Chapter 57: The Trapped Confrontation

The gazebo stood before us, emanating an aura of peace and serenity with its simple yet holy appearance. Its pristine white color and clean design captivated our attention, even from a distance. Surrounding the gazebo was a circle of white stone paving, stretching out in a perfect 100-meter radius. We couldn't help but feel the significance and presence of the gazebo as we approached.

"Is that it?" I asked Sarah, though I knew the question seemed unnecessary. She was completely engrossed, lost in her thoughts while gazing at the captivating structure.

"Sarah, let's go," I said, gently placing my hand on her shoulder, bringing her back from her trance.

"Ah! Sorry," she exclaimed, startled by my touch. Realizing her behavior, she quickly apologized.

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, we're close now. Let's go and retrieve that thing," I said, pointing towards the gazebo.

Sarah nodded in agreement, and together we took cautious steps towards the enigmatic structure.

With each step, a profound connection to the gazebo grew within me. Its simplicity touched my heart and bestowed a sense of tranquility. The floating artifact within it must truly be remarkable—a divine artifact, undoubtedly.

Finally, we reached the white stone paving encircling the gazebo. As we examined it closely, we discovered a complex magic circle meticulously crafted from stone—an impressive spell laid out by Emperor Alexander himself. Initially, I hesitated to enter the circle carelessly, fearing we might trigger the spell. However, upon closer inspection, I noticed that the magic circle was incomplete, missing several pieces that rendered the spell inactive.

Relief washed over me, and I felt emboldened to move forward. Stepping onto the circle, the ground beneath us suddenly quaked. Simultaneously, the incomplete magic circle on the pavement began to emit a faint glow, indicating its activation.

"What the hell?" I couldn't help but curse, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. How could an incomplete spell become activated?

"It's a trap," Sarah calmly stated, her composure contrasting with my growing concern.

I turned to her, seeking an explanation, but before I could speak, the ground continued to tremble, slowly rising and lifting the gazebo with it.

As the ground shape-shifted and settled, I recognized the entity that had emerged.

"Stone Golem," I uttered with a grim expression.

The stone golem, an ancient construct created by skilled artisans, was far from a mere monster. While the world had progressed towards mechanical constructs like robots, the power and significance of stone golems had diminished over time. Nevertheless, they still posed a formidable threat, and defeating this stone golem would be necessary to reach the white pagoda concealed behind it.

"Sarah, stay here," I commanded with resolve. In this dire situation, I was the only one equipped to face the monstrous golem.

Wasting no time, I drew Darkmoon, my trusted blade, and raised my shield, preparing for the impending battle against the towering stone golem. Sarah watched with a mix of worry and had her eyes fixed on me.

Knowing what I was about to face, she quickly held me back and said, "Wait, William! It's dangerous for you to face it alone. That stone golem must be as powerful as a mid-tier mage. Your chances of defeating it are slim. We should retreat and strategize first."

Sarah's assessment of the stone golem's strength aligned with my own estimation. Judging by its immense size, I could infer that its power surpassed that of a typical opponent. Rationally, I understood the need to retreat and formulate a plan, but circumstances didn't always align with our desires.

With a perplexed expression, Sarah regarded me, questioning my judgment in this critical moment.

"Look behind us," I calmly urged Sarah, anticipating her reaction.

As Sarah shifted her gaze, her expression turned from perplexity to realization. A massive barrier had materialized, effectively entrapping us inside with the stone golem. We were officially ensnared, left with no option but to confront the formidable adversary head-on.

Now trapped and facing the colossal challenge of the stone golem, the true test of our strength and skill was about to begin.

I took a deep breath, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. Retreat was no longer an option. We had to face the stone golem and find a way to overcome it. With determination burning in my veins, I locked eyes with Sarah.

"We have no choice but to fight," I declared, my voice steady and resolute.

Sarah nodded, her worry transforming into a steely resolve. She understood that there was no turning back. We were in this together, and together we would face whatever came our way.