(49) The master and his apprentice

At around 9.00, Lysine could feel some vibrations from the floor above her. Among the vibrations, there were loud impacts that were probably from offensive spells or skills.

Every now and then, there would be a much larger impact, however the frequency of these impacts were quite irregular and mismatched. What was more bewildering was that sometimes these heavier impacts came out at the same time as a few smaller ones.

Unless the person had three hands, or was somehow using multiple and different spells at the same time, there was no way it could come from the same person. The difference in power between the two impacts were clear, why would a high level players use weak skills, or how could a low levelled player use high skills? It didn't make sense.

The dungeon was just informed of an Appraiser's visit, so none of the monsters would know that there were two of them until they came.

Naturally, the louder reverberations came from the master, whilst the lesser impacts were from the apprentice.

The two players were currently battling their way through the swarm of Nagas, if only the apprentice came, then he would have long been surrounded. The teamwork and efficiency of the Nagas were shocking, even for the master.

Every time the aprentice was about to become overwhelmed, the master would step in at the critical moment, using a powerful broadsword skill which sent the swarm of Nagas flying back. The master didn't kill too many Nagas because he was using this opportunity to teach his student.

A few minutes later, sounds of an intense battle resounded outside the door of the Boss Room. Heavy impacts could be heard every second and it seemed like the two Golems were giving the Appaisers a hard time.

"Damn! Why are these guards so tough?!" A mature, but young masculine voice roared over the sounds of clashing rocks and blades.

"Phew.. For an old man like me, these two give me no rest." A laborious sigh and a worn-out breath muttered in response to the young man when the sounds ceased for a second.

Suddenly, blue and green hues of light shone brightly, illuminating the whole room outside the Boss Room. Lysine stood inside her room, and tensed slightly when the light pierced through the door cracks.

The young man cursed in shock and retreated behind the elderly man. The senior man kept his eyes focused on the two attacks in front of him. A massive, thorned vine and the powerful charge of the blue Golem.

The man gripped his broadsword tightly - his knuckles turned white from his clench as he lifted the sword vertically with all his might. "Divine Protection!" He roared out the name of his skill as a translucent, baby-blue light shone out from his sword.

A large boom and a shockwave spreaded through the room, the focal point was the two men.

Dust rose up and painted a large sphere around the men, the green vine was shattered around the shield and Sapphire seemed stuck within the shield, its fist half embedded within it.

The elderly man stared shocked at the fist. A few cracks had appeared next to the fist and a shallow dent pressed into the blue shield. Luckily, the shield held out, otherwise his face wouldn't still be intact.

The younger man also peeked out from behind, and as soon as he saw the dent, his faced paled as well.

"Rebound!" Before Sapphire could escape from the shield, the elderly man cast his next skill. The blue shield pulsed out and expanded, all the absorbed force from the vine and collsion combined and amplified, sending off an outward repulse.

The force was so strong that both Sapphire and Jade were flung away. The man didn't stop there and started to use skill after skill, slashing with his broadsword and sending arcs of wind force.

The apprentice also joined in and the barrage successfully cornered the two Golems.

Seeing that the two Golems were close together, the senior motioned for his apprentice to keep up the barrage. He then started to collect what seemed like a silver aura around himself, concentrating it into his body.

"Holy Sword!"

The man pointed his palm towards the Golems and a ray of light descended upon them. The light had pierced through the dungeon roof and formed a large, divine sword.

The sword proceeded to strike the Golems, sending out yet another shockwave.

'Holy Sword' and 'Divine Protection' were unique skills to a Templar; an advancement of a knight. Templars were a level 30 specialisation after a Holy Knight, and before that, a Guardian.

'Holy Sword was an extremely powerful skill that could only be used three times a day. It worked most effectively on tainted, cursed and undead monsters and was capable of penetrating any spiritual barriers that higher levelled creatures might have.

As the dust cleared away, the Templar stood stunned. From within the impact site, a large, crystal wall stood slanted above the Golems' heads.

The sturdy wall, and sslanted angle had deflected a portion of the impact, but the two Golems were still damaged, large cracks wove around their body, and since their composition was a little transparent, you could see the cracks on the other side as well.

The Golems looked like they were about to shatter at any time, however the Templar knew otherwise.

The apprentice recieved another signal from the Templar and positioned himself in a defensive stance whilst sending a few ranged attacks towards the Golems.

Silver particles started to surround the Templar again, if he used the skill a second time, then he would only be able to use it once more. And from the rumours, there seemed to be an overpowering third Boss.

It was an extreme gamble if there was a third Boss, but the probablility was higher as these Golems seemed to be the same strength or maybe even higher than the other two Bosses from his investigation.

Therefore, a third, even more powerful Boss was probably present in the Boss Room in order to manage the door guards.

Besides, even if he did only have one more spell of 'Holy Sword' left, he still had many more offensive and defensive skills.

The Templar started to raise his palm again, but suddenly the ground shook beneath him, causing him to become unbalanced.

The apprentice managed to jump out of the way just in time for him to escape from being impaled by a sharp, blue crystal stake.

Small, blue shards shot out from the main crystal, but the apprentice was skilled enough to dodge or defend him and the old man from the bombardment.

Whilst the blue crystal was still firing out bullets, the ground rumbled again and several small jade vines ruptured from the ground. The stony vines shot towards the Appraisers like harpoons.

Being attacked by several directions had turned the tide on the men. It was now they that were caught cornered, unable to escape.

"Hurry up!" The young man yelled towards the Templar.

The apprentice managed to defelct two of the incoming vines, yet they still seemed to come endlessly.

Three more vines dashed towards the young man, and unable to defend himself in time, the lad pulled out a silver amulet and crushed the centre of it.

All at once, the vines and stone bullets were stopped by a barrier. The barrier seemed thick and sponge-like; slowing down the attacks before stopping them.

At the same moment, the Templar released his skill for the second time that day. A ray of light shone brightly and a massive sword pierced down onto the Golems.

Jade was planted into the ground, controlling all the vines, whilst Sapphire stood in front of it, protecting it from the apprentice's ranged attacks.

The bright light engulfed the two Golems and a shattering sound was heard. The two Golems had finally been defeated whilst they were trying their all.

They then dispersed into the white particles and left into the ground. The crystal stake and vines started to melt back into the ground like mercury. Soon, only a few gems remained and the young Appraiser went forth to claim the loot.

The Templar took out a notepad and jotted a few things down before turning to his apprentice.

"These are som fine-quality gems master!" The young man held out the gems as if to appease a God.

"Did you tell me to hurry up earlier?" The Templar scowled and took all the gems.

"N-No, you must have misheard me-"

"Are you calling me deaf as well now? When we get back, write out the code of conduct 100 times!"

The young man paled at the thought. "Please don't, I didn't mean it. You were awesome!"

The Templar grinned at the compliment, "200 time then"

He then proceeded towards the large double doors and consumed a small vial on the way.