Akatsuki Translations

Those of the Adventurer’s Guild, who were closely monitoring the developments of the subjugation festival, found themselves in a state of great panic. 

Facing the Crystal golem, the ensuing conflict between adventurers, and the battle with the crystal golem itself—amidst the chaotic events, even rescue teams and healers couldn’t intervene recklessly. The dungeon unleashed its wrath when too many people gathered within its confines, and they couldn’t afford to be the ones triggering it. 

During this turmoil, the crystal golem went into a state of rampage, escalating the situation to a whole new level of chaos. The support members strained their voices, desperately attempting to control the fleeing adventurers and guide them from the small chamber toward the exit passages. 

Amidst this commotion, Codar and Glen, the master of the training facility, bore witness to the moment the crystal golem went berserk. 

“Oi,oi,oi, They did it! Your disciples really did it!” -Codar 

“Ah, that damned fool went and did it” -Glen 

They bantered, their excitement reaching a peak. 

Codar had seen the circumstances that led to the rampaging state of the crystal golem, including when Ur deliberately triggered it. He had also expected that someone might accidentally push the crystal golem into a berserk state. However, what he had not foreseen was that someone, even after discovering the crystal golem’s weakness, the mechanism behind it, would still discard that knowledge and send it into a frenzy. Moreover, the person responsible was Glen’s disciple. 

“It’s beyond recklessness. Isn’t your disciple just an idiot!?” -Codar 

“I agree. There’s no denying that.” -Glen 

Codar understood the strategy (though it was too crude to call it that) of Glen’s disciples. Rumors about ‘the crystal golem’s vital spot’ had also reached his ears. He foresaw that it could lead to a fierce struggle for its possession among adventurers below silver rank, as no one could be certain who would strike its vital spot. 

Rather than gambling on an uncertain trial of luck, they must have thought that reducing the number of rivals through causing it to go berserk would be more effective. 

『ＧＡＡＡＡＡＧＹＡＹＡＹＡＹＡＹＡＹＹＡＹＡＹＡＡＡＡＡ！！！！』 

Nobody wanted to face such a monstrous creature in battle. 

The crystal golem spread its limbs throughout the room, swelling to a cramped size, while its head continued to roar like a vicious beast, and its ominous horns glistened under the dungeon’s light, emitting an eerie gleam. 

Clearly, it had become more ferocious and strengthened. The rampage of the golem was not merely a loss of intelligence or reason. It was an elevation in “rank” due to the excessive supply of magic power from the magic core, which served as a substitute for magic stones. Its difficulty as a monster had increased several times over. 

The crystal golem had already posed a challenge as a bounty target, but in this state, neither chalk-rings nor even copper-ranked adventurers would stand a fair chance against it, let alone novice adventurers who had only been on the job for a month. 

“Can your disciples, who became adventurers just a month ago, win against that?” -Codar 

“Well, who knows.” -Glen 

Glen replied nonchalantly. Before his eyes, the crystal golem clashed fiercely with Ur and Shizuku. 

　　　　　　　　　 ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ 

His focus was unwavering. 

Never before had he concentrated his mind to such an extent. At this very moment, Ur was sharpening his senses to the fullest. The reason was evident. If he didn’t do this, there would be no alternative but death. He kept his gaze fixed on the movements before him, trying his best to react skillfully and… 

“Urgh?!” -Ur 

『GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! 』 

…he was struck. 

Dodging was futile. The vast difference in size made evading the attacks of the crystal golem nearly impossible, even dodging its attacks originally had been challenging. And now, this ‘new’ crystal golem went even further than the original, wielding its colossal frame with a speed that was beyond evading 

『GIIIIIIIIII!!! 』 

It swung its colossal body at an unassailable speed. 

With his current skills and strength, Ur was helpless. There was simply no way he could elegantly dodge such attacks. 

“Guhh…!” -Ur 

Thus, he was sent flying. He used his shield to absorb the blow, minimizing unnecessary tension, letting the impact flow through him as he rolled on the ground, swiftly getting back up. 

He focused solely on minimizing damage. He continued to concentrate his mind only on reducing the amount of damage he would receive, by anticipating his opponent’s movements beforehand and taking the impact with his shield, armor, helmet, and body, to the best of his ability. 

In essence, Ur had become a sandbag. 

This was possible due to the meticulous reinforcement of his equipment. Sturdy armor and the layering of magical items enchanted with impact resistance provided complete physical defense. He had prepared and mentally braced himself to face a rampaging crystal golem from the beginning. 

However, even so… 

“…tou,gh…” -Ur 

『GAAAAAAAAA!!! 』 

…the front paw was raised high and swung directly at Ur. Understanding that he wouldn’t withstand a direct hit and feeling the fear of death gripping his heart, he moved his feet, trying to deviate even slightly from the center of the attack. He raised his shield upwards and angled it diagonally. An instant passed, and the impact struck down. 

“Gah?!” -Ur 

The force was diverted at an angle, but his body was still sent flying. The impact struck him once against the wall and then onto the ground. For a moment, he lost track of his position and felt disoriented. He realized he was lying on the ground. 

Were there injuries? Was it painful? His entire body ached, bruises forming all over. But it wasn’t incapacitating pain. 

No issues, he could keep going. 

Ur got back on his feet, ready to face the relentless assault once more. 

However, the blows kept coming. It was an ongoing defensive battle. Naturally so, for in this fight, Ur w Ur was nothing more than a decoy, a shield standing before the jewel golem. And the attacks were… 

“【Sing, O Frost, and Pierce, Pierce, Pierce】” -Shizuku 

Ur entrusted Shizuku, positioned behind him, with that responsibility. She chanted an incantation, repeating it again. Without altering the construction of the spell formula, while accumulating time as a cost, she channeled the magic abundant within the dungeon to strengthen her spell, increasing the firepower of a single blow. And then… 

“【Ice Needle ・Strengthened】” -Shizuku 

An ice needle, now two sizes larger than usual, was unleashed. The icy blade streaked forward with immense speed, heading straight for the chest of the crystal golem. 

『GAHH!? 』 

It made direct contact, but before reaching its chest, the golem’s forelimb intercepted the attack. The needle pierced deeply into its arm. Considering that not a single blade had found its mark during the previous assault, it was evident that its durability had weakened. However, merely attacking wasn’t enough; they had to aim for the weak point, the magic core. 

With the use of the wind armor to protect Ur, as well as the ice needle, Shizuku had three more uses of magic remaining. But there was no guarantee that Ur’s defense would hold until the end. In accordance with that presupposition, they only had two more opportunities they could take to pierce the weak point. Until then, they must not lose focus. Ur stared intently at both the golem’s hands and forelegs. If an attack were to come, it would be from either the left or the right… 

“It’s coming from above!!” -Shizuku 

Suddenly, Shizuku’s voice jolted Ur, prompting him to swiftly dodge to the side. Without time to confirm, what fell in his stead was not his hands but… 

“He,ad?!” -Ur 

『GAAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA!!! 』 

The golem swung down from above and stared at Ur with empty eye sockets, sneering. Like the golem they had found in Magika’s lair, this one also deviated significantly from its original human-like design. It was now more like an entirely different creature. 

“This ain’t funny at all!” -Ur 

『GAAGAA?! 』 

Ur struck the crystal golem’s mouth with the Dragon Fang Spear horizontally, resulting in a dull thud, along with a shattering sound. 

It seemed the newly misshapen golem’s head was indeed fragile. The head had always been a weak point for the crystal golem, prone to triggering its berserk state, and now it had been hastily remade after being shattered. Even without firing the Dragon Fang Spear’s “projectile,” it broke easily. 

However, that wasn’t the vital point to target. Even without its head, the crystal golem would continue to function, and the damaged parts would regenerate. The aim should be the crystal golem’s weak spot, the magic core. 

The problem was that they had no idea where it was located. 

Normally, it would be in the center of the chest, but in this transformed state, where on earth could it be… 

『GAA, GAGAGAGA! 』 

“How long are you gonna keep laughing?” -Ur 

While the crystal golem’s head maintained a reversed position while laughing, Ur prepared to strike once more, stepping forward. But then, he noticed something—a glimmer of light coming from the golem’s mouth. 

Yes, that light was similar to the one emitted by the Dragon Fang Cannon previously– 

“Ur-sama!!!” -Shizuku 

Shizuku threw a sealing gem from behind Ur. 

Shizuku threw a magic-sealing orb from behind. It hit the crystal golem’s head with a soft thud, and immediately, flames erupted. The magic of【Explosive Flame】 was infused into it, slightly shaking the golem’s head. 

In the next moment… 

『GA――――――――――――――――――! 』 

“”…!”” 

A light of destruction, several times more sinister than the one emitted by Ur’s Dragon Fang Cannon, was unleashed upon the dungeon. Its power was enough to make the adventurers from the guild, who were standing behind, immediately take cover. Ur and Shizuku, who were right in front of it, did their best to prostrate themselves. 

If Shizuku hadn’t diverted its trajectory, they would undoubtedly be dead. 

As the certain death beam passed overhead, Ur felt a chill run down his spine. Luckily, once fired, it seemed the light could not change direction. Despite lying flat on the ground, the vortex of light soared past him, unaffected by his position. 

“Ur-sama! Are you unharmed?!” -Shizuku 

As the destructive vortex gradually subsided, Shizuku crawled towards Ur. He nodded and replied: 

“Shizuku! I found it! The Magic Core!” -Ur 

“Where is it!?” -Shizuku 

“Inside its throat!” -Ur 

Ur had witnessed it just before the vortex of light was unleashed; the same energy as his Dragon Fang Cannon had been released from the crystal golem’s throat. If that truly was the same energy, it must have been unleashed from the magic core. 

In other words, the golem’s vital point! 

“It’s in the back of the throat or possibly the upper chest! Let’s aim for it!” -Ur 

“Yes!” -Shizuku 

After confirming their target, the destructive light ceased. The crystal golem, having ascertained that its enemies were still alive, let out another furious roar and charged once again.