The subsequent progress was roughly the same as the last Hard-mode clear—scouting traps while clearing mobs along the way.
Though under Abyss difficulty, the monsters’ damage and HP had visibly increased a lot, everyone’s strength hadn’t stagnated either. With the buffs from the items I distributed at the start, it was just a bit more taxing than before.
In the Shadow Swamp, things became much easier. Seaside Yoyo, Red Coral, Weaving Night, and Fallen Sunny positioned themselves at the designated coordinates the instant I gave the order, chanting powerful spells.
It seemed they’d gotten used to this self-explosion DPS method in the meantime.
Thinking about it, fire mages had it pretty rough—despised before, now turned into tool-people for output after this strategy emerged.
Someone even posted their gear and spell power screenshots on the forums, self-mockingly calling themselves “cluster grenades.” Plenty of fire mages followed suit in the comments, comparing themselves to stronger or weaker hot weapons based on their own spell power.
From hand grenades to ICBMs—it perfectly showcased the fire mages’ tenacious will and ability to find joy in suffering. Truly admirable.
The little one who’d single-handedly caused all this didn’t realize her responsibility at all, secretly sighing to herself.
Without the previous delays, we reached the hidden path only slightly slower than last time’s Hard clear. We got the Secret Rune Holy Water from the mysterious traveler Alpha and purified the cross.
“That said, is purification really necessary?”
Scarlet Rain eyed the now impeccably holy cross. “We didn’t use it at all last time and still took down the boss easy, right?”
Before she finished, Dream Cradle smacked her. “All that ancient text fried your brain? Without the cross, how’s Shuiyan supposed to tank a few boss hits?”
“Pah! I meant weakening the boss, you thick-skinned holy lawyer. Wanna fight?”
“Tch, you deal less than I heal.”
“You wait—I’ll log off and come to your room.”
“I’ve got the penal code—what’re you gonna do?”
Everyone watched speechlessly until Autumn Waters intervened. “So fierce? Why not my room—let me witness it?”
Seeing Autumn Waters’ smiling face, the two instantly clammed up like good kids and shrank back into the group.
Nightwish broke the awkwardness. “Better to have it than not—and Nightmare boss strength is way up.”
No sooner had she spoken than Doran’s mocking voice came from the side.
“Way up? That’s an understatement.”
Red Coral covered her mouth in a light laugh, adding, “Nightmare Fallen Treant Lord’s no joke compared to Hard. Defense aside, even Shuiyan with the purified cross can only tank 3 hits max.”
“Our first-clear team wiped there multiple times. Without the cross weakening the boss, I’d bet no guild’s current gear could pass—not to mention Abyss now.”
Morning Season adjusted his glasses. “So you know how to use the cross to weaken the boss?”
“We’ll explain when we get there.”
Red Coral teased, glancing at the silent little one play-fighting with the twin-tailed loli nearby, and the supposed strategy team priest.
After clearing the remaining mobs, we finally pushed into Treant Territory where the Fallen Treant Lord awaited. Under Red Coral’s explanation, everyone understood the plan.
“The key is this special stone slab in the altar.”
Following her direction, we quickly spotted twelve slabs etched with different patterns, symmetrically placed in the altar’s corners. Each could fit about two people, slightly raised above the surrounding floor.
“You need to step on them in a specific order to reveal the stone hole in the altar’s center—then insert the cross.”
“How’d you figure this out?” Even the usually quiet Elk asked curiously.
“We figured the cross tied to the ‘Secret Rune Council.’ Wilderness dug up library info—that cracked the altar’s secret. Other guilds too.”
Doran said flatly.
It sounded simple, but everyone felt the hardship behind it.
“So what now—which one first?”
“No use.” Doran shook her head at Seaside Yoyo and the others ready to step. “We tried—even two together won’t depress them.”
“Then what?” The girls froze.
Autumn Waters seemed to get it. “Does the boss have to step on them?”
Doran glanced at her, surprised. “Exactly—only the Fallen Treant Lord’s weight works. And it must’ve devoured at least one tree already.”
So control DPS to quickly let it devour once—have the cross-bearing main tank lure it to the slabs in order—then off-tank aggro so MT can insert the cross.
“So troublesome…”
Everyone grasped the difficulty.
As mentioned, Nightmare Fallen Treant Lord’s attacks were brutally strong—even cross-equipped Shuiyan couldn’t tank many. Shield warriors lacked mobility; displacement skills were mostly Charge. The kiting would be insanely risky—especially on Abyss.
“Don’t worry—Shuiyan’s got experience. Plus gear with a survival skill. No big issue.” Red Coral reassured the worried group.
Shuiyan said nothing but silently raised her Giant Shield. Seeing her petite frame so different from the behemoth ahead, and recalling her prior prowess, everyone relaxed a bit.
“Countin’ on you, Shuiyan.”
“Worth the guild ace—so reliable. Unlike someone.”
“Tch, like you’re any better—you can’t even heal yourself, holy knight.”
Just then, after I bonked her, Evin—who was rubbing her head—suddenly spoke up. “If it’s that dangerous, lemme kite! Guaranteed the big lug won’t touch a hair.”
“You got a way? Don’t mess around.” Even I, dropping team lead silence, looked over.
“What~?”
Evin pouted, miffed at being underestimated. “I got a skill to pull aggro easy. Leave it to me—no prob.”
“Works on bosses?”
Doran and co. were stunned.
Thieves were nimbler—experts dodged everything, safer than plate vs. some bosses. But thief aggro skills were rare, usually small-mob only.
“Of course~”
“What skill?” Even I was curious—no past-life knowledge of thief boss-taunt skills.
“Secret.” Evin stuck out her tongue—payback for my doubt.
I went silent, subtly eyeing Hill.
The group discussed it—thief obviously better than clunky shield for this.
Shuiyan quietly glanced at the giggling petite figure nearby. Sensing it, Evin looked back—eyes full of obvious smugness.
As their big-and-small gazes clashed intensely, before Evin could gloat long—a clear, cold voice rang out in the team.
“Why make it so troublesome?”