Sulyvahn and the Backyard

"Give your gear one last check!"

Standing in front of the Irithyll Cathedral, Sid spoke loudly.

The members of the expedition team checked their equipment and tools.

Everyone who arrives here undergoes Kindling Secret Ritual to enhance their mental strength, receives Element Bottle, and carries at least five fire-resistant and Anti-Magic Dried Livers, three Invigorate Potion, and several other potions.

The equipment must have the [Fire Resistance] and [Magic Resistance] enchantments to ensure that the enchantments on the equipment can be used properly.

Some of the members of the expedition team were acquaintances: Sid, Leon, Lu Lu Wo, Elsa, and the Hasawi Squad who had come just for the fun.

The Farron Guard heard news of demons appearing somewhere and were dispatched as a whole. They are probably still on their way, which is why Da Er hasn't arrived yet.

To repay her aunt's kindness during the Meteor Shower, Si Telan is currently working diligently under Wei En Ma, so she can't come either.

Apart from a few familiar faces, the rest of the people were handpicked by Guild Master Sid. They were all outstanding adventurers with reliable strength. After all, the excellent adventurers attracted to the Zane Dungeon couldn't possibly be just Leon and his group; they just happened to be more famous.

After much deliberation, adventurers of average Strategy Team, such as Malu and Ta Mi, who were not captains in the raiding party, were not selected.

Upon hearing the news, Earl Ka Rong specifically recommended a capable subordinate, a mercenary named Si Tan, who has now been promoted to head guard of the Bede Family.

Sid assessed Si Tan and thought his abilities were quite good, and had already hired him. However, the night after Stan met with the members of the expedition team, news came that he had fallen seriously ill, so he had to withdraw.

It is said that when Si Tan saw Elsa, he hissed like a frightened wildcat and made an excuse to slip away.

There's no need to worry about teamwork among the members of the expedition team. Everyone is capable, and after a few days of getting to know each other—meaning teaming up to challenge all of Sen's bosses—they now cooperate perfectly, and some have even developed a bond with each other.

Prior to today, at Sid's request, everyone except Fingel had sworn the oath of the Sun Warrior, because...

"[Sunlight Nourishment]."

Why did Sid, who swore to be the "Princess's Guardian," unleash a miracle that continuously restored the life force of those around him, even though none of his expeditionary force members were injured?

Because he had guessed correctly, the oaths of "Princess's Guardian" and "Sun Warrior" actually had a synergistic effect.

On others, the effects of Sunlight Nourishment are merely superficial, but on Sun Warrior Oathbringer, this miracle greatly enhances strength and invigorates the spirit, making them "heroic." It's equivalent to being simultaneously subjected to a high-level Invigorate Spell and a high-level Berserk Spell, and all things considered, it even saves mana.

This time, Sid didn't buff the Buff Magic team like he did with Solaire. After casting a few general spells, he turned and pushed open the cathedral door.

As solemn background music began, Pontiff Sulyvahn's Phantom appeared in the center of the venue.

"Just like we rehearsed before, begin the operation!"

Matilda and another adventurer carrying two Greatshield charged forward, both wearing necklaces made of multiple Lure Skull, making them look like Sha Wujing who had just crawled out of the Flowing Sand River.

With so many Lure Skull, even Sulyvahn Phantom would have to take a second look at them. However, he seemed to resist the temptation of the skulls and instead ran towards the only one in the entire field wearing light armor, Sid.

"Just as I thought."

Sid waved his hand and commanded, "Stink Bomb, fire!"

Lu Lu Wo swung her arms, and a large number of chains emerged from under her cloak, hurling a barrage of Stink Bomb at the Sulyvahn Phantom. Her appearance made people hallucinate as Doctor Octopus.

A large number of Stink Bomb can indeed have an effect on Sulyvahn Phantom, a conclusion reached by adventurers after numerous verifications.

Sure enough, the opponent became noticeably agitated the moment they sensed the stench and turned to attack Matilda and the Greatshield Adventurer.

What's strange is that Dung Pie can attract hatred, while Stink Bomb, which smell similar to Dung Pie, can repel monsters. The reason behind this is still unclear to this day.

While the two at the front line resisted the attack, several adventurers had already run to their pre-arranged positions and slammed the magic scrolls in their hands onto the ground.

Each scroll formed a complex Magic Array on the ground. With a wave of his hand, Sid connected several Magic Array together, perfectly enveloping the Sulyvahn Phantom in the center!

Even a fool could sense something was wrong at this point. The phantom ran towards the outside of the Magic Array, but suddenly an immense pressure came, causing him to stumble and fall to his knees, unable to move.

He looked like Omen Oni restrained by prison shackles, but he seemed ready to break free at any moment.

There are only two seconds to attack, and adventurers need to use all their strength to inflict normal damage on it, which means that everyone probably only has one chance to strike!

Leon raised the Caria Straight Sword high, and the Great Carian's light gathered on the sword. Fingel raised the Night and Flame Sword, and flames clung to the blade and ignited. A magical light flickered in Sid's eyes, and with a wave of his hand, an ice cone, or rather an iceberg, that covered the dome of the church suddenly took shape. The other adventurers also brought out their signature skills.

In a fit of rage Sulyvahn Phantom broke free of the Magic Array, but the iceberg that crashed down formed a new restraint. Just as the flames of the Profaned Greatsword melted it, a variety of colorful attacks rained down on him!

In an instant, all sorts of wounds appeared on Sulyvahn Phantom body, probably the greatest trauma he had ever suffered since his appearance.

Just as he was about to get up, Elsa, wielding a giant sword, appeared in the form of Lion Slash. The massive sword, as heavy as an iron gate, slammed heavily onto Sulyvahn Phantom's head, forcing him to kneel on one knee again. The shockwave instantly blew away the shattered stones on the ground.

"My God, that's incredible?"

Seeing Elsa's incredible strength, some people were stunned. They hadn't realized this little girl was so strong during training, and her expression looked so ferocious, almost like...

To give a somewhat impolite example, it's like Sulyvahn Phantom killed her family.

Thanks to Elsa creating another opening, people were fortunate enough to have another chance to attack, and they all unleashed their ultimate moves.

Matilda took a few steps back, her pretty face beneath the helmet gritting her teeth as she resisted the urge to wear the Hell March.

This armor and weaponry had to be tailored to Elsa, ignoring even her, the "master," as she was told. Even for the sake of her own pride, she couldn't allow the Hell March to reach Elsa.

Sulyvahn Phantom got up and launched an even fiercer offensive. People responded according to the tactics they had previously summarized, and the entire battlefield appeared quite orderly.

However, an unexpected change occurred. Sulyvahn Phantom suddenly changed his tactics, transforming from a straightforward and powerful style into a tricky and unpredictable one. This was a set of moves that no one had ever seen before, and the battlefield immediately descended into chaos.

The adventurer really thinks that Sion only uses one template?

Sid observed the battlefield, adding Buff Magic to the troops as needed. When he saw Sulyvahn Phantom change its tactics, he took the initiative to act as a nail to stabilize morale, directing the troops' actions through telepathy.

While others are fighting hand-to-hand, he's more like playing real-time strategy. There's nothing he can do about it, since he's suffering from hidden injuries and can't fully unleash his power.

Under his micro-management, the battlefield, which had been in chaos for a moment, returned to order. Unfortunately, two people had been sent back to the campfire, making the battle even more difficult for the players.

"If things continue like this, victory shouldn't be a problem," Sid thought, as the Sunlight Nourishment, adding vitality to everyone.

The premise is that nothing unexpected happens.

Suddenly, Sulyvahn Phantom turned its sword around, and as it spun, the Profaned Greatsword drew a perfect circle of fire on the ground. Crimson flames ignited at the edge and then spread rapidly towards the group like wildfire.

In the blink of an eye, the entire church was filled with the Profaned Flame!

"No problem, we're all equipped with magical gear that makes us almost immune to burning, so a mere fire is nothing to worry about!"

However, this is the Sin Flame.

The Sin Flame that brought ultimate humiliation upon Iliphis!

The moment they were brought close to the flames, everyone saw the flames reflected in their eyes, and in the fire, they saw their unbearable past.

In the blink of an eye, the entire battlefield fell silent except for the sound of flames burning.

Even Sid frowned, revealing a distorted expression, and closed its eyes tightly.

"Tap, tap"

Sulyvahn Phantom walks amidst the frozen people and flames, his tattered papal robes igniting sparks as he thrusts his weapons in both directions.

Aleya and another adventurer were instantly pierced, their bodies flung out like rag dolls, turning to ashes before they even hit the ground and returning to the campfire.

Wait, wait, wait, what's going on with this move? Why isn't it in the footage provided by the adventurers?

Sid and his men knew that the flames of the Profaned Greatsword would cause hallucinations, so they had prepared mental potions in advance, but the attack just now left them no time to take the potions.

Gong Qiying, observing this scene, made a comment:

"It should be common sense that the BOSS Ultimate Skill when it is at half health and transitions to a new phase."

With a "whoosh," Lu Lu Wo and Fingel were pierced one after another. Lu Lu Wo turned to ashes as she hit the ground, while Fingel's life was more tenacious, and she was still struggling.

Since he was going to die anyway, Sulyvahn Phantom ignored him and walked toward Elsa, with adventurers falling like weeds as he passed by.

Is there really no way to fight it after you get infected?

Sid is struggling to wake up, but the Sin Flame is especially kind to him.

Just then, the sound of air being cut came from behind Sulyvahn Phantom —it was a sneak attack!

He didn't even need to defend against this level of attack. With a shrug, his bark, as hard as a giant tree, deflected the Flying Dagger Fingel threw at him. The flames on the ground swarmed towards Fingel like snakes, ending his life.

Sulyvahn Phantom walked up to Sid, whose hands reflexively released attack magic, but it was blocked by the Profaned Greatsword, while another Punishment Greatsword was raised high!

"Boom--"

A heavy sound rang out, Sulyvahn Phantom sheathed his weapon and slowly turned around.

Behind him, Sid was completely unharmed. Had he not been attacked at all?

Yes, because someone's sudden attack deflected the direction of Sulyvahn Phantom attack.

At that moment, an unexpected figure stood in front of Sulyvahn Phantom, a straight sword forming a distinct wound on his thigh.

Who is it?

This is an illusory spirit. Although its color is crimson, its unique armor patterns and form are actually those of the Brass Woman of Anor Londo!?

Not far away, Matilda, who had already awakened, activated the Hell March, and more and more illusory spirits appeared on the battlefield.

"Fingel, you've really got guts!"

She clutched her shoulder, where a Flying Dagger was embedded—the very same one that had been deflected by Sulyvahn Phantom, now deeply embedded in Matilda's shoulder.

Logically, intense pain shouldn't nullify the effects of the Sin Flame, but the Flying Dagger were coated with a concentrated Invigorate Potion —a tool the guild had specially researched to combat the Sin Flame!

"Everyone, wake up!"

The Brass Woman, formed from the Hell March and Elsa, lunged at the Sulyvahn Phantom to engage in combat, while the spirits that formed around each adventurer pulled out Invigorate Potion from their "masters" and roughly forced them into their mouths.

The next moment, the eyes of those who were still alive cleared.

"Alright, let's launch a counterattack, everyone!" Matilda shouted quickly.

However, people's reactions seemed a bit off. They were still a little dazed after waking up from the Sin Flame because they had seen the things they least wanted to see. But as soon as they came to their senses, they saw the spirits that appeared after the Hell March began. Each lifelike spirit could make them "suffer", which matched the experience brought by the Sin Flame!

This dealt a devastating blow to the adventurers' spirits!

Some people collapsed to the ground, clutching their heads and questioning the meaning of life.

"No way!?" Matilda was starting to question her own abilities. Was her use of a weapon a brilliant move or a cliché?

Fortunately, at this critical moment, Sid regained its senses and unleashed a collective morale boost, reigniting people's fighting spirit.

"This guy dared to exploit my childhood! I'll tear him to pieces!" an adventurer shouted angrily.

Now everyone knows that his most painful memory is his childhood.

When the adventurers regained consciousness, it was as if they had triggered some rule; the fire on the field instantly shrank, and Sulyvahn Phantom became able to be injured by attacks that were not delivered at full strength.

One of the rules of Sulyvahn Phantom is that he is immune to attacks other than those delivered with full force.

Rule Two: Once all adventurers have been burned by the Sin Flame and regained consciousness, Rule One will temporarily disappear.

It has finally been discovered that the triggering conditions for rule two are indeed quite difficult.

The adventurers are now mentally devastated, yet their rage is rising rapidly, and they are displaying an unprecedented level of aggression.

Sulyvahn Phantom suddenly had a bunch of injuries, and the prize pool was still accumulating!

Sid unleashed a Buff Magic that far surpassed the level of advanced magic, and Elsa, propelled by the Brass Woman, instantly rushed in front of Sulyvahn Phantom.

"Drink it!"

Flames erupted from the greatsword, instantly changing the color of her hair. The next moment, the blade slashed a wound of unprecedented severity into the enemy's body!

Taking advantage of the moment when the phantom was stunned, the other adventurers quickly followed, unleashing a barrage of colorful magic and Weapon Skill!

The flames that had burned the entire cathedral went out.

When the Sulyvahn Phantom fell to the ground, exploded violently, and vanished into ashes, the adventurers cheered.

We finally won!

The Pontiff's Phantom Soul appeared before everyone, and various rewards burst forth in front of them. Looking at the ground covered with light spots, people felt a sense of joy from the harvest.

If they sold all the rewards they got after this victory, they could live off them for a whole year!

Just as people were excitedly taking stock of their spoils, Lu Lu Wo, who had run back from the campfire, and the other resurrected adventurers looked on with envy and jealousy. Damn it, they were unlucky and didn't get any rewards.

Matilda quickly dispelled the effects of Hell March, fearing that she would be disliked by others again.

Elsa watched the Brass Woman disappear, breathed a sigh of relief, and walked over to Lu Lu Wo, who was stamping her feet in envy, with a bunch of light spots in her hands.

"For me?" she asked in surprise.

"Pick whatever you like," Elsa said magnanimously.

After some thought, Lu Lu Wo that she still had to save face and wouldn't accept a reward for someone she hadn't personally killed.

"Just you wait and see, there's definitely more good stuff to come."

As she spoke, she jogged through the cathedral and reached the door at the far end. The adventurers had long been curious about what lay behind that door and what made Sulyvahn Phantom the Phantom guard it.

Standing in front of the door, she couldn't help but sigh:

"What a big yard!"

Behind the door was a spacious courtyard; perhaps this place should be called Irithyll's Backyard?

For some reason, as Lu Lu Wo gazed at the backyard, she suddenly felt her heart pounding faster, her hand gripping her weapon itching to strike, and she suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to invade.

"Such a spacious backyard, it would be so much fun to fight with others, wouldn't it?" she murmured to herself.

"Did you find anything?"

Sid's voice came from behind her. She shook her head and was about to turn around to speak.

But when she was halfway around, she seemed to see something and suddenly froze.

"What's this?" Sid also saw something and exclaimed in surprise.

The adventurers gathered around, asking if anyone had found anything good. Lu Lu Wo was jostled and stumbled, falling down the steps.

Elsa, who was wiping her greatsword in the crowd, followed everyone's gaze.

Clang.

The greatsword suddenly fell and hit her toes, but her attention was now completely drawn to something else.

In the distance, a magnificent castle stands majestically, covered in ice and snow.

The snow was falling heavily, but the weight of time had settled on the castle.

"Ah, Anor Londo!?"