The light that shook the world
The forest groaned with tension, trees bowing under pressure not from wind—but from presence.
Julian stood alone.
In front of him, three towering Peak Rank 1 Golems—their bodies forged from enchanted obsidian stone, each step shaking the ground. Mana surged within them, but not chaotically. It was refined. Deadly.
Julian tightened the grip on his spear, blood already trickling down his side from the earlier skirmish.
"…I'll take care of them."
He vanished.
⟶ Skill: [Flashstep]
With a sudden crack of the air, Julian appeared beside the leftmost golem, slicing its arm clean off before it could react.
CRUNCH!
The stone arm spiraled through the air, landing with a heavy crash.
"ONE!" Julian growled.
But there was no time to celebrate.
The center golem roared, its chest glowing faintly blue as its foot smashed into the ground.
⟶ Skill: [Echo Tremor]
A soundwave burst outward. Julian rolled to the side just in time as a chunk of earth exploded behind him.
A heavy fist flew toward him.
⟶ Skill: [Phantom Veil]
His body flickered, turning translucent for a split second—just enough for the blow to pass through.
He twisted mid-air, chanted— "Auxano!"
His spear extended, glowing violet, and he stabbed directly at the second golem's dantian—the mana core embedded deep inside its abdomen.
CLANG!
The golem blocked—but Julian's enhanced spear shattered the blocking arm in a spray of stone.
"Dammit, still not enough…"
He jumped back as the third golem lunged. Three against one was relentless.
He raised his weapon.
⟶ Skill: [Crimson Gale]
A torrent of red-hot flame burst from the spear—
—but when it hit the golem's chest, it fizzled out harmlessly.
"…Doesn't work. Damn it."
Mana-based damage was useless. He needed physical destruction. A clean hit to the core.
"Julian," a voice echoed in his head—his master from within the ring. "Use Dark Flame."
Julian narrowed his eyes. "It won't work. It's still mana—"
"Trust me."
Julian growled, blood staining his lips.
"Fine. One shot."
⟶ Forbidden Skill: [Dark Flame: Maw of Devourment]
Black flame erupted from his palm, forming a massive ghastly head with a snarling jaw. With a silent screech, the creature launched forward and bit into one golem's leg.
The limb disintegrated entirely, as if it never existed.
Julian blinked. "It worked…"
Too well.
His smile was short-lived. The other two golems moved in.
⟶ Skill: [Stonebreaker Charge]
One of them stomped and dashed forward unnaturally fast for its size. A giant punch flew toward Julian's side.
He activated a shield.
⟶ Skill: [Runeguard Sigil]
A glowing rune deflected the punch just barely—then shattered.
The third golem raised both arms.
"—No you don't."
Julian twisted, using—
⟶ Skill: [Chain Dash]
A series of rapid dashes pushed him behind one golem. He stabbed toward the back of its core, but the outer shell deflected the blow.
"Shit. It's not enough!"
His master's voice returned.
"Combine them. Crimson Gale and Dark Flame."
Julian coughed. "I… can't do that."
"You can. I'll stabilize the output. Just focus."
He took a deep breath. Fire and shadow began to swirl around his spear.
Red lightning sparked through the ground. His body trembled from the strain.
"Crimson Devourer—Dragon Reign!"
The crimson flames and black devouring energy fused—forming a blazing dragon cloaked in living shadow. It roared across the battlefield, burning with corrosive force.
BOOOOOM!
It collided with the first golem.
Its chest shattered—core obliterated. The golem collapsed backward, lifeless.
"One down…" Julian's knees wobbled. "Two more."
The second golem lunged. Julian flipped backward and threw his spear with full force, using—
⟶ Skill: [Spear of Reversal]
The weapon spun like a drill, enhanced with kinetic reversal magic. It pierced the golem's shoulder and embedded deep into the core.
A pulse. Then—
CRACK—KSSHH!
The golem's upper body exploded in a spray of stone.
Julian summoned his spear back midair, landed, and knelt.
He couldn't move much more.
The final golem roared. Its destroyed leg limped forward, sparks of mana running through its frame.
Julian whispered, "Auxano."
The spear lengthened again.
Then he used the last of his mana to charge forward.
⟶ Skill: [Flash Fang]
The wind bent around him as he shot forward like a bullet.
Julian's body blurred, and he drove the spear directly into the shattered leg—reaching deep inside—
—and shattered the final core.
The golem fell.
Silence.
Julian staggered backward, his vision fading, his limbs refusing to obey. Blood poured from his wounds, his mana completely gone.
He collapsed onto his back, staring up at the jungle canopy.
"…I won."
He let out a breathless laugh.
But whether he could survive this… even he didn't know.
The forest was quiet now.
Ashes, shattered boulders, and cracked earth painted the battlefield where three Peak Rank 1 golems had once stood.
Julian lay in the center of the chaos, his chest rising and falling slowly—barely conscious, eyes half-closed.
He wasn't dead. Just completely drained.
That was, until—
SLAP!
"Wha—AGHH?!"
Julian's eyes shot open as his cheek stung sharply. He blinked, dazed. "Wh-why the duck did you slap me?!"
Standing over him, glaring as if he were the one betrayed, was none other than Arthur Valerian—a faint layer of smoke still curling off his boots from how fast he'd dashed in.
"You were sleeping," Arthur said plainly.
Julian rubbed his cheek furiously. "I wasn't sleeping, I was dying! It's called 'barely alive,' you ass!"
Arthur ignored him, scanning the destroyed battlefield.
Stone chunks. Crater marks. Three faintly glowing fragments—what was left of golem cores—lay scattered among the rubble.
He narrowed his eyes.
"You… killed all three?"
Julian wiped blood from his lips and smirked weakly. "Yup. See? Hardcore stones, everywhere."
Arthur's eyes narrowed in disbelief. He had always known Julian wasn't ordinary—he carried the power of an upper realm master sealed in his ring, and his affinity with mana was rare even among elites.
But this—three Peak Rank 1 golems alone?
"…Impressive."
Julian tilted his head. "That it? No praise speech?"
"I don't have time for speeches."
Arthur knelt beside him and extended a hand.
⟶ Skill: [Mana Transfer: Conduit Thread]
Faint gold light flowed from Arthur's palm into Julian's chest, restoring just enough mana to stabilize his condition.
Julian gasped as the surge hit him. Warmth and clarity returned to his limbs. "You… you shared mana?"
Arthur stood. "Don't waste it."
"Wait, where are you going now?"
Arthur's expression hardened. "The core. The monster core. If I destroy it, Phase 3 ends. And we'll all survive."
Without another word, he vanished into the trees.
⟶ Skill: [A-Rank Movement: Tempest Step]
Julian stared at the direction Arthur disappeared, then let out a breath and rolled his shoulders. "He just disappears after slapping people. Typical."
He pushed himself up slowly, legs trembling but no longer paralyzed.
"I'm not done yet either."
He turned, sprinting—no, limping fast—toward his teammates and the fortress.
The fight wasn't over.
But he'd survived. For now.
Arthur moved like a whisper through the frost-tipped forest.
His boots barely touched the branches as he leapt from tree to tree—agile, focused, deadly.
Each breath he took formed a faint mist in the cold air, and every heartbeat felt synced with the forest's rhythm.
Then he saw it.
A clearing. Silent. Almost serene.
But in the center stood them.
Not hulking titans like before—but humanoid golems, their height just under six feet, clothed in a body of sleek, obsidian-hardened armor. Their forms shimmered with a faint blue glow as pure mana pulsed visibly through their limbs like veins.
They were sleeping. Yet even in sleep, they radiated danger.
Behind them, suspended in a glass-like prism atop a glowing pedestal, floated a pulsing, dark crystal.
[Appraisal Activated]
[Monster Kingdom Core]
A special core created to control the monster invasion for this phase. Destroying it will forcibly end Phase 3 of the tournament.
Arthur narrowed his eyes. His attention shifted to the golem directly in front of the core. Unlike the others, it had strange, rune-like patterns etched across its body—pulsing slowly with eerie blue light.
He scanned again.
[Mutated Golem: Type-Zephyr]
Rank: Peak Rank 1
Status: Guarding Monster Core
Constructed by: Valhalla Temple Virtual AI (Special Designation: Anti-Champion Guardian)
Special Abilities:
– Sonic Pulse: Releases a concussive soundwave to disable mana concentration.
– Disruption Aura: Weakens nearby long-range spells.
– Regenerative Alloy Skin: Can self-repair unless core is destroyed.
– Mana Redirection: Can redirect elemental mana within 3 seconds of detection.]
Arthur's mouth went dry.
"This thing… it's built to counter spellcasters. Designed to guard the core specifically against high-level intruders. And it's… almost awake."
His grip tightened around his weapon. A thin film of sweat coated his brow despite the cold.
"This is no ordinary guardian… this is a test."
He landed silently behind a branch, analyzing every possible angle of approach.
He had one chance.
If he attacked while it slept, maybe—just maybe—he could destroy the core before the mutated golems fully activated.
But if he failed… he'd face a monster designed to crush champions like him.
Arthur whispered to himself, "This is it."
He reached into his inner coat and pulled out a red gem—a booster, a one-time enchantment amplifier he'd saved for emergencies.
He pressed it against his chest. It cracked and dissolved.
⟶ Buff Activated: Ashbreaker Rank 1] – Strength and Speed x2 (60 seconds)
"Time to dance."
He leapt down from the tree, sword already drawn.
The moment his boot touched the ground—the blue veins in the lead golem's arms lit up.
The Type-Zephyr Golem opened its eyes.
Glowing bright blue, they locked onto Arthur.
[Intruder Detected. Engaging Defense Protocol.]
Arthur smirked.
"Let's go."
Arthur moved first.
The moment the golem's blue eyes lit up, he vanished.
A sonic boom echoed as Arthur reappeared beside the golem, his Ashbreaker Sword raised high and glowing with dark embers.
He struck downward in a clean, fluid arc.
CLANG!
Sparks exploded—his blade met the golem's hardened arm, but before the blow could follow through—
"Sonic Pulse—emission."
⟶ [Skill: Sonic Pulse]
A concussive wave burst from the golem's body like an invisible shockwave. It didn't just push—it shredded Arthur's mana threads mid-cast, scattering his elemental control like shards.
Arthur staggered.
"What—!?"
That one second of disruption was all it needed.
A second golem—previously dormant—sprung to life behind him.
Too late.
THUD!
A brutal kick smashed into Arthur's back. His body flew across the clearing like a ragdoll, crashing through a tree trunk and bouncing off the ground.
CRACK!
Blood sprayed from his mouth as he tried to stand. His ribs—at least two—had cracked under the pressure of that hit.
But the golems weren't done.
The Type-Zephyr Golem jumped after him, a blur of movement unnatural for a construct. While mid-air, it triggered another sonic pulse, aimed directly at Arthur's chest.
Arthur raised his sword, trying to shield himself.
Too late.
BOOM!
The air trembled. Mana around Arthur distorted violently as the sonic wave exploded in front of him, unraveling his gathered energy.
And then—a direct punch to his chest.
CRACK!
Arthur's body was driven backward into the dirt. A shallow crater formed where he landed. His entire torso screamed in pain—his ribcage had buckled under the strike.
He gasped for breath.
Blood trickled from his lips.
His sword had been flung several meters away.
The mutated golem landed calmly, posture precise, glowing veins pulsing with blue mana.
[Target: Injured. Mana Rhythm Severed. Threat Level: Moderate.]
Arthur gritted his teeth.
He'd faced monsters before.
But this one…
This wasn't a monster.
It was a weapon.
He pushed himself up on one knee, breathing heavily.
"Not yet…" he whispered, eyes glowing faintly.
"I'm not done…"
Arthur wiped blood from his mouth and stood up, bones aching, skin torn, but eyes sharp as ever.
The glowing pulse of the Monster Core flickered behind the mutated golems—so close, yet so far.
"No choice."
He raised his hand toward the sky—mana surged like a storm around him.
⟶ Skill: [Heavenbreaker ]
From the clouds above, a streak of pure, divine lightning descended. The forest shook. The sky roared.
The bolt struck his sword—Ashbreaker—which crackled with white-blue arcs of destruction.
The golems turned sharply, sensing danger. Their veins glowed brighter. Systems activated.
But Arthur didn't stop there.
He whispered beneath his breath—his eyes turned silver for a moment.
⟶ B rank Skill: [Phantom Requiem]
A spectral echo of himself split from his form—a double mana stream began feeding into the lightning.
The surge doubled.
The energy screamed like a chorus of banshees.
Then—he moved.
⟶ Skill: [Gale Step velocity 2]
Arthur vanished, leaving only a gust of wind and scorched grass.
The lightning-infused phantom strike descended toward the nearest golem like divine judgment.
But the golems… were built for this.
⟶ Enemy Skill Activated: [Mana Disruption Field]
The moment the strike neared, both golems extended their arms.
Waves of invisible distortion rippled out—mana collapsed, direction faltered.
The Heavenbreaker Requiem twisted mid-flight.
BOOOOOOM!
It struck the nearby forest instead.
A dozen trees vaporized instantly. A crater was left where roots once grew. Smoke rose.
Arthur gritted his teeth and shifted mid-air, twisting his body unnaturally as he appeared behind one of the golems, blade slashing horizontally.
⟶ Critical Strike!
But the golem… dodged.
Its reflexes were too fast.
The second golem countered.
⟶ Skill: [Sonic Collapse – Heavy Wave]
A massive, spiraling wave of compressed sound erupted from its core.
Arthur couldn't dodge in time.
WHAMMMM!!
The shockwave hit him like a mountain.
His armor shattered. His body suit tore to ribbons.
Blood exploded from his nose and mouth.
He flew across the field again—smashing into another tree, which cracked in half from the impact.
Arthur coughed violently, blood splattering across the grass.
His body screamed in protest.
He leaned on his sword to stay upright, knees trembling.
Across the field, the two golems approached with measured steps, their glowing cores humming like engines of death. Not a single dent on them. Unshaken. Unbothered.
Arthur clenched his teeth, eyes narrowing.
"I didn't see that sonic wave in Appraisal…"
A tremor ran down his spine as he realized the truth.
"There are skills… I can't see through Appraisal."
His heart pounded harder—not from fear, but something worse.
Helplessness.
Even his refined [Appraisal] skill, one of the best in the tournament, couldn't see the golem's hidden arsenal.
These weren't just any constructs.
They were born to kill.
He took a step forward—his leg gave out.
Another pulse of mana surged from the golems, preparing their next wave.
Arthur tried to form a spell, but his mana lines kept collapsing under pressure. His inner circuits were cracked. His body was barely holding together. The lightning storm he'd conjured before had nearly fried his nervous system.
"Dammit…" he whispered, falling to one knee.
He was supposed to lead them.
He was supposed to survive everything.
The battlefield blurred before him.
"Am I… going to die here?"
Then—a flicker.
Somewhere in his soul, like a dying ember gasping for breath—it stirred.