Chapter 22
<Bad Ending Maker Episode 22>
The second of the legendary three heroes, the Archmage Kirie Eleison.
A teenage-looking immortal archmage with fiery red hair that matched her affinity for fire-based magic.
Her signature spell was the Ultra Giant Fireball.
While the spell itself remained a basic Fireball, its power and size scaled with the caster's mana capacity and skill.
Kirie specialized in pouring her innate colossal mana reserves into casting these overwhelming fireballs.
"...So the Fireball's a multi-hit spell," Labo explained while awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. "The number of hits increases with its size."
Oasis lay splayed on the ground, completely charred black - a horrific result of the "Friend Shield" technique.
"Still, your sacrifice let us finish her off quickly!" Labo cheerfully continued. "This victory's all thanks to you, Oasis! Good job!"
Kirie had collapsed from mana exhaustion after casting her ultimate spell, her level capped at 50.
This allowed Labo to easily deliver the final blow.
Oasis said nothing.
When the charred Oasis remained silent, Labo cautiously crouched beside her.
"Oasis? Are you... mad?"
"No, Master... Oasis is fine..."
Black smoke puffed from her lips with each weak reply.
"It's just... I worry what kind of death awaits me next... since this will keep happening..."
"Ha! No need to worry about that!" Labo declared in a comforting tone. "After dying repeatedly, you'll grow numb to it! Soon death won't bother you at all!"
...Was this supposed to be comforting?
As Oasis stared in disbelief, Labo hummed and opened the quest window:
Class Change Quest: Demon King Succession III
Current Objective: Defeat the Shadows of Three Heroes
Sword King Cardmos Gargantuya (1/1)
Archmage Kirie Eleison (1/1)
Pope Edenza Chronoside (0/1)
"Just the Pope left now," Labo muttered while reviving Oasis with an item.
The resurrected Oasis sat up groaning. "Pope? What class is that NPC?"
"Can't you tell? Pope's a Priest."
"A Priest?!"
Oasis's gloomy expression brightened slightly. "Same class category as me!"
"I heard Priests are the weakest in PvP! This should be easy!"
"Well... actually..." Labo scratched his helmet. "Of the three, the Pope's the most annoying."
"Why?!"
"She's a Battle Priest."
Battle Priest!
Oasis's eyes sparkled with curiosity at the unfamiliar term. "Are they strong?"
"Not strong per se..." Labo shook his head vigorously. "Just... filthy."
"Filthy?"
"You'll understand when we fight her. Let's go."
Beyond the next door stood the final hero - Pope Edenza Chronoside.
A delicate-looking girl with neat white hair and pristine robes.
She looks like a typical Priest...?
Oasis tilted her head in confusion.
"Buffs, Oasis."
"Right!"
Labo charged forward as Edenza slowly raised her arms, making her robes flutter open to reveal...
...Absurdly thick silver plate armor contradicting her fragile appearance.
In her right hand gleamed a mace, her left gripping a shield larger than a human torso.
CLANG! CLANG!
Labo's dark energy-clad sword strikes barely dented her HP despite piercing armor defenses.
"Tch! Dark Chain Strike!"
Five consecutive armor-piercing hits landed cleanly on the shield.
Yet Edenza's HP only dropped by a quarter.
As Labo prepared another combo, Edenza summoned a glowing hammer that smashed down on their heads.
CRASH!
"Gah!"
"Eek?!"
While they staggered from the Hammer of Dawn stun, Edenza calmly healed herself.
She then approached the dazed Labo and rhythmically bonked his helmet with her mace.
Thud thud thud
Though dealing negligible damage, the humiliation was palpable.
"...Now you see why I called it filthy," Labo grumbled through clenched teeth as mace blows rained down.
"...I understand completely."
A tank build investing everything in stamina.
Heavy armor sacrificing agility for supreme defense.
A tower shield blocking 270 degrees.
Skills limited to heals, stuns, and blinds.
An unkillable recovery/CC tank - nicknamed "Cockroach Priest" for its disgusting resilience.
"It's infamous in arenas," Labo explained while enduring more head thwacks. "Wears opponents down until they quit from frustration. Reached Season 1 semifinals before getting nerfed."
Though arena heal efficiency was reduced by 30%, this build remained popular in open-world PvP among... certain enthusiasts.
"How do we beat this? Can we even win?"
Labo gripped his sword tighter. "We keep hitting until her mana runs dry. Thankfully she's level-capped - no infinite heals."
"How long will that take?"
"Maybe... hours?"
Oasis stared in horror at the armored priestess swaying ponderously.
Three hours later...
"We did it!!"
Labo roared triumphantly beside the fallen Pope.
Edenza had finally collapsed from mana depletion. Against a player with potions, this would've been endless.
"Players must create even crazier builds..." Oasis muttered, shaken.
Labo wiped sweat from his now-visible face (helmet hidden via settings). "Check past tournament videos. It's a festival of madness."
His smile bloomed while explaining: "That's the beauty of our arena. Same class, infinite possibilities through stats, gear, and skills. That's how we became a top esport."
Oasis quietly watched Labo's proud expression - the happiest she ever saw him.
If he destroys this game he loves... will Master find happiness?
She doubted it.
"Enough tournament talk!" Labo cheerfully reopened his quest window:
Class Change Quest: Demon King Succession III
Previous Objective: Defeat Three Heroes' Shadows (Complete)
Current Objective: Speak to Terio
"Time for my class change!"
Oasis smiled warmly at her master's enthusiasm.
"Yes, Master! Let's go!"
