Chapter 47. Paver of Paths (2)

Ssssss—!

As the sky rippled like a dark ocean, something enormous began to rise from its depths, like a massive, black tongue licking down from the heavens.

Blargh—!

Then it dropped.

Thud!

"Is that a mountain?"

"No, that's not it."

It was a boulder, or more precisely, a monster shaped like one. A rock so massive it could easily be mistaken for a small mountain. A hulking mass of stone with limbs and a head.

[Time remaining: 10 minutes]

[Defeat the Stone Golem and survive!]

It landed with a thunderous crash right in the middle of the Samgakji intersection, the sheer impact burying everything beneath it. Cars, streetlights, and traffic signs were flattened and wiped out of existence.

Craaack—!

Unable to withstand the weight, the asphalt broke apart, spewing dust into the air.

Bang! Clank! Crack—!

Debris flew through the thick smoke, fragments big and small slicing through the air. Some of it grazed the Skeletal Soldiers nearby. Yet, not a single being moved. The living and undead alike were too stunned by what had just appeared.

"A Stone Golem?!"

"

Kek!

W-we’re supposed to kill that thing?!"

Their minds were fixated on the sheer absurdity of the new enemy.

"Shit! That thing’s fucking huge!"

The foul-mouthed guy had it right. It was obscenely massive, it could blot out an entire office building if it sat on one. Moreover, it was so close to the surrounding circle of Skeleton Soldiers, it was basically within reach.

Eun-Ho frowned.

This isn’t going to be easy.

"

Grrrrr

... Attack!" one of the nearby Skeleton Soldiers growled, leading the charge.

Clang!

However, their swords bounced off it like toothpicks.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Dozens or even hundreds of steel blades shattered and ricocheted in all directions. The gap in power was overwhelming.

The next moment, the Golem stomped like swatting off annoying flies.

Thud!

With one heavy step of its left foot, the ground trembled. Cars were crushed like chewing gum, while power poles snapped and collapsed.

Thud!

Then, with its right foot, it launched the nearest Skeleton Soldiers into the air.

“

Uaaaaargh!

”

They clattered down seconds later, mangled and misaligned.

The situation was hopeless. Even if a thousand—no, ten thousand—Skeleton Soldiers charged at once, it still wouldn't be enough. After all, this wasn’t a creature that could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

Realizing that, Eun-Ho shouted out, "Fall back! Get out of there!"

Then, to buy time for the retreat, he slashed his sword through the air, yelling, "Wind Blade!"

A high-speed arc sliced out ahead of him.

Whoooosh!

The crescent-shaped shockwave shrieked through the air, sharp enough to pierce even dulled senses.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Screeeeek—!

However, it barely scratched the Golem, merely leaving a faint mark. An injury that wasn’t even worth mentioning. If the Golem were a car, it wouldn’t need repairs, just a paint job. That was the level they were dealing with.

My attacks don’t work?

Eun-Ho thought.

"

Grrrrrr...!

"

"Leader, what do we do?!"

It was approaching. With that mountainous form and the way it had just brushed off the attack, its defense was obviously off the charts.

The Golem was probably stronger than anything they’d ever faced before. As if announcing its turn, it raised its massive fist.

Everything darkened quickly. The sun vanished behind the monster’s sheer bulk, and a sudden chill swept through the air.

Whoosh—!

A thick, colossal boulder-fist came crashing down like a meteor.

Booom—!

The road split open under the weight of the blow. The asphalt crushed like tofu smashed with a jackhammer. Dark rubble exploded in all directions, the entire street shaking as fragments rained down.

“Leader!”

“Hyungnim! That thing’s gonna kill you!”

The Bone Bomb couldn’t even compare to the sheer weight behind that punch. This wasn’t just dangerous but fatal.

If Eun-Ho took that punch head-on, he'd fuse into one final broken sculpture. However, there was one silver lining.

That bastard is only chasing me.

Fwooosh—!

“Over here! Come get me!”

Ji-Eun threw whatever she could—cloth or leather—into the air like bait, trying to distract the Golem.

“Hyungnim! Watch your head!” Jae-Hyuk shouted and hurled his mace like a shot put. He picked it up and threw it again over and over in desperation.

Whoosh—! Crash!

Some of their attacks actually worked, as tiny fragments chipped off its legs like dry skin flaking away. Nevertheless, the Golem ignored them all, eyes locked only on Eun-Ho.

“Come on! Over here, you dumb rock!”

Whatever was going on in that stone-for-brains head, it had decided that Eun-Ho was its sole target. Eun-Ho didn’t know why though.

But actually... This works.

He didn’t have to worry about anyone else getting hurt because the creature was ignoring them completely.

Then, with a familiar system message, a crisp breeze swept up, wrapping around him.

[The effect of the title The One Who Opens the Way has been activated!]

Whoosh—!

It wasn't just wind but energy. A blue aura spiraled upward, winding through every joint and crack.

[Followers: 1,497]

[Movement Speed has been increased by +150%]

[Defense has been increased by +150]

Eun-Ho felt lighter and stronger. With this, he could dodge the Golem’s attacks. Even if he got grazed, he wouldn’t be instantly shattered.

Baaaam—!

As the Golem slammed its palm again, Eun-Ho used the time gifted by speed to think about the monster’s strength and weakness. He also took time to think about his own.

There’s an answer here.

Since its strength came from mass, it also meant it was slow. Attacks like Jae-Hyuk’s mace had some effect despite its high defense. The Golem was focused solely on Eun-Ho, ignoring everyone else. Lastly, his title was still active.

Given all that, the best move is...

Fweeee—!

This time, Eun-Ho whistled and bolted as if running away.

“Eun-Ho! Where are you going?!”

“Hyungnim! You can’t go alone! It’s too dangerous! And you’re still a skeleton!”

Behind him, Ji-Eun and Jae-Hyuk’s worried words echoed as he ran.

“Stay there!” Eun-Ho shouted, not stopping for a second. “Team One, move left! Team Two, flank right and follow!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Watch your step! Don’t get crushed!”

[The Skeleton Soldier units obey your orders!]

It wasn’t that their attacks didn’t work. It just wasn’t strong enough to break through that massive defense. In that case, the answer was simple: they needed something else to do the attacking.

Just a little farther...

Thud! Boom! Boooom!

The Golem followed, right on schedule. Eun-Ho barely avoided its punches. It started slamming its hands down wildly, carving giant handprints in the road behind Eun-Ho.

After sprinting through the ruined city streets, Eun-Ho finally skidded to a stop.

This is it.

Now all he had to do was wait for that angry, oversized pile of rocks to catch up.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Golem towered just feet away now. It saw Eun-Ho standing still and raised its fist without hesitation.

The sky darkened again and a shadow fell directly overhead. Even though that punch could obliterate him, he just stood there.

Whoosh—!

He waited until the fist was almost brushing the top of his head.

“Acceleration!” he shouted, launching himself out of the way.

Clatter—!

If he still had a heart or lungs, they’d be bursting from the effort. His shin bones slammed together with each stride, rattling like cracked porcelain.

Clank—!

His thigh bones scraped against his knees so hard, it sounded like they were being ground. He was running with everything he had.

Tick.

Then, time resumed for everything except him.

Crack—!

The Golem’s massive fist slammed into the building right behind him. A 34-story residential tower—one of three in the complex—took the hit dead center.

“Eun-Ho!”

“Hyungniiim!”

He had sprinted every second of those twenty seconds to avoid being buried under the collapsing concrete jungle behind.

Rumble—!

The tower crumbled, collapsing right onto the Golem’s own head. It had hunched over to take the swing, so when the building came down, it didn’t miss.

Ruuuumble—!

What followed felt like a bomb went off in downtown Seoul. The shockwave would put any earthquake to shame. The unstable towers to the left and right tumbled with it one after another.

Crack—! Boom! Pzzz—

Dust, and debris all crashed down in one chaotic roar. It was impossible to tell the Golem apart from the building. As the dust began to settle, the monster twitched beneath the ruins. It wasn’t over yet.

“Leader! You’re alive...!”

The Skeleton Soldiers had made it. Somehow, they’d stayed close enough without getting caught in the collapse. That was a relief, because Eun-Ho was afraid that the Golem would lash out at them once it caught up.

The Stone Golem was so obsessed with Eun-Ho that it hadn’t even noticed the others at its back. Perhaps he should be thankful for that, because it allowed the next step of his plan to unfold perfectly.

“All forces! Rib bones, ready!”

“Y-yes, sir...!”

[Skeleton Soldiers are awaiting your command with great anticipation!]

“Throw!”

Whip! Whoosh—! Swish—!

Fifteen hundred rib bones shot into the air. The pale arcs burst from the Soldiers like a geyser of ivory, spiraling into the sky. Then, they came down right onto the buried, thrashing figure.

There came bone rain.

“Detonate!” Eun-Ho ordered.

“Yes, sir!”

With a sharp, confident response from Skeleton Soldier Number 1, the first blast detonated.

[The Skeleton Soldier units have used a skill Bone Bomb(Lv. 1)!]

Booom—!

There was a flash of red, a burst of yellow, and a crackle of white smoke and flame. That first explosion was like a signal.

Whooom—!

The moment it went off, all fifteen hundred bombs swelled.

[Chain reaction increases damage output!]

[Brace for impact!]

The red points of light linked into lines and spread into sheets. Then, it blew up

.

Krakabooom—!

If he still had ears, they’d be shattered.

Bzzz—!

The deafening blast vibrated through his skull, making him flinch. Right then, a series of system messages appeared.

[By commanding numerous Soldiers effectively, your Leadership skill proficiency has greatly improved!]

[The level of the skill Leadership(Lv. 1) has increased.]

[Leadership(Lv. 1) has been upgraded to Leadership(Lv. 2).]

At the same time, a notification sounded, signaling the end.

[Congratulations!]

[You have defeated the Stone Golem.]

[You have earned 1,000 Welfare Points.]

“It’s over!”

“Hyungniim! You did it!”

It was over. Relief and cheers rippled through everyone’s faces.

“Leader!”

“It’s all thanks to you!”

Even the expressionless Skeleton Soldiers appeared oddly at ease.

[Due to the Leadership skill, your Soldiers feel reassured.]

[Skeleton Soldiers empathize with your emotions and experience relief.]

Ah, so that’s why.

Eun-Ho mused, surprised that the skill didn’t just command obedience, but actually shared emotions with the troops.

I never thought a simple command skill could be this effective. Though, when else would I get a chance to lead this many soldiers?

“This victory’s thanks to all of you,” Eun-Ho said.

“Leader!”

As he patted his comrades and the Skeleton Soldiers who had rushed up, his eyes caught the timer in the corner of his vision.

“Wait a sec.”

[%~$*&”]

It flickered into unreadable symbols, then returned to somewhat normal only to scramble again into a more complicated mess.

[00:&%]

[#^!%_$~!*&]

What the...?

“Why’s the timer acting like that?”

“

Huh?

”

“No way!”

No way it wasn’t over yet. That awful premonition hit him hard and he jerked his head up.

Then, there, glaring in the center of his vision, flashed a single word in red: Error.

“Error?”

Beep—!

“

Ugh!

”

“

Aaah!

My head hurts!”

The piercing warning beep cut through everyone’s ears. The fifteen hundred Skeletons shuddered in shock.

The living all screamed at once. Moments later, when the ringing finally subsided, there came a horrific announcement. Eun-Ho heard it clearly, but refused to believe it.

[By the acting Administrator’s authority, settings have changed!]

[Stone Golem update patch is underway!]

“An u-update?”

“What did they say?”

Without exception, every face turned pale, shaking their heads in disbelief.

[Patch complete!]

Beep—!

With a chilling mechanical sound, something stirred in the ruins.

Rumble—!

Metal clung to the Stone Golem’s broken frame, sealing cracks, filling gaps, and covering the wounds where it had been torn apart.

Clank—!

The creature now looked like a cold war machine, encased in cannon-like steel plating.

Patch...? You gotta be kidding me, you bastards!

[Defeat the Iron Golem!]