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Chapter 117

After that, we arrived at the staircase after several fights only on the third floor.

The map was, as always, blurry.

The hall expanded up to the fourth floor, including the corridor, but then suddenly narrowed on the fifth floor.

What I saw on the second floor was impossible to make out clearly; was it structured like this?

But why this structure? It’s as if someone wanted to see us break through this ruin, with the golems getting stronger each time we descend.

‘Why?’

[I understand that they stationed guards because it’s a research facility, but why are weaker ones coming out from the very start instead of crushing us right away?]

‘Exactly. If this were a game, I’d think it was convenience-driven, but it doesn’t seem like that either.’

[Isn’t that good because it makes things easier?]

‘Well, that’s true.’

I felt like I could save my strength and deal with it later… but I should probably avoid provoking trouble by raiding the research facility’s materials.

To be honest, I don’t quite understand the reason for the varied types of golems either. Wouldn’t it be better to just fill it all with average steel golems?

Although that thought crossed my mind, just thinking about it won’t lead to any answers.

All the people related to the ruins must be dead, and the only thing remaining would be those presumed to be the alien gods sleeping inside.

What Yeon-woo could do, though it felt a bit grimy, was to push away the alien god and eliminate any potential threats.

“…But what comes after the steel golem?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure either.”

In response to Yeon-woo’s question, Killian simply shrugged. I threw a glance at Claire, but she just shook her head as well.

It wouldn’t be like in a game where it goes from iron to gold to platinum to diamond.

“Shar, do you know anything?”

“Hmm, I can only think of golems made from special materials. It might depend on the skills of the creator.”

“So we can’t figure that out in the end.”

The only golem I could imagine would be a flesh golem. However, I had no impression that flesh golems were stronger than steel golems.

Besides, since they come out all covered in flesh, even if it’s a flesh golem, it doesn’t have the same feel.

“…I guess we have no choice but to go down.”

“Let’s descend while staying as alert as possible.”

With the first step onto the fourth floor, my senses were heightened.

No one could really say who should go first. Before Yeon-woo, who was about to dodge something ‘coming’ from the darkness, the golden shadow sprung forth.

The Shield Sword, Aurum.

Why is the sword named Aurum called a Shield Sword? Is it because its broad blade can serve as a shield?

The reason is that Aurum means ‘gold.’

Aurum is a symbol. As long as this sword exists, the Kingdom of Wigdrad, symbolized by it, shall remain safe.

In alchemy and through various cultures, gold is seen as a flawless material.

Gold is impervious. Thus, as long as Aurum exists, Wigdrad will remain uninvaded. It possesses such symbolic significance that it could even be called an absolute proposition.

The recognized possessor of Aurum and the protector of Wigdrad—a successor who has left the kingdom holding a sword, Claire stepped forward as though it were the natural thing to do.

If she intended to block, she would have thrust the sword into the ground. If she intended to slice, she would have held the blade up and swung it instead.

However, Claire was neither. With both hands gripping the hilt, she angled the blade upwards.

Yeon-woo saw that and immediately realized what Claire was about to do.

Anyone who saw that posture would understand and try to stop it. It was a perfect stance, devoid of any flab, that anyone could recall having struck once as a child.

‘T-This woman is about to play baseball…!!’

Just as that thought crossed my mind, something streaked toward us at such speed that it was barely visible, accompanied by a screech.

Typically, surprise attacks can’t be defended or responded against; that’s why they are called surprise attacks.

However, Claire swung her sword with ostentatious defiance.

Slowly, yet assuredly, she read the ‘surprise attack.’

A metallic object, scattered like lightning, flew towards her.

She wielded her sword, clashing against it──.

KLANG!!

WHOOOSH!!

With a refreshing metallic clang, the projectile was shot back to where it came from.

To Yeon-woo’s eyes, not a single bullet came in, and she was barely able to comprehend Claire’s movements.

Right after, some commotion unfolded due to the incoming whirlwind, and only then did she realize Claire had stuck Aurum into the ground, peering into the darkness.

Surrounded by the reflected bullet, the blue lightning illuminated the corridor for a moment, scattering through the air.

– …….

A silver liquid slithered away, blanketing the gun.

In an instant, a figure resembling a human took form, the identity of which was unknown.

“That seems to be the specialty golem of this ruin,” Claire remarked.

“Why do they express it like that? It’s unique, but… Killian could probably handle it solo.”

“Can’t I?”

“Let’s just say you’re a little outmatched there, Yeon-woo.”

“Yes.”

Turns out I’m out of my depth. Claire seemed to think it resembled the B-rank range. To see Killian being able to do it, while herself not being up to the task speaks volumes.

“Wait, sis. Why would you want me to fight such a menacing monster?”

“Should I handle it instead?”

“Well, that doesn’t seem quite right either.”

As Killian smacked his lips, he stepped forward.

Honestly, it might be true that it wouldn’t likely make much difference 1:1, but teaming up with Shar could yield favorable odds.

If he switched to aid Killian, then he could dominate the advantageous position, but it was already too late for that idea.

Watching Killian in action was partly the reason, and partly due to fatigue from breaking through the third floor, I decided to give him the opportunity to shine.

Of course, the guardian of the ruins, the golem, would not wait for that.

With a lurch, its liquid-like body compressed before springing toward us.

It elongated, becoming thin and needle-like, launching itself toward us as if it were a javelin.

“Seriously, this little guy does have some nerve?”

Killian, who had been frowning while watching, repositioned his spear in reverse grip and extended his left hand forward, aiming at a point.

To teach this impudent creature a lesson that dared to take the javelin form in front of a spear user, Killian deliberately made an inefficient choice.

Fighting a javelin with a javelin is no different from attempting to hit a flying needle with another needle; it was not very efficient.

However, Killian believed he could do it, and he did.

KAANG!!

The spear clashed against the javelin and bounced away. In that moment, Killian launched himself into the air.

Calculating where his spear would rebound, he soared down on the golem that was reconstructing its body on the ground.

The golem, having restored its human-like form, transformed its arm into a blade and caught Killian’s descent, pushing him away.

Landing several steps away, Killian surged in once again.

From Yeon-woo’s perspective, the golem did not seem to differ significantly in combat ability from the steel golem.

The primary differentiating factor appeared to be the transformation of the heavy metallic fist into a lethal strike that could kill the opponent, alongside the inability to identify the position of the core due to its fluid body.

‘But that jolt.’

The metallic chunk shot at us when we stepped onto the fourth floor. I hadn’t given it much thought at the time, but reflecting on it now drives home some familiarity.

‘Railgun.’

Although it may not align perfectly with the actual theory of railguns if dissected thoroughly, the fundamental principle of accelerating metal using electricity seems to hold true.

To draw out such speeds that are literally hard to perceive, something like that would be necessary.

Considering that assumption, the golem’s identity becomes somewhat discernible: a golem capable of using magic.

I had no idea how they inscribed incantations into that sludgy body, but it seems feasible to create rails with it while wielding picked-up projectiles; however, there were no viable means for them to externally acquire propulsion other than electricity.

‘Gluing in might not be a bad idea.’

At a glance, the matchups didn’t seem too unfavorable.

The physical combat ability was similar, and magic could be countered with magic, plus Yeon-woo could thrust at the weaknesses of that liquid-type body.

Of course, I didn’t think Killian would be incapable, but it would certainly take some time for him to subdue that thing.

Finding cores in an unknown liquid-like metal body was probably a meticulous task.

Well, Killian would have some means to deal with this type of enemy, but it must surely be something special.

In contrast, Yeon-woo had free access to spells, so it would probably be prudent for her to preserve her strength for dealing with the alien god.

Suddenly, the golem’s assault slowed down.

Killian wasn’t about to let that opportunity slip. He remained alert as well. With its somewhat peculiar abilities and speed, he understood it wouldn’t gauge such a thing alone. Especially since the first lightning ambush was most dangerous.

He thrust his spear. A hole pierced through the golem’s abdomen.

However, that hole was not made by Killian’s spear; it was created by the golem itself.

The spear surged into the hollow space. With enough force wielded, it became impossible to regain control of the spear. It was as if being swallowed; the metal body began to undulate around the point the spear pierced.

“I didn’t see that coming.”

Crackle, crackle, electricity flowed along the round shape.

Even an A-rank hunter couldn’t keep pace with the speed of lightning with their body.

This one would hit. I might not die, but I’d certainly take a heavy hit. As Killian thought so and raised his mana—

“Rapid Transit is coming out!!”

Suddenly, Yeon-woo emerged, swinging a black spear toward the electrified circle.

Her action had surprised not only Killian but also Claire, as Yeon-woo had her own thought process running.

The Doppleganger weapon embodies the identity, shape, and qualities of what it swallows. Just like a sword embodies the form of a sword with the quality of a blade.

However, the Doppleganger weapon does not completely embody everything of that item.

The Doppleganger weapon is a shadow wielding physical strength, mimicking the form of a sword.

That’s why Yeon-woo was able to wield it without hesitation.

Shadows do not conduct electricity.

Beyond the debate of whether they’re a conductor or insulator, shadows are a problem before arguing about such qualities. They cannot conduct electricity in the first place.

SWOOSH, the spearhead struck into the rippling liquid metal.

Crackle, crackle, spark erupted from the spearhead, racing toward Yeon-woo’s body─

Crackle, crackle!!

But it hadn’t reached, flaring up into thin air. The magic used by the golem, which had poured its electrically charged power to kill its enemy, detonated, and the situation reset completely.

Killian didn’t hesitate. He lifted the spear like hoisting a heavy burden. Yeon-woo reached out her hands toward the golem that was entirely split in half from the abdomen.

Yeon-woo had two types of specialized mana that hadn’t been deliberately utilized.

One was deception. It was a case that was so complex to use that research was ongoing even now, and the other was ice. Its utility was so straightforward that it had not been specially dealt with as specialized mana.

Yeon-woo knew well that when facing amorphous monsters represented by slimes, nothing could be more effective than freezing them.

WHOOSH!!

A chilling air erupted from her outstretched palm.

Having been the heir of the Ice Palace, Baek In-hwa’s high-quality specialized mana had ballooned while consuming the Frost, growing to a higher level.

Although it was a method that significantly raised output without any technique, it was sufficient to freeze this ruin’s final line of defense standing right before her in an instant.

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

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