The Big Bird Group's selfishness had nearly gotten them killed, and the only reason they'd been saved this time was pure luck.
Brigadier General Fraser's Hunter Squad had already been operating in the area. Just as the Big Bird Group was getting themselves killed, they happened to be heading in their direction.
The four symbiont warriors in the Hunter Squad had all sensed the alluring scent of tainted crystals wafting from this hidden trench, so they'd already planned to come investigate. That was how they'd managed to storm into the battle at the most dangerous moment and save the lives of the players—the "fishing dudes"—who'd been hopping back and forth on the brink of death.
The Hunter Squad's timely arrival meant Meow Brother could plan to brag about this on the forums afterward and prove they weren't some kind of black-handed clan! After all, had anyone ever seen a black-handed clan get wiped out only to have a mighty NPC show up and save the day?
Of course, it was also possible this was a required story beat for the ferocious World Boss before them. But what could you do? Players always found all sorts of reasons to rationalize their ridiculous ideas.
"Boom!"
Lady Dragonflame's artillery-like attacks—as befitted a violent mage—kept exploding in bursts of fire across the Abyssal Glutton's enormous body.
The creature had extremely high resistance to fire. But Lady Lina had traveled far down the path of wielding fire psionics, and thanks to Qiuqiute, she seemed to have already been recruited by Kulkhan and granted the power of the Feathered Serpent God. As long as you weren't immune to fire, her supreme flames could always ignore your resistance and deal the DPS they were supposed to.
And since both sides had symbionts, Lady Lina could sense the