CH 33

A huge figure made of stone and mud loomed in front of us.

"Everyone, try hitting it with all your strength first."

Zofia, Linga, and Lev.

It's not just the size of the golem, but also the intimidation it gives off.

However, they seemed to be slightly confused by the sense of intimidation the enemy was giving off.

"Don't worry. I know you're scared, but there's no need to be. Leave the support to me."

Zenos, standing at the back, held out his hand to the demi-humans.

《 Agility enhancement 》

A thin blue light enveloped them, and their agility increased dramatically.

"What's this? My body feels so light."

"Zenos must have done something to you."

"Good, I think I can fight like this."

Zofia took out her whip, Linga held out her axe, and Levrushed forward with her spear.

《 Strengthened muscles 》《 Improved striking power 》

The sound of destruction echoed, and part of the golem's leg, which had been struck by the three enhanced people, crumbled apart.

"It's been a long time since I've used 《 Agility enhancement 》, but it looks like its okay. Good, keep going."

Zenos raised his voice while holding his hands in front of him.

『 ROARRRRRR ! ！！！！』

The golem must have registered us as an enemy, because it suddenly let out a ferocious roar and swung its arms down at us.

As the roar echoed, a gust of wind swept through the air.

The golem's fingertips grazed Linga's body, and her body plunged into a deserted house.

"Linga, are you okay?"

"I was surprised, but I'm okay. Thanks to Zenos"

Linga emerged from the abandoned house unharmed.

The protective magic was already covering her body.

When I was at the party, I used to support my friends in battle from the rear like this.

The only difference is that back then, I supported them in silence.

The reason was that Aston became angry when I used auxiliary magic once in battle.

Looking back on it now, I think he was aware that he was abusing me.

That's the reason why I was afraid that he would cast some strange spell on me from behind in the middle of a battle and take revenge on me.

I explained myself many times, but he didn't listen to me. In the end, I decided to support him silently and secretly, training not to chant and to eliminate any sign of magic whenever possible.

As a result, I was banished for not doing anything, which was inevitable.

"I think I'm beginning to remember how to fight."

There are two constraints to be aware of.

The first is to stay at a certain distance from me, because the further you are from me, the less effective my magic becomes.

The other is that healing, protection, and ability enhancement cannot be applied simultaneously because they are activated in completely different ways, even though they are essentially the same.

Therefore, you need to protect yourself with protection, strengthen your abilities at the moment of attack, and heal immediately if you are injured during the attack.

It is necessary to instantaneously switch the necessary magic according to the battle situation.

The demi-humans who had received my support were, as a result, gradually pushing the golem while remaining unharmed.

"Okay, I got the gist of it figured out."

As Carmilla had said, even if the limb was destroyed, the missing part would regenerate with the rocks and mud clumped together again.

However, I was able to confirm that it would take some time to fully regenerate.

That's the Key.

"Everyone, break the left and right legs at the same time!"

At my command, the demi-humans simultaneously started to rush forwards.

The way to defeat the golem is to destroy the magic stone somewhere in its body.

Using the《 Diagnostic Scan 》, we can identify its location, but if it moves violently, its accuracy will also drop.

So, we destroy the legs and use the《Diagnostic Scan》in the instant of immobility before regeneration.

Once we know the location of the magic stone, all we have to do is concentrate our assault.

The three demi-humans looked at each other, wrapped in a pale light.

"I'm not sure I ever thought I'd see the day when I'd be fighting with you guys."

"This is Thanks to Zenos"

"It's the first time I've ever been able to trust my back to you with such confidence."

= - = 

"Well, you never cease to amaze me, Zenos."

'The Guide' who was watching the battle from the top of the hill exhaled again in admiration.

Do we just sit it out, hoping for help from the government?

Do we run away from this place and go call for help?

I looked to see which of the two he would choose, and once again, he exceeded my expectations.

That man, with only a few people in tow, went head-on against the golem.

"It was amazing. I didn't think an impromptu gathering could be this strong."

I'd heard that they could use protective magic and ability-enhancing magic, but this was beyond my expectations.

The different species of demi-humans are fighting like a party of warriors against an ancient monster.

"It's a foul play to be able to use a different type of magic at that level. You're going to win the second act."

However, despite the content of his words, 'The Guide' seems to be enjoying himself immensely.

His mumbling is filled with elation.

"Now, it's time for the finale. The last choice awaits you."

= - =

『 Goaaaaaah!!!! 』

Both of the golem's legs, which were attacked at the same time by the demi- humans, scattered into rubble.

The upper body, which had lost its support, fell backwards from the lack of balance.

At that moment, Zofia shouted.

"Teacher, there's a child who failed to escape!"

"What?"

They were hiding behind an abandoned house because you were scared.

Zofia was pointing to the area where the golem was just about to fall, but the rubble was blocking the view from Zenos' location.

"Ah!"

It was impossible to cast a highly effective protective spell on someone you couldn't see.

Zenos ran out immediately. He was just in time.

--But...

The golem suddenly twisted its upper body and clutched its hands.

It was as if it was trying to crush the child, and everyone froze for a split second.

In the gap, the child came running out, crying.

Zofia's men immediately took the child in their arms and evacuated him.

"There's no way..."

Behind Zenos, Carmilla said in disbelief.

"The golem was simply carrying out the simple orders it was given. I can't imagine them acting like this now. It is also strange that it suddenly became ferocious as soon as it started fighting you. It's a characteristic of golems that their behavior doesn't fluctuate."

Listening to Carmilla's words, Zenos replied quietly.

"Carmilla. You told me before that the high-purity magic stone that forms the core of pseudo-life is no longer available."

"Yes, I did."

"What would be the best way to force an incomplete magic stone to come to life?"

"...No way!"

Keeping his eyes ahead of him, Zenos slowly lowered the hand he had been holding up.

"I've completed a diagnostic scan of the golem. The magic stone is located on the left side of the chest."

The《 Diagnostic Scan 》then drew a familiar outline at the location of the magic stone.

Zenos muttered as he stared at the regenerating golem.

"You're Aston..."