Part 2
The towering golem stood firmly before us, its core glowing with a red brilliance that seemed to mock our previous efforts.
The air in the chamber was thick, almost tangible, laden with a tension that clung to my body like an invisible weight.
My fingers gripped the pistols tightly, seeking an anchor to help me think clearly.
Yet, every strategy that formed in my mind crumbled before taking shape. I knew we couldn't afford to hesitate, but my body refused to move.
I turned my head toward Yuna. She was perfectly still, but not out of fear. There was a stillness in her posture that radiated confidence, like a hunter watching her prey.
Her eyes, fixed on the colossus, burned with an intensity that seemed to defy even that massive creature. For a moment, her determination pierced through the chaos in my mind, forcing me to straighten up.
It was Kizuna who broke the silence. She floated beside me, but her usual spark of energy was gone.
Even the hum of her wings was slower, as if she too felt the weight of what we were facing. When she spoke, her grave and calm tone startled me.
—Haruto-kyun… this golem isn't like the others, Kizu. —Kizuna paused, her worried eyes seemed to pierce through me—. If we don't do something big now… we might not make it out of here.
Her voice was soft, but every word resonated like an unavoidable warning.
I let out a long sigh, clearing the fog clouding my thoughts. There was no room for regrets or doubts; I had to act.
—I know, Kizuna. —I gritted my teeth, raising the pistols with determination—. We just need a spark. And trust me… we'll find it.
Meanwhile, Yuna had already replenished her mana. With movements as fluid as the wind itself, she pulled two arrows from her quiver and nocked them on her bow with impeccable precision.
—Double Critical Shoot! —she shouted, her voice brimming with conviction.
The moment she released the arrows, the magical energy enveloping their tips left behind a vibrant trail in the air.
I couldn't help but be mesmerized. Her actions weren't just precise; they were a flawless choreography of magic and skill. It was as if magic flowed through her innately, like a second nature.
Her movements reflected absolute confidence, the result of a lifetime of preparation. I, on the other hand, carried my doubts like a weight, but she was different.
The arrows struck with devastating force. The colossus staggered and fell backward with a deafening crash that reverberated through the entire chamber, shaking the ground beneath our feet.
It was a display of skill worthy of a legendary warrior, but there was no time to stand in awe. Even though my instincts urged me to stop and admire her prowess, I knew the colossus wouldn't stay down for long.
I had to act while it was still vulnerable… though its presence remained daunting.
—Note! I see you're as dense as that stone golem, Master —a voice echoed in my head, and my body tensed immediately.
Was… was that the panel? Was it mocking me? Since when did it have… personality?
—Suggestion! —the panel continued, with its typical neutral tone, though now laced with an irony as subtle as a hammer blow—. You could fire wind-infused magical bullets. Each shot would require minimal mana. Would you like to proceed with the creation of a new skill?
I stood there for a few seconds, processing the offer, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. Was the panel really helping me… or just enjoying my misery? Either way, there was no time to hesitate.
—Deploy new magic!—I thought decisively.
—Confirmed! Initiating process… Fusing Kizuna Magic "Critical Shoot" + Wind Element + Magical Projectile Form…
There was a moment of tension, as if even the air around me held its breath, waiting for the result. And then…
—Process complete! Wind Bullet! New skill deployed. Aka-Oni and Ao-Oni can now fire penetrating projectiles infused with wind magic.
—Cost: Low mana consumption per shot, scalable in size and power with additional mana.
The panel's voice faded with a faint tone of satisfaction, leaving one last message:
—Process finalized! O.L.I.V.I.A. entering standby mode due to complex processing. End.
I stood there for a moment, processing what I had just heard. The panel had just… gone to "sleep"? How could such an advanced system need "rest"? Was it running on a toaster's processor?
I let out a deep sigh, pushing aside the inevitable questions swirling in my mind.
This wasn't the time to dwell on Olivia or the strange process of skill creation. There was something far more pressing in front of me, something that demanded my full attention.
—Amazing, Kizu! Now we're unstoppable, Kizu! —she exclaimed, fluttering like a golden whirlwind, her wings shimmering and her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her energy was so contagious that, for a moment, I forgot the weight of the situation.
I glanced at my weapons. Aka-Oni and Ao-Oni vibrated with an aura of wind that seemed to resonate with my very energy.
They weren't just tools; I felt like they were extensions of my will, charged with a power I didn't fully understand yet. The connection was almost tangible, as if the air around us crackled with electricity every second I held them.
Inspired—and perhaps a little influenced by my inner otaku—I stepped forward with newfound confidence. Crossing my arms in a dramatic X in front of my chest, a confident smile spread across my face.
—Showtime!—I proclaimed, letting my voice echo throughout the chamber with a confidence I was only starting to feel.
Kizuna, perfectly in sync with my theatrics, clapped excitedly, spinning around me like a golden tornado.
—That's the spirit, Haruto-kyun! Give it all you've got, Kizu!—she cheered, radiating so much energy that, for a moment, I almost forgot about the colossal enemy before us.
From her elevated position, Yuna watched the scene with a slightly raised eyebrow. Her emerald eyes reflected a mix of amusement and mild disbelief, but there was something else—an impish glint that seemed to enjoy my little performance.
—Haruto… are you always like this?—she asked, her tone laced with soft teasing as she tried to stifle the smile threatening to break across her lips.
I froze, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. I coughed, attempting to regain some semblance of composure.
—Eh… not always. Only when I'm inspired. It's… a manufacturing defect, you know?—I said, trying to sound nonchalant, though my tone betrayed me.
Yuna shook her head, but a light, teasing laugh escaped her before she could stop it. For some reason, that sound—so genuine—managed to ease my nerves a bit.
I straightened my posture, trying to salvage some dignity without letting go of the pistols.
—Eh… just ignore that. It was an otaku moment,—I added, lowering my voice slightly. —It reminded me of when I used to play "The Zombie House" arcade machines. You know, facing hordes of undead with style.
To my surprise, Yuna let out another laugh, her shoulders relaxing as she looked at me with a mix of amusement and, strangely enough, a hint of affection.
—Well, if it helps motivate you, don't hold back. Just… try not to let it distract you too much, okay?
Her comment, so light yet genuinely supportive, managed to pull a fleeting smile from me.
I shook off the nerves and turned my focus back to the colossal golem, which had begun to stir once more.
There was no time left for dramatic poses or hesitation. This was it.
With renewed determination, I raised both arms and aimed at the enemy, feeling, just for a moment, like I was back in front of an arcade machine facing a final boss.
—Wind Bullet!
I pulled the trigger on Ao-Oni, and the blue gun unleashed a wind projectile with devastating force.
The shot tore through the chamber like a compressed storm, slicing the air with an electric hum that echoed in every corner. The trail it left behind shimmered with raw magical energy—a spectacle as awe-inspiring as it was deadly.
—Incredible, Kizu! —Kizuna shouted, spinning around me like a golden whirlwind, her enthusiasm almost louder than the shot itself.
But before I could even savor a moment of triumph, reality hit me—literally. The recoil was so brutal that Ao-Oni flew out of my hands, clattering to the ground with a loud thud before skidding far out of reach.
—Damn it! —I growled, stumbling as I tried to regain my balance. This wasn't an arcade, and the recoil made that painfully clear.
But even with my clumsiness, the shot had hit its mark. The impact shattered the golem's shoulder, sending fragments of rock flying in all directions. Its right arm lay useless on the ground, irreparable. Best of all, there were no signs of regeneration.
For the first time, a spark of hope ignited within me. Perhaps this colossus wasn't so invincible after all.
—Haruto, it worked! That shot actually hurt it! —Yuna called out from her elevated position, her voice brimming with both excitement and surprise.
Her words lit something within me, a renewed drive that surged through me like pure adrenaline. My gaze locked onto Aka-Oni, the red pistol still secure in my right hand.
Though Ao was out of commission, I wasn't about to let that stop me. I still had one bullet left, and I was determined to make it count.
—Alright, big guy! —I shouted, aiming at the golem's torso with unwavering determination. —If the first shot shook you, this one's going to finish the job.
—Wind Bullet!
I adjusted my stance, gripping Aka with both hands. The recoil reverberated through every fiber of my body as the magical wind bullet fired with overwhelming power.
The bullet's trajectory traced a perfect arc, as if the wind itself was guiding its path.
The impact was devastating: the crack in its torso widened like lightning fracturing a mountain, scattering chunks of stone in every direction.
Its core pulsed erratically, teetering on the brink of collapse. A glance at Yuna was all it took: this was the decisive moment.
With almost ceremonial movements, Yuna raised her bow, each gesture imbued with precision and purpose. Her composure stood in stark contrast to the tension of the moment, projecting a confidence that seemed to impose order on the chaos around us.
—Hunter Shoot! —she exclaimed, her voice ringing out like thunder in the storm.
The arrow, cloaked in a whirlwind of magical energy, pierced through the golem's protective arm as if it were mere smoke, before embedding itself into its core with lethal precision.
For a moment, everything hung in suspense. The core radiated a blinding light, gathering an energy so intense it promised an epic finale.
A deep crack shattered the silence, followed by the thunderous sound of the gem bursting into a thousand fragments. The wave of energy it released shook every corner of the room, displacing dust and leaving a palpable tension in the air.
The golem staggered one final time before collapsing, its massive body crashing down with a resounding boom that reverberated through the walls. Where the colossus once stood, there was now only rubble and dust.
Falling to my knees, I let out a long sigh, feeling exhaustion claim every part of me. Aka and Ao vanished into streams of light, as if they too shared my fatigue.
As I gazed at the golem's remains, a weary smile crossed my face. The impossible had become possible.
Behind me, Yuna stood tall. She closed her eyes for a moment, exhaling calmly, as if releasing all the tension built up in one single breath. When she opened them again, her gaze was serene, and a faint smile graced her lips. The battle was over, and with victory came an unexpected peace.
—You did well, —Yuna murmured, her voice soft, filled with gratitude and a hint of pride.
Kizuna, in her usual fashion, completely ignored any attempt at composure. She floated around us like a golden whirlwind, her eyes sparkling with an enthusiasm that was impossible not to catch.
—That was epic, Kizu! Haruto-kyun, you're like a protagonist straight out of a shonen! —she exclaimed, pausing dramatically to strike a pose as if she were on the cover of a manga. She even pretended to narrate the scene with such exaggerated seriousness that I couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Despite the weight of my exhaustion, Kizuna had this unique ability to turn any tense moment into something much lighter.
While I tried to steady my breathing, Yuna approached the remains of the golem with deliberate steps. Her gaze still carried the same determination she had shown during the fight.
Calmly, she knelt among the scattered rocks and, after a brief moment, pulled out a worn leather pouch. As she opened it, a golden glow reflected in her eyes, and a clear sense of satisfaction spread across her face.
—One hundred gold pieces, —Yuna announced, holding up the pouch for us to see. A satisfied smile crossed her lips. —Not bad for a final reward, wouldn't you say?
I nodded weakly, still trying to steady my breathing. Meanwhile, Kizuna let out a small victory cheer and began spinning wildly in the air, mimicking coins raining around her head like in a video game.
—At least it wasn't all for nothing, Kizu! —she added, her tone brimming with pride, as if she had single-handedly defeated the golem.
Yuna carefully tucked the pouch away, her expression reflecting palpable relief. She seemed to be mentally replaying every detail of the fight, ensuring it had all been worth it.
I leaned back a little further, resting against the cold ground. The tension in my body was slowly beginning to dissipate. I sighed deeply and muttered.
—That's great, but... —I let my frustration show, though tinged with irony— I have no idea what I gained from this fight. Olivia, my status panel, seems to have taken a nap since the skill fusion. How does it fail at the most critical moment?
Yuna chuckled softly, crossing her arms as she checked her own status. As she did, her eyes widened in a mix of surprise and satisfaction.
—Well, at least I have some good news, —she said, her tone calm but with a glimmer of pride— I leveled up from 20 to 25, and my rank increased from "E" to "D." It seems defeating that golem was more than just a symbolic achievement.
—Great… happy for you, —I replied with a faint smile, though I couldn't suppress a small sigh of frustration. I was genuinely glad for her, but the uncertainty of my own gains left me feeling slightly bitter.
A deep rumble filled the room, drawing our attention. At the far end, an imposing door slowly creaked open, revealing a golden glow beyond.
—Looks like it's calling us, —I murmured, straightening myself with effort. Despite the fatigue weighing down my body, curiosity was beginning to take over.
Kizuna floated nearby, her eyes sparkling as if we were about to unlock a legendary treasure chest.
—It's the grand reward room, Kizu! —she exclaimed, twirling in the air with overflowing excitement.
Yuna allowed a faint smile at Kizuna's enthusiasm but kept her gaze fixed on the door. Her steady posture reflected the calm of someone who understood the importance of proceeding carefully.
—It seems we're not done yet, —she said with a mix of serenity and anticipation. Then, turning to me, she extended her hand with her characteristic elegance. —This must be the final room, where the dungeon's rewards are usually kept.
I took her hand, feeling a brief moment of connection as she helped me up. The exhaustion still weighed heavily on me, but the thrill of the unknown began to counteract it.
—So… let's see what prize awaits us, shall we? —I said, trying to project some confidence as I glanced quickly at my companions.
Kizuna responded with an enthusiastic, —Kizu! —spinning around us like a tiny golden whirlwind.
—It's going to be something epic! I can feel it in my emotional circuits, Kizu! —she exclaimed, radiating excitement with every word.
Yuna, on the other hand, gave a slight nod, her usual calm demeanor contrasting with Kizuna's sparkling energy. However, there was something in her eyes—a restrained sense of anticipation.
I dusted off my hands, more as an attempt to calm my nerves than out of any real need.
As heavy as the exhaustion was, curiosity was too powerful a drive to ignore. I wasn't going to stop now.
—Well, let's see how good this reward really is, —I added, trying to match Yuna's composure with a smile that I hoped looked more confident than I felt.
With a step forward, the three of us moved toward the door, each driven by a unique blend of excitement and expectation.
Even if our motivations differed, we all knew we were about to cross an important threshold, and that was enough to keep us united.