MMO: Pierce Heaven Til’ It Breaks

The main tanks charged forward to surround him, but the Holy Shield Paladin was already in a frenzy. No one could withstand his Shield Impact, and the encirclement was broken in no time.

“Death’s Grasp!”

During their moment of danger, Queen Jiaojiao who had gone unnoticed, flaunted her abilities once more. She extended and contracted her hands rhythmically, dragging the frenzied Paladin until it was before her.

The main tanks lunged forward, and the melee DPS accompanied them. Three more layers of players encased the original three, locking the Paladin like a metal pail and preventing it from using Shield Impact.

“How is this even possible…” Confused Fox was surprised at the sight.

Although the Black Paladin was a hidden class, the class-change requirements were quite low, enabling many to change their classes into a Black Paladin as well. Currently, there were many players who had class-changed into a Black Paladin in the game.

Taking the team that Li Yi was leading as an example, with the exception of Jiaojiao, there were three more Black Paladins.

Bosses were generally immune to crowd-control abilities. This was common knowledge to players, but Jiaojiao’s Death’s Grasp had trampled upon that knowledge. While she dragged the boss as she pleased, everyone else stared in bewilderment.

Confused Fox privately messaged the Black Paladins in his guild, telling them to use Death’s Grasp as well. However, the results were disappointing. A huge ‘Immune’ appeared above the boss head, indicating that their skill was ineffective.

“Kill him quickly! Muster up your firepower and kill this tanky Holy Shield b*stard first.” Jiaojiao brandished her Rune Greatsword, her face filled with jubilation.

As long as the party’s equipment were up to par and had fought according to the battle strategy, killing the Light Paladin Trio would not pose too much of a problem. Furthermore, the party was handpicked by Li Yi and was the best among the best within the Iron Alliance. Aside from Jiaojiao, everyone’s Gear Score was already above 135 points.

The Holy Shield Paladin’s HP depleted rapidly. In no time at all, his HP had been equalized with the Holy Paladin’s.

The party split-up yet again and attacked both Paladins together.

Their HP depleted steadily, and when their HP reached around 3,000,000, their healing rate suddenly increased.

“Focus your attacks on the Holy Shield Paladin!”

The Holy Paladin self-healed. The Holy Light Healing Spell that used three seconds to cast replenished 2,000,000 of her HP. After all her health had been regained, she would immediately begin to heal the Holy Shield Paladin. Thus, the party was racing against the clock to slay the Holy Shield Paladin.

Although all of the party’s ultimate skills were on cooldown, they had several methods to raise their damage. The easiest way of all was to — abuse potions!

Fury Potion, Advanced-level Unlimited Fury Potion, DEX Potion, INT potion…

All of these potions were brought by everyone as they were a necessity. Otherwise, they would be unqualified to join the all-star team.

After a barrage of attacks, the Holy Shield Paladin collapsed. Only the Holy Paladin remained now. She let loose pained wails as she ran to the Holy Shield Paladin’s corpse. She was attempting to use Redemption to revive him.

A red-text appeared above the Holy Paladin, but Li Yi quickly let loose Muting Shot, which interrupted her casting.

“Keep interrupting her! We’ve got this!”

The Holy Paladin relentlessly used Redemption, but she needed at least ten seconds in order to complete the spell. With a casting time that long, the players would be fools to let her succeed.

The Holy Paladin’s HP dropped rapidly. Since she gave her all to resurrecting the Holy Shield Paladin, she spent much less time healing herself.

The Holy Paladin’s attacks were weak, and her healing abilities were her only defining trait. Since she was the only one left, she posed little threat to the team. All they had to do was to interrupt her Redemption and slowly grind her to death.

After ten or so minutes, the Holy Paladin had collapsed as well. With that, the first boss of Light Conference had been successfully defeated!

The death toll of this battle was 61 people, which was double the amount of the previous attempt.

“Everyone, back off! No one is allowed to loot the corpse. Those who defy my orders will immediately be kicked!” shouted Confused Fox.

The Priests and Paladins went off to resurrect their teammates whereas the others stayed clear of the bosses’ corpses.

Although the Light Priests and Paladins’ Resurrection Spells were useless in battle, it was undoubtedly much better than the Sky Vagabond’s Battle Resurrect at times like this.

“How about we decide the looting privilege by rolling the dice? Whoever that gets the highest point gets to loot the corpse.” Pretty Good Mood was now resurrected, and he immediately stated his opinion on the matter.

“No problem!”

“Hahaha, this is great! Now, this is fair!”

Several people nodded in agreement, and almost everyone voted in favor of the motion.

Only Li Yi remained silent. When it was his turn to roll the dice, he forfeited instead as he decided not to roll.

After a year’s worth of experience, nearly everyone knew that their Guild Master had a trash hand. So until the dice-rolling was over, everyone disregarded Li Yi.

Flower Underpants had the greatest luck as he had rolled the maximum possible score of 100 points right out the bat, successfully attaining the privilege to loot the corpses.

“Guild Master Hua, I hope that you’ll be blessed with a God Hand. My Horn of Hope rests in your hands.” The Paladin, Golden Gun muttered to himself.

Although the Light Paladin Trio did not drop any Tier 2 Equipment Sets, they had a fixed chance of dropping one of the best items that were below Level 100 for main tanks. It was a Special Accessory called Horn of Hope, and its effect was to reduce incoming damage by 50%, which was much better than Orlando’s Charity.

Flower Underpants extended his hands toward the Holy Paladin first. He had been brushing his hands around the corpse for a while, but nothing popped out.

“Jesus Christ, Brother Hua, where on earth are you touching? Do you think that you’ll get an equipment drop by groping her t*ts? If you can’t do it, I’ll do it for you.” Confused Fox could watch no longer.

“I’m only getting a feel of it, chill.” Flower Underpants shot an irritated glare at Confused Fox. He reached his hands downwards and an Item Panel popped out.

Ding!

Two gold-colored equipment and three purple-colored equipment appeared before the masses.

The item drop rates of the bosses in the Light and Dark Party-level Instance Dungeons were highly addictive. The reason for this was simple, as even the worst equipment that was dropped was confirmed to be gold-colored.

All of the equipment drops from the Holy Paladin were equipable by Healing-class players. Both the gold-colored equipment had average stats, and only one purple-colored equipment stood out amongst the three of them. It was called ‘Sasha’s Coveted Jade’.

[Sasha’s Coveted Jade (Special Accessory)]

[Equipment Level: Level 60]

[Mana Limit increased by 1,500 points]

[Special Effect: Mana regeneration rate increased by 30%]

[Special Effect: When casting Healing Spells, there is a fixed chance to double the healing effect.]

[Note: This Is Sasha’s most-cherished possession. She keeps it close to her at all times and it has a strong fragrance…]

…

One of the remaining purple-colored equipment was a shirt and the other one was a pair of bracers. Their stats were nothing special and their only redeeming quality was that they had better attributes than gold-colored equipment.

The healers were immediately ecstatic upon seeing Sasha’s Coveted Jade. The increased mana cap was already amazing as it allowed them to cast more spells, but the doubled healing effectiveness was something straight out of their dreams. Since the effects came together, it was highly alluring for the healers.

“I’ll offer 3,000 Gold Coins for it!”

“I’ll give 6,000!”

“10,000 …”

The healers had already begun to shout before Flower Underpants had even looted the next corpse. They had beaten the Light Paladin Trio numerous times, but it was their first-time seeing Sasha’s Coveted Jade.

Wait, no, it was more than that. It was highly likely that this particular Sasha’s Coveted Jade was the first in the game!

“We’ll bid later! Don’t panic!” Pretty Good Mood roared with a tone that pacified the healers temporarily.

Flower Underpants extended his hands to the Punishment Paladin. This time round, he looted quickly. However, the equipment that dropped were pretty average.

There were only three gold-colored equipment and nothing else…

“Now this, this is a Trash Hand!”

“Guild Master Hua, did you remember to wash your hands? How about washing them again before looting, eh?”

The equipment drops from the Punishment Paladin were meant for the DPS. Thus, the results were disappointing for the DPS present.

“Come to papa, Horn of Hope! C’mere!”

The main tanks stood up in excitement when Flower Underpants extended his hand towards the Holy Shield Paladin’s corpse.

Ding!

A chime rang out and out came an Item Panel. Within it, ten equipment were neatly listed down.

Ten gold-colored equipment, that is.

“The heck!”

“What the f*ck is this? I’m almost decked-out in purple equipment, what purpose do I have for gold-colored equipment?!”

“Me too. D*mn it, I haven’t even seen a piece of purple-colored equipment after fighting for so long.”

All the main tanks were irritated.

Pretty Good Mood shook his head as Royal Blue Sky announced, “Let’s get the auction started while we’re waiting for our cooldowns.”

“Alright, auction time!”

Royal Blue Sky was full of energy as he began the auction for the equipment.

Since they were an Internal Auction Party, those who were present had the privilege to get in early bids. Only the equipment that was unneeded by the party members present were auctioned off at the Auction House.

They auctioned off the gold-colored equipment first. With Royal Blue Sky’s exaggeration skills, he was able to turn even the plainest equipment into legendary equipment. His sweet words had deceived ten or so players, and they bought the trash at exorbitant prices.

Li Yi and the others were delighted beyond words. The higher the equipment was sold at, the higher the dividends amongst the party. Since they were the ones who formed the party, they would receive much higher dividends compared to the other members.

Even the two average purple-colored equipment were not spared from Blue Sky’s exaggeration. He had successfully sold them off at 50,000 Gold Coins each, which was five times the price of Li Yi’s and Confused Fox’s appraisal…

With that, the auction for Sasha’s Coveted Jade began in earnest.

Royal Blue Sky placed a starting price of 50,000 Gold Coins, instantly bewildering the healers.

‘Is a starting price of 50,000 Gold Coins even considered valid?’

“Guild Master, I—I want it.” Fire Ice’s face was red as she privately messaged Li Yi.

“51,000!” A healer gritted his teeth as he called out his bid.

“100,000!” Li Yi raised his hands.

The audience was stunned silent.

“Guild Master, why do you even need healing equipment?”

Who would dare to go against Li Yi? Even if he had called out a low bid, no one would have dared to go against him, they would have to face his wrath…

Silence descended onto the scene. Even Royal Blue Sky had kept his mouth shut. With a slam of his hammer, he immediately sold the equipment to Li Yi.

Li Yi immediately gave Sasha’s Coveted Jade to Fire Ice. The naturally meek Fire Ice was too embarrassed to raise her head up.

The masses were suddenly enlightened. He bought it for his side-chick…

“Guild Master, I have the funds for it. I’ll deliver it back to you once we get back.” Fire Ice privately messaged Li Yi.

“You’ve helped me out so many times. Just take it as a token of appreciation. I’m warning you, I’ll get mad if you send me any money.”

‘It’s a gift for me… A gift… for me…’

Fire Ice’s heart beat rapidly. Her tiny hands were grabbing onto Sasha’s Coveted Jade, but her mind had already wandered off to cloud nine…

When her mind finally returned, she suddenly realized that all the party members had already left.

“Guild Master, where are all of you at?”

“We’re in front of the second boss. Come quick! You’re the only one left behind now. We kept on calling you just now, but you didn’t respond. ”

“I’m coming! I’m coming…”

Fire Ice held the jade tightly as she opened up her minimap and hurried towards the party…

…