System Made Me a Tank [LitRPG-Evolution]

Just then, a sound echoed from beside Noemi. A blue wave of energy emanating from her staff formed a translucent barrier around her. When the Valley Reaper's scythe met the shield, bright sparks scattered. The creature struck again and again, each blow creating ripples across the shield's surface.

"This shield won't last forever!" Noemi called out, beads of sweat forming on her forehead from concentration.

Boran seized the opportunity. He silently moved behind the creature, gripping his shield tightly. Valley Reaper was so focused on breaking Noemi's shield that it was unaware of the threat approaching from behind.

Boran took a deep breath. This was his only chance and he had to use it well. He tensed his legs and jumped with all his might. While soaring through the air, he noticed the spikes on the creature's back — they looked dangerous, but there was no turning back now.

"YAAAAAH!" he shouted as he landed on Valley Reaper's back. The spikes scratched his armor but he paid no attention. While gripping the scales on the creature's neck with one hand, he began bringing his shield down toward the creature's head.

Valley Reaper lost its balance, ceased attacking Noemi and began thrashing wildly. It was trying to throw Boran off, moving erratically with its six legs. Its scythe was swinging dangerously through the air.

"Noemi, now!" Boran shouted while trying to hold onto the creature. "Fire as many Magic Missiles as you can!"

Noemi gripped her staff with both hands, her eyes locked on Valley Reaper. As spell words flowed from her lips, a bright light gathered at the tip of her staff. "Concentrated Magic Missile!"

The spell tore through the air. Dazzling blue energy arrows shot one after another toward Valley Reaper. Each arrow created bright explosions when it hit the creature's scaly skin. While Valley Reaper writhed in pain, Boran continued holding on like a bull rider on its back.

Boran's armor made metallic sounds when it contacted the sharp spikes on the creature's back. With each jolt, each sudden movement, he strained his muscles to maintain balance, while continuing to strike the creature's head with his shield. Sweat drops trickled down his forehead as his eyes gleamed with determination.

"Hit harder, Noemi!" Boran shouted, barely managing to hold on when Valley Reaper made a sudden movement. "This thing is still too strong!"

Valley Reaper was thrashing wildly, swinging its tail everywhere. Each time, Boran managed to dodge the deadly tail by shifting his body to the side, sometimes ducking his head, sometimes straightening up at just the right moment.

While continuously casting her spells, Noemi watched Boran. Her friend was practically dancing on the back of the enormous creature. No matter how wildly Valley Reaper moved, Boran moved with it as if he were part of the creature.

As Boran brought his shield down on the creature's neck, the impact sent Valley Reaper's head jerking sideways. The creature hissed in anger, its purple scales vibrating with rage.

Magic Missiles continued whistling through the air. Each hit, each explosion weakened Valley Reaper a bit more. The creature's movements were slowing, its coordination failing. But it was still dangerous — perhaps even more dangerous than before. Because now it was fighting with desperate fury.

Boran gripped the scales on the creature's neck more tightly. His muscles were burning, his arms trembling, but he didn't even consider letting go. He used every movement of Valley Reaper to his advantage, using each stumble to maintain his balance.

"One more wave!" Noemi called out as she raised her staff again.

Boran nodded. While holding the creature's neck scales firmly with one hand, he raised his shield once more with the other. He was preparing to deliver a final blow to Valley Reaper's head.

Boney, taking position while hiding around Valley Reaper, was drawing and releasing his bow at every opportunity. Though the arrows bounced off the creature's scaly skin, sometimes they found weak spots and stuck. Each successful hit added new angry hisses to Valley Reaper's repertoire.

Boney ran nimbly between the trees, quickly firing another arrow whenever he stopped. When Valley Reaper made a move toward him, he immediately shifted to another position, distracting the creature and making Boran and Noemi's job easier.

"Noemi! Cast your Enhanced Fireball!"

"But you're up there!"

"Just do it!" Boran shouted as he flung himself backward from Valley Reaper's back. While gliding through the air, his eyes tracked the creature's movements.

Noemi raised her staff to the sky and crimson-gold energy spirals began dancing around her. As crackles filled the air, a massive fireball began forming at the tip of her staff.

"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE..." Boran roared. Valley Reaper attempted to leap backward in one final effort, but its legs could no longer support it. With its burnt scales and shattered body, it made a pitiful sight. It fell backward, Boran underneath it. But immediately after, it rose again and lunged toward Noemi.

At that moment, Boran's eyes flashed. As soon as he hit the ground, he quickly stood up and charged forward holding his shield in front. "SSB!"

[Valley Reaper Stunned!]

As his shield glowed white, Boran leaped with all his might toward Valley Reaper's head. When his shield struck the creature's head, a metallic ring echoed. Valley Reaper completely lost its balance, all six legs buckled, and its massive body froze in place.

The fireball in Noemi's staff had now reached the size of a house. The sky had turned red, and tree leaves were beginning to quiver from the heat. "Enhanced Fireball!"

When the fireball shot toward Valley Reaper, an air-splitting sound was heard. For the first time, they saw something in the creature's eyes — fear.

[200 damage taken]

Valley Reaper's body remained at the center of the explosion. As its purple scales melted one by one, the creature's final scream echoed in their minds.

The creature's body slowly began transforming into purple smoke. Smoke particles danced in the wind, rising in spirals above the valley. As the last scales melted and disappeared, all that remained of Valley Reaper was a burnt mark and a thin purple mist hanging in the air.

[Quest completed]

"That... that was incredible, Noemi." Parts of his armor were burnt, others dented.

Noemi lowered her staff, the purple light in her eyes slowly fading. She looked tired but satisfied. "You're crazy!"

"Teamwork," Boran smiled, raising his hand while lying on the ground. "If we want to keep doing this combo, I need to find some magic resistance soon."

Noemi laughed shyly. "I'm sorry... I think I used a bit too much power. Are you okay?"

"I took 200 damage, everything hurts, but it was worth it," said Boran, rubbing his shoulder. "This creature... was far more dangerous than we thought."

Silence fell over the valley once again. As the wind swept away the last traces of the magnificent battle that had just taken place, the purple mist in the sky slowly dispersed. Sunbeams struck the spot where Valley Reaper had vanished, as if celebrating the valley's freedom.