I activated my “sneak” skill and advanced towards the golem. Thank god I have it. It truly is my most reliable skill. If I did not have it, I would have had to approach head-on and likely get the shit kicked out of me. Getting this skill has vastly improved my overall chances of survival.

Within spear distance, I lie in wait close to the ground to avoid being seen and getting caught in the crossfire. I need to piss it off.

How do you provoke an emotionless golem you ask? It is actually quite simple, do something to their core. Since the true being is the core itself, it is extremely defensive over it. Anyone who would even so much as gaze it would cause it to lash out at the offender as pay back.

Thankfully in my case, the golem was battling Diego. With his sheer power, it was ever moving its core to avoid the slightest of damage to it from his crushing strikes. I just had to wait for it to come into view.

That moment came soon after another heavy, fast swing from the left flew into it. In panic, it did not care it’s core emerged into view on its back, assuming nothing was there to hurt it. The steel of my spear dispelled that thought. With a thrust of my spear, the core chipped ever so slightly.

I was filled with happiness one moment and flying through the cavern next. My body slammed against the cave wall cracking both my bones and the nearby stone. Gravity taking hold, I feel into a large but shallow pool of water. The clean water was soon stained with my blood. The golem, truly enraged, fended off Diego while stomping towards me. Shit.

I attempted to get up but I could not find the strength. My vision felt like it was hit with a flash bang. Everything was doubled. But what I knew for sure was that the rock man was closing. Leaping into the water, the splash soaked me in lukewarm water. Raising it bulky arm, it slammed down on me. Fighting my body’s urge to remain still, I, with great effort, rolled to the right in the water.

The golem strangely grew a tad smaller within the water but that was beside the point. I scrambled out of the water, the weight of my soaked clothes not helping. With what strength I had my legs, I sprinted to the trap. Blood streamed out of my mouth as the golem was close on my tail. I cannot take another hit.

Nearing the trap, I dove over it, tumbling across the cavern floor. The lump of rocks knew nothing as it tripped over the wire and fell face flat. Diego jumped on the chance and beat it across the back aimlessly. Aim for the core dumbass. Pucci crawled across it to find the core. The bright red core soon made its reappearance and Pucci seized on the opening. Their dagger dove into the core, cracking it severely.

The golem, panicking and full of desperation, flung them off. The healing of the monster was still active, but severely handicapped. Yet, it’s strength remained. Seemingly going for the weakest first, it charged at me with hands ready to crush me to death. I dove behind a stalactite. Said stalactite was utterly destroyed in the arms of the golem. I used the chance to run towards the water.

Diego, being all brawn, was dazed rather than truly hurt from being catapulted. Pucci on the other hand was hurting. But, for what I was planning, they had a great struggle ahead of them.

Limestone is a material that tends to dissolve in water. Acidity and heat help it along. The acidity of the water should be fine as cave water tends to be mildly acidic. The heat is what we need. That is where the lizard comes in. They know how to use fire magic.

Filling my voice with all the authority I could muster, I ordered Pucci to collect all their mana into a fireball and to fire at the water when signaled. Shocked and panicked by the sudden oppressive tone, they immediately started to pour all their mana into a fireball spell without a thought. I could only get away with this since they were not in a calm, logical state of mind and would not think twice about following orders no matter where they came from. They were still children of the order and under the dictatorial hold of the mad priest after all. Orders are not to be disobeyed.

Diving into the water, I lured the golem into it once again. My wounds screamed in pain at my movements but I did not care. With my spear, I pushed against the ground to shore and signaled. The now large fireball impacted its legs, leading it to fall over in the increasingly hot water. Steam rose as it began to boil. The golem desperately tried to escape but fell short. As the mana dissipated after a minute, the ruined golem appeared from the veil of steam. It lost most of its mass. It’s left arm was entirely gone. It was more effective than I thought.

As a last huzzah, it threw all of its remaining strength into hitting me but fell just short hitting the ground. The cavern tumbled as I stabbed the orb with my dagger.

‘Golem has been defeated. Sharing experience. You have leveled up.’

Finally done, I stood looking at the scene. Thank the heavens that we survived. I collapsed onto the ground. My whole body felt as if it was hit by a truck for a second time. I would be confined to a bed it seems. Great. However, as if answering my complaint, the ground collapsed under me.

Actually, I would prefer bed rest.