-Asher Frostblade's point of view.
Guardians are made to protect relics, skill books, information, treasures, items, magic weapons, shrines, and many other things.
However.
Guardians are not wizards.
It is true that they are made of pure mana and nothing else.
In the case of this guardian, it is composed of demon body parts, so it is not one hundred percent made of pure mana.
However.
Judging by its physique.
Guardians are designed to fight melee or with weapons and magic items, as they can't use magic or mana.
It's like being an ordinary human with no mana, but with incredible physical strength.
Because of this, their magic resistance is so difficult to penetrate that only the magic and spells of seventh circle mages can break through their skin.
Their magic resistance is extremely high.
Therefore, the best way to deal with guardians is in close combat, without resorting to magic, unless you are a mage of the seventh circle or higher.
Because if you fight with magic, you will not be able to break through the skin of the guardian.
It doesn't matter if your strength has diminished over the years, your magic resistance is permanent and does not weaken unless you receive numerous magical attacks over a prolonged period of time.
Or if he is exposed to lines of mana so dense that they manage to penetrate his magic resistance.
Crunch.
Soon the huge doors opened and I saw the guardian sitting on the throne.
A path covered by a red carpet, so worn it was almost colorless, and debris, cobwebs and cracks covered every corner of the place.
Everything was in ruins, ready to collapse into a mountain of rubble that would reduce the castle to nothing.
This was because the guardian emanated such an intense amount of mana that many were suffocated just by being in his presence.
However.
Although he had large amounts of mana, he could not use it.
Because it would explode.
If he tried to use his mana, he would explode.
"Finally humans arrived."
Although it was unexpected for the guardian to speak, it didn't surprise anyone.
Asher had already explained to them the guardian's most important characteristics and weaknesses, information Encrid had given him before they arrived at the ruined castle.
So they were prepared for anything, including the guardian's words.
It was obvious that the guardian would say something like that. After all, they were the invaders of his territory, where he had remained undisturbed.
"It was impressive that they killed the Wraith King, managed to get past the infinite loop, and finished off his doppelgangers."
The guardian had not anticipated that the invaders would manage to overcome all his traps.
He thought it would be easy to take on those humans, and although there was one capable of killing him, he didn't expect them to overcome all the traps and still make it to the castle.
Everything happened so quickly and unexpectedly, they killed the Wraith king.
They even counted a mana beast by his side.
"Unfortunately, the mana beast was severely injured."
"I guess my other personality did a lot of damage to it."
The fact that he fought Asher and an Asher doppelganger was unbelievable.
Because the mana beast was a true grade 7 intermediate.
Intermediate, meant that the mana beast was at half of its full grade 7 power, yet to reach the maximum of that level before transcending to grade 6.
However, the mana beast was in a bad state and, as such, was not present.
"Human bastards... I... will kill them..."
His tone sounded confident.
He anticipated traps like the maze change, the Wraith king, the infinite loop, and the doppelgangers they had to deal with before.
However.
It was all futile, because the group of seven humans managed to win.
Now, it was the final fight.
The goal: kill the semi-demonic guardian and clear the Dungeon once and for all.
Then.
Asher spoke.
For the guardian was looking at him more than the others, as if he was the center of attention.
"I will fight you alone."
The others couldn't, due to their current state.
The guardian is a semi grade 7, almost full.
While the others have almost no mana and are first circle, with basic skills.
None of the others have physical strength comparable to Asher's, nor melee experience.
Therefore, Asher is the only one capable of taking on the guardian at this time.
And without magic, since the guardian's magic resistance is so high that it is impossible for Asher to break through his skin with current spells.
"You're pretty confident for someone who relies on magic alone."
"Tch."
Asher clicked his tongue.
He's underestimating me.
He thinks I can only use magic.
But he's wrong.
Asher possesses physical strength that makes him a difficult opponent in close combat, plus the accumulated experience of his past life as a fighter, mastering and perfecting the art of combat.
At that understatement, Asher frowned deeply.
"I think you're too arrogant before you see what I'm capable of."
"Sure, just magic, isn't that how all mages are? They rely solely on it and have no real strength."
Perhaps that applies to novice mages, who only use magic for their needs.
But a real magician has incredible physical strength.
Not like Oriana, though.
Oriana is, without a doubt, the strongest ever seen in the physical realm.
No mage nor knight can match her physical strength.
Asher then spoke up.
"You shouldn't be so calm."
"You speak too confidently for a weak guardian who barely has any physical strength."
He underestimates humans... he thinks we rely on magic alone.
He's partly right, though.
"Why do you talk so much?" Asher replied in a nonchalant tone, feigning disinterest, as he assessed the guardian's every move. He knew that any carelessness would be fatal, given his immense physical strength.
"Shouldn't you be preparing your last words?"
The guardian let out a low growl, his jaw quivering with rage. Asher's calm clearly irritated him. But that was the strategy: incite a mistake, provoke an impulsive attack he could take advantage of.
"You're just a child," the guardian hissed.
"A child who thinks he's invincible by sheer luck. Your magic is useless here, and without it, you're nothing."
Asher narrowed his eyes, remembering the countless melee battles he had fought in his previous life. Blood, sweat, scars. His appearance as a mage often made one forget those fights. Even his peers underestimated him at times.
"Magic isn't the only thing I have."
"I'll show you what a wizard can do when he knows more than just casting spells."
The guardian laughed.
He has the physical advantage and the magic resistance.
Though, admittedly, he could die if this human was really that strong.
He wasn't entirely sure, but Asher's tone and confidence made the conversation feel laden with understatement.
The air between the two seemed charged with an invisible electricity. Each calculating the other, preparing for the first move, knowing that that first step would define the outcome of the battle.
The combat between the two was approaching.
With both arms crossed, the guardian examined Asher's physique.
Although he had observed him through the sphere, he wasn't sure if he was really strong with magic alone, because Asher seemed overconfident in fighting without it.
Therefore, the guardian was staring at him.
However.
"He doesn't appear to be physically strong."
Although this human has somewhat familiar magic.
It seemed that even so, it would be impossible to break through his magic resistance. But if he was physically strong, then the guardian would lose his life.
"If I die, I'll take one of them with me," he thought as he looked at the other humans, who were weak.
The only problem was Asher.
The strongest human in this group of invaders.
Then.
Tap.
Asher took a step, and the guardian stood up, uncrossing his arms and holding them steady, ready to act at any moment.
The echo of Asher's step echoed throughout the room, filling the atmosphere with tension as the group backed up a few steps.
However.
"I'll wait for it to start."
Freddy, who was observing the scene, realized that these two were about to clash.
Therefore, he prepared to move silently and search for the secret room where the elemental stone was located.
Soon.
The air tightened and twisted like smoke, as the floor subtly trembled, dislodging small fragments from the walls.
For Asher and the guardian had moved, causing a small tremor. The air hissed and shook with a rhythmic but loud sound as Asher ran towards the guardian.
Then.
Outburst.
The two crossed fists and a shockwave shook the entire room, as Freddy moved quickly at that precise instant....