UNEXPECTED TWIST
Rex stood over the Special Elite Golem, panting, his twin daggers coated in a faint blue glow from his last critical strike. The golem was heavily damaged, cracks spreading across its rocky exterior, its glowing crimson core flickering erratically.
"One more strike and you're done," Rex muttered, shifting into a low stance, preparing for the final blow.
But just as he lunged forward, a deep grinding sound echoed through the cavern. The Special Elite Golem's body flared up with a pulsing red light, and the entire cave trembled.
Emergency Reinforcement Activated!
A deep, ancient voice rumbled from within the golem:
"PRIMARY CORE IN DANGER—ACTIVATING DEFENSE PROTOCOL!"
The ground beneath Rex's feet split apart. Two massive, hulking figures emerged from the stone walls, their forms illuminated by an eerie, molten glow.
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Level 3 Guard Golem (Bronze, Uncommon)
HP: 5,000
Attack: 50-80
Defense: 40
Skill: Guardian's Will – Reduces all damage taken by 30% while within 10 meters of the Elite Golem.
---
The two Guard Golems slammed their fists together, creating a shockwave that pushed Rex backward. They took defensive positions in front of the Special Elite Golem, blocking the path to the glowing treasure chest behind them.
"Tch. That was unexpected," Rex cursed under his breath, gripping his daggers tighter.
The Elite Golem was already regenerating, its cracked body slowly repairing itself as long as the Guard Golems remained active.
"So that's their role, huh?" Rex smirked. "Then I'll have to take them out first."
Phase 1: Stealth and the First Kill – A Deadly Game of Shadows
As soon as the two Guard Golems emerged from the stone walls, Rex vanished into the darkness, activating Stealth. His body flickered, blending into the dimly lit cavern, becoming nothing more than a shadow.
The two golems, unable to see him, turned their massive stone heads left and right, scanning for movement. Their molten cores pulsed like beating hearts, and their rock-like bodies emitted a faint tremor as they adjusted their stance.
The Special Elite Golem, now shielded behind its summoned guards, remained still, its core flickering erratically, drawing in energy to regenerate.
"I have to take them out before that thing fully recovers."
Rex circled around, his silent footsteps barely disturbing the dust on the cavern floor. He had studied golem behavior in his past life—these creatures relied on movement and heat signatures to detect enemies. If he could control his breathing and movement, he would be invisible to them.
"All golems have a core. Destroy that, and they crumble."
Unlike the Elite Golem, these Level 3 Guard Golems had their cores embedded in their backs, slightly exposed, glowing a deep orange-red like molten lava.
Rex moved in behind the leftmost golem, his dagger poised for the kill. He had one chance to land a critical hit before it noticed him.
[Skill Activated: Backstab]
Rex sprang forward, emerging from the shadows like a phantom. His dagger, enhanced by the venom-coated edge, plunged directly into the exposed core of the first Guard Golem.
CRACK!
The moment his dagger pierced the molten heart, the golem convulsed violently—its body locking up as magical energy sparked around the damaged area.
-1,800 HP (Critical Backstab!)
-500 Poison Damage (Venom Effect Active!)
The Guard Golem staggered, its arms twitching as it attempted to process the damage. But Rex wasn't done.
Before it could turn, he twisted the dagger and ripped it free. A small explosion of molten energy erupted from the exposed wound, leaving the golem momentarily paralyzed.
Step 3: Disabling the Target – Shadow Step
The second Guard Golem immediately reacted to the attack. Its head snapped toward the disturbance, molten veins pulsing as it detected the movement. A deep mechanical growl resonated from within its stone body as it raised its massive fist, preparing to smash the ground.
But Rex was already two steps ahead.
The moment the first Guard Golem staggered, he activated [Shadow Step], blinking behind it in a blur of speed.
"You're not getting back up."
With both daggers drawn, Rex plunged them into the golem's damaged core in a rapid, twisting motion.
-1,500 HP (Critical!)
The Guard Golem shuddered violently. Cracks ran up its entire body like fractured glass before its legs gave out.
The molten core flickered twice—then dimmed.
[System Notification: Guard Golem (Lv. 3) Defeated!]
BOOOOM!
The golem's massive frame collapsed into rubble, its enchanted stone form crumbling into nothing but broken rock and dust.
The moment the first golem fell, the second Guard Golem reacted instantly.
Its molten veins pulsed angrily, sensing its fallen ally. Without hesitation, it lifted both of its massive, glowing fists and slammed them into the cavern floor.
"Shit—!"
BOOOOOOOM!
The entire ground shattered beneath Rex's feet, sending a violent shockwave across the chamber. Large cracks spread outward, disrupting his footing.
Rex tried to leap away, but—
BAM!
A chunk of falling debris smashed against his shoulder, sending him stumbling backward.
-250 HP (Blunt Damage!)
The second Guard Golem was now fully aware of his position. Its head turned, molten core glowing brighter as it entered attack mode.
Rex had eliminated one enemy, but now the other was ready for battle.
"Tch… Guess I'll have to go all out."
He cracked his neck and tightened his grip on his daggers.
The real fight was just beginning.
Phase 2: Aerial Counterattack – Turning Speed into an Advantage
The second Guard Golem towered over Rex, its molten veins pulsing violently in response to the fallen ally. Its rock-like fists clenched, the heat from its core intensifying as it prepared its next attack. Unlike the first, this one was fully aware of Rex's presence now.
"This one's more aggressive… Good."
Rex had faced countless golems in his past life. He knew that their biggest weaknesses were their slow speed and rigid movement patterns. If he played this right, he could take it down without getting hit.
The Guard Golem took a heavy step forward, its massive body shaking the cavern floor as it charged at Rex with surprising speed. Its fists radiated intense heat, preparing to slam the ground again.
Rex smirked.
"Predictable."
Instead of retreating, he ran straight toward the attack, closing the distance in an instant.
The Guard Golem lifted its right fist, the stone surface cracking as it absorbed mana into its core—a telltale sign it was preparing an enhanced Ground Smash.
Just as its fist came crashing down—
Rex leapt.
Using the golem's incoming attack as leverage, Rex jumped at the last second, stepping onto its descending arm like a platform.
"Hah!"
With a powerful push, he vaulted himself high into the air, flipping over the golem's head.
The momentum carried him upward, giving him a clear view of its weak spot—the exposed molten core on its back.
"There you are."
As he reached the peak of his jump, he twisted his body mid-air, gripping his daggers in a reverse hold.
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[Skill Activated: Phantom Strike] he got this book from Golem guard he killed he used it.
A dark phantom trail followed Rex's form, enhancing his movement speed as he plunged directly toward the molten core.
The golem realized its mistake too late.
It tilted its head upward, molten veins flaring in an attempt to react, but—
SHNK!
Rex's dagger plunged straight into its exposed core, sinking deep into the fiery mass.
-2,100 HP (Phantom Strike – Weak Point!)
The Guard Golem shuddered violently, the molten energy inside it going haywire as sparks erupted from the wound.
Not giving it a chance to recover, Rex twisted the dagger, causing the core to fracture further.
-900 HP (Core Destabilization!)
BOOOOOM!
The energy overloaded, sending out a shockwave that launched Rex backward just as the golem collapsed onto one knee.
Rex landed in a roll, skidding back across the cavern floor before immediately pushing himself up. The Guard Golem was still alive, but barely.
Its core flickered weakly, molten veins fading as cracks spread throughout its body. One more hit would end it.
Rex didn't hesitate.
He kicked off the ground, using [Shadow Step] to blink behind the golem in an instant.
With a sharp exhale, he drove both daggers into the core—
-1,500 HP (Critical Hit!)
The core shattered.
CRACK!
The Guard Golem froze, its massive body twitching uncontrollably as a deep rumbling sound built up inside.
BOOOOOOOM!
Its body exploded into shards of enchanted stone, crumbling into dust as Rex calmly stepped back, brushing the debris off his shoulder.
[System Notification: Guard Golem (Lv. 3) Defeated!]
The dust settled, revealing the glowing chest behind the now-fallen golems.
Rex's eyes narrowed.
The Special Elite Golem, still recovering in the distance, had been watching the entire fight. Its core pulsed angrily, its wounds now half-healed from the delay Rex had created.
"Not bad."
Rex rolled his shoulders, twirling his daggers between his fingers.
"Now it's just you and me."
The true battle was about to begin.