“Do we still want to keep fighting?” Katerine asked with a bitter smile when it indicated below the name that this was the ‘real form’ of Evil Santa, Krampus. No one had ever reached that state until now, and every spectator was on the edge of their seats eager to see what was going to happen next.
Legends and tales of the old mentioned that Krampus punishing those children who had misbehaved and just like the current monster in front of them, it was said to be half goat, half demon. Since there was no such thing as a copyright for a folktale, Jin had used that myth to the fullest. To make it even more realistic, he had actually asked Baphomet to be the one to play the part.
Already possessing a goat demon appearance, all Baphomet needed was some cosmetic inscriptions to alter the way he looked for the first two forms and voila~! He had become the perfect Krampus villain just like Jin had hoped to present in his Evil Santa Boss Raid Instance.
“Should you ever find and capture that old Demon Krampus, please use him instead of me. I do not want to smear his name for my actions aren’t exactly quite representative of him.” Baphomet requested Jin when accepted the role.
“Well if I ever get the chance, I will do so and take full responsibility for your actions. Besides I don’t need you to fully act as Krampus, you just need to appear like him for the last part. There won’t be much of a fight because the first two stages are already difficult enough.” Jin added when he designed the dungeon.
True to his words, suddenly the cultivators heard a jingling sound in the air and a loud ‘Ho Ho Ho’ which echoed throughout the skies. The group and Krampus looked up towards a shining bright light, illuminating the moonless cold nights.
Only when the light diminished a bit could they make out the form. It was another sleigh being pulled by…pandas with a red nose accessory and fake horns while the person riding it was not Santa but just Panda Captain Hei in a Santa costume with a large and seemingly heavy red sack behind him. (He still had his usual SWAT vest on his Santa costume, kinda like SWAT Santa version?)
“Ho Ho Ho! Seems like you children have been quite resilient and brave to get Krampus to show his true form. Let me grant you some assistance and reward you with a Christmas present.” Captain Hei said as he dropped the sack down, which caused the snow around it to flutter due to the impact.
“Naughty children it’s time for you to be put to rest!” Krampus couldn’t care less about Captain Hei and decided to go take care of the nearest living cultivator who was Bu Dong with his chains and bundle of birch sticks.
“Fine by me! I am dying to take revenge as well!” Bu Dong thought as he rushed forth and activated his Blazing Edge yet again as well as invoking all the inscriptions in his sword. It was time to show off the true capabilities of a rich man’s son.
The sword burnt brightly with his chi but it was soon enhanced with an explosive effect that was slightly delayed whenever Bu Dong clashed his sword with Krampus’ birch stick bundle. It caused the sticks to disintegrate into various pieces, but Krampus was not done yet. With the splinters of the branches, he proceeded to pierce Bu Dong.
Thankfully, the Armour of Tiw cast by Jasmin took effect, absorbing one of the hits, before dissipating into nothingness. But that was enough for Bu Dong to throw in another slash that bit into Krampus flesh.
It was the Biting Edge Inscription, one of the newer inscriptions which Octofussy had created. The slash caused small little bugs to crawl into the wound, biting and gnawing at the surrounding area for 3 seconds before disappearing. The bugs were an illusionary effect, but the damage done by the inscription was real.
While Bu Dong was keeping Krampus busy, Katerine and the other two fire shamans pulled out the present which Captain Hei was offering.
It turned out to be a Gatling machine gun.
“Here’s the manual to the gatling gun, hope you get to fix it before Krampus notices you guys! Other than that, a few chi potions for replenishment as well as a fire crystal to keep all of you warm for the remaining part of the fight!”
Captain Hei stepped onto his sleigh and charged towards Krampus as a final gift for the cultivators. Instinctively, Bu Dong moved away, and Krampus received the full blown attack, knocking him back into the garage before flying off vertically into the skies and disappear.
“Keep him busy! We have to prepare the weapon to kill him!” Nia informed him as the girls were trying their best to affix the gatling gun together, supporting it to mount correctly. To their amazement, it was not just some minigun as the manual stated that the bullets were imbued with holy energy, designed to take down demons like Krampus.
A heavy rain of bullets should definitely do the trick.
Krampus roared, causing the entire house above him to vibrate and after which he charged forward through all the debris. Bu Dong could see the large blackish body frame coming towards him, but then with the commotion at the top of the slope, the boy knew he had to do something to stop Krampus from destroying the weapon which could defeat him.
Hence, Bu Dong stood his ground.
“Secret Technique. Angry Ape Pronounces its Superiority!!!” Bu Dong shouted as he pulled out the dagger that Jasmin gave him and the sword that was still burning brightly. By hook or by crook, he had to buy as much time as possible to stop Krampus from charging, even it meant that he had to pay with his life.
The Angry Ape silhouettes above him roared in unison as if to commend his spirit of bravery when he clashed straight on with Krampus. Even when the sword and dagger pierced into the Christmas Demon, Bu Dong could feel his elbows giving way like they were going to break under the intense pressure it was receiving.
If not for the deep layer of snow he entrenched himself in, Bu Dong probably would have lost his footing sooner letting Krampus proceed forward. All he could do now was grit his teeth enduring the pain and hope for the best.
In the meantime, Krampus did not waste a moment and had already used Death Touch on Bu Dong, causing his arms to turn blue and black. The effects seemed more severe and faster than on Jasmin.
It appeared that his true form had caused his skills to grow more rampant and deadly. Aside from the corruption, the Christmas Demon had subconsciously commanded his chain to wrap around Bu Dong strangling his neck while trying to break his stance.
Yet Bu Dong was not giving up.
“Naughty child, just go to sleep!” Krampus stared maliciously at Bu Dong.
“Go to sleep yourself, motherfucka.” Katerine unlocked the safety, and the rotating barrel was aimed towards Krampus.
