Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented-Chapter 193

[Second Named Boss]

[Level 58 Archangel Uriel]

[HP: 950,919,763 / 1,000,000,000 (95%)]

Papapap!

Dodging through the gaps in Uriel's spear strikes, I unleashed continuous starlight-charged slashes. Behind me, Chris moved deftly within the range of the spear, providing precise supporting fire.

The more we repeated this raid, the quicker we reached the special phase.

Three minutes. That was all it took now, compared to the ten minutes it had taken in our first attempt. Significant progress.

If we could execute the mechanics correctly and deal additional damage during the gimmick phase, victory—though hard-fought—was within sight, even with just the two of us.

But time was against us. The hour was late, and we had only a few more attempts left for today.

The problem remained: we still hadn’t figured out how to complete the special phase.

Whoosh!

I dodged another swift strike of Uriel's spear and locked eyes with its once-beautiful face, now cold and lifeless.

If we could surpass this angel, Melissa would be waiting for us.

Did I want to see her? Or avoid her?

Either way, if meeting her was inevitable, I’d rather it be sooner than later.

Even as my mind churned with these thoughts, the special phase approached.

Drip. Drip.

At 95% HP, as expected, the viscous miasma began creeping in from the edges of the battlefield, slowly reducing our maneuverability.

Once the battlefield was entirely engulfed in the miasma, the white magic circle, Uriel’s Mercy, would be the only safe zone.

I glanced briefly at the opposite end of the arena—at the violet magic circle located at the twelve o’clock position.

The altar for the "sacrifice."

[[Offer your sacrifices!]]

A living sacrifice.

If Chris was hesitating because of me...

I would take the initiative.

I turned my back to the white magic circle and surveyed the battlefield with Chris.

"This time, let’s hold out inside until the last second. One backward evasion should get us back into the safe zone when the miasma closes in," Chris said confidently.

For this attempt, she planned to use her divine descent buff the moment the barrier appeared, hoping it might weaken Uriel’s shield. Though there was no durability gauge like the Bone Dragon’s barrier, we were willing to gamble on the possibility.

I stole a glance at Uriel’s Mercy behind us.

We’d already analyzed its mechanics through prior attempts.

Once all raid members entered the circle, a physical barrier would form around it, sealing the occupants inside. At that moment, I’d slip out before the barrier solidified and head for the violet magic circle, the altar.

It felt ironic—having to execute the mechanics while keeping secrets from my only party member. But given the strange relationship Chris and I shared, and the way this world worked, it couldn’t be helped.

Fwoosh! Papapap! Boom!

With Chris’s divine descent enhancing my strength, I unleashed a barrage of Starlight Sword Slashes at Uriel. At the same time, Chris deployed her Awakened Sealing Formation, an Onmyoji-exclusive skill that triggered powerful explosions around Uriel.

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Despite the overwhelming damage, Uriel’s barrier remained unbroken. It felt untouchable, like the invincibility frames some players used.

The conclusion was clear: the barrier during the special phase couldn’t be broken with damage alone.

Drip. Drip.

By now, the creeping miasma had reached the edges of the white magic circle. Any further delay and even the safe zone would become inaccessible.

"Tch, it’s no use. We have to get inside!"

Tatat!

Chris and I executed backward evasions, landing within Uriel’s Mercy.

Woom!

The circle began emitting light, forming the physical barrier that would protect us from the miasma.

While Chris scoured the battlefield for any overlooked objects or hints, I glanced at her determined face...

And quietly stepped out of the circle before the barrier fully formed.

Chris’s eyes widened in shock as she realized what I had done.

"Rain?!"

"I’m sorry, Chris. But I’ve got something to try."

I smiled at her reassuringly before turning my attention to the violet circle.

Chris pounded on ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) the barrier as it sealed her inside, yelling furiously, "Rain! You idiot! I swear, when this is over, I’m not letting you off the hook!"

Her indignant shouts almost made me falter, but I pushed forward.

Woom!

Reaching the violet magic circle, I stepped inside and smirked at Uriel.

"Your sacrifice has arrived, Archangel."

The altar responded immediately.

Clang!

Chains of dark violet energy shot up from the circle, binding my limbs and rendering me immobile.

"Ugh!"

I struggled, but the chains were unyielding. I couldn’t even activate any skills.

Thud.

Uriel’s massive form landed directly before me.

"Heh," I muttered, forcing a wry smile.

What was it planning to do?

Its spear set aside, Uriel extended its massive left hand toward me.

Crack... Creak...

The fingers of the statue shifted and curled.

As its hand neared my chest, I broke into a cold sweat.

I had heard of barbaric rituals where the hearts of virgins were offered as sacrifices.

Was this going to be the same?

Technically, I qualified as a "pure maiden," though I wasn’t entirely sure what the definition entailed.

Would it actually take my heart?

Of course, I wouldn’t truly die, nor would this result in my retirement from the fight. My World Tree Belt would activate, preventing my death and allowing me to recover shortly after.

But the pain...

The pain would be real.

Thud.

Uriel’s massive hand reached my chest.

"Rain, no! Don’t!"

Chris’s desperate cries echoed from behind the barrier. She couldn’t see clearly past Uriel’s body, but she understood enough to know what was happening.

"Chris, don’t look!" I yelled. "Turn away!"

I didn’t want her to see this. Even though I wouldn’t truly die, the sight of me in such agony would only deepen her immersion in this world—and her mental scars.

I was starting to regret this. Not because of the pain, but because of what Chris would have to endure.

Schlunk!

"Ah...!"

Uriel’s fingers pierced my chest.

The searing agony of something burrowing into my heart was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

"Urk... Gah..."

Despite my efforts to suppress it, pained gasps escaped my lips.

"Rain!! Stop it! Stop it!!"

Chris’s screams were barely audible over the rush of blood pounding in my ears.

Darkness began creeping into my vision as my consciousness faded.

Through the haze, I noticed something peculiar.

The stone masks on the dome’s ceiling...

They all turned to face one point.

Toward Chris.

[[Offer the proper sacrifice!]]

"Rain! No!!"

The sounds of tearing flesh, choking gasps, and snapping sinew filled the air.

Chris collapsed to her knees, pounding on the barrier with trembling fists.

"Why... Why does it have to be you...?" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

She knew it wasn’t real death, but the thought of Rain enduring such pain was unbearable.

When the ordeal was over, the miasma receded, the barrier around Uriel dissipated, and the safe zone vanished.

Chris staggered to her feet, clutching a talisman tightly.

Rain’s sacrifice had created an opening.

She had to make it count.

As Uriel turned its attention away from her, Chris saw a flash of golden light behind the archangel.

It was unmistakable—the radiant glow of a hero.