Chapter 132: Patchwork (12)

"This passage was only used by insects," Chandler explained in a low voice.

After the Lord of Grassmere had fallen into the sorcerer’s grasp, only the sacrificial family head had ever treaded on this path.

The semi-circular stone corridor was long and eerie. The torch Chandler carried flickered with a steady crackling sound, yet the darkness in the stone wall’s cracks never faded.

Wherever the small torchlight passed, the viscous darkness immediately filled the void again. The stale air that had been still for centuries flowed between my bones.

"

Hoo..."

Rena let out a quiet breath.

Clatter.

Even Acorn walked cautiously.

I didn’t want to bring him, but...

I had no choice because the little creature refused to leave my side. Leaving him behind felt wrong.

The corridor had a gentle slope, but it was definitely spiraling downward. The deeper we went, the colder it became. At the end of it, something ominous lurked. It felt like a faint trace of a ghost was wandering in the shadows.

"Does no one come here?"

"No. Unless they carry the blood of the Chandler family, it’ll never occur to them to step onto this path. Such is the power of sorcery and barriers."

It seemed that Isaac Bel'Homec wasn’t a mere fraud.

This place truly feels cursed...

Torch holders were mounted along either side of the corridor every ten steps, but none were lit. If anything, they looked completely drained, dry, and withered, making Chandler’s torch the only light source.

Even the shadows cast by the torchlight seemed thin and frail, stretching across the walls in eerie, flickering movements. The corridor twisted and descended endlessly. It felt as if we had already walked for several kilometers.

Thunk.

Chandler suddenly stopped. He stood before a particularly blackened torch holder.

"This is it."

He grabbed the holder and twisted it to the side.

Creak... Creak...

A sharp metallic sound echoed.

"It’s not made of wood."

"No. It’s a hidden passage lever."

"This place is too deep. No wonder no one ever found it," Rena whispered softly.

Rumble...

The stone slab slowly moved, revealing a staircase leading downward. It was narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass through.

"I’ll go first." Chandler cautiously stepped down. The staircase was tight and dark, its entrance gaping like an open maw. "It spirals down."

We followed behind him. Our footsteps didn’t echo.

Detect.

No traps were present. We spiraled down several times, and the walls suddenly opened into a wide chamber.

"This way."

A massive iron door loomed at the end of the stairs, its raven-claw-shaped handle emitted a sickly red glow.

How ominous.

"It’s a barrier. Please wait a moment."

Chandler approached the left side of the door. There stood a smooth, white marble statue, depicting a giant raven pecking out the eyes of winged angels.

A monument to Malphas...

Drip.

Chandler uncorked a glass bottle. He poured his own blood onto the raven’s beak. As the bottle emptied, the raven’s eyes glowed dim red.

—Your offering... is accepted...

A chilling metallic voice echoed from the raven’s blood-stained beak.

Chandler gulped before saying, "It is done."

Centuries ago, the grand sorcerer Isaac Bel'Homec ruled the South. He had used the last of his strength to create this barrier, ensuring that only sacrifices could enter.

Rumble...

A massive door, over ten meters tall, slowly opened. Beyond it, a vast chamber stretched out, and unlike the narrow corridors before, this was an expansive hall. The inside was also surprisingly bright.

This feels less like a tomb and more like a temple.

Grand Sorcerer Isaac Bel'Homec, a servant of Malphas. Perhaps this place was intended as a temple all along.

[Isaac Bel'Homec’s Hall]

[Dungeon Rank: B-]

[Recommended Level: 81–90]

[You should not even attempt to enter this dungeon.]

[Optimal Clear Party: 1 person]

The translucent message appeared.

So, this is a dungeon.

But what stood out was the optimal clear party size, just one person. All the other dungeons I had seen recommended multiple people. I tilted my head but had no one to ask. I glanced around. No one else could see the message hovering in the air.

As expected.

"Acorn, come here."

The little creature was curiously looking around. I stuffed him into my bag.

"Stay still and don’t move."

[Successful Communication! Acorn understands your command.]

[Lord of Bones slightly increases in proficiency.]

Tap.

Christina entered first, and I followed.

"Incredible..."

"It feels even more overwhelming in person."

The massive statues, standing several meters tall, weren’t made of stone but brass. The walls and columns, too, were painted in shades of brass. Malphas, the Raven Demon Lord, was obsessed with shiny things.

Since everything couldn’t be made of gold, they had likely settled for brass instead.

Beyond the hallway, an even larger circular space unfolded before us, big enough to hold hundreds of people comfortably.

Just as the lord had said,

"There are the golems."

Chandler pointed ahead. Six massive brass golems stood in a wide circle. I took a step forward.

Thud.

One golem also stepped forward.

A voice echoed from its chest, where a raven insignia was engraved. "Only one sacrifice may approach the altar. Impurities are not permitted to enter."

So that’s what the recommended party size meant.

If only Chandler entered, the golems wouldn’t block his path. Perhaps he could simply walk in alone, kill the sorcerer, and leave. But if the sorcerer were killed, the golems could go out of control.

Chandler looked at me. "We have to choose."

It was just as we had discussed. Either he went in alone to deal with the sorcerer first, or we destroyed all the golems before advancing. I stared at the golems.

[Skill: Mechanical Engineering Lv. 3 activated.]

[Detect Lv.5...]

[Focus Lv.2...]

Boom.

Rumble.

The range of movement and attack patterns of the approaching golem became clear. Its weak points were obvious. The pins on its arms and legs looked like they were begging to be struck. After reviewing the blueprints, I saw them even more clearly.

This is easier than expected.

Destroying them would be faster.

"Let’s crush them. Each of you takes one on the right. I’ll handle the three on the left."

I was going to fight all three at once.

"Yes!"

Hearing their response, I launched myself forward.

Sprint.

With an accelerated movement, I leaped up and stabbed the golem’s arm with my sword.

Clang!

Too weak.

The brass plating peeled away. Underneath, the oxidized gray steel crumbled at a single strike.

It’s rusted.

Thud!

The other two golems attacked from both sides. I lightly jumped aside to dodge.

Creak! Creak!

Failing to hit me, the golems’ joints groaned as they struggled to turn. They could barely handle their own weight.

They really haven’t moved for centuries...

A picture formed in my mind. No one had ever rebelled against the sorcerer lying in the depths. They bowed their heads to a nonexistent blessing. They fed their fear of these steel guardians.

But in the end, if they were never challenged, they’d never know. If they never fought, they’d never learn. One had to draw their sword themselves to peel away the golden veneer.

What lay beneath these intimidating golden sentinels? Nothing but rusting relics, unable to bear their own weight. The durability test was over. These weren’t steel golems, just corroded scraps unworthy of the name.

[Max Output: Sword Energy Lv.1.]

Vrrrrrm!

My greatsword trembled. Thin energy strands wove between the large holes along its blade.

[Skill: Sword Energy Lv. 1 activated.]

[Remaining Output...]

But that wasn’t enough. There was an even easier way to break through steel. There was a reason I had chosen this unusually sturdy sword.

[Skill: Acid Lv. 5 activated.]

Sssssshhhhhh!

Transparent energy mixed into the blue Sword Energy, releasing smoke. The sword's cutting power was now enhanced with corrosive acid that accelerated time. It was the perfect death sentence for these already corroded, centuries-old steel golems.

Sizzle!

Hissssss!

The corroding energy surged through the blade, engulfing it in burning fumes. But the sword itself didn’t budge. Unlike the old, rusted swords I had picked up before, this blade showed no signs of degradation.

Good.

It was a sword designed solely for Sword Energy users, who relied on Energy for sharpness. Hence, it was built sturdy enough to endure anything.

Whoom!

The first golem slammed its fist downward. How laughably slow it was. I sidestepped and stabbed the pin of its left arm

Crunch!

The rusted pin shattered, and the gold plating flaked off.

Crack!

The reddish oxidation layer crumbled.

Smash! Crack!

The pin broke apart completely. After centuries in this damp underground, the rusted joints were already weakened. Now, with the Sword Energy and acidic properties, It was only natural for them to collapse.

Should I back off?

I had already memorized their attack patterns, range, and speed. It was time for a counterattack. I jumped back to avoid the incoming strike.

Whoom!

The golem swung its fist, but it moved sluggishly, like a puppet missing its rhythm.

I could’ve landed one or two more hits.

BOOM!

The golem’s punch struck the ground, slow yet powerful. One hit would send my health plummeting, whereas a normal human would’ve been reduced to pulp.

Of course, I had no intention of getting hit. I had already trained the others to prioritize dodging. I glanced at my three companions. Their execution was solid.

Whoosh!

As another golem swung its arm, I stepped onto its forearm. The movement skill I had absorbed from the nun activated naturally.

Tap, tap, tap!

I lightly ran up its arm and stood on its shoulder. Now, I was four meters above the ground, with its neck right in front of me.

For the others, the plan was to destroy the legs first, then disable the arms, and finally dismantle the body. But I didn’t need to follow that strategy. I could adjust freely based on the situation.

Sword Energy.

It was time to finish this.