After successfully killing a player, the Megalodon boss gained a [Tenacity] buff, reducing 20% of incoming damage. This made the already formidable boss even harder to defeat.
Ran Qi knew this couldn’t go on. If they took too long, someone would definitely have to sacrifice themselves when the boss unleashed its ultimate move. He turned to Feng Tian and said, “Xiao Tian, keep applying [Armor Break] and [Weakness] to the boss. If you have time, dispel the negative effects on the main tank. Leave healing the others to me.”
Feng Tian had two defense-reducing skills: [Armor Break], which lowered the boss’s physical defense, and [Weakness], which reduced its magic defense. As long as he kept stacking debuffs on the boss, the rest of the team would have a much easier time dealing damage.
“How is that going to work? How can you heal everyone alone?” Feng Tian instinctively wanted to object but was stopped by Night Owl.
“Listen to him,” Night Owl said.
For a normal Priest, healing a fifteen-player raid team would be impossible, but it was just a bit challenging for Ran Qi.
His base healing output was two to three times that of an average Priest. His continuous healing effect alone restored as much HP per second as a regular Priest’s healing spell. As long as someone wasn’t instantly killed, he could bring their HP back up with a single healing spell. Not to mention, he also had the group-healing [Holy Light].
“Alright.” Since the raid leader had spoken, Feng Tian didn’t argue further. His objection wasn’t because he doubted Ran Qi’s ability but because he was worried about him overexerting himself. After applying the debuffs on the boss, he quickly switched to healing others, trying to share Ran Qi’s burden as much as possible.
With that, Ran Qi became incredibly busy. He barely had a moment to breathe, needing to time his cooldowns perfectly to ensure seamless healing. He wished he had eight arms just to keep up.
The rest of the team placed their full trust in him, pouring all their effort into attacking the boss. They downed mana potions like they were free, knowing that their success or failure hinged on this moment. If they couldn’t take down the boss in one go, a total wipe was inevitable.
Thanks to their combined efforts, the Megalodon’s health dropped lower and lower. When it reached 20%, it activated its Siphon skill again, unleashing a massive suction force that pulled everything toward its gaping maw.
“Hold onto the people around you! No one else can get sucked in!” Night Owl shouted, securing Ran Qi firmly in his arms.
Soul Chaser and Plume Ink worked together to protect Feng Tian, while the others watched out for each other. The Megalodon boss was down to 20% HP—if they could just hold on a little longer, victory would be theirs.
After surviving that Siphon, the team breathed a sigh of relief, but Ran Qi knew there was still one more hurdle ahead.
When the boss was near death, it would unleash its ultimate skill—[Desperate Struggle], wildly churning the seawater and creating massive waves that dealt immense damage to the entire team for 30 seconds. That was exactly the cooldown time of two [Holy Light] casts. Ran Qi warned Feng Tian to save [Holy Light] and use only [Healing Spell] for now. If [Holy Light] went on cooldown at the wrong time, they wouldn’t be able to keep up, and massive casualties could occur. He wasn’t about to let their efforts go to waste at the last moment.
As it turned out, Ran Qi’s decision was right. When the Megalodon’s HP dropped to 4%, it activated the [Desperate Struggle.] The massive creature thrashed violently in the water, sending waves two to three meters high crashing onto the ship. The waves kept coming, one after another, rapidly draining everyone’s HP. Ran Qi’s [Holy Light] played a crucial role, instantly restoring the team’s HP amid the relentless damage. However, since [Holy Light] healed in intervals of three seconds, there were always one or two unlucky players who got caught between damage ticks and healing cycles. Fortunately, with Ran Qi around, they could be revived quickly and jump right back into the fight.
Ran Qi’s [Holy Light] played a crucial role, instantly restoring the team’s HP amid the relentless damage. However, since [Holy Light] healed in intervals of three seconds, there were always one or two unlucky players who got caught between damage ticks and healing cycles. Fortunately, with Ran Qi around, they could be revived quickly and jump right back into the fight.
[Desperate Struggle] only lasted for 30 seconds. Compared to their first attempt at the Cat Demon’s Nest dungeon, their casualties were much lower this time.
Through the team’s combined efforts, they endured the final onslaught and successfully killed the Megalodon.
[System Announcement] Silent no more, a single strike stuns the world! Congratulations to players [Night Owl], [Soul Chaser], [Plume Ink], [Sword at Fleeting Time], [Coke], [Bai Ran], [Windstorm Jiangnan], [Feng Tian], [No Happiness], [Four Seasons], [Raphael], [Smoke], [Shura], [Blossoming], and [Thousand Mechanisms] for achieving the first kill of the final boss, Berserk Megalodon, in the Sea Abyss dungeon! Rewarded with the title [Shark Slayer] and [Physical Exchange Coupons *3].
[System Announcement] Congratulations to players [Night Owl], [Soul Chaser], [Plume Ink], [Sword at Fleeting Time], [Coke], [Bai Ran], [Windstorm Jiangnan], [Feng Tian], [No Happiness], [Four Seasons], [Raphael], [Smoke], [Shura], [Blossoming], and [Thousand Mechanisms] for clearing the Sea Abyss dungeon in 6 hours, 33 minutes, and 8.43 seconds, earning an SS-rank evaluation.
They never expected this dungeon to take them over six hours—longer than the Cat Demon’s Nest. This showed just how difficult it was. The deaths during the run had lowered their rating, but they didn’t mind. They were confident that when they ran it again the next week, they would perform better. Besides, the fact that each of them received three Physical Exchange Coupons as a reward was an even better surprise.
[World] Mountain and Sea Dreamer: Oh my god, they finally cleared it! This dungeon’s difficulty is insane! I bet no one except top-tier teams can get through it…
[World] Yu Feicheng: Yeah, that final boss was ridiculously hard. If it weren’t for that Priest, there’s no way they could have done it!
[World] Shinian: No wonder he’s the number one Priest. Did you see the healing stats? His total healing output is almost as much as three Priests combined!
[World] Seven Up Eight Down: Can you guys at least hit level 45 before thinking about clearing this dungeon? Right now, I just want to know what gear dropped!
[World] Everlasting Night: Yes, yes! Loot time! Rubbing my hands in excitement!
The massive corpse of the Megalodon didn’t disappear. It floated belly-up on the water, like a small mountain, waiting for the team to collect its drops.
This time, there was no need for discussion—everyone instinctively stepped back, leaving the looting to Ran Qi.
Ran Qi: “…”
His luck was still incredible. He looted a purple staff and Haihao Stone, which could be used for forging.
[System Announcement] Player [Night Owl] led a group of brave warriors to defeat the wicked Berserk Megalodon and obtained the [Water-Patterned Staff].
[Water-Patterned Staff]
Restriction Level: 45 or above
Limited Profession: Mage
Grade: A
Durability: 200/200
Attributes: Basic Attack+175, Wisdom+65, Constitution+40, Water Element Crit Strike+40
“This is a water-element staff. I won’t be using it. You guys decide who gets it,” Night Owl said.
According to their loot distribution rules, this staff should have gone to Night Owl without question. However, his skills were more fire- and dark-element focused, so the staff wasn’t particularly useful to him. Besides, the weapons Ran Qi forged for him were far better suited to his needs, so he chose to pass on it.
Among their team, there were only three Mages, including Night Owl. Blossoming was a stronger DPS than Smoke, and their level was higher, so the staff ultimately went to Blossoming.
Next, it was time to open the treasure chest. Since they hadn’t achieved an SSS-rank rating, they didn’t get any extra rewards and only received a golden treasure chest.
Loot from treasure chests didn’t appear in system announcements. With the future strategy in mind, Night Owl didn’t want outsiders to gauge their team’s strength, so he ruthlessly turned off the stream, ignoring the audience’s wails of protest.
“Brother Ran, good luck!” Everyone stared at the golden treasure chest with bright eyes, hoping Bai Ran would pull out something good. Even Blossoming, Thousand Mechanisms, and the other three non-core members were eagerly watching—by now, they all fully believed in Bai Ran’s incredible luck.
Ran Qi’s incredible luck continued as he looted a [Shield – Skill Book] and a pair of purple [Sharkskin Boots].
[Shield – Skill Book]
Can Learn Level: 45
Limited Profession: Priest
Description: Open to learn the [Shield] skill. Instant cast, 5-second cooldown. Grants the target a shield that absorbs 25% of incoming damage and converts it into the target’s HP. The shield breaks upon taking damage and cannot be reapplied for 20 seconds.
[Sharkskin Boots]
Restriction Level: 45 or above
Limited Profession: Ranger
Grade: A
Durability: 200/200
Attributes: Hit+147, Strength+72, Critical Strike+50, Constitution+42
This shield skill was extremely useful—it not only protected teammates but also healed them, and the short cooldown meant that as long as there was enough MP, the whole party could be shielded.
Although all Priests could use the skill book, Ran Qi’s contributions to the team were undeniable, so there was no question that the book should go to him.
Ran Qi accepted it without hesitation. He had actually unlocked the Shield skill upon reaching level 45, but since he hadn’t had a proper skill book to explain its use, he couldn’t activate it before. Now that he finally had the book, he could use the skill freely.
As for the boots, they were given directly to Soul Chaser, the team’s only Ranger.
“Thanks. If you ever need more people, just call us anytime.” With the dungeon run over, Thousand Mechanisms and the others were preparing to leave, expressing their hope for future cooperation.
“Sure. If our guild members aren’t level 45 by next week, we’ll consider teaming up again,” Night Owl replied with a nod. Their two collaborations had gone smoothly, so he was open to working together again.
Once the three of them left, everyone handed their Physical Exchange Coupons to Ran Qi—it had already become a habit by now.
Ran Qi didn’t refuse this time, either. Since he never wasted the coupons, he always saved them up to buy ingredients and cook delicious meals for everyone, making the most of them.
At that moment, however, Ran Qi received a forced logout notice from the system. Even though his physical condition had improved, the Abyss dungeon had still been incredibly taxing. His body couldn’t handle it for too long, and he was required to log off and rest.
