Chapter 38: Labyrinth Iron Golems

Odin stood inside the mouth of the cavern, his tall frame silhouetted against the dim light that filtered in from the outside.

This cave had once been the lair of a Troll tribe, but now only their corpses, bones, and remnants of their primitive existence scattered along the stone floor could testify to their past presence.

They were by now long dead victims of Odin's ruthless efficiency, along with his flaming inferno that brought a piece of Hell here in Nihilaine. Yet, despite the stillness, the villagers that were released by the Druid's 'Dispel' spell were gathered together, eating from the supplies the Leviathan Team had shared with them.

After all, as 'Chosen Ones' food didn't have that big of an impact apart from filling in the Hunger Meter. At worst, if they went Hungry, their stats would lower, their defense would drop, and in the worst case where one would reach [1/100] in their Hunger Meter, they would enter into a Berserking State and mindlessly commit acts of PK to feast upon something.

The villagers were grateful to the players, who now indeed became, in their eyes, 'Chosen Ones' by the Goddess of Light.

It surprised Purphoros that some of the villager's younger women who got captured by the Goblins and Trolls in their Raid showed interest in him, acting warmly.

Compared to the cold, dismissive, prideful, and arrogant NPCs from Titan who didn't even spare a second to look at him, those villagers were such good people.

--

One of the women, a slender brunette in her late 30s, approached the player with a warm smile who crossed his arms around his chest, watching over the villagers as they ate.

"You're the one who fought those Trolls, aren't you? You and your friends saved us." Her voice carried a soft admiration, and the other women nodded in agreement, encouraged by her words.

Purphoros, caught a little off-guard, shifted his weight awkwardly. "Ah, yeah," he grunted, scratching the back of his neck with a gauntleted hand. It wasn't just me, though. The whole team helped."

Despite his hulking size, there was something innocent in his response. It felt almost like he wasn't used to this kind of attention.

Even though they were NPCs, getting the attention of those women felt strange. Was this some script? An event that surrounded him and his party? NPCs should be like this, right?

Another woman, this one with short-cropped auburn hair, stepped forward. "Still, we owe you a great deal. If not for you, the Trolls would've… well, I don't even want to think about it." Her gaze lingered on him appreciatively.

Purphoros chuckled nervously, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Just doing what we do. No big deal." He rubbed the back of his head again, avoiding their gazes for a moment. For all his bravado in battle, the attention from these women seemed to unnerve him.

The brunette gave him a playful smile. "Don't be so modest. It's not every day we're saved by a knight." She gestured toward his hulking armor and massive shield with a teasing gleam in her eye.

Odin took notice of the interactions between Purphoros and those women, and he was aware that even gray or green-named NPCs had their emotional schematics. While they were 'Extras' to the Satisfy World, this doesn't mean they couldn't have families and give birth to a future Orange-named NPC.

He could see the inexperienced when it came to women for Purphoros, and akin to a true bro, he devised a cunning plan that might turn Purphoros from a lad to a man.

Before Purphoros could respond, Odin's voice rang out from the other side of the cavern, sharp and commanding. "Purphoros." The tone wasn't harsh, but it was enough to distract the warrior's attention from the group.

"Ahh, excuse me, young ladies," Purphoros said quickly, waving his hand almost bashfully. "My master's calling." His deep voice softened, and he gave them a sheepish smile before turning toward Odin, the steel of his armor clanking slightly as he moved. "Duty calls."

The women exchanged glances, a few giggling softly at his awkward departure. One of them, the auburn-haired woman, called after him with a teasing grin. "Maybe after your 'duty,' you'll come back and tell us a story or two, eh?"

Purphoros, now walking toward Odin, glanced back over his shoulder and gave them a lopsided grin. "We'll see. If the boss lets me off easy," he joked, though his voice was warm.

As Purphoros approached Odin, the shift in his demeanor was immediate. The playful awkwardness he'd displayed with the women fell away, replaced by the focused attention of a seasoned warrior.

"Yeah, boss?" Purphoros asked, his deep, gravelly voice now serious, the carefree moment with the villagers already forgotten.

"Good for you, kid. Now you have discovered another side of the Satisfy World."

"Ahh, come on, boss. Don't make fun of me. I'm trying not to think so much when talking to those NPCs, and just try to act like I'm into a dating sim."

"Well, that is not a wrong approach. But you should remember… They also might have feelings. You shouldn't play around with their emotions just because you can."

"Wait? But this doesn't make sense. They are NPCs."

"Think what you like. I advise you to have an open mind and watch their reactions. Now, on to why I called you."

"I'll be leaving for the deeper parts of the Cavern. Until I return to the surface, I need you to keep an eye on the villagers," Odin said, his gaze scanning the horizon before falling back on the warrior.

"They're safe enough, hydrated, and with their stomachs full. Just make sure no one wanders off." His eyes narrowed as he continued, "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that caves like this don't stay quiet for long."

Purphoros straightened, his arms crossed over his chest as he nodded in understanding. "And what about you? Heading to check on the Druid?"

Odin shrugged, the movement subtle, but the weight behind it was apparent. "Malfurion found a Labyrinth down here. If I'm right, it should be in the same series of Dungeons that I failed with the Aesirs when we were level 150-160. The boss was level 280 for your curiosity."

"... Curiosity sated."

He paused momentarily, his mind reviewing the memories of previous encounters with ancient ruins. "Just in case the Boss monster has a lower level, I'll need a caster."

Purphoros tilted his head, brow furrowing. "That's why you're bringing Elyse?"

Odin smirked, the barest hint of amusement playing at the corner of his mouth. "No need to be jealous over Elyse because I'm not bringing you. Someone needs to stand watch over the NPCs because we might get extra rewards from the Marquis."

Purphoros grunted in approval. "Fair enough. I'll keep things under control here. But don't expect me to be happy about missing out on all the fun."

Odin let out a low chuckle. "Trust me, you'll get your chance. Just make sure the villagers don't wander into anything they shouldn't. Besides, you've got company. Go on, entertain those ladies, you stud."

Purphoros groaned, glancing over his shoulder at the women still chatting, occasionally sneaking glances in his direction. "Yeah, real entertaining. Maybe I'll tell them about how I almost got eaten by a Troll."

Odin grinned and clapped a hand on Purphoros's armored shoulder. "Give me a DM if you need advice."

With that, Odin approached Elyse, his steps measured and deliberate.

The air inside the cavern felt heavy, a mix of stale dampness and the lingering energy from the battle that had taken place.

Elyse stood leaning against a wall, her Flameweaver's Ember Stave resting by her side. Her amber eyes caught the faint light, reflecting a curious glint as she eavesdropped on some of his conversation with Purphoros.

"Ready to move out from this damp place?" she asked, her arms crossed. Her stance was relaxed, but Odin could tell she was itching for action. Her sneakiness couldn't fool him.

"Not yet," Odin replied, stopping in front of her. He glanced back at Purphoros, who was still chatting with the villagers. "I need you for something more important than just watching over these folks since Purphoros is more than adequate."

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Elyse raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "More important? What, another big boss? Trolls? Hobgoblins? Are we going for the Hobgoblin Chief from the Adventurer's Quest? Or is this just a wild goose chase?"

"I think it might be bigger than all your guesses," Odin said before continuing after watching Elyse's expression being packed with interest. "Malfurion found a Labyrinth deeper in the cave. It'll be a serious challenge if it's what I think it is. It might require more than brute strength."

Elyse's posture shifted slightly, the curiosity in her amber eyes deepening. "Go on."

"If I'm not wrong, these Labyrinths differ from regular dungeons. They should be part of the same series, but what makes them most annoying is that physical attacks don't do much, especially against the kinds of mobs you'll find there."

"Golems, magically crafted monsters with insane resistances to physical attacks. Basically, they laugh off melee damage as if they are tickled. But magic? That's their weakness. Which is why I need you."

His words were steady and deliberate, each laced with a quiet confidence that rippled outward like a calm sea.

Elyse's eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, from her perspective, when she heard 'I need you', all their surrounding space seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in the dim cavern light. There was something in his tone that sounded so sexy that it melted her insides.

His charisma wasn't forceful, but it was undeniable. It held an effortless, natural power that made her pulse quicken slightly, though she'd never let it show.

"So, you need me to light them up," she said, her voice steady but with a hint of amusement. "What's in it for me?"

Odin smiled a slow, confident grin that reached his eyes. He didn't rush to answer her, letting the anticipation build for a heartbeat longer. "Magic gear," he finally said, his tone smooth, like velvet.

"Those Golems, be it normal or elite, drop good magic gear and magical materials which could prove useful in your Quests with the Magic Tower."

Her amber eyes flickered with barely concealed excitement.

She looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'm in. If there's a chance for magic gear, I'm not passing that up. But you better not get us killed in there."

Odin grinned. "Don't worry. I'm not planning to die in some ancient ruin today. I got immunity to death."

As they started making their way deeper into the cave, following Malfurion's location on the mini-map, the atmosphere shifted. The passage was broad, with jagged rocks and ancient carvings lining the walls, and it had an eerie stillness to it, broken only by the faint echo of their footsteps.

"You ever get the feeling we're walking into a dragon's lair?" Elyse commented, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Odin gave a nod, and the comparison wasn't far off. "Yeah. Something about these hollow chambers. Makes you wonder what lived here before."

After a short descent, the chamber opened, and they spotted Malfurion. The Druid was resting by one of the massive pillars that flanked the entrance to the Labyrinth, his staff leaning beside him as he caught his breath.

Odin raised a hand in greeting, approaching the Druid. "Looks like we're just in time."

Malfurion glanced up, his face calm but alert. "I thought you'd leave me to handle this alone."

Odin smirked, "Nah. I figured you'd need a hand or maybe two. With the addition of a caster." He gestured toward Elyse, who gave a small wave, her eyes already taking in the ancient entrance to the Labyrinth.

"Howdy, Tree hugger. Ready for a flame show?" Elyse asked, her fingers tightening around the stave.

"Anytime, when you two are ready," replied Odin, his tone as confident as ever.

The trio stepped into the yawning entrance of the Labyrinth, the air growing cooler as the dim light from the cave mouth faded behind them.

The narrow passageway opened into a vast corridor, its walls lined with jagged rock formations, but something far more ancient immediately caught Odin's attention.

He also saw those in the screenshots posted by Eve and Ellyssaria, the two Main Mages of the Guild who were far more perceptive to the flow of mana emanating from those murals, but now, with his increase in INT, he could also notice the intricate carvings that stretched along the walls, almost hidden beneath centuries of dust and grime.

The soft glow from Elyse's stave provided just enough light to illuminate the stone beneath their feet, though she and Malfurion seemed to pay little attention to the labyrinthine carvings as they pressed forward.

The atmosphere was oppressive, the silence broken only by the faint drip of water echoing somewhere in the distance.

"Five minutes in and nothing but dust," Elyse murmured, her amber eyes scanning the path ahead, her fingers idly tapping her staff. "Let me know when the fun starts."

Odin, however, wasn't so dismissive. There were already a couple of similarities between the Temple of Rakam and this Labyrinth, and now even his instincts told him there was something more here.

His crimson eyes narrowed, and he activated his skill in a swift, almost subconscious gesture, the EX-graded 'Sovereign Insight'.

A sudden, red glow flickered in his gaze, like burning embers in the depths of his irises.

The dimly lit corridor around him seemed to shift as his vision sharpened, cutting through the layers of dust and shadow to reveal more than what was immediately visible. The jagged edges of the stone walls melted away in his perception, revealing intricate details painted into the labyrinth's ancient stone.

The carvings opened to someone's eyes for hundreds of years of being forgotten.

Before, they seemed like nothing more than random etchings, scars of time etched into the rock.

But now, under the power of his Sovereign Insight, Odin could see the intricate patterns they formed.

Those murals depicted an ancient civilization.

He slowed his pace, moving closer to the wall, tracing his gloved fingers along the ancient markings, his eyes gleaming with the eerie red glow of his ability.

"Elyse, Malfurion," Odin's voice cut through the silence, deep and commanding yet almost respectful. He was beyond amazed by the magnitude of those murals. "Look at this."

Malfurion paused, turning to glance back, but Elyse, who had moved a few paces ahead, stopped as well. The shift in Odin's tone piqued her curiosity. She stepped closer, her amber eyes glancing at the wall Odin was examining.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Odin didn't answer immediately. Instead, his gaze swept across the mural, piecing together its story.

Humanoid figures with elongated features stood proudly, their forms slender and graceful, their pointed ears unmistakable. Elves, probably some ancient ones because no Elf he knew in this Era could do such a feat, inserting their essence and weaving a story into this construct's stone.

"I still don't understand what those constructs are used for… but they aren't some RPG dungeons crafted by the devs to entertain us players." Odin finally said, his voice low, almost as if speaking louder might disturb whatever lay within the carvings.

"This place belonged to an advanced civilization... Elves, by the look of it." He traced a finger over the pointed ears etched into the stone. "A long time ago, they must've built this Labyrinth? This one might be an underground fortress. Or worse, a tomb."

Elyse glanced at the carvings, her eyes now narrowing in interest. "Elves?" Her fingers flexed around her staff. " It makes sense. Magic users. What else do you see?"

Odin's crimson gaze swept over the rest of the carvings. "It's hard to tell," he said, "but there's more here. A battle, maybe. Or a ritual. I'll need more time to figure it out."

Malfurion didn't have any passion for history or architecture, but his passion was gardening, so this 'history' wasn't as fascinating. "Whatever history this place holds, it won't stop those Golems from smashing us to bits if we're not careful."

Odin nodded, straightening up. "You're right. Let's stay sharp."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a grinding noise echoed through the stone hallway.

That's when a deep, mechanical rumble reverberated through the walls.

Elyse's eyes narrowed as she whipped around, her staff raised defensively, flames flickering at the ready. "Huh? What was that?" Her voice was sharp with tension, but there was a spark of excitement beneath it. "You heard it too, right?"

Malfurion, already tense, turned his head slowly toward the darkness ahead, his senses heightened. His grip tightened on his gnarled staff, ready to channel nature's wrath immediately. "Yeah, I heard it. It sounds big..."

Odin's eyes glinted in the dim light, his instinct for battle already kicking in as he drew his Soulrend Blade. "Get ready, you two," he commanded, his voice low but firm. "We've got company."

Elyse spun around, her staff alerted, while Malfurion's sharp eyes darted to the shadows up ahead.

From the depths of the labyrinth, two hulking figures emerged. They were golems, towering and unrelenting, their stone bodies clunking with each lumbering step. Their eyes glowed with a cold, magical light, and as soon as they spotted the trio, they surged forward, their movements surprisingly fast for beings made of stone.

"Here they come,"

Odin stood at the ready, his eyes still glowing red. With a practiced calm, he sized up the enemies, taking in most of the information gathered by his insight.

Undoubtedly, those Iron Golems were the doom of the Melee Supremacy Cabal. All the meatheads, including him, could try to raid it, but those Golem mobs had a higher physical attack resistance than normal monsters.

[Iron Golem LV.100](Normal) (35,455/35,455 HP)

His hands tightened around his blade, but he already knew the limitations here. His sword attacks would do little against creatures like these.

Malfurion moved into a defensive stance, his staff raised, but Odin quickly gestured to Elyse, the caster he brought along for this very reason.

"Elyse," he said, his voice carrying with authority, "light them up."

Elyse smirked, her amber eyes gleaming with anticipation as her fingers began to trace patterns in the air. The magic in the air crackled around her, growing hotter by the second. "With pleasure," she said, her voice dripping with excitement.

"Fireball!"

Flames erupted from her stave as she sent a blast of fire toward the nearest Golem, the magical energy rippling across its stone skin. The heat was intense, the fire dancing across the creature's surface, and Odin saw the cracks forming for the first time, proof that magic was the key to taking these behemoths down.

-Critical Hit!

-16,585 DMG

[Iron Golem LV.100](Normal) (18,870/35,455 HP)

The Golem let out a deep groan, stumbling slightly as the fire consumed it. Elyse grinned, her amber eyes glowing brighter as she prepared to unleash another spell.

"Easy to kill Golems…"

"You really know how to make a girl's day, Odin."