Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 16: Stunned Efforts

"Energy of the elements around me. Come to me and give me the force to fight against my enemies! [Mana Blast]!"

"Flames from the light of the sun. Blaze into my mana and burn through my staff! [Flare Burst]!"

As I saw through the bush, Kaz and Mari propelled both of their spells towards the bear. Both hit clean and its [HP] began to dwindle. I see this through my HUD's [HP] window.

[HP: 491/580]

It wasn't quite enough to weaken it, but it was a good start. With Arthur still busy distracting the [Wild Bear], it didn't pay any attention to the others. So for now, they were at a safe distance to attack. I couldn't let them hog all of the glory though. I fired several arrows at the bear. While some missed due to my inexperience, the others managed to strike the bear piercing through its body. Though, from looking at the areas that I did hit such as the arms and back, I doubted I could repeat that earlier "headshot".

I was hoping this could go on forever, but I knew it wouldn't last. Just after Arthur chipped off more of the bear's [HP] with his sword, the [Wild Bear] got down all fours and before we could even react, it gave out the loudest roar that I ever heard in my whole life. I would've tried to cover my ears with my hands, but I couldn't even use them. In fact, I couldn't even let go of my bow. And when I tried to move my legs or arms, I realized something. Whatever that monster did, it had left me paralyzed. But how? Was this part of the game?

Just then, as if it answered my question, a window popped up right in front of me. Why was a tutorial appearing at this time?!

[WARNING]

[You are currently STUNNED for 10 seconds. Your body will be incapable of movement until the status effect disappears.]

[Please wait for the effect to disappear.]

[Stunned]?! Are you serious?! Sure, 10 seconds might be short, but it was such a pain in a neck in this instance since we were facing a dangerous monster. It wasn't any better when I saw the others. Not only was Kaz also affected by the attack, but Mari and Arthur were suffering the same too. And unfortunately for the latter, he was right in front of the monster, now stuck in a position where he was about to swing his sword at it. It didn't take long, as the bear swiped its claws at my friend and sent him flying away into some nearby trees behind him. I wanted to help him, but due to my paralysis, I couldn't do anything but to watch it happen.

Ugh... This sucked... Not only was this [Wild Bear] was huge, but it was very unpredictable with its attacks. I just wished we could've faced something simpler like that wild boar from earlier.

PING!

<<Wind!>>

W-What the?! Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about the whisper chat. I'd almost had a heart attack.

<<Calm down, don't panic just yet. We still have a chance. Once the [Stunned] effect disappears, get to Arthur's side and aid him as much as you can. We'll be on standby until then.>>

That was a good plan. I could tell that Arthur felt that attack back there full force and I couldn't blame him. That [Wild Bear's] roar's effects caught us off-guard and we didn't know how to counteract it since we couldn't move for 10 seconds. So giving him a back-up sounds like a do-able option.

<<Hang on! But what about the [Wild Bear]?! What if it attacks us again?!>>

I could hear Kaz's voice boom into my ear. Yeesh, he really needed lower his voice sometimes.