Part 1
That golem, towering and sinister, stood before us, filling the room with its mere presence.
Its rocky form seemed to absorb the faint light of the chamber, casting claw-like shadows that stretched ominously across the walls.
Every movement of its colossal body made the ground tremble, and a growing knot settled in my stomach.
At the center of its chest, a large red gem pulsed with a glowing rhythm, like the beating heart of an ancient warrior ready for battle. That hypnotic glow was impossible to ignore—it seemed to hold more than just raw energy, perhaps the very will of the dungeon itself.
—Haruto... this is no ordinary golem. —Yuna whispered, her gaze fixed on the colossus—. It's the "Stone Guardian," the protector of this dungeon. And it doesn't look happy that we're here.
Her calm tone contrasted with the weight of her words, amplifying the tension in the air. Every second seemed to stretch as the golem remained motionless, as if studying our every move.
—What do you know about it, Yuna? —I asked, my eyes locked on its hollow, glowing eyes that seemed to pierce right through me.
—It's known for its resilience and regeneration. —she explained, her sharp gaze scanning every crack and detail of the titan—. It's not just incredibly strong; it absorbs physical damage as if it's part of its own body. If we're going to defeat it, brute force alone won't be enough. We'll need a strategy.
The golem began to move, its motions deliberate and earth-shaking, each step resonating like thunder, marking the countdown to an inevitable clash.
It raised its massive arm, a fist that looked capable of reducing anything in its path to rubble.
I felt my breathing grow heavier as I weighed our options. Every fight so far had pushed me to my limits, but this... this was different.
It wasn't just a test of strength, but of ingenuity. Something about its presence filled me with uncertainty.
—Why isn't the panel showing up this time? —I muttered, barely realizing I'd spoken aloud.
The absence of the panel was unsettling, as if the system itself had decided to stay silent in the face of such a formidable opponent.
Not having that critical source of information, which had been my lifeline in previous battles, left me on edge.
As I wrestled with my doubts, the imposing guardian kept advancing, each step a thunderous reminder of the overwhelming power we were up against.
There was no time for hesitation; we had to act fast or be crushed under its immense force.
—Materialize! —Yuna exclaimed with determination, thrusting her hand forward. A green glow began to form in the air, swirling with intensity.
In an instant, the Elven Bow materialized in her hands, its emerald and silver details glowing with an ethereal brilliance. She gripped it firmly, her confidence reflected in her stance.
With an agile leap, she positioned herself atop a nearby structure, her movements as precise as those of a hunter stalking its prey. From her vantage point, her sharp gaze studied our enemy, searching for any weakness in its stony anatomy.
I lay on the ground, staring at the colossus with a mix of frustration and awe. Every step it took seemed to crush not only the ground but also my confidence. My abilities weren't ideal for facing something so massive and resilient.
—Think, Haruto... —I muttered, trying to steady my mind and formulate a strategy.
It was a stone golem, designed to withstand any direct attack. I couldn't defeat it with brute force.
An idea began to form. Distraction. If I could grab its attention, Yuna could use her elevated position to strike.
Kizuna floated beside me, her eyes sparkling with mischievous excitement.
—Showtime, Kizu! —she exclaimed, radiating energy.
I gritted my teeth, fully aware of the danger the plan entailed. But there was no time for hesitation.
—Alright... I'll be the bait —I murmured, gripping the hilt of my sword tightly as I moved toward the towering golem.
I took a deep breath, focusing all my energy as I activated my abilities.
—Wind Walk! Tempest Waltz!
The wind swirled around me, wrapping me like an invisible shield. My steps barely touched the ground, and each movement felt light and swift, as though the air itself was pushing me forward.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I approached the titan.
The golem slowly turned its head toward me, its hollow eyes glowing with an eerie light.
Deliberately, but with terrifying force, it raised its colossal arm. The motion, though slow, carried an unmistakable sense of danger. If it struck, there would be no escape.
From my position, I caught a glimpse of Yuna atop the structure. Her silhouette, framed against the dim light of the chamber, resembled a hunter in her element. Her bow was already drawn, an arrow infused with magic ready to fire.
—Critical Shoot! —she shouted, her voice slicing through the air like the string of her bow.
The arrow, wrapped in turbulent energy, tore through the air with incredible speed and power. The sound of the impact was deafening. The wind magic exploded against the golem's arm, shattering the stone in a shower of fragments that scattered in every direction.
The monster staggered backward, momentarily off balance. Yuna's precision and power had revealed that even this colossal titan had weak points.
The tension hung in the air like a heavy cloud as the golem slowly turned its gaze toward us. Its glowing red core pulsed with renewed intensity, as though fueling its rage.
Seizing the opportunity, I charged at its leg—the most vulnerable point within my reach.
—It's now or never! —I shouted in my mind, channeling every ounce of energy I had left into a single, concentrated strike.
I felt power surge through my arms as my hands gripped the hilt of my sword tightly.
With a decisive motion, I brought the blade down on the base of its leg, as though defying an ancient giant.
The impact reverberated through the chamber like thunder, and the colossus lost its balance. Its massive body swayed before collapsing backward, triggering a tremor that shook the entire dungeon.
A cloud of dust and stone fragments filled the air, plunging everything into temporary chaos.
Yuna and I stood in awe, watching the titan crumble before us, as though a mountain itself had been defeated. But our moment of triumph was abruptly interrupted by a chilling sight.
The monstrous guardian began regenerating before our eyes. Its broken fragments, scattered across the ground, crawled back toward its body as if pulled by an invisible force, reassembling with terrifying precision.
—This... can't be happening, —I muttered, feeling a chill run down my spine.
Yuna clenched her jaw, her eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and determination. Even Kizuna, usually so vibrant, remained silent.
The golem's regeneration wasn't just a physical challenge; it was a direct blow to our morale.
—How is this even possible...? —I whispered, unable to look away from the horrifying process.
—This is worse than I thought... —Yuna said tensely, her voice heavy with disbelief.
Before we could plan our next move, the colossal guardian raised one massive arm. This time, it was holding a giant rock, glowing ominously with dark energy. With a brutal motion, the golem hurled it directly toward Yuna.
—Watch out! —I shouted, my voice nearly drowned out by the deafening sound of the attack.
Yuna reacted instantly. With an agile leap, she descended from her elevated position just in time as the rock crashed into the structure she had stood on moments before.
The impact shattered the structure into a thousand pieces, leaving nothing but rubble behind.
She landed gracefully, her breath slightly uneven but her composure unbroken. Her sharp eyes locked onto the golem, now fully restored, as if accepting the challenge it presented.
We exchanged a silent look, searching in each other for a sign, a spark of ingenuity that might give us an edge.
The weight of the situation was suffocating; Yuna knew this wasn't an ordinary enemy, and for the first time, both of us felt the true magnitude of the challenge we faced.
Kizuna floated close to my shoulder, her expression unusually serious. Even her tiny wings, which usually fluttered with energy, seemed to move sluggishly, as if the tension in the air had reached her too.
—Haruto-kyun? I don't want to sound alarmist, but... this looks REALLY bad, Kizu! —she exclaimed, her tone wavering between genuine concern and her signature dramatic flair.
The gravity of the situation was undeniable. This regenerating monstrosity was unlike anything I had faced before, and with each passing second, it became clearer that we were outmatched.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts as the golem stood firm, its crimson core glowing ominously—a constant reminder of our disadvantage.
Clinging to a shred of hope, I decided to try activating the skill panel, desperately searching for any clue or tool that could turn the tide.
A low buzzing sound filled my mind, a "ZZZzz" that was far from reassuring.
I frowned, trying again to summon the panel. Once. Twice. And again. Nothing.
—Don't tell me the panel decided to take a break right now... —I thought bitterly, realizing that, of all times for it to fail, this was unquestionably the worst.
I glanced at Yuna. She maintained her steady stance, but her labored breathing betrayed the toll the fight had taken on her. Our eyes met, and in that brief exchange, words were unnecessary. We both understood the dire reality we were facing.
—My mana... it's nearly depleted, —she admitted at last, frustration heavy in her voice.
Her words hung in the air like a warning bell. Yuna always seemed unshakable, but now even she showed the cracks left by this relentless battle.
—Don't worry, —I said, trying to project a confidence I barely felt myself—We'll figure something out.
Her admission was like the final toll of a bell. Without her support magic and with the panel unresponsive, the idea of a prolonged fight against the golem felt like a death sentence. We were at a clear disadvantage, and time was not on our side.
Suddenly, a deep crack resonated in my right hand. I glanced down, incredulous, at my sword... or what was left of it. The blade—once my only means of defense—had shattered completely. Now, all that remained in my grip was the hilt, useless and absurd in my hands.
"Perfect. Just what I needed. The goddess of misfortune must be smiling down on me," I thought with bitter irony. "Who needs a sword when you've got a mountain of problems?"
My mind raced desperately for a solution as the golem continued its relentless advance, each of its steps reverberating like the ticking of a doomsday clock counting down our final moments.
Kizuna, usually so boisterous and upbeat, floated nearby with an expression I had never seen before. There were no witty remarks or over-the-top encouragements. Nothing. That silence was the most unsettling part of all.
Each movement of the colossal figure shook the ground, its oppressive presence bearing down on my chest as a reminder of our vulnerability.
For a moment, despair washed over me. Everything felt so... hopeless.
But the thought was fleeting. I shook my head, banishing any trace of doubt.
Without overthinking, I slapped both cheeks with my hands. The sharp sting jolted me back to focus, clearing the fog clouding my mind.
"This isn't the time to give up," I reminded myself firmly, clenching my teeth as I desperately searched for a solution.
Just as I was about to summon my Oni pistols, an idea began to form in my mind—a flicker of light in the oppressive darkness. But before I could fully grasp it, the Panel suddenly materialized before me, its light cutting through the gloom like a beacon.
—"Warning! Mana reserves critically low." Its unchanging tone clashed starkly with the urgency of the moment. "Would you like to use a mana gem to restore mana?"
Without hesitation, I pulled two gems from my pocket—the same ones I had picked up earlier—and clenched them tightly in my hand. I felt the surge of energy, like a warm torrent coursing through my veins, filling me with a newfound vitality.
—Yes, that's it!— I exclaimed without hesitation as the mana bar on the Panel surged upward, restoring my strength.
With the energy of the gems coursing through me, I quickly reached back into my pocket and pulled out five more mana stones. Without a second thought, I tossed them toward Yuna.
—Here! Use these to recover your mana!— I shouted, watching the faint glow of the stones as they arced through the air toward her.
Yuna caught them mid-air with an instinctive grace, her movements smooth and precise. For a moment, the glow of the gems was reflected in her emerald eyes, and her expression softened, shifting from exhaustion to a renewed resolve.
—Thank you, Haruto. This changes everything,—she murmured, the flow of magical energy visibly revitalizing her.
The crushing pressure that had loomed over us seemed to lighten, replaced by a shared determination to fight back. I inhaled deeply, feeling the suffocating tension transform into a fierce drive to press on.
With unwavering focus, I raised my hand skyward and shouted:
—Materialize! Aka-Oni and Ao-Oni!
A burst of crimson and azure light illuminated the room, and in my hands, the twin pistols materialized.
Their design was nothing short of stunning—a fusion of elegance and power. Aka-Oni gleamed in a deep crimson hue, adorned with intricate golden engravings that radiated an intense, fiery aura.
Meanwhile, Ao-Oni shimmered in a striking electric blue, its silver etchings appearing to dance and shift under the dim light.
The weight of the pistols in my hands brought an unexpected surge of confidence. These weren't just weapons; they were an extension of my resolve, symbols of a strength I had long admired.
Now, I could only hope they were enough to turn the tide.
Kizuna floated excitedly around me, her wide eyes sparkling with delight as though she had just witnessed the scene of a lifetime.
—Haruto-kyun, those weapons are AMAZING, Kizu! —she exclaimed, twirling in the air with pure glee.— They look like something straight out of an epic anime!
A faint smile crossed my face at Kizuna's enthusiasm, but my focus remained fixed on the weapons.
They had always been my favorites: the "Desert Crow." I knew their power from the manga, but now it was time to see if they lived up to expectations in this world.
Without wasting any time, I sprinted to the side of the golem to draw its attention. It worked better than expected, as its massive head turned toward me, its movements heavy but undeniably imposing.
Once I was close enough, I stopped, took a deep breath, and aimed directly at its glowing core.
I pulled the trigger with confidence... but nothing happened.
Only the disheartening sound of "Click! Click! Click!" filled the air, shattering all my concentration.
—You've got to be kidding me! —I shouted, gritting my teeth and shaking the pistols in a futile gesture. The echo of the empty clicks bounced off the walls, mocking me.
Kizuna looked at me in confusion, tilting her head as if she couldn't process what was happening.
—Eh? What happened, Kizu? —she asked, her tone bouncing between curiosity and utter disbelief.
Then I remembered: in that manga, the protagonist never loaded the pistols. He only used them as an intimidation tactic because he hated conflict. He was a pacifist.
—That damned blonde pacifist! —I muttered through clenched teeth, feeling the weight of my mistake crash down on me like an avalanche. Meanwhile, the golem continued its relentless advance, each thunderous step shaking the ground beneath me.
Kizuna blinked several times, clearly processing my words.
—What do you mean? Why aren't they firing? Aren't they super-awesome magical pistols, Kizu? —she asked, her voice brimming with incredulity as she pointed at the weapons in my hands.
—They don't have ammunition... —I replied bitterly, lowering my gaze to the pistols.
They were as elegant and deadly as I had imagined, but right now, they were nothing more than useless decorations.
—In the manga, the protagonist never loaded them. He just carried them around to intimidate because he hated fighting.
Silence fell over us for a moment, broken only by the monotonous sound of the golem's footsteps as it slowly advanced, as if savoring the spectacle of my failure.
Kizuna stared at me, and for the first time, she looked as bewildered as I felt.
—That's... ridiculous, Kizu! Who carries pistols just to intimidate? —she exclaimed, crossing her arms with an indignant air that, at any other time, might have been comical.
I clenched my teeth, frustration building with every thunderous step the colossus took.
Reality hit me with the force of a boulder: I was standing before a towering enemy, and the weapons I had imagined as my salvation were nothing more than empty ornaments.
"How do we face this?" I wondered, a knot tightening in my stomach.
The answer wasn't clear, but if there was one thing I knew, it was that standing still wouldn't change a thing.