Chapter 82: The Icy Grip of Snow Woman’s Control

“Fly, ice and snow!” Just as everyone’s morale soared, a splash of cold water—no, a torrent of icy snow—rained down upon them, drenching them head to toe.

The Super Shikigami, Snow Woman, did not boast the same devastating damage as her companion, Great Tengu, nor could she endure blows like Nine-Tailed Cat (who, in truth, wasn’t much of a tank herself).

What, then, was her defining trait?

The answer, unequivocally, was crowd control.

Despite having unleashed her ultimate ability only moments prior, Snow Woman astonishingly cast “Frost Wind Cold Night” once more.

While this ultimate’s damage output was not exceptionally high, its power lay in its ability to completely freeze its targets.

A singular freeze within a brief period would have been manageable.

However, if Snow Woman could unleash widespread freezing attacks with such alarming frequency, players would inevitably find themselves reduced to ‘gradual freezing people’ (TL Note: A term referencing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, used here to describe being slowly immobilized and awaiting defeat), effectively awaiting their demise.

“Old man, your ultimate!” Though caught off guard by the swift cooldown of Snow Woman’s ultimate, Shiro Mujou immediately cried out to Ebisu, urging him to unleash his own ultimate ability without delay.

“Tell me your wishes!” Ebisu, ever vigilant, had already activated his ultimate ability, “Carp Banner,” even as Shiro Mujou’s signal reached him.

A magnificent golden-red “Carp Banner” materialized at the feet of Blade Oni Princess, Shiro Mujou, and Raccoon Dog, instantly dispelling the icy grip of Snow Woman’s “Frost Wind Cold Night.”

From the banner’s base, a vast, verdant healing circle pulsed outward, immediately restoring all nearby players’ health to its peak.

It was a truly timely intervention, highlighting the critical importance of Ebisu’s support capabilities within this intense battle.

“Hmph!” Upon regaining consciousness, Great Tengu found her escape routes sealed.

Rather than attempting further retreat, she spun around, launching a desperate, final struggle.

With a flourish of her sky-blue fan, she unleashed a targeted whirlwind directly at Blade Oni Princess.

“Gust Charm!” Any character ensnared by Great Tengu’s skill would inevitably be struck by the ensuing whirlwind, launched high into the air.

Once targeted, escape became an impossibility.

Furthermore, every enemy caught within the whirlwind’s destructive path would suffer damage and be similarly flung aloft!

“Zanshin!” Blade Oni Princess swiftly leveled her long blade, adopting the “Zanshin” (TL Note: A Japanese martial arts concept referring to a state of relaxed alertness after an action) stance.

While in this state, she would gain a brief period of invincibility, rendering her immune to the next incoming instance of damage.

Moreover, should Blade Oni Princess successfully parry an incoming crowd control ability, she could instantly launch a devastating counter-attack, stunning all adversaries within her immediate vicinity!

“Gust Charm” struck Blade Oni Princess squarely as she stood in her “Zanshin” state.

In that instant, a brilliant golden light erupted from her form.

With a powerful, sweeping arc, Blade Oni Princess swung her great blade, stunning Great Tengu, who had been standing mere feet away.

“Aha! The willing bite the hook!” Even as Blade Oni Princess executed her counter against Great Tengu, the other allies remained anything but idle.

Ebisu, seizing the moment, cast a fishhook toward Snow Woman, intending to reel her in.

Indeed, Snow Woman, with her exceedingly short skill cooldowns, represented the most critical threat.

To be continuously locked down by her meant succumbing to utter helplessness.

Even if Great Tengu were vanquished immediately, Snow Woman would relentlessly chip away at their forces, ensuring a slow, agonizing defeat—a truth gleaned from the hard-won experience of a “PvP Rank Eight” (TL Note: A high ranking in the game’s player-versus-player mode, indicating significant skill and knowledge) player!

The collective strategy envisioned a precise sequence: Ebisu would deploy his second skill, “Those Who Wish to be Hooked,” to reel in Snow Woman.

This would be immediately followed by his third skill, “Fortune and Misfortune Intertwined,” to stun her.

Next, Raccoon Dog would utilize his first skill, “Drunk on the Battlefield,” to prolong Snow Woman’s stun.

All the while, Shiro Mujou would unleash an unceasing barrage of attacks, ensuring Snow Woman’s swift demise!

The lone Black Seimei, once Snow Woman was dealt with, would pose no significant threat whatsoever.

The meticulously crafted plan unfolded without a hitch until Ebisu unleashed “Fortune and Misfortune Intertwined.”

As intended, everyone closed in, eager to eliminate Snow Woman first.

Shiro Mujou’s damage, proving remarkably substantial, shattered Snow Woman’s shield in a single, decisive blow.

Indeed, Shiro Mujou had successfully broken Snow Woman’s protective barrier—a shield generated by her first, passive skill, “Snow’s Attire.”

Yet, the very instant “Snow’s Attire” shattered, a chilling dread seeped into the hearts of all present, and they found themselves utterly paralyzed, unable to move a muscle.

The destruction of “Snow’s Attire” inflicted substantial magical damage upon all nearby enemies, simultaneously binding them in place for a significant duration.

“Wind Sweeps the Clouds!” Great Tengu, having long since shaken off her stun, now seized this dire opportunity.

With renewed fervor, she once more unleashed her devastating ultimate ability, “Feather Blade Storm”!

A tempest of raging winds, laced with razor-sharp feathers, descended upon them like an apocalyptic deluge.

In that terrifying moment, regret seemed a futile emotion, for perhaps, there would be no second chance, no opportunity to escape this impending doom.