Assassin at Range: The Sniper’s Lethal Power

When the BOSS's health dropped to the final 200,000, NightStalker requested external help. His health was still good, but the team's control skills had already run out. There was no way they could survive much longer without healing. If they had a healer, they could whittle down the remaining health, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case. It was up to Tristan to finish the job.

Tristan didn't hesitate. A quick Shadow Dagger cleared the BOSS's remaining health.

NightStalker, with a slight look of embarrassment, said, "I didn't want to ask for your help, but we just couldn't handle it anymore."

Tristan waved his hand dismissively. "You guys did great! This is a Gold Grade BOSS. A six-man squad might not even get through it, and you guys are only four. Add another DPS and a healer, and you could've easily taken it down."

Even so, NightStalker still felt a little guilty.

DarkStriker sheathed his daggers and stepped forward, his voice filled with self-reflection. "If only my damage output was higher."

Manalady, not to be outdone, added, "If only I had one more control skill."

GemmaS gave a wry smile. "Honestly, my damage output was almost non-existent, and I contributed only a few times in controlling the fight. If anything, I was the one holding everyone back."

This dungeon was a required run for Mechanical Engineers to gather materials, but it was specifically designed to counter them. Under the debuff, GemmaS's damage was even lower than NightStalker's, the main tank. She couldn't help but feel embarrassed about her poor performance.

After their first unsuccessful attempt, the team felt the weight of the failure on their shoulders.

Tristan, in his usual carefree manner, dismissed their concerns. "A minor setback! Stop dwelling on it. You're Pinnacle members—if we fall, we don't regret it, we die fighting!"

Hearing Tristan's words, the mood lightened, and the group calmed down.

Tristan's voice softened. "But think about it: you almost took down the BOSS even in this situation. If I get you a couple more teammates, that Gold Grade BOSS would be slaughtered easily! Your real target should be Dark Gold Grade BOSSes, or even higher!"

NightStalker nodded. "You're right, I lost focus for a second."

GemmaS, regaining her confidence, said, "Once I make the Destroyer, even with the debuffs, I'll bulldoze through this dungeon!"

DarkStriker and Manalady didn't say anything, but their eyes shone with renewed determination.

Tristan exhaled, relieved.

NightStalker and his team had the talent and awareness of top-tier players, but they still needed more honing. They weren't showing their full potential just yet. It was up to him to guide them at the right moments.

The team was on the right track; they just needed more experience.

"Well, it looks like my efforts to get them into a team weren't wasted," Tristan thought to himself.

He then moved forward and gathered two pieces of loot.

[Rocket Backpack Blueprint (Gold Grade)]

Material Requirements: Precision Gunpowder10, Heat-Resistant Shell5, Mithril Ingots*10…

Hint: Maybe you should prepare a parachute just in case?

Another blueprint. No need to say much. He handed it to GemmaS. This dungeon was mainly related to Mechanical Engineers, and the drops were mostly for them, so it only made sense.

GemmaS had good luck, getting two blueprints in a row.

[Flame Pistol: Gold Grade, Attack +1200, Spirit +50, Level Requirement: 20]

Special Effect: Attack deals (200) fire damage.

A mechanical engineer's weapon, an automatic handgun.

Tristan handed it to GemmaS directly.

GemmaS felt a little embarrassed.

She had contributed the least, and yet, she was the one who ended up with three of the four pieces of loot from the two BOSSes. The rest couldn't even use the remaining piece.

Tristan, sensing her hesitation, casually remarked, "The equipment isn't for free. When you're done, make a few hundred self-destruct robots and store them in the guild warehouse."

GemmaS groaned, "Boss, are you trying to work me like a beast? A few hundred? Really?"

NightStalker chuckled, "GemmaS, I believe in you. You got this!"

DarkStriker and Manalady shared trusting looks.

GemmaS, not one to act coy, took the blueprint with a determined grin, "A few hundred self-destruct robots? Leave it to me, I'll make it happen!"

Tristan watched the team chatting and laughing, feeling quite satisfied.

"Finally, they're starting to gel well. Not bad at all. Keep it up," he thought to himself.

After they had dealt with the loot, the team continued forward, killing mobs and making great progress.

The third BOSS arrived.

It was a ten-meter-tall stone giant, completely black in color.

[Azect Giant (Gold Grade)]

Level: 20

Health: 1,500,000/1,500,000

Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

Attack: 5500

Defense: 8000

Skills: Earthquake Stomp, Hardened Shell, Split, Dust Storm, Earth Spikes

Description: Born from the over-mining by goblins, the veins of ore gained consciousness and sought revenge.

A BOSS with max defense.

Tristan laid out the battle plan: "You all stay here, don't move. I'll go take care of the BOSS."

With that, he activated Shadow Stealth.

As part of the team, NightStalker and the others could still see Tristan's semi-transparent figure.

Tristan moved further away from the BOSS, gradually covering more distance. He didn't stop until he was over a hundred meters away, barely visible.

Then, with a swift motion, a dark throwing knife cut through the air, and the BOSS's health was instantly drained.

The battle ended.

DarkStriker, deep in thought, remarked, "I had a hunch that the Guild Leader's talents are related to ranged combat. Looks like I was right."

NightStalker sighed, "Assassin combined with ranged talents… What an interesting combo. How did the Guild Leader even come up with this?"

GemmaS was thinking the same thing.

If it had been her, she would have chosen the archer class if she had a ranged damage-boosting talent. But the Guild Leader had chosen the opposite path—and yet, it worked beautifully.

It was absurd.

Manalady, bored out of her mind, twirled the gem at the top of her staff, her voice firm, "I'm never going on a dungeon run with him again. It's just too demoralizing."

NightStalker and the others nodded in agreement.

Sure, dungeon runs with Tristan were relaxing, but the psychological pressure was immense. They were jumping around, doing everything they could to control the fight, just to have Tristan end it with a single skill.

The gap was too wide.

Tristan returned from the distance and noticed the team chatting excitedly. He curiously asked, "What are you guys talking about?"

The group exchanged glances before answering in unison, "Nothing, just idle talk."

"Alright," Tristan shrugged, not pressing further.

Just as he was about to approach and collect the loot, he hesitated.

Given his luck with the previous two BOSSes, the drops hadn't been the best. Sure, three pieces had gone to GemmaS, but only one was usable by the rest.

Tristan decided to let someone else have a go at the loot this time. They needed to get something, too.

He turned to Manalady. "Manalady, you go grab the loot."

Manalady hesitated.

If she ended up with something the team couldn't use, wouldn't it be a waste of the Guild Leader's efforts?

Well, it wasn't like he put in much effort—just one skill.

Noticing her uncertainty, Tristan smiled. He had full confidence in Manalady. She might not even know it, but her luck was actually pretty good.