Chef in the Apocalypse

31  Goblin Shaman (2)

The clash between Jayce and the Goblin Shaman intensified, their weapons colliding with a resounding clang that echoed through the alley. But the Goblin Shaman's cunning was apparent as it abruptly struck the ground with its staff, a shockwave rippling outward. Jayce was sent tumbling backward, his balance shattered by the force of the blow. His body collided with the ground, a dull ache radiating through his bones.

Regaining his footing, Jayce's gaze snapped back to the Goblin Shaman, his heart racing. The malevolent creature had once again begun its incantation, a spell laden with ominous energy. But this time, without even needing Jayce's command, the mages and archers sprang into action. A fiery ball of destruction, an icy lance of precision, and a whirling wind blade converged upon the Goblin Shaman in a cacophony of elemental fury.

The combined assault struck true, causing the Goblin Shaman to stagger under the onslaught. The incantation shattered, its concentration obliterated by the disruptive barrage. With its guard momentarily compromised, the Shaman was vulnerable.

The three swordsmen, having recovered from the earlier blast, launched into action. Their movements were precise and coordinated, their combat formation a well-oiled machine. Blades sliced through the air with deadly intent, and the Goblin Shaman found itself trapped within a web of strikes and feints. Slowly but surely, the swordsmen were picking apart the Shaman's defenses.

Jayce's eyes remained fixed on the battle, his patience a testament to his tactical acumen. He watched, biding his time, as chaos erupted around him. The clash of steel, the crackling of spells, and the guttural cries of combat filled the air. Amidst the fray, an opening presented itself, a fleeting vulnerability that Jayce seized upon.

In an instant, his muscles coiled, his resolve crystallizing into action. He pushed himself forward, a burst of strength propelling him between two of the swordsmen. His sashimi knife became an extension of his will, aimed unerringly at the Goblin Shaman's exposed heart.

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The blade found its mark with a sickening thud, piercing through flesh and bone. A guttural roar of pain and fury erupted from the Goblin Shaman, its grotesque face contorted in agony. Blood spurted from the wound, splattering the ground in a macabre dance.

As Jayce's blade struck true, time itself seemed to falter. The chaotic battlefield faded into silence, as if the world held its breath. All sounds turned mute, save for the rhythmic cadence of blood dripping onto the ground. Jayce's wide eyes were fixed on the Goblin Shaman, his senses acutely attuned to the raging energies emanating from the wounded creature.

In the heart-stopping instant that followed, the Goblin Shaman's malevolence shifted, its aura spiraling into a vortex of ominous power. Jayce's panic surged, an icy chill coursing down his spine. The world around him quivered, the air thick with foreboding. And then, with an eruption of raw energy, reality itself shattered.

A devastating force erupted from the Shaman, a surge of power that sent everyone hurtling through the air once more. The party was flung like rag dolls, their bodies tumbling and crashing against the alley's walls. Agonizing pain lanced through their forms as they were slammed unceremoniously against the unforgiving surfaces.

And there, amidst the chaos, stood the Goblin Shaman. Its matted gray hair now a fiery crimson, its skin turning a sickly shade of red that exuded an aura of dread. The creature remained stationary, its malevolence growing in intensity. The very air seemed to tremble in its presence, and the ground beneath it cracked with each step.

Jayce's voice cut through the disarray, his tone laced with shock and urgency, "Berserk Shaman!" The words sent a wave of panic rippling through the party. The terror etched onto Jayce's face was enough to communicate the direness of the situation.

Lianna's voice trembled as she called out to Jayce, desperation in her eyes, "What do we do?"

Jayce's mind raced, his thoughts a whirlwind of chaos and determination. He knew the danger they faced, the impending catastrophe of a Berserk Shaman. His jaw tightened, and his resolve solidified. He turned his gaze toward the maelstrom of power before him.

"It's invulnerable right now," Jayce declared. "We need to wait for the transformation to run its course."

Jayce frowned, a normal Goblin Shaman should not have the ability to turn Berserk, which could only mean one thing. The Shaman was a boss monster, something that they should not even consider fighting at their level.

Holding back a sigh, Jayce reached into his inventory, retrieving a collection of food and the Green Consumable potions he had acquired earlier. "Time to power up." he muttered, dreading the horrible taste that he knew was coming. He had no choice but to resort to what came next.

[You have consumed Goblin Shaman's Tonic +1 Strength for 1 hour]

The moment the concoction touched his tongue, a wave of revulsion surged through his being. The taste was an assault on his senses, a repulsive mixture of rancid herbs and nauseating bitterness. It clung to his palate like a malevolent specter, a foul residue that seemed to defy any attempts to cleanse it away. The very essence of the potion seemed to coat his mouth with its repugnant presence, leaving a lingering aftertaste that was nothing short of loathsome.

Gritting his teeth, he uncorked the next vial and emptied the thick contents into his mouth once more. The misery he was experiencing seemed to be multiplied with the addition of the second tonic, almost causing him to empty the contents of his stomach.

[You have consumed Goblin Shaman's Tonic +1 Strength for 1 hour]

[Your skill VIP15 has made this boost permanent]

Thankfully, there was a silver lining in all of his suffering. The trusty VIP15 skill had done its job, delivering him from the mouth of hell into the gates of heaven.

However, the utter misery he was experiencing while consuming the "non-toxic" tonic was indescribable. There was a reason why the players in his last life would only consume the tonic if there was no other choice.

Dropping this one early, as I won't be able to post one tomorrow.