Chapter 124 - Luna's Gate Clear (3)

What Luna had used to kill the mid-boss was her strongest skill, [Call of Thunder], a gold grade skill she got by a stroke of luck. Though its name and ability was simple—calling thunder—its effects were anything but.

There were multiple ways she could use [Call of Thunder], and the mode she used was what she called ‘Single Strike’, calling only a single but powerful strike of thunder.

It didn’t even use much mana. Yeah, it took a small chunk, but, it was nowhere close to being excessive. If needed, she could easily cast it over ten more times.

The other modes she had were a bit more taxing and unneeded in a low-mid tier gate like this.

“Should we check out the mid-bosses lair?” Robert asked, “It goes pretty deep into the mountain.”

The ledge the vulture was sleeping on had an entrance behind it. As for why it was sleeping in the open instead of its home?

No one here knew, none of them were that knowledgeable about the vulture. They didn’t even know its exact name.

Luna made a mental note to ask Stella about it later. If someone were to have random monster knowledge, it’d be her under the guise of ‘materials’.

“Hm…Well, sure. We’re taking a small break, everyone.” Jean said, clapping her hands.

Taking a break after the mid-boss clear was common; It’d allow people to reorganize and stable themselves after usually a semi-difficult battle.

Luna one shotting the mid-boss was unexpected but not rare, especially in a surprise attack. So, Jean made the decision to take a break based on the time they’ve spent in the gate rather than everyone’s status.

“Phew! Wow, Luna, that was powerful!” Martin immediately said, hitting his kite shield with his palm, “I could barely stand upright during the aftershock!”

Martin had taken the full force of the aftershock alone, he had activated a skill to expand a barrier so that none of his party would be affected by it. And, it worked, at most, the other members were briefly blinded by the light or could feel the shaking of the earth.

“Just so-so.” Luna shrugged nonchalantly.

“Thank you, Martin, I couldn’t feel a thing.” Kaela said.

“That’s my job, haha!”

The party continued casually chatting while Martin climbed up the cliff to reach the ledge where the vulture was sleeping. He used a skill to aid his free-climb. In just under two minutes, he reached the ledge and climbed on top of it.

He looked into the dark cave for a few moments before deciding it was safe and staked a bolt into the ground, locking it in place with a skill. He tied a rope around the bolt and tossed it down.

“Anyone not know how to climb?” Jean joked.

If someone was a mid-tier awakener and couldn’t climb a rope, that’d be something new. Though, Luna imagined having to carry Stella on her back up a rope and showed a slight smile.

If Stella was here, she’d giggled and happily be carried on Luna’s back even though she very-well could climb a rope.

“I’ll go up first.” Martin said, attaching his shield to his back. His mace hung at his side as he grasped the rope with both hands and hoisted himself up to the ledge.

One by one, every member of the party climbed onto the ledge with Larry going last.

Luna took a look at the vast terrain below them. It really was a beautiful view; With the stony ground stretching for miles mixed with the tops of clouds. The gorgeous blue sky looked down upon them. It was stunning. Luna calmly pulled out her phone from her bag and snapped a few photos. She’d have to show these to Stella later.

“Wow…It’s so beautiful.” Mary commented.

“That’s Mother Nature for you.” Water said.

“Alright, after you’ve had your fill, let’s go.” Jean said, “Explorer, anything dangerous in the cave?” She asked.

“Can’t tell,” Robert shook his head, “There’s something there, but it’s not as dangerous as the mid-boss.”

“Got it, let’s continue our standard formation.” She said.

Martin took the lead with Robert right behind him as they headed into the cave.

…

Robert had a skill that lit up the path ahead of them. They were in some kind of stony corridor. Even after walking for ten minutes, they had yet to come across anything other than rock.

“Is there anything even useful in here?” Amelia complained, “We’ve already walked so far and haven’t found shit.”

“I agree,” Larry chimed in, “Let’s just mark the entrance of this place and have the association scour through it; If there ends up being nothing at the end of this corridor, I’m going to be pissed.”

“No way! If we’ve already come this far, we’ve got to see it through til the end.” Martin retorted.

“We’re approaching an open area,” Robert said, “It’s just a little further.”

Hearing that, Amelia and Larry sighed and stopped complaining.

Soon, the corridor started coming to an end.

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The party walked forth and into a large cave. The ceiling had to be at least several hundred meters up.

“Enemies…” Martin said, pulling out his shield. Everyone saw them but none of them made an immediate move.

The ‘enemies’ Martin had seen were eight baby vultures quietly sleeping, huddled around each other. They were snoozing without a care in the world. Behind them, was another corridor that led to who knows where, it was impossible to get there without waking them.

“Was that vulture a mama vulture…?” Mary quietly mumbled under her breath.

But, everyone there was a mid-tier awakener, they all clearly heard what she said.

“It’s just the cycle of life.” Water said, breaking the silence, “Party Leader, make your decision.” She said.

Currently, they had two major options. The most obvious one is that they could kill the baby vultures. And the second option was that they could just back out and continue clearing the gate.

Jean nodded and turned to the party, “Let’s hear opinions first.”

“I think we should turn back and let the association handle whatever’s in this place.” Martin said, “Even if they’re monsters, I don’t feel good killing babies.”

“No way,” Amelia said, “Like you’ve said, we’ve already come this far, we’ve got to see it through til the very end.”

“That was before I knew there were baby monsters blocking the path. There’s no point of killing them, just let the association deal with them.” Martin retorted.

“Instead of that, how about I just handle them.” Amelia said, “Then, we can continue on and maybe find something worthwhile. You wont be killing them, I will.”

“I’m in favor of just letting the association deal with this place,” Larry said, “Let’s just take a break and continue on with the clear.”

“U-Um…I also don’t want to kill the harmless babies.” Mary quietly added.

“All life is precious, if they’re not a danger, there’s no reason to go out of our way to harm them. The association can offer them to tamer-type classes or something similar.” Pearl said.

“We can’t just knock them out?” Robert asked, “I’d like to continue exploring this place, I’m getting a good feeling from deeper inside.”

“Unlikely,” Jean said, “Unless our mages or supports know sleep magic. I’d rather us not damage them at all if we’re not killing them.”

“I have nothing of the sort.” Water said.

Luna shook her head.

“Pearl? Kaela?” Jean turned to them.

They both shook their heads.

“Alright,” Jean clapped her hands, “We’re backing out. Explorer, leave a mark at the entrance, signally live monsters in here.”

Though Amelia didn’t agree with the decision, what the party leader said was final. So, she held her tongue and nodded.

Ten minutes later, they were back where they killed the mid-boss.

The party rested for another forty minutes before Jean stood up,

“Alright,” She clapped, “Drink your buff potions, we’re continuing with the gate clear. Explorer, lead the way.”

…

The party continued onward for another four hours. During that time, they dispatched multiple groups of monsters. The number of monsters were getting more and more. Towards the end of the gate, they took a small thirty minute break just before they’d reach where the boss lay.

“Just up ahead.” Robert said to the party.

Jean nodded, “Everyone make sure your buffs are up. Supports apply your strongest buffs. Luna, think you can one-shot this one as well?” She asked.

“Doubtful.” Luna shook her head. Though she hadn’t fought a stoneskinned eagle before, she had fought similar monsters, and at most, she could deal a significant amount of damage but never kill them in one hit.

Plus, the same conditions would have to apply, she’d have to get the jump on it. But, her senses were telling her that unlike the mid-boss, this boss wasn’t going to be sleeping and caught off-guard.

“Got it.” Jean nodded, “Then, if possible, I’d still like you to initiate the first strike. Afterwards, we’ll commence the plan as discussed.”

“Affirm.”

With that, the supports applied their buffs to the party again and Luna drank the last of her buff potions.

They each gave each other a nod and headed forth, directly where the boss monster lay.

As the walked over the hill, the spotted it.

Perched on a large boulder, was an eagle over five meters tall. It had luxurious black feathers that gave off the feeling of nobility; Its head was covered in sleek pure white feathers that made it look majestic. The curved, yellow beak of the eagle was so large, it could swallow the toxic spitting goats whole. Though called ‘stoneskinned’ there wasn’t a speck of stone anyone could see.

The second the party reached the top of the hill, the eagle had spotted them. Its gaze was sharp, giving it a naturally angry look, however, after spotting the party, it didn’t move an inch. It was as if the eagle looked down on the party.

“It sees us.” Someone said.

“You think?” Someone let out a chuckle.

After a few moments of their stare down, the eagle slowly spread its wings. Its wingspan was so large, it could embrace a redwood tree with room to spare.

[Call of Thunder]

The second Luna had eyesight on the eagle, she had already begun activating her skill.

But, just before the thunder was about to strike, the eagle looked up towards the sky, noticing something was wrong. Yet, it wasn’t worried or hurried in the slightest, it simply flapped its wings and lifted off the rock.

As it did, the world went white.

BOOM!

The boulder the eagle was standing on fractured into multiple parts; the earth sizzled as a bit of smoke lingered in the air. Yet, the eagle itself was unharmed. There it was, hovering just over the boulder, untouched by even a speck of lightning.

The eagle pinpointed its gaze onto Luna, the bringer of thunder.

Suddenly, Luna felt chills run down her body. The fear started to creep in, yet, immediately after it came, it vanished. Whatever skill the eagle just used, was completely negated by the relaxation potion.

“On me!” Martin shouted, his body glowing.

The eagle looked at Martin for a moment before returning its gaze back to Luna.

“Resisted!” Martin shouted.

“Ranged DPS!” Jean shouted.

Amelia nocked a crystal arrow and shot it at the eagle. It flew through the air, directly towards the eagle’s chest. The arrow landed, but, it didn’t pierce the skin, instead, it got stuck in its feathers.

But, that was fine. Soon, crystals started to grow on the eagle’s feathers, weighing it down.

The eagle noticed something was wrong and started to flap its wings harder, rising further into the air.

As it did, a stream of scolding water flew through the air and struck the eagle.

SCREECH!

The eagle screeched, but, it wasn’t out of pain.

A pack of rockbelly eagles started to fly over the hill.

“Add-ons!” Jean exclaimed, “Melee DPS, prioritize the add-ons, ranged DPS keep targeting the boss!”

As the rockbelly eagles dived towards the party, Larry’s body started to glow and he punched the leading eagle straight in the forehead. The other eagles tried to follow up and target Larry, but, the other melee DPS swung their weapons.

At the same time, the stoneskinned eagle flew high into the sky, with the sun as its backdrop, it dived down towards Luna.

Luna calmly lifted her staff and shot three bolts of lightning toward the boss.

Without missing a beat, Martin stepped in front of Luna and raised his shield.

The three bolts of lightning struck the eagle, it briefly froze but quickly regained control before its beak directly struck Martin’s shield.

“Hup!” Martin braced himself, digging his heels into the earth as he remained unmoving like a wall.

Amelia quickly nocked several arrows, shooting them into the eagle’s body. As she did, more and more crystals started to form on the eagle’s feathers.

Water conjured dozens of thin needle-shaped structures of water, they rotated like a spinning bullet as she shot each of them directly into the eagle’s body.

SCREECH!

The eagle screeched again, this time, out of pain as it flapped its wings and flew into the sky.

Blood dripped from its body as the stoneskinned eagle hovered in air, looking down upon the party.

The rockbelly eagles, or add-on’s as Jean calls them, were each handled one by one by the melee DPS as they got close to the party.

“CAW!” The stoneskinned eagle cawed, preparing for a big move.

What it didn’t expect was for the world to go white.

BOOM!

[Call of Thunder]

SCREECH!

A deafening, painful screech echoed through the air.

The boss plummeted to the ground as its body locked up.

[Paralysis] had activated. The eagle couldn’t control its muscles.

It crashed into the ground and the melee DPS were immediately on it.

Jean thrusted her rapier, Mary swung her sword, and Larry slammed his fist into its head.

“C-Ca-” As the eagle tried to let out a caw, Amelia shot several crystal arrows into its neck, sprouting even heavier crystals until it could no longer lift its head.

“Oh, heavenly lord above,” Pearl said with clasped hands, “Please grant this pitiful soul mercy and a painless death.”

Slowly, that pained expression on the eagle’s face faded. Jean calmly put the tip of her rapier to the eagle’s head and it looked at her with eyes that accepted its fate.

“Gate clear.” Jean said.

…

After heading through the portal that opened up, the party was sent back to where they entered the gate.

“Haah…” Someone yawned, stretching their arms.

“Good work everyone,” Jean clapped, “I’ll handle things with the association; They’ll send you the usual stuff probably sometime soon.”

“That was a good clear, nice leading.” Robert said.

“Agreed, it went pretty smoothly.” Martin nodded.

They all exchanged a couple pleasantries, but Luna’s mind wasn’t on the gate anymore. Instead, she was looking at the moon.

‘Its late…’ She thought, internally sighing.

“Anyone wanna go get a late-night dinner?” Someone asked.

“Oh, I’m down.”

“Count me in.”

“I’ll pass,” Water said before bowing slightly, “I need to get home now, it was a pleasant gate clear, everyone. I wish you all a good night.”

“I’m leaving too. Goodnight, everyone.” Luna added.

For the first time since living with her parents, someone was at home waiting for her. That feeling warmed Luna’s heart.

She quickly headed to her car and started the drive home.

…

Luna inputted her key and unlocked the door. She opened it to find the living room dimly lit.

Just when she started to wonder if Stella was already asleep, she heard that familiar voice she loved so much.

“You’re back?!” Stella approached her from the side. Luna turned to look at her and smiled.

Stella was in her raccoon pajamas with the hoodie pulled over her head.

“I’m back.” Luna replied, opening her arms.

But, Stella didn’t hug her immediately, causing Luna some confusion. Instead, Stella circled around her and inspected her from head to toe. Realizing what she was checking, she stayed still.

“Hm…” After a circling Luna three times, a bright smile appeared on Stella’s face as she embraced Luna, “Good! Unhurt!”

“Of course,” Luna replied, “You told me not too, so, I stayed my safest.”

“Hehe! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!” Stella giggled, kissing her plenty.