The HP of Dream Lords starting around this level shoots up greatly.
From a metagame perspective, this was most likely because it was the point where parties were able to start working together by combining the effects of their Skills to deal much higher damage than before. Although this is just the logic for it when it was still a game.
However, my own stats increased greatly too.
The Attack boost I got from my Mythril Sword should be very effective.
β[Life Shield]!β
My life force manifested and covered my body with a radiant defensive membrane.
The bluish-white light of the [Relentless Vigor] started mixing in with the red light of the [Half-Dead Savage Dragon].
Itβs the standard three Skill combo of the early Heavy Knight.
My HP decreased to a very low amount, with only my [Life Shield] providing protection.
βIt turned into a form with a bit more focus on speed than the Knight Bone, but it shouldnβt have changed that much otherwise! We are going with the strategy we agreed on!β
I kicked the floor and charged at it from the right side of the corridor.
Luce ran the other way, getting ahead of me in a way by using her [Acrobatic Steps] to run up the wall.
The Skull Lord looked just as I imagined it would.
Celt judged it to be a four legged monster from the sound of its footsteps.
With it most likely keeping the traits of the Knight Bone to some degree, I was able to predict its shape and fighting style to a certain extent.
However, I did not expect it to have a shield.
There is a huge difference between it having something like that or not.
What we are hoping for is a short battleβ¦..and one that depends on the high combo damage of the Heavy Knight.
If it can divert the decisive blow in any appreciable way with its defense, then that just might mean our loss right there.
In terms of speed, our opponent is simply too far ahead.
Even though we have the numbers advantage, dealing a decisive blow to an opponent with a shield is a difficult prospect.
Even if both Luce and I were to charge it straight, it would be able to fend us off with a single swing of its sword.
βNow, Celt!β
I raised my voice and shouted to Celt.
Celt showed up out of nowhere from behind the Skull Lord.
Itβs the effect of Celtβs Skill, the [Shadow Sink].
Apparently he got it from the [Assassination Basics] Skill Tree.
He can conceal himself within a shadow, but it takes MP to keep it up, so he canβt do it for long.
So I had him hide right before the Skull Lord showed up.
I had him do that because by doing that we could attack our opponent from both sides in this long corridor.
When the [Shadow Sink] is activated, the userβs presence fades out somewhat.
If he doesnβt get seen by the Skull Lord first, then taking advantage of an opportunity to attack it with its guard down is more than possible.
No matter how fast the Skull Lord might be, avoiding an attack sent from a perfect ambush in this gloomy and narrow tomb-like corridor is nigh impossible.
Especially not with its large, four legged lower body.
β[Point Shot]!β
The arrow flew through the gaps of the ribcage of the Skull Lord, piercing right into its bluish-white colored spherical weak point.
The entire body of the Skull Lord jolted from the impact, then it tried to twist around to check its flank.
It seems he really comes through when it really counts.
βHow complacent with an enemy right in front of youβ¦..! [Stunt Barrage]!β
Luce kicked off from the wall, then spun around, her knife flashing.
The Skull Lord drew its sword and used its shield to block Luceβs barrage.
The narrowness of the corridor should prove a significant hindrance due to the Skull Lordβs large body.
Itβs a monster that was originally designed for fighting in a wide open space.
It turning into a Wandering Lord is indeed terrifying, but having to fight in these corridors is not entirely to its advantage either.
Luce, with her walking on the wall trick via the [Acrobatic Steps], is very hard to hit with a giant weapon like that monster has.
If itβs not careful enough, the blade could hit the wall instead.
Thatβs why it ended up having to use its shield from an awkward posture like that, even though it pulled out its sword already.
It couldnβt even block all hits, taking some of them head on.
βAnd now for the most important part! [Disarm]!β