The group entered the Ancient Temple. As soon as they stepped through the membrane, a wave of hot air rushed over them. A vast, breathtaking cave appeared, filled with an ethereal light. Everywhere, pristine white limestone formations sparkled, reflecting the flickering light from countless volcanic veins like circulating blood vessels. They pulsed brightly then faded, like the throbbing rhythm of a giant heart or a living body slowly breathing, making the entire cave seem to breathe with you.
The group seemed shocked by the sudden change in scenery compared to the outside. They quickly regained their composure and ventured deeper into the cave. After about 40 steps, the ground suddenly trembled. Then, an earth-shattering sound, as if a divine hammer had struck the earth, reverberated throughout the cave. The volcanic veins suddenly glowed wildly, simultaneously flickering continuously as if sounding an alarm. Immediately, the System rang out:
Ting!
[Enemy Detected]
[Guardian Golem (Lv.13) x2]
The ground ahead of them cracked open in large sections, and thick smoke and hot air billowed up. Two colossal, rough stone pillars burst from the ground at terrifying speed. They grated and twisted violently in mid-air, their rough stone masses quickly linking together, forming two massive semi-biological golem figures. From the cracks in their rocky bodies, a flickering, fiery energy core cast an eerie orange-red light throughout the dark cave. There was no blood—only thick stone dust and hot embers shooting out with every movement.
Without hesitation, Nam roared like thunder echoing through the cave:
"Defensive Pillar!" His massive shield plunged into the damp rock, creating a shockwave that spread across the ground. A fan-shaped barrier immediately appeared, a faint golden light covering the front like a wall of light.
Right behind him, Nghĩa—not wasting a single moment—activated [Stealth]. His body blended into the flickering shadows between the glowing veins, becoming completely invisible amidst the living lava flows.
[Detect Weakness – Activated!]
Nghĩa's eyes flashed with a cold blue light; the entire environment around him seemed to shift to a hazy gray. All of the Golem's weak points appeared. Only one single point on the Golem's body glowed brilliantly like a burning core.
No sound, no warning.
[Shadow Step] A blurry shadow shot forward like lightning—gliding past Nam's defense, piercing through the stone dust and hot air, reaching its target in less than a second.
Nghĩa leaped. The air tore under the explosive force from his legs. In the flickering light, the 'Drifting Shadow' Dagger drew a flashing white streak.
[Vitality Strike]
"THWACK!!"
A sharp, powerful sound of metal piercing echoed. The dagger plunged straight into the pulsating energy core in the Golem's chest—the Golem's entire fiery glow immediately flickered.
"CRACK!"
A deafening cracking sound spread through the air, reverberating in the cave like shattering glass. The Golem froze and then emitted a dull, crumbling sound like a collapsing rock. Large cracks spread rapidly across its rocky body, and the light from its core slowly died out.
Nam cheered, his voice filled with excitement:
"Amazing, my frienddddd!"
Just then, the remaining Golem gave the group no time to breathe. It immediately unleashed a powerful punch towards Hoa. Without hesitation, Nam yelled a warning, his entire body springing forward like a coiled spring, lunging to block its attack, using all his might to raise his sturdy shield and absorb the blow.
"Watch Out!"
"BOOM!!!"
An earth-shshattering impact echoed. The terrifying blow sent Nam back three steps on the rocky ground, his feet scraping a long trail across the surface. An invisible shockwave coursed through his body, causing slight internal organ damage—but he still stood firm like a fortress wall. In that very moment, a mystical silver light suddenly enveloped his body.
Ting!
[Notification: Nam has reached Level 10. Defense skill upgraded: Shield Reversal – When blocking a critical hit, has a 30% chance to reflect a portion of the damage back to the attacker. CD: 90s.]
Immediately, a powerful, invisible counter-shock erupted from Nam's shield. The colossal Golem was knocked back, its body staggering, losing balance for a moment, and small cracks appeared on its surface.
Not missing that moment, Ái Hoa quickly raised her hands, activating [Healing Wave], her palms radiating a warm green light.
"I can create a small healing zone – but only for 10 seconds."
A faint green mist enveloped Nam, each gentle ripple of energy permeating his body.
Without hesitation, taking full advantage of the moment the Golem was still staggering, Nghĩa charged like an arrow again. He activated [Shadow Step], a blurry black shadow darting straight toward the target. In a flash, he leaped high, aiming directly at the Golem's glowing core, and unleashed his final [Vitality Strike], the dagger plunging deep into the core. The second Golem froze for a moment, the cracks on its rocky body spreading at an alarming rate. Then, a dazzling light erupted from within, and it collapsed like a falling mountain, shattering into countless large and small rock fragments, raising a cloud of dust.
Ting!
[Unknown Golem x2 Eliminated]
[Ái Hoa reached Level 9]
The group breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes showing exhaustion but also excitement. Nam rubbed his chest, chuckling:
"Almost died, good thing I leveled up and got a new skill, otherwise we'd all be gone."
Hoa quickly said, her voice still a little shaky but full of joy:
"Whoa... It felt like a landmine exploded when it punched. Good thing Brother Nam was blocking."
"Good thing Nam was there. Hoa, heal him so he has the strength to work. Haha," Nghĩa joked.
Nghĩa began to reorganize their equipment, then distributed items for everyone to eat and rest to recover after the intense battle.
After regaining their strength, the group continued deeper into the end of the cave, where the volcanic veins still flickered to their strange rhythm.