Mini Golem

#Mermaid Sun Guild Headquarters

SMACK!

The thunderous sound of a punch echoed through the great hall.

Kian and Boru lay sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain after enduring a brutal blow from Rakusan's rage.

"You were defeated by mere commoners—mana rejects at that. Pathetic," Rakusan growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

"I-I'm sorry, Master. Among them was a sorcerer with strange magic… and a cleric from the Holy Church. We… we couldn't do anything," Kian stammered, though he doubted Rakusan would accept such excuses.

Rakusan seated himself on his throne, his gaze seething with wrath and vengeance.

"Strange magic… Holy Church… These pests must be eradicated. If not, our plan to perfect the Mermaid Core will be ruined."

Several guild members arrived, casting disdainful glances at the fallen Kian and Boru.

"Master, we're here," one of them announced.

The group of five stood tall—Yuri, Shakral, Goji, Armand, and Yukito.

Three men and two women—these were Rakusan's elite generals, the pride of Mermaid Sun.

"You've heard the situation. Yukito, Armand—track down the location of our enemies. Yuri, Shakral, Goji—guard the Mermaid Core laboratory," Rakusan ordered, his tone sharp and decisive.

"Yes, Master," they answered in unison.

***

#Lunar Village

Slowly, Fina opened her eyes. Her blurry vision gradually sharpened until she saw the wooden ceiling above.

Maria entered the room, gasping at the sight of Fina awake. Without hesitation, she rushed to embrace the girl.

"Thank goodness you're awake. How do you feel? Are you still in pain?" she asked, voice trembling with relief.

"I'm fine, Maria. But I don't have time to lie here and be pampered," Fina replied, gently pulling away from the hug and attempting to stand.

Maria stayed silent. She knew she couldn't stop Fina's burning resolve, yet she couldn't bear to let the girl shoulder everything alone.

"You're still not fully healed," Maria tried to reason.

Fina shot her a sharp look. "We don't have time for rest or hesitation. If we do nothing, everyone will die."

Maria remained quiet as Fina limped toward the door. Before stepping outside, Fina turned back.

"Call the two strange men who helped me, and gather all the girls who can use magic. We need to hold a war council against Mermaid Sun."

Maria sighed. "That's suicide."

"If we don't strike first, we're all dead," Fina replied, her voice rising in frustration.

Maria moved to embrace her again, hoping to calm her down. "We need clear heads before we act. You mustn't rush into—"

THUD!

Fina shoved Maria away. Not violently, but firm enough.

"I'm sorry… but I won't waste another second," she said, staring straight into Maria's eyes.

Maria understood. She saw the pain, the desperation, and the unwavering determination. But she also feared the burden was too much for the girl alone.

***

Elsewhere in the forest, Yuri and Armand were perched atop the tallest tree, scanning for traces of Fina's escape.

Yuri—a petite girl with shoulder-length brown hair and doll-like features—was far more dangerous than she looked.

Her magic allowed her to transform anything she touched into dolls or golems.

Armand, a refined magic swordsman, wore noble attire and kept his shoulder-length blond hair perfectly neat. He was the only one in Mermaid Sun wielding the elite sword magic of the royal family.

Yuri moved, pulling five lumps of clay from her pouch.

"Transmutation Magic: Mini Golem," she whispered calmly, but with weight.

Green magic circles appeared beneath each lump, morphing them into mouse-shaped golems.

"These little ones will search every inch of the forest. Their sight is connected to mine," she explained.

"As expected from the ever-reliable Yuri Doll," Armand complimented.

The golem mice scattered in every direction—through towns, streets, alleys, cliffs, forests, and harbors—scurrying with incredible speed.

***

#Mermaid Sun Central Lab

Rakusan walked down a dim corridor, the echo of his expensive shoes reverberating off the stone walls.

At the end stood a large steel door. As he approached, a crimson magic circle appeared, scanning his body. The door unlocked.

He stepped into a dazzling underground facility, filled with hundreds of white-robed researchers. But it wasn't the light or the scientists that caught attention—it was the massive ship in the center, adorned with a mermaid statue at its bow.

A disheveled man with glasses approached him.

"Master, what brings you here?" the man asked respectfully.

"Dr. Abel Brainor. How's the Mermaid Core progressing?" Rakusan asked without turning away from the ship.

"As you can see, Master, construction is complete. However, the Mermaid Core embedded in the ship still lacks mana. We'll need a supply of energy immediately," Abel explained.

Rakusan approached the vessel, gently touching its hull. He smiled faintly—a rare, satisfied expression.

"Is the mana harvesting procedure ready?" he asked.

"Yes, Master. Everything is prepared at our forest lab. The device to harvest mana from every person on this island is in place. All that remains is for you to press the button and it will begin," the professor said.

"Perfect. Just a few pests left to crush… and the world will be mine," Rakusan whispered to himself.

***

#Lunar Village Council Hall

Asfan fidgeted awkwardly, sitting at a round table surrounded by beautiful women.

Kael, freshly recovered, remained calm and composed.

"The Mermaid Core is a doomsday weapon. It needs mana to activate—enough to obliterate an entire island," Fina announced grimly.

Kael's face darkened with fury.

"From what I gathered, the mana harvester is hidden in a facility deep in the forest. That's where I was attacked… by three Mermaid Sun generals," she added.

Suha spoke nervously, "W-what should we do, Kak Fina?"

"We're not strong enough to launch a full assault," Maria said.

Asfan frowned. He hadn't signed up for a war.

"We're out," Asfan suddenly declared.

Kael was stunned.

"What the hell, Perverted Priest?" Kael protested.

"Sorry, Kael. But this isn't our fight. We're strangers here, and risking our lives for this… we'd just die for nothing."

Fina glared at Asfan, biting her lip hard. "I was wrong. I thought you were good people. But you're just cowards."

"No. I'm the leader of our guild… even if we don't have a name yet." Kael said, standing up. "Our dream is to become the strongest guild in the world. To find INANIS. If we can't even help those in need, how can we achieve that dream? I order you, Perverted Priest, to help Mochi Boobs and everyone on this island."

Asfan sighed. He had already agreed to join Kael's guild, and couldn't disobey.

Everyone in the room fell silent, touched by Kael's words.

A guild that fought for the people, not for power or status—such a dream was unheard of.

"Thank you, Master of the Nameless Guild. Then let's—"

"Kael. My name is Kael Luminous," he cut her off.

"O-oh, okay Kael. Then let's—"

"What's your name, by the way? I only know you as Mochi Boobs."

The girls barely stifled their laughter.

Fina clenched her fists. "Ashfina Maurer. And don't call me Mochi Boobs again."

"Okay, Mochi Boobs."

***

Meanwhile, the mouse golems reached Lunar Village. Yuri closed her left eye to enhance her right's vision, linked to the golems.

One of the mice slipped into a house and spied on the meeting.

"Got her. That's the girl—she's with two strange men and three unknown females. The place is Lunar Village, home of the native Angelia tribe," Yuri relayed to Armand.

"Golem Spell: Scatter Swarm."

The mice multiplied and scattered across the village.

A dark green circle appeared beneath Yuri and Armand. Their bodies slowly sank into the magic and vanished.

***

#Lunar Village Gate

Two green magic circles lit up. Yuri and Armand emerged from the portal.

Yuri had used spatial magic to teleport them directly to the location her golems had identified.

She crouched down and pressed her five fingers to the ground, confirming all golems were in position.

Even above the village council hall, one golem perched silently on the ceiling—watching, listening, feeding Yuri everything.

***

#Lunar Village Meeting Hall

"So the plan is simple," Fina said with firm conviction. "We infiltrate the facility and destroy it."

Asfan scoffed. "Easier said than done. Do you really think it'll be that simple?"

"I know it sounds impossible—especially since the enemy already suspects we're targeting the facility. There will definitely be other Mermaid Sun generals guarding it," Fina admitted.

Maria spoke up, "Among us, who's the strongest in direct combat?"

"Kael," Fina answered confidently, glancing at him. "He's more than capable."

"I'll clear the way for you all, hahaha! I'm fired up!" Kael shouted, full of spirit.

Asfan rolled his eyes. He's still injured. How can he be so damn confident?

Despite her worries, Maria felt the spark of hope reigniting in her chest. Kael's enthusiasm was contagious.

"Kael will lead the charge," she said, formulating a plan. "Asfan the Perverted Priest and Suha will back him up—support from the rear in case we're facing multiple enemies. Fina and Lyora will slip inside the facility and destroy it. How's that sound?"

Among them stood a tomboyish girl with short pink hair—Lyora. The sword at her hip marked her as a magic swordswoman.

"Makes sense," Lyora finally spoke.

Asfan squinted at her. "So you can talk. I thought you were just a statue. You've been silent this whole time."

Lyora smirked. "Mind your business, Perverted Priest."

"Alright, that's enough," Maria said, trying to keep the team focused. "Let's end the meeting here. Remember your roles and stick to the plan."

Meanwhile, not far from them, Yuri watched and listened through her surveillance golems. She grinned, almost amused.

"Fools," she muttered. "They really think they can get past a Mermaid Sun general just like that? Cute. But they'll all be dead before their foolish plan even begins."

Yuri raised her hand, eyes gleaming with cruel delight.

"Mini Mana Bomb Golems…"

Across the village, all the golems began to vibrate, their bodies condensing, focusing the mana within them.

Asfan's eyes widened. He felt it—the thick, foul scent of explosive mana.

"SILENCE!" he suddenly shouted.

Everyone froze, startled by his sudden outburst.

"W-What is it? What's going on?" Suha stammered, panicking.

"TAKE COVER! NOW!"

BOOM!!!

The golem mice exploded in unison, tearing through the meeting hall in a storm of fire and smoke.

Everywhere—across the village—the same catastrophic blasts occurred. Smoke blanketed the area as screams echoed through the ruins. Blood, rubble, and chaos reigned.

"Hahaha! What a beautiful sight, Yuri Doll," Armand laughed, eyes shining with cruel satisfaction.

The two heartless generals strolled casually into the burning village, untouched by the destruction they had unleashed.

Villagers ran, screaming, toward the ancient tree at the end of the road, the only safe haven left.

KRAK–BOOM!!

Another explosion ripped through a building, sending debris flying.

In the midst of it, Asfan, Kael, and Fina emerged from the wreckage. Asfan's sacred magic had protected them with a shimmering barrier.

Maria, Suha, and Lyora also survived. Maria had managed to erect a barrier of her own, but not without cost—her leg was badly injured.

***

Fina's eyes widened in horror. She had never imagined such devastation.

The village was flattened. The cries of children, the stench of blood, and the sight of broken bodies crushed beneath rubble left her frozen in shock.

Kael clenched his fists, trembling with rage.

"Mermaid Sun… I swear, I will destroy you!" he roared.

To be continued...

***

Hi, friends!

Author here

What did you think of this chapter? In Chapter 6, we're heading straight into the peak of the conflict between Kael and the ruthless members of Mermaid Sun!

Please leave your comments and ratings—it really motivates me to keep writing!

See you in the next chapter!