The party Marie was part of...

The berserker and mage from Marie's party were standing there, disheveled and low on HP. They must have been fighting their way through the outskirts on their own, as shown by their increase in levels when you Observed them.

Victor Cross

Level 5 -> 12

Strength: 500

Dexterity: 100

Constitution: 300

Intellect: 50

Wisdom: 40

Charisma: 50

No perks

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Nike Davids

Level 5 ->13

Strength: 50

Dexterity: 300

Constitution: 200

Intellect: 1000

Wisdom: 500

Charisma: 100

No perks

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yeah, they had grown far stronger than last time. The EXP you had gained from killing them alone hadn't been enough to level you up.

Now, as they watched you, righteous fury in their eyes, as their hands moved towards their weapons, you think to yourself, 'Maybe they'll level me up this time.'

The boss fight alert goes off this time. It lets nearby players and monsters that a boss fight was about to occur, and the area was about to be cordoned off. Must have been in the overnight patch. How you instinctively know what it is, you can't explain.

The berserker rushes you. He's slashed in the leg, cutting his Achilles tendon and rendering it useless. He swings at you, his swings more precise as he lunges at you. He's been practicing, you can tell. You punch him in the face, and he goes down like a sack of bricks, staggered. You raise your butcher knife to finish him off.

A fireball spell hits you in the chest, pushing you back. You look up at the mage, who's holding a glowing staff and glaring at you, and can't help but grin.

Hm. This could actually provide a challenge for you.

The green glow of healing magic catches your eye, and you watch the berserker push up off the ground with his leg.

His injured leg.

No, his previously injured, now-untouched leg.

Your grin widens, just a tiny bit.