Chapter 97: Elemental Titan Golem Tiffany’s laughter echoed with an unsettling edge as she evaded Scarlet’s magic and struck with her own spells. "You still think you can win? Dream on!" She taunted, her spells weaving a web of danger that tested Snow Angels’ defenses. Marry’s healing magic worked overtime, knitting wounds and bolstering her allies’ strength. She cast radiant spells whenever she could to keep their health at the optimum. The clash continued, each side determined to secure victory for their guild. Sparks of magic, clashes of steel, and resolute shouts intermingled with the roiling flames of Hell’s Mountain, creating a scene of chaos. Amidst the escalating battle, Tristan maintained a vigilant watch over the unfolding events. Despite the persistent fire damage afflicting their ranks, it was negligible enough to be brushed aside as an inconsequential nuisance. However, the cumulative effect of these minor burns became apparent over time, prompting their dedicated healers to intervene at regular intervals. This demanding task consumed a significant portion of their Mana Points (MP), straining their magical reserves as they worked tirelessly to mend the injuries of multiple players simultaneously. The lack of available MP-restoring items only exacerbated their plight. In contrast, Xiaxia and her companions seemed almost impervious to the scorching flames, their equipment allowing them to focus solely on the battle. Their healer’s primary concern was only directed towards Xiaxia and Scarlet, ensuring their HP remained stable under the onslaught of the enemy. On the sidelines, Lord Schrodinger and Hilda remained conspicuously inactive in the heat of combat. Tristan’s curiosity was piqued by their apparent disengagement, sensing that they were plotting a strategic move of their own. A sense of unease crept over Tristan, but he swiftly dismissed it. If Xiaxia intended to deplete their healers’ MP by prolonging the battle and utilizing the fire’s slow erosion of their HP, her strategy was destined to fail. Tristan’s confidence exuded through a self-assured smirk. "Nice attempt, Xiaxia, but you underestimated this game too much." The members of Doom Serenity, particularly the damage dealers, possessed rudimentary healing skills that provided a baseline of self-sufficiency. While they had the option to upgrade to more potent healing abilities, the trade-off lay in the substantial MP consumption that accompanied these higher-tier spells. Tristan’s assessment was swift –– Xiaxia’s plan to wear down their healers’ MP would not yield the intended result. Though the war lacked a stated time limit, the conventional duration spanned an hour unless otherwise stipulated in the rules. With a calculated smile, Tristan remained resolute in his assessment, confident that their power and superior numbers would thwart any attempts to undermine their position. Their DPS had been managing their limited MP, strategically planning their actions around this constraint. Yet, the extent of their resourceful calculations was revealed as they closed in on Xiaxia and her companions. A triumphant grin played upon Tristan’s lips as he seized the opportunity. The prolonged battle, prolonged in part due to Xiaxia’s Legend Grade equipment, had finally culminated in this decisive moment. The cat-and-mouse game had reached its conclusion, and the impending clash signaled a shift in momentum in Tristan’s favor. "Ha! It’s checkmate!" Tristan’s voice rang with an exultant fervor. While the duration had extended beyond his initial projection, the moment was now ripe for the final act. "Now, let’s crush them!" The engagement had pushed Xiaxia and her companions to the precipice of a rugged mountain slope, leaving them with limited maneuverability. Though Xiaxia valiantly employed her skills to shield her allies and parry the incoming onslaught, a few enemy strikes managed to breach her defenses, the impact delivering tangible blows. "Hoi! Xi—Lord Schrodinger!" Xiaxia’s voice echoed over the tumultuous battlefield. "Is it ready yet?" Xin remained silent, but before he could respond, another exasperated shout came from Xiaxia. "What’s taking so long?" A frustrated vein throbbed on Xin’s forehead. "Because . . . I’m creating this one," he muttered under his breath. With his words, an imposing figure emerged from the ground, towering over the battlefield. It was the Elemental Titan Golem, adorned with a fusion of various elemental essences that crackled across its body. Following in its wake were the [Basic Golems], simpler and quicker to craft, intended to serve as a protective front line, aka cannon fodders, to keep the players at bay from the Elemental Titan Golem. The Elemental Titan Golem had a weak DEF and was very slow, but in compensation for this, it had enormous INT and wide range AoE Spells. Xin’s strategy was clear –– to keep their adversaries at bay with the [Basic Golems] while utilizing the Elemental Golem’s ranged magical attacks from a secure distance. The enemy forces were momentarily dazed as these constructs materialized before them. For an instant, they wondered if they were facing a Hidden Boss or a World Boss because of the sheer size of the Elemental Titan Golem. However, the stark reality of the war reminded them that they were not in a typical battle –– no ferocious beasts or towering bosses, only rival guilds clashing for supremacy. Tristan narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering within them. "Golems?" His voice held a tinge of incredulity as he voiced the question that had formed in his mind. Could these constructs be the result of that cat’s abilities? An enigmatic realization dawned upon him: Lord Schrodinger was, in fact, a crafter. The truth settled within Tristan’s thoughts, a calculated deduction that unraveled the puzzle before him. Initially, Tristan’s composure remained intact. The appearance of a single colossal and eccentric Golem, accompanied by a handful of Basic Golems, seemed manageable, hardly warranting concern. Yet, as the count of the Basic Golems climbed, a subtle bead of sweat formed on Tristan’s cheek, betraying his growing apprehension. A furious shout escaped Tristan’s lips, his amazement transforming into accusation. "Hey! Is that even allowed?" His protest was directed at the system itself, a demand for clarification in the face of this unexpected development. Artemis, the embodiment of the system’s will, met Tristan’s query with a simple nod of the head, a silent confirmation of the legality of the Golems’ presence. "What?!" Tristan’s retort dissolved into speechlessness, his intended reproach quashed by the system’s verdict. As his gaze unconsciously shifted toward Xiaxia, he found her staring back with a triumphant smirk that spoke volumes without words. "Xiaxia . . ." Tristan’s teeth clenched, a surge of frustration rippling through him. The realization struck him like a blow –– their strategy had hinged on the deliberate limitation of player numbers, enabling them to summon an impressive dozen Golems in response. Forcing himself to regain his composure, Tristan silently reminded himself to stay focused. "Mages and healers, fall back! DPS, protect the mages!" His commands sliced through the chaos, delineating a clear tactical response. As the situation unfolded, Tristan’s unease deepened. He observed that the Golems navigated the terrain with ease, seemingly impervious to the fiery threat of the lava. Their gradual advance might have appeared sluggish, but their robust defenses were undeniable. "Concentrate your attacks on the Golems!" Tristan’s orders rang out with urgency. "Utilize magic –– they’re vulnerable to spells!" His tone brimmed with conviction, shaped by his previous experiences with crafters. Most of them he’d encountered proved to be ineffectual in combat, relying on rare materials to produce construct of any noteworthy impact. Yet, a thunderous detonation erupted, a fierce blast that rents the air asunder. Dust billowed, obscuring Tristan’s view, and the remnants of the explosion echoed within his ears. As the haze gradually cleared, his eyes widened at the sight that emerged. Before him lay a colossal crevice, a profound chasm gouged into the earth. Wisps of smoke curled from the Elemental Titan Golem’s maw, testimony to the immense power it had unleashed. The telltale shimmer of particles marked the absence of their once-present healers. A string of curses slipped past Tristan’s lips, his frustration vented in a resounding expletive. "Shit!" The reality of the situation crashed over him –– the tide of battle had abruptly turned against them, and the fallout of the Elemental Titan’s devastating attack was nothing short of catastrophic for their guild.