Chapter 108: Clearing the Hard Dungeon

After completely interrupting the Fallen Treant Lord’s recovery effect, the team turned their focus to the mobs threatening the backline.

These minions, summoned by the boss, were numerous but fell quickly—two or three spells left them as corpses.

For most teams, the phase below 50% health was the most grueling part of the boss fight.

On one side, a healing boss risked OT; on the other, relentless mobs.

Prioritizing either disrupted the team’s formation and rhythm.

Yet, to the team, it now felt surprisingly easy.

They didn’t need to worry about the boss, only focusing on clearing the summoned mobs.

Everyone knew this was thanks to that adorable, mascot.

Not just now—their success in passing the Shadow Swamp entrance and the swamp itself relied on her seemingly bizarre but highly effective ideas.

Thinking of this, they couldn’t help feeling ashamed that they were outsmarted by a kid.

What they didn’t know was that, for a dungeon designer, failing to clear their own creation would be an utter failure.

In fact, someone was reflecting on whether the Hard mode mobs were designed too simply.

“Should’ve added Little Phantoms.” I muttered.

“What’s that, Teacher?” Nightwish asked, having just finished off a mob’s remaining health, casting a curious glance.

“Nothing…”

I’d need to be more careful about badmouthing my apprentice behind her back.

Under the barrage of spells, the summoned mobs were wiped out, leaving only black ash scattered across the ground, like a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

“No need to worry about aggro. Just DPS.” I said.

Even without my command in the team channel, everyone knew what to do next.

The other frontline members, who had been holding off the Treants, returned to their positions.

Mindful of the boss’s increased attack range, they spread out.

Warlocks applied vulnerability debuffs to the Fallen Treant Lord.

Mages prepared their strongest skills.

Archers nocked their arrows.

Rogues weren’t idle either.

For me, it was just moving from one rear to another.

After playing this class so long, I’d almost forgotten I was a shadow word mage in my past life, the one getting backstabbed.

Under the team’s unified assault, the immobile Fallen Treant Lord, stuck in the altar, was like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Though it vented its rage on the frontline, its lack of range attack advantage let holy knights and priests keep everyone’s health safely in check.

Its tree-devouring recovery was repeatedly interrupted.

Even its final trump card at 20% health—a Corrosive Shockwave—was easily dodged.

With Doran and Red Coral’s reminders, who had cleared it before, the frontline retreated to a safe distance.

Slowly, the boss’s health fell from 20% to 15%, then 10%, then 5%.

5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%…

A final fireball exploded, draining the last of its health.

With a mournful wail, the massive tree disintegrated into black ash, sinking into the ground.

“Huh, we killed the boss?”

“We actually cleared it!”

As the Fallen Treant Lord fell, the team felt a surreal daze, as if it weren’t real.

The fire mages, especially, were stunned.

They’d been seen as dead weight before, yet now they’d cleared the dungeon, playing a key DPS role.

Sure, parts of the process were awkward, but that didn’t stop them from casting adoring looks at the petite figure.

Most of the team did the same.

“Love you to death, Tongtong!” Yoyo said, scooping me into a hug and rubbing my cheek.

I suspected her excitement was less about clearing the dungeon and more about an excuse to squish me.

“Three silver items: a rogue weapon, mage boots, and holy knight armor. Plus a rogue skill book.” Nightwish said, looting the boss’s drops and bringing the rogue items to me.

The team cast envious glances.

They all wanted the loot but knew I deserved the most credit for clearing Black Prison Forest.

Taking a few items for my class was only fair.

“I already have a silver weapon.” I said, showing off the silver-grade dagger I’d bought at the auction house.

I wasn’t about to skimp on gear.

“Then how about we buy this weapon?” Autumn Waters suggested with a smile.

I waved it off. “No need. You guys split it.”

Doran added calmly, “If she doesn’t care, don’t push her. Don’t let her size fool you—she’s richer than you think, thanks to that hidden quest.”

Roseheart’s rapid growth lately was partly due to the hidden quest I’d tipped them off about.

As its discoverer, Doran figured I was one of Epoch’s wealthiest players.

She’d never guess that statement held true even without the “one of.”

“Damn, a rich loli! Sponsor me!” Otaku Source exclaimed, eyes gleaming.

Before he could pounce, Bullhead and Galaxy Vast grabbed his arms, Weaving Night kicked him from behind, and White Rabbit Candy stuffed bread in his mouth to silence his wails.

Morning Season, orchestrating it all, silently adjusted nonexistent glasses.

The team laughed, the mood lightening considerably.

With Doran’s vouching, they didn’t argue further.

The rogue weapon went to Nightwish, via Autumn Waters’ group.

The holy knight armor went to Galaxy Vast.

Fallen Sunny, a solo player and hidden quest beneficiary, snagged the mage boots.

As for the rogue skill book, they insisted I take it despite my protests.

“Another stealth boost…” I muttered, eyeing the description, lips twitching.

I’m heading straight down the butt-sneaking path, aren’t I?

After divvying up the boss loot, the earlier drops were auctioned off within the team.

Most got something; those who didn’t got copper coins as consolation.

Since a 100% completion Hard mode clear would top the leaderboard, we hid our names at my suggestion to avoid trouble.

After exiting the dungeon, I said my goodbyes. “I’ve got some stuff to handle, so I’ll head out. Bye, Little Aunt, and everyone else! Oh, right.”

I added, remembering something. “Work hard these next two days. Even with all my research, I can’t guarantee clearing Nightmare mode Black Prison Forest.”

Mention of the Nightmare mode run in two days fired everyone up.

They waved goodbye enthusiastically.

“Go on, don’t forget to eat dinner on time.” Yoyo said.

Further down the rogue path I go.

“Bye, Little Tong!” Scarlet Rain called.

“Let me pet your ears before you go!” White Rabbit Candy teased.

“I want the tail~” Dream Cradle added.

Facing their overwhelming send-off, I practically fled under their reluctant gazes.

Afterward, Morning Season and others left to grind levels, parting with Autumn Waters.

Doran’s group had already slipped away when I left.

As Fallen Sunny prepared to leave, a small hand clapped her shoulder.

Yoyo’s cheerful voice rang out. “Sunny, got no plans? Come grind with us!”

“Yeah, leveling’s faster together!” Dream Cradle chimed in.

“Join us, Sunny-jie!” Scarlet Rain urged.

Having seen her dungeon DPS, they weren’t letting such firepower go.

Bad at saying no, Fallen Sunny hesitated but agreed, unaware she’d stepped into a trap.

“Are you a student, Sunny? Where do you go?” Yoyo asked.

“Eh? A freshman at CU? What a coincidence, we’re at the same uni! Ask us seniors anything.” Yoyo said.

“Sunny’s in your journalism department, Yoyo. Look out for your junior.” Autumn Waters added.

Fallen Sunny felt she’d fallen into a pit.

But… it didn’t seem so bad.