Chapter 174: Creating the Vanguard "Got it!" With a battle cry, Rever lunged forward, claws drawn, but his hands merely bounced off the Wight’s ethereal armor.
"It’s as strong as its stat," he grunted, stepping back quickly to avoid a retaliatory strike.
When the Wight was about to attack, Yuzuro shouted, "Cover your eyes!"
In an instant, she conjured a blinding light, forcing the Wight to shield its eyes.
Seizing the opportunity, Midnight Duchess and Victor struck simultaneously, their weapons imbued by elemental magic finding purchase on the Wight’s vulnerable form.
With a shriek, the Wight dissipated, appearing and disappearing in the shadows.
In the dim, eerie light of the Room of the Great Foreteller, Midnight Duchess and Victor stood alert.
Magical energies enveloped their weapons, imbuing them with a fiery glow. The air crackled with magic as their skills were reinforced, ready to pierce through the Wight’s spectral defenses.
At that moment, Xin, despite his lower level, summoned his Elemental Golem. The massive, humanoid figure crafted from elemental materials towered over the group.
Xin directed the Elemental Golem into the fray.
The Wight sensed the combined force of their attacks and hissed with fury. Its bony fingers curled into claws as it prepared to defend itself against the incoming surge of magical attacks.
Midnight Duchess lunged forward, her weapon slashing through the air with blinding speed. Her sword was infused with elemental magic, piercing the Wight’s spectral form and eliciting an eerie, echoing shriek.
Victor followed suit and engaged the Wight in combat. His skills flashed as he landed precise strikes on the Wight’s vulnerable areas.
Each hit was reinforced by the magic swirling around his weapons, causing the guardian to writhe in pain.
Meanwhile, Xin’s Elemental Golem unleashed a torrent of elemental attacks. Fists crackled with lightning, and its body radiated intense heat as it pummeled the Wight relentlessly.
Despite its ethereal nature, the Wight couldn’t escape the tangible force of the Elemental Golem’s blows.
"Keep pushing!"
"A little bit more!"
The Wight was severely weakened and let out a final, desperate scream. Its form flickered like a dying flame, the magical energy that sustained it fading away.
With one last surge of strength, Xin cast [Inferno’s Embrace]. Midnight Duchess and Victor struck simultaneously, their reinforced weapons plunging into the Wight’s core.
In a burst of ethereal sparks, the Wight disintegrated, its haunting presence vanquished.
The room, once heavy with tension, now echoed with the fading remnants of battle.
Exhausted a little, the group exchanged triumphant glances.
Victor wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "Well done, everyone. We did it."
River grinned, his eyes reflecting the thrill of victory. "Indeed. Teamwork prevailed, as always."
Yuzuro gasped for breath, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Xin’s Elemental Golem, recognizing its pivotal role in their victory. "Your Golems are incredible! They’re so versatile, serving both offense and defense based on our needs."
But then, a shadow flickered in Yuzuro’s eyes. "I wish I could contribute more," she admitted, her voice trailing off.
Xin gently patted Yuzuro’s shoulder, capturing her gaze with a stoic face but reassuring voice. "Your support is invaluable, Yuzu. Blinding that Wight and boosting our defense are all part as to why we won."
"That’s true," Rever chimed in, albeit teasingly. "Despite your occasional clumsiness, your spells are useful. You just need to practice your aim."
Yuzuro found herself torn between laughter and a playful pout. "I can’t tell if you’re praising me or insulting me."
Rever grinned. "Definitely praising you."
Midnight Duchess turned her attention to Lord Schrodinger, inquiring about the spell. "How is the spell, Lord Schrodinger?"
"It’s an area-of-effect spell, but it consumes a significant amount of mana," Xin responded.
"Spells that require a substantial amount of mana usually signify their power. We got lucky this time. The Wight wasn’t overly challenging to defeat, and in return, you acquired a nice spell," Midnight Duchess explained.
Xin shook his head. "I couldn’t have done it without all of you. If I were alone, I doubt I could survive this place."
A small smile tugged at Midnight Duchess’s lips. "You’re already formidable at your level. Once you reach our ranks, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Believe in your class and abilities."
With those encouraging words, she left, leaving Xin both grateful for the support and intrigued by her kindness.
However, a lingering thought crept into his mind, wondering if there might be ulterior motives behind her actions.
"Prepare yourselves, everyone," Victor announced. "Restore your HP and MP. The next room is where we face the boss."
Yuzuro felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. "I still can’t believe we’ve come this far."
Rever let out a deep breath. "It’s because we’ve been cautious and avoided touching any treasures along the way."
Yuzuro released a deep breath. "I guess you’ll never get over that fact."
Victor then turned his attention to Xin. "Summon all the golems you have before we enter the final room," he advised.
Xin nodded. After replenishing his MP, he wasted no time and began creating the most powerful golems in his arsenal.
He spared no expense, utilizing rare materials he had been saving for dire situations. The creation of these golems had always been a last resort due to the valuable materials they required.
This time, however, it seemed necessary if they wanted to conquer this dungeon.
The stones used for these golems were scarce, ranging from very rare to legendary grades. Xin knew he would have to mine more of these materials in the future to replenish his stock.
In addition to replenishing his Elemental Golems, Xin summoned an Ember Golem, specializing in fire, a Tempest Golem skilled in devastating storm magic, and two Titanium Golems, known for their unrivaled defensive capabilities.
Uncertain about the elemental affinity of the enemy they might face in the boss’s room, Xin created a diverse array of Elemental Golems.
He hoped this variety would provide an advantage, no matter what kind of foe they encountered.