Chapter 84: The Secret Cavern In most MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) that involve leveling up through experience points (EXP), attribute growth is typically determined by the game’s mechanics, character class, and various factors. In many MMORPGs, including those with a fantasy theme, a Templar class was often associated with high physical attributes such as Strength (STR) and Constitution (CON). By level 90, a Templar’s Strength attribute could be quite high, potentially ranging anywhere from around 600 to 900 points or more, depending on the player’s design and scaling. Facing a basic Level 50 Golem could be a manageable task for him. However, even an experienced player like Tristan might consider a Level 50 Golem with a hefty 5000 points in Constitution to be a formidable challenge. Yet, Xin’s calculation remained speculative. The Templar’s attribute distribution might lean towards balance if Tristan pursued versatility, or it could skew towards sheer strength if overpowering adversaries was his focus. Xin’s musings were just that — educated guesses. Player statistics were a closely guarded secret, a vital trump card that nobody outside the individual player possessed knowledge of. Back to his discoveries. Among this was the elusive [Abyssal Crystallite], a gem extracted from the deepest abyssal chasms. This enigmatic and shadowy ore was a crucial component for crafting golems attuned to the powers of darkness. Xin also made a groundbreaking observation: employing [Abyssal Crystallite] could boost a Golem’s DEX attribute to 500, ensuring their agility on the battlefield. This enhancement meant the golems wouldn’t be sluggish, preventing their obliteration before they reached their intended targets. Even more remarkable was Xin’s experimentation with the [Necrotite Crystal], a sinister and eerie crystal that gave rise to golems imbued with necromantic abilities. These golems wielded a wide array of necrotic magic, enabling them to raise dead golems or construct back to life. However, the scarcity of both the [Abyssal Crystallite] and [Necrotite Crystal] posed a significant challenge. Xin managed to secure only two [Abyssal Crystallite] and one [Necrotite Crystal] so far, and he had already utilized one for his experiments. In his quest to secure victory in the upcoming war, Xin knew he had to procure more of these precious stones. As Xin delved deeper into the heart of the mine, his attention was absorbed by the map. Unbeknownst to him, he was venturing into a vast chasm. The darkness was so profound that even his lantern struggled to penetrate it. Adding to the eerie atmosphere was the fading luminescence of the crystals in this area. Engrossed in studying the map, Xin almost missed a telltale crevice on the ground, which hinted at an underlying danger. As Xin continued to pore over the map, his focus was so intense that he failed to notice the subtle unevenness in the terrain beneath his feet. Suddenly, the ground gave way beneath him with a disconcerting shift, and before he could react, he found himself plummeting downward. The sensation of weightlessness engulfed him as he descended further and further into the abyss. The rush of air against his face was accompanied by a chilling dread that tightened his chest. Panic surged through his veins, and his heart raced as the reality of the fall dawned on him. He plummeted downward for what felt like an eternity, the abyss seeming endless. The impact was inevitable, and when it finally came, it was jarring and violent. Xin crashed onto a solid, rocky surface, his body absorbing the impact with a painful thud. Agonizing bludgeoning damage surged through him, a searing wave of pain that almost depleted his HP gauge. If not for his [Righting Reflex], his racial trait, he would have been dead by the fall. Good thing that his [Ring of Regeneration] immediately took effect, generating 10% of his HP every 10 seconds. Groaning in agony, Xin struggled to his feet, his vision swimming from the impact. The world around him was a blur of disorientation and pain. Why was this world so realistic? And he thought that pain was calibrated to a minimum. With great effort, he managed to focus his gaze, taking in his surroundings. He had landed in a cavern, its walls adorned with an otherworldly splendor. Glowing crystals in various shades cast an ethereal luminescence, creating an eerie yet captivating atmosphere. The cavern’s ceiling seemed to stretch impossibly high above him, and the ground was uneven and treacherous, making his fall seem like an uncontrolled descent into a subterranean realm. Near the edge of the cavern, Xin’s eyes were drawn to a small lagoon, its tranquil waters reflecting the iridescent glow of the crystals. The juxtaposition of serenity against the chaos of his fall was surreal. Suddenly, a frantic fluttering caught Xin’s attention, and he turned to see Pudding descending rapidly toward him. The small creature’s blobby flesh shook as it maneuvered through the cavern’s expanse to reach him. Relief flooded Xin as Pudding landed on his shoulder, emitting a series of concerned and questioning sounds. "Sorry to worry you, but I’m fine." As Xin gathered his bearings, he realized that the golems he had created were scattered nearby. Their unblinking gazes were fixed upon him, and there was a palpable tension in the air. "D-don’t tell me . . ." Without a word, as if guided by some unspoken command, the golems stepped off the edge one by one, plummeting toward Xin. Rocks and debris rained down from the cavern’s ceiling as the golems descended, their forms silhouetted against the ethereal glow of the crystals. Panic surged within Xin as he realized the danger –– if he didn’t escape quickly, he could be crushed by the falling debris and the golems themselves. Summoning every ounce of strength, Xin stumbled to his feet and raced toward the cavern’s exit. The ground was treacherous and uneven, and his limbs ached with each step. Adrenaline surged through him as he dodged rocks and debris, his heart pounding in his chest. Just as he reached the exit, a deafening crash echoed behind him as the golems impacted the ground. The cavern shook from the impact, and Xin didn’t dare look back, fearing what he might see. He stumbled out into the open, gasping for breath as he narrowly escaped the cascading danger. Breathing heavily, Xin collapsed onto the rocky ground just outside the cavern. He glanced back at the entrance, where the golems stood in a circle. They were fine and didn’t seem to be hurt except for the minus in their HP from the fall. He should have commanded them to stay put but he had a feeling that his Golems were worried about him so they followed him down without another word. . . . Or they could just be that stupid. Pudding fluttered down to Xin’s side, emitting a series of concerned chirps. Despite the pain and exhaustion, Xin managed a weak smile and patted Pudding’s head. "I’m fine. Don’t worry," he murmured, his voice tinged with a chuckle. As the rain of rocks subsided and the cavern’s tumultuous echoes faded, Xin allowed himself a moment to catch his breath when suddenly, a voice echoed behind him. "Who are you?"