[ System Prompt: Final Boss has arrived. ]
[ Survive For 3 Minutes To Pass This Wave ]
Aegis and his followers' faces sank instantly. Their brief celebratory movement halted the moment the ominous notification rang all around them.
Aegis and the others looked up to see a Sky Predator descending with eerie grace. But this one looked like a giant compared to the previous ones, and it had a purplish halo on top of its head.
Aegis desperately wished to see its Power Rank at this moment. And his wish was granted instantly.
[ Elite Drake ]
[ Power Rank: Steward (5)]
[ Abilities: Petrification Breath ]
"Steward Rank?" Aegis echoed, confused by the E-Rank notification. Then his face lit with realization.
"Wait... Aren't I also in Steward Rank?"
He quickly glanced at his own status window:
[ Skylord Name: Aegis ]
[ Rank: Steward (3) ]
[ Island: Aquabyss Domain (SSS+) ]
[ Talents: Sea God's Physique (Divine) ]
[ Skills: Water Manipulation Ultimate (E) ]
[ Wealth: 170 BC (Bronze Coins) ]
[ Followers: 5 ]
After Island Warden Rank comes Steward. And this understanding made Aegis relieved. His primary attack skill, Water Manipulation Ultimate, had passively ranked up to E-Rank due to his extensive use in creating the Tidal Barrier and the Crossbows.
He was now almost on equal footing with the Elite Drake in terms of power!
"All hopes are not lost yet! We should be able to defend it for 3 minutes at least. We will just have ti stay cautious of its petrification breath," he declared.
That being said, he would never underestimate his foes.
"Naida, focus all the Crossbows! Full Power!" he commanded, while simultaneously taking control of four at once.
Naida glided beside him, then started operating smoothly.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh...
The Water Jet Crossbows shot forward like a volley of javelins. However, the result was something Aegis immediately noticed. They condensed water arrows struck the creature's massive chest, but upon impact, they clattered onto the floor lifelessly.
Its natural defense was too strong against the physical damage of the bolts.
Realizing the crossbows wouldn't work, Aegis secretly signaled his Fire Force.
Eterna, Flama, Diva, and Pyro released their Fire Breaths at once, a coordinated stream of elemental fire aimed at the Drake's armored hide.
"Grrrrrr!"
The Elite Drake flapped its wings and released a guttural roar at the incoming Fire Streams. It spewed an equally intense purplish breath that countered the fire with ease.
It was its innate ability: Petrification Breath.
Buzz!
It suddenly increased the intensity of its Breath attack, intending to turn the Phoenix descendants into immovable stone statues.
The three girls widened their eyes with fear, feeling they were done for.
However, just then a thick Wall of Condensed Water materialized before them, shielding them from harm.
Splash!
Aegis was the one who acted instantly. While building the Tidal Barriers, he was able to study them closely. From there, he managed to comprehend its underlying magical formula.
Using his Water Manipulation Ultimate (E) skill, he didn't just replicate the functionality of the Tidal Barrier. But he created a pure, condensed water shield that was way stronger than the Epic Tier Water Barrier.
"Eterna, Flama, Diva, stay back!"
The girls cheered, seeing Aegis stepping to the front.
"Papa is mighty! Go Papaaa!"
Aegis ignored their cheers. His mind was now laser-focused on the threat. The Elite Drake was currently distracted by the failure of its Petrification Breath, trying to claw through the Shield.
Aegis knew that a direct, sustained attack was impossible with his current energy levels. He had to hit the Drake with overwhelming, concentrated force right now, before it unleash furher attacks..
He chose the decisive action: Water Bombardment.
"I need to use all of my available energy!"
Aegis channeled every ounce of his fivine energy, drawing upon the vastness of the Aquabyss Domain. He commanded the water inside the domain to converge directly above the Drake's head.
The surrounding water condensed violently, forming a sphere that shimmered black and blue, far denser than any projectile the crossbows could fire.
This wasn't just a water ball anymore. It was now a pure Hydrostatic Pressure Bomb.
WHOOSH!
The massive, silent sphere slammed down onto the Elite Drake's head, which was pressed against the Shield.
BOOOOM!
The force was not small; it was explosive. It overwhelmed the Drake's natural armor instantly.
Its thick skull buckled inward under the weight and concentrated pressure of the attack.
"Skreeee!"
The Elite Drake shrieked in a broken sound of pain and fear. The purplish halo surrounding it flickered and died.
The attack had not killed it, but it had shattered its concentration and potentially broken its neck.
The Drake immediately went limp, sliding off the Barrier and falling onto the floor.
[ System Notification: Elite Drake (Boss) incapacitated. ]
[ Time Remaining: 00:03 ]
Just as the notification flashed, the countdown hit zero.
[ 0 ]
[ SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT: WAVE ONE SURVIVED! ]
[ GLOBAL NOTIFICATION ]
[ Sky Lord Aegis's Domain is the first Domain to survive the wave. Received Tier 1 Rewards ]
Ignoring the global notification for the moment, Aegis looked at the rewards panel, already thinking about the future.
[ Reward: Island Upgrade Function Unlocked. ]
[ Reward: Resource Cache: 1x Sky Crystal. Skill Book: Petrification Breath (E) ]
[ Petrification Breath: Incompatible With Host! ]
Aegis looked at the glowing white-colored Sky Crystal and the purple Skill Book. He knew what Skill Books did: they granted Skills to those who were compatible with their elements.
Petrification Breath was useless to him, but perhaps his followers could use it later.
However, the most important reward he gained was the Sky Crystal.
[ Island Upgrade ]
[ Requirements: 1x Sky Crystal, 5 Followers ]
He was really excited to see what this Upgrade would do to his Island.
He already had the crystal and 5 followers (Naida, the three Phoenixes and Pyro).
Without delay, he initiated the Upgrade.
[ Commencing Upgrade... ]
Just what kind of changes will emerge with this upgrade?