Chapter 15: The Crystal Heart and Whispers of the Past

The chilling growl echoed through the Crystal Dragon Hall, signaling an unavoidable threat. Arthur tightened his grip on his hammer, his face resolute. Elara notched an arrow, ready. Kai, sensing the immense energy approaching, activated his "Keen Senses" to their maximum.

"Here it comes," Arthur growled. "The main guardian."

From the depths of the hall, a colossal creature slowly emerged, emanating a faint blue light from its crystalline body. It was an Ancient Crystal Golem Level 15, formed from transparent crystal blocks, within which a radiant blue energy heart throbbed. Each step it took shook the entire hall.

Monster: Ancient Crystal Golem Level 15

HP: 250/250

"Damn it! A crystal Golem!" Elara exclaimed. "These things are incredibly resistant to physical damage!"

Arthur charged, his hammer striking the Golem's crystalline arm. "CLANG!" A deafening impact echoed, but the Golem was barely fazed, only a small crack appearing on its surface.

[-5 HP! Crystal Golem has high physical resistance!]

The Crystal Golem raised its massive arm, intending to crush Arthur.

"Tidal Burst!" Kai didn't hesitate. He unleashed a powerful wave of water, striking the Golem's leg, making it stumble. In that moment, Kai sensed a unique energy from the Golem itself. This wasn't just a regular monster; it was a part of the Temple, and it had a connection to water.

"Arthur! Elara! It's a water crystal! Water will weaken it!" Kai shouted, his voice echoing in the hall.

Elara quickly understood. She loaded a special arrow, one with a small vial of blue liquid attached. "Crystal-Shattering Arrow!"

While Arthur relentlessly harassed the Golem with continuous strikes, forcing it to focus on him, Elara fired her arrow. "THWIP!" The arrow embedded itself into the Golem's shoulder, shattering the vial of liquid. A corrosive chemical began to fizz on the crystal surface, emitting a sizzling sound.

Ancient Crystal Golem has been afflicted with 'Corrosion (Weak)'.

Physical resistance slightly decreased!

"Good job, Elara!" Arthur roared, unleashing a "Crushing Hammer" strike onto the crack Elara had just created.

[-20 HP! Increased damage!]

The Crystal Golem let out an enraged roar, raising its arms to unleash a storm of sharp crystal shards towards them.

"Powerful Water Barrier!" Kai didn't hesitate. A thick wall of water appeared before the three of them, blocking the crystal barrage.

[-10 HP! Powerful Water Barrier absorbed damage!]

Though Kai's energy was rapidly depleting, their coordination kept them safe. Kai noticed the Energy Heart within the Golem was its weak point. But how to reach it?

The ancient dragon's memory resurfaced. "Only when the heart is exposed... will true power be unleashed."

Kai decided to take a risk. He used "Mist Camouflage" to blend into the water vapor the Golem emitted. He glided silently, circling behind the Golem while Arthur and Elara continued their attacks to distract it.

Reaching the Golem's back, Kai noticed a large crack where the blue crystalline heart's light was most vibrant.

You have activated 'Stealth Attack'! Damage increased by 50% for the first attack!

"Rending Bite!" Kai lunged, his sharp teeth sinking straight into the crack, aiming for the Energy Heart.

[-25 HP! Critical Hit!]

Ancient Crystal Golem has been afflicted with 'Extreme Pain'.

The Crystal Golem let out a terrifying shriek, losing control as chaotic blue energy surged from its body. Arthur and Elara quickly seized the opportunity, launching their strongest attacks at the reeling Golem.

Finally, with a deafening crash, the Ancient Crystal Golem shattered into thousands of shimmering crystal fragments, a wave of pure energy flooding the hall.

You have defeated Ancient Crystal Golem Level 15!

Received 300 experience points!

Experience Points: 970/100 (Level 22).

Congratulations! You have reached Level 23! All attributes slightly increased.

You have absorbed skill 'Crystal Manipulation (Water)' (Level 1) from Ancient Crystal Golem!

"Crystal Manipulation?" Kai was astonished. This was an unprecedented skill!

With the guardian defeated, the hall became eerily silent. The light from the crystals now seemed brighter, guiding them towards an ancient altar at the far end of the hall.

On the altar, there was no treasure. Only a circular indentation perfectly sized for a "Soul Emblem." And beside it, scattered on the stone floor, was a shattered piece of shoulder armor, bearing the emblem of the Bounty Hunters Guild. A clear sign that Zane had been here, had fought, and might have left his "Ancient Soul Emblem."

Elara picked up the piece of shoulder armor, her face grim. "Zane was here... and it looks like he lost."

Arthur looked at the indentation on the altar. "So, the 'Ancient Soul Emblem' was what that hunter was talking about. Zane must have used it to activate something..."

Just then, a faint, raspy voice echoed from a small crack in the crystal wall behind the altar.

"You... you're... too late..."

They spun around. From the crack, a gaunt, trembling figure was struggling to crawl out. It was Zane, the Supreme Swordsman! He was severely wounded, blood staining half his body, his greatsword nowhere in sight. He tried to reach out, his eyes filled with despair as he looked at Kai.

"The Emblem... protect it... don't let... the Shadow Syndicate... get it..." Zane whispered, then his eyes closed, and his body slumped.

Kai and Arthur rushed to him. Zane was critically weakened. He had come here, fought the Golem and possibly the Bounty Hunters Guild, and used his "Ancient Soul Emblem" to activate the Crystal Hall. But what happened next? And what was this "Shadow Syndicate" that Zane was so obsessed with?

The Crystal Dragon Hall, seemingly their final destination, now opened a new chapter full of peril and mystery. Zane had led them here, passing on a new burden and a final warning. Their path ahead was not just about seeking power, but also carrying Zane's mission, confronting a dark force far greater than anything they had ever imagined.