Chapter 244

In the cavern, Kurt faced a golem wielding a sword and shield, while Mari’s group confronted a golem with a greatsword, and Arisa’s group dealt with a spear-wielding golem.

Among them, Mari’s group was undoubtedly having the toughest fight.

Compared to Arisa’s group of five, Mari’s group only had three members: Mari, Karina, and Serena.

Kurt’s absence didn’t make the group weak by adventurer party standards, but they weren’t strong enough to easily handle the golems Arisa’s group was struggling against.

Thus, it was only natural that Mari’s group was at a disadvantage.

*Clang!*

“Ugh…! What strength!”

Karina blocked the golem’s greatsword with her battle axe, using it as a shield.

While she avoided a direct hit, the impact she couldn’t fully block sent a sharp pain through her wrist, forcing her body back about 50 cm.

Unfortunately—or fortunately—the golem they faced was slower but wielded a heavy greatsword with unmatched force.

In other words, it was a type similar to Karina.

Though not at a disadvantage in terms of compatibility, the clear difference in strength was evident.

Every time they exchanged blows, Karina was always the one at a loss.

The golem stomped heavily toward Karina, aiming to strike before she could recover.

“Be careful!”

*Fwoosh!*

At that moment, Mari’s arrow, glowing faintly blue, flew to assist Karina.

The golem momentarily halted its advance, allowing Karina to regain her stance, gripping her battle axe with trembling hands.

Thanks to Mari’s support, Karina could continue fighting.

This strategy was similar to what Arisa’s group was doing elsewhere.

But being in the same situation as Arisa’s group only highlighted Karina’s disadvantage.

As the frontline fighter, Karina felt herself being overpowered.

As a warrior who wielded a battle axe as large as a person’s torso, she had never thought she’d lose in a contest of strength.

But unfortunately, this time her opponent was too strong.

The golem, wielding a greatsword with higher specs than hers, overwhelmed her with sheer force, no tricks or feints needed.

Their similar fighting styles only made the difference in strength more apparent.

*Clang!*

After countless clashes between the greatsword and battle axe, Karina’s stance finally broke.

Her hands, strained from repeated impacts, couldn’t withstand the golem’s strike.

Seeing this, the golem raised its greatsword high, preparing to deliver a crushing blow.

“This is bad…!”

*Boom!*

A heavy shockwave reverberated through the area as the golem’s strike landed.

Karina barely blocked it by using her battle axe as a shield, but the force was too much—she was forced to one knee.

“Ugh… I barely made it.”

“Not yet! Be careful!”

“What…?”

Karina struggled to speak after blocking the attack, but the golem wasn’t done.

*Boom!*

“Ugh…!?”

*Boom!*

“Argh…!”

The golem relentlessly swung its greatsword, aiming to break through Karina’s defenses.

Unable to dodge, Karina could only endure the attacks.

If this continued, her defenses would soon crumble, and she’d be torn apart.

Unable to watch, Mari and Serena rushed to her aid.

“Get away from Karina…!”

Mari’s arrow flew toward the golem.

But unlike before, the golem ignored the arrow, taking the hit to its back as it continued its assault on Karina.

“Why…!? Its behavior changed!”

Mari shouted in frustration as the golem, seemingly learning, adjusted its strategy to eliminate Karina.

But Mari wasn’t the only one trying to save Karina.

“Stop it, you damned golem! Crimson Veil!”

Serena’s magic followed—a wall of flames rising between Karina and the golem.

However, the golem calmly stepped through the flames as if they were nothing, extinguishing them instantly.

“Not yet!”

Serena, prepared for this, unleashed more of her stored magic.

“If one won’t work…! How about this! Crimson Lotus Arrow!”

She unleashed her most confident fire-based magic.

*Boom!*

“Crimson Lotus Arrow!”

*Boom!*

“Crimson Lotus…! Damn it! Work already!”

Despite her desperate efforts, the golem showed no signs of damage.

“Why isn’t it working!? Why…!?”

Ignoring Serena’s magic, the golem raised its greatsword, advancing toward the barely standing Karina.

In this desperate situation, Mari and Serena’s minds filled with the worst possible outcome.

But at that moment—

“Shoot this bottle!”

A single alchemy potion flew toward the golem.

Mari reflexively shot an arrow, hitting the potion.

*Crash!*

The potion shattered, releasing a pale gray liquid.

Upon contact with the air, the liquid ignited and exploded.

*Kaboom!*

The golem, unfazed by Mari’s arrows and Serena’s magic, staggered back from the massive explosion.

“What is this…?”

“Phew. Just in time.”

A woman approached, sighing in relief—Seiri, the alchemist who had brought them to these ruins.

“That was an explosive potion. It reacts with air to create a fiery explosion. It’s usually stored airtight.”

Seiri calmly explained the potion, joining Mari’s group.

“That’s not the point…!”

“Well, I couldn’t just watch after causing this mess. You looked like you needed help. Did I interfere?”

Seiri glanced cautiously at Mari and Serena, who smiled, finally seeing a way to turn the tide.

“…No!”

“You came at the perfect time!”

Mari’s arrows could deal damage but couldn’t stop the golem, and Serena’s magic was ineffective.

In this dire situation, a new variable emerged.

Not arrows or magic, but something that could halt the golem’s advance and deal damage.

Though magic didn’t work, the golem’s defense wasn’t impenetrable—Seiri’s explosive potion left a slight scorch mark, proving its effectiveness.

“I don’t know why magic doesn’t work but alchemy does, but this method can win!”

“Seiri, throw the potion, and I’ll shoot it with an arrow to detonate it!”

“Got it. Trust me.”

While Arisa’s group found the golem’s weakness and a new strategy, Mari’s group also discovered a way to turn the battle in their favor.