At 90 percent, he knelt again, surrounded by a black sphere.
[Raid: QJ] Everyone Prepare for adds; we can't let him recover!
"DIE NOW, ONE PROBLEM!" Night Rattler raised both hands into the air; the haze of smoke that hung over the pit rushed toward him, swirling around. The cawing of ravens filled the sky before a flock emerged from the darkness and attacked.
[Raid: QJ] Fliers! Take them down. Breeze light your Molotovs, Sato; prepare to light yours.
Night Rattler turned back toward his throne, walking slowly with his pistols in hand.
[Group: Breeze] Throw it at him? He's invulnerable.
[Group: QJ] Aim for the throne.
Breeze lobbed the cocktail, an instant later, it smashed against the throne, setting it ablaze. Night Rattler stopped before the throne, his dark eyes staring into the flames.
[Raid: QJ] Throw it, Sato. Aim for the Throne.
A second cocktail hit the throne just as the flames from the first started dying out. QJ dodged and slashed diagonally with his falcata when an enormous raven swooped at him. [Roll Credits] sliced it in half, killing it instantly. There were twice as many birds as the last summons, but they were common mobs and died quickly under OP's assault.
[Raid: QJ] Sphere is gone; light him up.
Night Rattler's Defensive capabilities have decreased.
[Direct Shot]
Mai Tai has hit the target for 3 damage.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 33,908 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 6,782 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Ringo has emptied her gun into multiple targets for 6,022 damage, 5,667 damage, and (Critical Hit) 12,542 damage.
[Double Direct Shot]
Lotte has hit her target for 16,320 damage and 9,544 damage.
[Group: Mai Tai] Scratched him.
[Raid: QJ] Keep it up. He's taking more damage.
The inferno that surrounded Night Rattler continued. His attacks were limited to random snapshots that tore up great pieces of tar and sent targets flying. Breeze was hit by a ricochet that sent her back a few steps, a second shot scored immediately after blasting QJ, Lotte, and the Chero into the air.
QJ slammed onto the ground and rolled to his feet while Lotte took another random hit and died instantly without a shield to protect her.
[Group: QJ] Recover and hurry back.
Breeze was already in place when QJ returned to their spot; ducking behind the shield again, he opened fire.
[Group: Breeze] Bad news, QJ. My shield quality is down to 55 percent. Two more hits, three tops, and it's toast.
[Raid: QJ] Is anyone's shield quality before 50 percent?
[Raid: Nexxus] 44.
[Raid: Lil Jack] 48.
[Raid: Verta] 42.
[Raid: Sarah] Night Rattler is at 81 percent.
[Raid: QJ] Sato and Breeze, keep burning the throne.
A dark sphere appeared around Night Rattler; his murderous eyes stared at his attackers.
"UNCHAINED! LET'S BE FRIENDS!" Night Rattler made a gesture; instantly, Chainy appeared inside the sphere.
[Group: QJ] Fuck...
Chainy got off the first shot; unfortunately, Night Rattler burst into flames, turning the sphere into a mass of fire that instantly killed her.
Rattler screamed inside the ball of inferno, his arms flapping like a bird on fire. The sphere faded after a few seconds, leaving behind an angry World Boss.
[Raid: Sarah] Night Rattler at 72 percent.
[Raid: QJ] Open fire.
QJ continued firing while considering the options. One death for nearly ten percent of the boss's health.
[Raid: Chainy] Weapon and armor are destroyed. I am switching to my old rifle.
QJ swore under his breath, definitely not worth it.
[Raid: QJ] You out of fire ammo?
[Raid: Chainy] No, I kept the one you let me field test.
[Raid: QJ] If Night Rattler calls your name, stow your weapon.
[Raid: QJ] Who are the top three on the dps chart?
[Raid: Sarah] Chainy was first; now it's Junzo, then Marric and Dunnie.
The next few minutes saw the Raid progress quickly. At 65 percent, Junzo was summoned, then at 60 and 55 percent, Marric and Dunnie, respectively. All three managed to stow their weapons when their names were called. All of Exodus watched as OP approached the halfway point.
[Raid: Sarah] Night Rattler 51 percent; three highest dps are QJ, Riker, and Ringo.
QJ swore under his breath, immediately switching the new armor he picked from the vault with his old one.
[Direct Shot]
Mai Tai has hit the target for 22 damage.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 41,911 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 8,382 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Ringo has emptied her gun into multiple targets for 9,016 damage, 5,943 damage, and (Critical Hit) 22,012 damage.
[Double Direct Shot]
Lotte has hit her target for 19,300 damage and 9,199 damage.
OP continued to pour on the damage. Whatever tricks or phases Night Rattler had were nullified by the fire that constantly raged around him.
"QJ! LET'S BE FRIENDS!" Night Rattler gestured for QJ to join him, and the OP Vice Leader appeared instantly.
QJ stepped toward Night Rattler in a crouch, batting one of Rattler's guns aside; he moved forward and jumped, slamming his shoulder under the World Boss's chin and snapping his head back.
"YOU!" Night Rattler holstered one gun, then, quick as a flash, grabbed QJ's shoulder and pulled toward him before he could dodge away.
QJ stepped forward, pushing in the same direction while hooking his heel behind Night Rattler's leg. A surprised World Boss fell backward, contacting the sphere and causing it to disappear. OP's Vice Leader rolled free, nabbed Rattler's shotgun from the throne, and fled toward his shield group.
[Raid: Chainy] What the hell?
[Raid: Tempest] Push-force.
[Raid: QJ] Shoot him! Why are you waiting?
QJ sprinted towards Breeze with Night Rattler hot on his heels. An instant later, the Lord of the Pit was engulfed in flames as OP's DPS opened fire.
QJ skidded to a stop, taking cover behind Breeze and her shield.
[Group: Breeze] If I weren't wearing embarrassing granny underwear, I'd throw them at you.
[Group: Lotte] No kidding.
The Songbirds watched from the edge of the perimeter, just behind the clerics.
[Songbird: Nightingale] Impressive.
[Songbird: Thrush] Fierce.
[Songbird: Robin] That's my baby, hear his roar!
The Raid continued. Night Rattler's random shooting destroyed three shields, including Breeze's. QJ directed the shield bearers to retreat to the cleric area while the exposed dps continued to fire, hoping to dodge random shots.
[Raid: Sarah] Night Rattler at 46 percent; next on the dps chart are Riker, Ringo, and Lotte.
No one was summoned at 45 percent; the Raid progressed smoothly, and OP's ability to keep flames on Night Rattler continued to neutralize him. The World Boss's defense dropped steadily, causing the Raid's dps to climb despite being hampered by frequent deaths.
The Raid approached 20 percent without any more summons.
[Raid: Sarah] 21 percent... Riker, Ringo and Lotte... Maybe QJ scared him?
"SIERRA SANDHEALER! LET'S BE FRIENDS!" Night Rattler gestured toward Ra, but she did not appear.
The words were barely out of Rattler's mouth before QJ charged toward the dark sphere with his weapon drawn. At the center of the clerics, Ra stood calmly; water staff held out in front of her while brown eyes locked onto Night Rattler.
QJ was a step away when the dark sphere ruptured, staggering Night Rattler.
[Night Rattler has received a mortal wound.]
Mindless of the damage that occurred the last time he used a melee weapon against the World Boss, [Roll Credits] was already high overhead; it sliced downward through Night Rattler's right arm like a hot wire through cold cheese.
[Night Rattler has entered a state of high vulnerability.]
"NOOOO!" Night Rattler roared in agony, flailing his stump toward QJ, spraying him with black blood.
(Critical Injury: Lost limb)
QJ retreated a few steps, kicking the amputated arm away as, once again, Night Rattler turned into a pillar of flame. Tai flashed forward and pried the pistol from the dead hand before stashing it away for safekeeping.
[Raid: Sarah] 11 percent.
Although limited to one arm, Night Rattler mindlessly scattered shots into the Raid force as his life force evaporated to the smallest fragment. Collapsing to his knees, the flames extinguished, leaving him a smoldering mess. "I shall remember this One Problem. This won't be t..."
The hissing of a heavy blade cut short whatever words Night Rattler was going to say. His head flopped backward off his shoulders to bounce on the ground while his body stood in place, spurting blood high into the air before collapsing forward.
QJ swiped [Roll Credits] through the air, ridding it of Night Rattler's blood before holstering it.
*Ding* 61
Night Rattler has been slain!
[System Message] One Problem's Guild Reputation has increased by 1000.
[Guns and Gore Announcement] All Servers: One Problem has achieved the First Kill of [Night Rattler]. All One Problem members are awarded two levels.
[System Message] The One Problem Guild has received the deed to [Blackridge Keep].
QJ grinned from ear to ear moments before Lotte, Breeze, and Sato mobbed him. Guild chat was filled with the shouts and screams of OP as they celebrated their first World Boss.
[OP: Ringo] Fantastic! Very nice job, everyone.
Amid the hugs, back pounding, and high fives, it wasn't lost on anyone that a glowing pile of loot stood where the black throne had been located. A smiling Tai caught up with QJ, giving him the pistol she removed from Rattler's hand.
"I went up five levels when he died! Then two more when we were awarded the kill!" The girl who never smiled wore a grin wide enough to eat her face. QJ took a screenshot on the sly before giving Tai a high-five.
[Raid: QJ] Great work. Give us a few minutes to review the loot, and we'll post it for bidding.
