Chapter 29: How Are We Supposed to Defeat Such a Terrifying Boss?

"Fallen Witch. So, this is the final boss of a Hell-level dungeon."

Although she was only level 15, she possessed 158,000 health points and average stats as high as 200. This data alone was enough to make even the most gifted professionals shrink back in intimidation.

Her withered corpse was bathed in the halo of the altar. She raised a spindly arm, her bony, skeletal fingers pointing toward the location of the Vampire Overlord.

Whoosh!

A purplish-black aura of decay coalesced into grim, twisted faces. They let out shrill, piercing screams as they charged madly toward the Vampire Overlord.

[Wailing Spirit Impact: Gathers wailing spirits to launch a mental attack on the target, with a probability of inflicting the "Confusion" status.]

[Confusion Status: Units in a state of confusion lose control of their actions and attack surrounding targets indiscriminately, regardless of friend or foe.]

The sound of ghostly wailing descended. The spectral images of the wailing spirits passed through the Vampire Overlord’s body, unleashing a powerful mental shock.

Boom!

The Vampire Overlord’s body shuddered. Under the Fallen Witch’s mental pressure, which reached as high as 220, it was instantly thrown into a state of confusion. Its body swayed unsteadily, and it began launching indiscriminate attacks on its surroundings. Several nearby vampire deacons were caught in the crossfire, struck by a barrage of bullets.

"Confusion status?" Gu Chen’s expression shifted slightly, but he did not panic. He immediately took a potion from his personal space and used it.

[Dispel Potion: Used to remove abnormal status effects from the user and grant 5 seconds of immunity to abnormal status effects.]

This potion cost five thousand credits per vial. Gu Chen had purchased it on the trading platform before entering the dungeon, originally intending to use it against the Grey Mist Curse. However, since he had obtained healing potions after killing elite monsters, he hadn't needed it until now.

The confusion was dispelled instantly. The Vampire Overlord paused, and clarity returned to its eyes. Immediately, a chilling murderous intent erupted from its narrow pupils. It was a Vampire Overlord—a being standing at the very pinnacle of the vampire hierarchy. How could its dignity be so desecrated?

Regaining its senses, the Vampire Overlord charged forward without a word. It pulled the trigger, aiming directly at the Fallen Witch on the altar, and activated its skills.

[Fatal Shot]
[Crimson Feast]

The skills connected, unleashing a flurry of attacks, yet the Fallen Witch did not suffer even a single point of damage.

Gu Chen frowned slightly. The Fallen Witch’s average stats were over 200; she was arguably the tankiest boss he had faced so far. Even so, it was strange that she hadn't taken any damage at all after being hit by two of the Vampire Overlord’s skills.

Just then, Gu Chen noticed a faint, crystalline white light shimmering on the Fallen Witch.

[Damage Transfer]

Gu Chen’s face changed as he realized the problem. "Fall back!"

He issued the order to the Vampire Overlord immediately, but it was a step too late. A vast wave of purplish-black light erupted from the altar, and an aura of decay swept outward like a gale. The retreating Vampire Overlord was caught in the blast, struck as if by a heavy blow, and sent crashing to the ground.

A bone-chilling sound followed as the Vampire Overlord’s body began to decay. Its flesh rotted rapidly, falling off in chunks.

[Necrosis: Releases death energy to assault the target, dealing high amounts of continuous damage.]

In a single breath, the Vampire Overlord’s health plummeted, dropping by over five thousand points. Half of its body was already rotting, black blood splattering everywhere. Gu Chen didn't hesitate; he immediately retrieved two health recovery potions, restoring over four thousand health.

However, the skill dealt continuous damage. No sooner had the four thousand health been restored than another three thousand drained away three seconds later.

She was truly a Hell-level dungeon boss—her damage was explosive. Not only could she transfer damage, but she possessed such a terrifying damage-over-time skill. If that attack had landed on him, he would likely be dead already.

With that thought, Gu Chen retreated, putting more distance between himself and the battlefield. A Summoner’s way of fighting was to control the big picture; he would leave the actual combat to his summoned beasts. If he died, it would all be over.

"Damn it! This boss is a freak!" In the distance, Lin Yuan cursed as he saw the Vampire Overlord’s health bar take such a massive hit.

"Continuous damage that’s this explosive? Are you sure this isn't a bug?" Lin Qingqing was speechless. "If I were up there, I would’ve died two or three times in a single second."

"No wonder there’s never been a clearance record for a Hell-level dungeon. How are you supposed to clear it with a boss this terrifying?" Su Ran frowned.

"The question is, with a boss this terrifying, how are we supposed to fight it next?" Wu Ziyi asked the question that weighed most on everyone’s mind.

The four of them looked at each other in silence. Throughout their journey, Gu Chen’s strength had been undeniable, but facing this final boss, the gap in power had become starkly apparent.

Lin Yuan’s brows were furrowed, his jaw tight. He no longer cared whether they successfully cleared the Hell-level dungeon. His gaze was fixed on Gu Chen, a hint of worry appearing on his face. He didn't know if Gu Chen could hold out; this time, they had truly encountered a formidable foe.

Gu Chen, too, felt the horror of the Fallen Witch. Though she was tricky, he remained confident. It wasn't a major issue.

"Die..."

A chilling, icy voice echoed through the air. The Fallen Witch slowly descended from the altar, her body wreathed in the aura of decay, with death energy swirling around her like purplish-black smoke. Her body was like a withered corpse, the hollow cavity in her chest shockingly gruesome. The wound was horrific, yet there was no sign of blood; her entire body was a pale, deathly grey. It was as if all the blood in her body had long since vanished.

Watching this, Gu Chen frowned, connecting it to the quest items he had previously obtained. It was clear that something unknown had occurred in this temple. This witch had once been drained of all her blood and her heart had been carved out, her body then buried within this altar.

Draining blood and carving out hearts—was this the kind of thing a temple would do? Gu Chen couldn't be certain, as he didn't know the full story. But the witch must have suffered unimaginable pain before her death.

The Fallen Witch, having descended the altar, looked around with hollow eyes. Her gaze swept over Gu Chen and the Vampire Overlord in the distance, then shifted to the Nightmare Sovereign, who was currently battling a group of black-robed deacons.

Immediately, a surge of intense resentment flared across her face.

"You all deserve to die!"

The cold voice vibrated through the air, sounding like thousands of restless souls screaming in unison.