Deep in the passage, it was so dark that one would not even be able to see one's own hand. However, Merlin was probing his surroundings with his Mind Power at all times, so even though it was pitch-black all around, he was still able to "see" everything.

In front of Merlin, Wizard Riesen was practically on all fours as he cautiously moved forward. His Alchemy Creature was following behind him.

Merlin knew very well that Wizard Riesen was also guarding against him. Otherwise, if Merlin had wanted to kill Wizard Riesen in such a dark, narrow passage, Wizard Riesen would have no way of defending himself without the protection of his Alchemy Creature.

"We're here!"

Wizard Riesen gradually slowed down his steps. He turned around and said to Merlin in a low voice, "Wizard Merlin, don't use your Mind Power to probe ahead or you might startle the guardian."

Merlin nodded. He followed Wizard Riesen's gaze – there was, in fact, a glimmer of light outside the pitch-black passage. The light came from giant pearls embedded into the white spotless wall, which illuminated the expanse of the wall.

Moreover, at the large doorway of the wall, a mysterious, three-meter-tall "guardian", covered in a pitch-black armor, stood guard. This "guardian" caused Wizard Riesen constant apprehension. Previously, he had been stopped by this "guardian", and if he had not escaped when he had the chance, he would have long been dead.

Merlin furrowed his brow. He could not perceive any life force in this "guardian". Although he was interested in the Pandora Demon Ability that Wizard Riesen had mentioned, he would not make any rash moves without first understanding the situation.

"Wizard Riesen, tell me about this 'guardian'. Surely you must know something about him?"

Merlin gave Wizard Riesen a meaningful look as he asked softly.

Wizard Riesen gave a slight smile. "Of course I know something about this guardian. After all, I was almost killed by it the last time. To tell the truth, I had to abandon an Alchemy Creature as well as a few hard-earned casting tools in order to escape. This 'guardian' must be a puppet transfigured by alchemists three thousand and six hundred years ago during the golden age of alchemy."

"Puppet? It's been three thousand and six hundred years, and this puppet still has such incredible strength?"

Merlin had been in the Dark Magic Region and knew that a long time ago, ancient Spell Casters were able to transfigure these marvelous puppets. However, most of the puppets did not usually live for long, and they required a large number of elemental crystal stones to function, causing much inconvenience.

However, if this "guardian" before them was indeed a puppet, it was a puppet that still had great strength three thousand and six hundred years later. From this, they could tell that the previous master of the ancient tower was extremely powerful.

Wizard Riesen nodded his head gravely. "That's right, I dare say that this 'guardian' must be a puppet. It has no life force whatsoever. What else could it be besides a puppet? It's wearing a black armor, which must be a superb product of alchemy as well. It has incredible defensive capabilities – my Third-level Offensive spell was only able to leave slight scratches on the armor."

Merlin was shocked. Wizard Riesen's Third-level spell could only leave scratches on this "guardian" puppet. What possible use could his Glacial Finger serve?

As he thought of this, Merlin's face revealed a shadow of doubt. Even though obtaining Pandora Demon Ability was tempting, if he insisted on rushing ahead despite knowing the futility of the situation, he was basically courting death.

As if he understood Merlin's feelings, Wizard Riesen reassured in a low voice, "Wizard Merlin, don't worry. Although this guardian puppet has a great defense, it has been in this tower for three thousand and six hundred years after all. Even if it had a large number of elemental crystal stones, how long could it last? What's more, I know the weaknesses of this guardian puppet – the armor it is wearing is most susceptible to Ice-type spells. Perhaps it may somewhat withstand most Third-level Ice-type spells but your Demon Ability is of maximum coldness. I believe that it would be surprisingly effective and inflict serious damage on this puppet."

After a pause, Wizard Riesen seemed to be in brighter spirits as he said, "Wizard Merlin, once we get past this guardian puppet, we'll be able to open the door behind it. Pandora Demon Ability is very likely hidden behind that doorway!"

"Pandora Demon Ability!"

Merlin muttered to himself for a moment, thinking that he had already constructed "Wind of Freedom" so if he was unable to defeat this puppet in the end, he could easily escape from danger.

With this in mind, Merlin nodded as he made up his mind. His eyes did not leave the motionless guardian puppet as he spoke softly, "Wizard Riesen, let's go. The sooner we deal with this guardian, the sooner we'll obtain Pandora Demon Ability in the ancient monument."

Seeing that Merlin had agreed, Wizard Riesen revealed a gleeful expression. Carefully and slowly, he and Merlin moved from the dark passage and approached the guardian puppet.

"Snap!"

Suddenly, the motionless and hollow eyes of the guardian puppet flickered with a green light. Soon, the gaze of the guardian puppet turned to the pitch-black passage before it.

"We've been discovered. This guardian puppet is really amazing! Wizard Merlin, make your move, kill it!"

As Wizard Riesen stared at the towering guardian puppet, his face became wild. He waved a hand and a burst of flame filled the dark passage and quickly shot toward the guardian puppet. His Alchemy Creature also let out a huge roar as muscles all over its body twisted and bulged, embodying its heart-pounding strength as it sprinted ferociously toward the guardian puppet.

The guardian puppet did not pull back in the slightest even though the black armor on its body seemed exceedingly heavy. With every move, it made a scraping sound that sent chills down their spines.

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out. The Alchemy Creature which had been roaring and rushing wildly toward the guardian puppet had been sent flying with a fist and it crashed heavily into the solid wall.

Wizard Riesen's Alchemy Creature was a pure strength-type Alchemy Creature and had amazing strength but the difference in strength was too great compared to the guardian puppet. In terms of raw power, the Alchemy Creature was no match for the guardian puppet at all.

"What powerful strength!"

Merlin's heart gave a slight jolt. Following that, Wizard Riesen's Third-level spell had quickly surrounded the guardian puppet. The terrifying heat was emanating from the roaring flames, and even a special, heavy-duty armor would be unable to withstand such frightening power from a Fire-type spell.

However, the guardian puppet did not seem to fear the dreadful blaze at all. Furthermore, the black armor on its body did not change in the slightest under the pressure of the intense fire.

"Wizard Merlin, use an Ice-type spell quickly!"

By this point, Wizard Riesen was rather anxious and yelled at Merlin hastily.

"Frigid Ice!"

Merlin took a deep breath and immediately cast Frigid Ice, the First-level spell he had constructed not long ago.

In terms of power, Frigid Ice was considered a respectable spell amongst First-level spells. Although it was a Binding spell, it contained ice poison. Once the ice poison had penetrated one's body, it did not matter even if one had excellent physical attributes.

"Crack!"

A thick layer of ice crystals had covered the guardian puppet but before Merlin could celebrate, it was shattered in an instant. Frigid Ice was unable to restrain the guardian puppet at all.

As for the ice poison of Frigid Ice, it was completely useless against the guardian puppet which had no life force.

Then, Merlin cast Frigid Ice a few more times in succession and even cast the strengthened version of the spell but they served no purpose against the mighty guardian puppet.

Seeing that the guardian puppet possessed no weaknesses, Wizard Riesen could not help but cry out softly, "Wizard Merlin, even Third-level Ice-type spells are useless against the guardian puppet. We still need to use your Pandora Demon Ability!"

Merlin's Glacial Finger was the spell which Wizard Riesen was counting on. Although Wizard Riesen knew that the guardian puppet's weakness was that it could not withstand powerful Ice-type spells, it was obvious that even Third-level Ice-type spells were within the guardian puppet's endurance threshold, hence they would not injure the guardian puppet one bit.

With this in mind, Merlin did not continue casting Frigid Ice. Instead, he raised one hand and pointed at the guardian puppet with a finger as white as ice crystals.

"Demon Ability, Glacial Finger!"

Instantly, an icy current of maximum coldness flew directly toward the guardian puppet.

…

"Oh no, we've been found out!"

Wizard Glen, who was hidden in the dark, exclaimed in a low voice. At the moment, the Spell Casters on the first floor of the ancient tower had already discovered their hiding place.

"Come on, we'll explain after we've gone out!"

With a gloomy face, Wizard Glen led Elena and Wizard Ken out of the darkness to the first floor of the ancient tower to confront the five Spell Casters across them.

All of the five Spell Casters had an Alchemy Creature, and they seemed formidable with their great huffing breaths. Wizard Glen and the other two were facing a larger group of five Spell Casters, causing him to feel a sense of danger.

"Someone has come here? In the beginning, there were thirteen of us but we barely escaped with our lives and there are only five of us now on the first floor. Now's the chance to get our hard-earned treasure, yet here comes more Spell Casters from outside. Wizard Etland, it looks like we'll have to seize the moment and open that door. Otherwise, we might be too late!"

The Spell Casters did not seem to bother Wizard Glen and the others but instead, talked amongst themselves.

The Spell Caster who was called Wizard Etland nodded slightly. His eyes swept across Wizard Glen's group as he spoke in a calm tone, "I'll open the door in the shortest time possible so that we can enter the place where the treasure is stored. However, in the meantime, we'll need to rely on Wizard Herman to deal with the intruding Spell Casters."

"Hehe, Wizard Etland, please be at ease. No one will give you any trouble during this time, so blast away at that door as much as you like!"

As soon as he had spoken, Wizard Herman's cold gaze fixed firmly onto Wizard Glen and the others.