A/N (Doesn't consume coins)

Sorry for not updating yesterday. Usually, days before Christmas are the busiest. I'm already burn out from all the occasions and activities.

Only one chapter today and we'll dissolve December Stretched goals since no one is participating in that thing 😆

Instead, we'll release 5 chapters tomorrow on Christmas Eve while no update on the 25th and January 1st. We'll rest on those dates. �

MERRY CHRISTMASS everyone! �✨���

"What's the matter with you? Are you just going to let them die? Don't mind him! Heal them, NOW!" Yuji furiously yelled, with his saliva splattering all around the place. Veins bulged on his temple.

Hearing his thundering roar, the White Mages' ingrained obedience that had been developed for a long time kicked in. Without even thinking about it, all of them released an area heal.

Ren knew what the outcome would be, so he immediately dashed away from the White Mages. The moment he made a move, the cold grip of ice wrapped around the legs of the White Mages, quickly spreading to the rest of their body. The same fate soon befell the players near them.

Almost ninety percent of the White Unicorns' team was frozen. Ren only shook his head as he looked at the ice statues in the middle of the frozen lake.

It was still early, yet their numbers had already reduced far too significantly. They hadn't even seen the Boss yet, let alone acquire information about it.

After most of the players burst into particles, Yuji's face, for the first time, displayed fear. If they got wiped out now without even seeing or acquiring the information of the Boss, his reputation would be tarnished. The worst-case scenario was that the entire team would suffer an enormous EXP deduction, forcing them to start all over again.

With such a blunder, he would definitely be removed from his position as a commander in White Unicorns.

Yuji might be shaking from where he stood, but he could still think straight. He didn't waste any time studying the situation and theorizing as he analyzed what had happened.

When White Mages heal frozen players, they also get frozen along with other players in close proximity to them.

It was a pity that it took him two waves of healing to finally realize the feature of the Boss' domain. Before Yuji knew it, it was already too late for him. Ice crept up into his legs as a gust of cold wind swept in his direction.

A [Panacea] would solve this because it could cure any status ailments, but because he had complete confidence in his White Mages, he didn't bother buying any. They were expensive as hell after all and he would regret not doing so for a lifetime.

"We need to get off this place quickly!" Yuji shouted at everyone. "Move! Move!" He hurriedly ordered.

The players ran away like a swarm of ants towards the exit, hoping to get out and save their group from complete annihilation. Although futile, it was worth the shot.

Unfortunately, they were frozen in ice before they could reach their destination.

Yuji was filled with gloom as he watched his unit get annihilated, contrary to Ren, who acted like it was none of his business. The guy just looked at them like he was watching a show. If only there were popcorn in his hands, then the scene would be fitting.

Come to think of it . . . how come he was the only one who wasn't Frozen? Was it a special skill or his item?

"Hey, you!" Yuji shouted at Ren with a grim face. "Why aren't you frozen?"

Ren turned around slowly and looked at him with an unreadable face. He seemed more interested in what Yuji had to say than actually answering him.

"Is that important?" Ren asked and looked away. "You're going to die anyway."

Multiple veins bulged on Yuji's face, and he couldn't help but growl aloud, "You're so full of yourself, aren't you? Have you forgotten that if we get wiped out, you'll get an EXP penalty too!? Not to mention not being paid and that World's Conqueror's reputation would take a hit!"

Ren grinned. "Is that your way of asking for help?"

". . ." Yuji caught his tongue.

But before he could turn into an ice statue and die, he heard Ren say, "Don't worry. As long as I'm alive, there's no such thing as a wipeout."

And he just casually strolled onwards as if he was just exploring a park.

Yuji wanted to shout at Ren to turn back. Maybe if he did, there was still a chance that he could get out of this place, and they wouldn't be annihilated.

It was only wishful thinking on his part. Once players were inside a Boss' lair, no one could leave unless the whole party died or the Boss got killed.

Besides, no matter how much he wanted to shout, Yuji's lips were already sealed with ice.

He could only look on hopelessly as Ren disappeared from the fog beyond the frozen lake.

He couldn't have engaged the Boss alone . . . could he? Yuji thought to himself.

The Primordial Frost Giant was impossible to defeat by a hundred players at their current ATP, much less a solo player. It was simply impossible!

While Yuji was engulfed with dread upon seeing his HP continuously get drained right before his eyes, he steeled himself to accept the inevitable defeat that would soon come with the announcement.

Yuji was already preparing his speech and how he would tell the others about his blunder. Maybe he would shift all the blame to Ren or make an underhanded statement that it was Eric and Erica's fault for not reinforcing his unit with a hundred players more.

Not even five seconds had passed since Ren engaged with the Boss when Yuji saw a notification popping up on his screen. As it was about the same time the ice claimed his life, he thought that they were goners, and he cursed Ren with all his might.

It was a given that Ren would die when facing the Boss alone! Yuji gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. He didn't have to read the notification on his screen to know that they were wiped out and would suffer a huge EXP penalty.

But the awaited voice announcing that they were wiped out never came. Instead, a loud voice rang across the sky.

<CONGRATULATIONS on getting the first blood from defeating the Boss, THUNDER KING!

REWARDS:

¶ 500,000 EXP (Sharable)

· 1, 000,000 gil (Sharable)

¸ Crystal Chest x1

‹ Platinum Chest x1

› Gold Chest x2 >

<Do you want to announce your achievement to the world?>

<YES>

<NO>

Yuji's jaw dropped open after reading the announcement.

What on earth happened?!