MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 273: Salathiir, Suffering Made Flesh

"So, is it true, then?" Poppy asked with a worried expression.

"Yeah," Xin said. "But don’t worry, the others are going to defend this town no matter what."

If the guilds wanted to achieve victory, that is. He thought.

Poppy’s worries didn’t lessen. "Aren’t dragons able to fly? It could easily soar over the sky and reach this town."

"Everyone is working on it, and they have special weapons to counter the dragon, so you don’t have to worry a thing."

Poppy paused and then asked, "Aren’t you going to fight tomorrow too, Lord Schrödinger?"

She must have recognized the distance in his tone and the way he phrased his sentence that he wasn’t going to be there tomorrow.

Xin decided to tell her the truth since there was no point in lying.

Poppy’s face brightened. "That’s great that you don’t have to fight tomorrow."

"Really?" Xin was surprised at her reaction. He thought that all NPCs wanted the players to defend them.

Poppy nodded with a smile. "Yes. The truth is, I worry about you joining in the battle outside, Lord Schrödinger. But now that you don’t have to, you can stay here with us where it’s safe. I’ll protect you."

Xin laughed a little. "I don’t think this underground is . . ." He paused when he thought about something and then stared at Poppy.

"Have you been here the whole time when we’re battling outside?"

Poppy nodded. "That’s right. It’s pretty scary out there. I’m glad that you have to stay here with us. It’s safe here, so you don’t have to worry.

"I’ll protect you," she finished with a wide grin.

Xin looked around and found that the underground hideout was sturdier than he expected. There were a lot of stone columns and rock formations that could bear the weight of the ground above.

Though he doubted that it could withstand earthquakes and powerful blasts.

But . . .

Xin stared at Poppy, who was smiling at him happily.

Call him an overthinker, but there must be some reason as to why only Poppy has a relationship level with the players out of all the NPCs in this dimension.

However, right now, it was only his hunch.

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The next day unfolded with a tangible air of tension as players lined the battlefield, each one a determined figure against the backdrop of the imposing castle.

The gleaming metal forms of the Scatter Blasts were scattered strategically across the battlement, creating a metallic symphony that mirrored the collective resolve of the guild.

Mages and healers took their positions, each strategically located to provide maximum support.

The Castle of Doom was now brimmed with an electrifying tension as everyone awaited the arrival of the Demon Dragon, Salathiir.

This was the day that the top guilds had anticipated. If they defeat the dragon, then they would finally advance to the sixth day.

The guild leaders, positioned at the very forefront, stood like unwavering sentinels, their armor gleaming with the reflection of their shared determination.

Behind them, the tanks formed a steadfast barrier, ready to absorb the wrath of the impending threat. The DPS groups flanked the tanks, their weapons drawn and senses heightened.

The mission was singular and paramount: to eliminate the Demon Dragon as swiftly as possible and defend the town against the impending swarm of tiny, bat-like devils.

Each player felt the weight of the task at hand, a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of the NPCs.

As the minutes ticked away, the atmosphere crackled with nervous energy, a fusion of anticipation and anxiety.

The guild leaders exchanged nods, communicating silently the gravity of the impending battle.

The scattered Scatter Blasts glinted in the sunlight, a testament to the careful planning that had gone into this crucial encounter.

And then, on the horizon, the silhouette of Salathiir, the Demon Dragon, emerged. The air around the battlement seemed to thicken as the massive creature approached, its presence casting a shadow over the landscape.

The collective breaths of the players held in nervousness and anticipation, the calm before the impending storm.

Perched atop a bell tower, Xin witnessed a swift-moving shadow that cast a foreboding presence across the sky.

Metallic flapping of wings reached his ears, and the realization dawned on him — it was the swarm of tiny devil bats.

In an instant, the swarm morphed into the shape of a dragon, emerging from its shadow.

An enormous serpent-like dragon materialized with a bat-like visage, multiple rows of razor-sharp teeth, and spikes protruding from its metallic scales. Devilish horns adorned its head, and multiple bat-like wings extended from its back.

The creature was colossal, surpassing even Fury’s draconic form.

Accompanying it were thousands of tiny devil bats, screeching incessantly with red eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

Xin couldn’t help but swallow hard. This . . . this was what they were up against?

The players, witnessing this spectacle for the first time, were visibly shaken, and their morale plummeted rapidly.

"Be careful! Its screech can instill fear and various status effects!" warned Steel Striker.

Healers swiftly worked their magic, and a wave of [Cleanse] bathed the players, liberating them from the effects of [Fear].

With the order given, the guild leaders and tanks moved forward, the DPS groups ready to unleash a barrage of attacks. The mages and healers remained poised, their spells at the ready, prepared to support everyone.

The clash began, a symphony of steel meeting scales. Spells erupted in dazzling displays of magic, and the roars of the Demon Dragon echoed through the area.

The Scatter Blasts activated with a resounding hum, sending forth their magical projectiles towards the airborne menace that attempted to swarm into town.

From atop the bell tower, Xin witnessed the unfolding chaos, holding his breath as the sky became obscured by the swarm of tiny devil bats, plunging towards the town.

Fortunately, the effectiveness of the Scatter Blasts exceeded their unassuming appearance. With their area-of-effect damage, the guild swiftly pushed back the onslaught of tiny devil bats.

In the midst of the chaos, the guild worked in tandem, a well-coordinated strategy and skill. The battlefield became a dynamic movement, each player contributing to the battle.