Much like the rest of the golems until now, the golden golem starts charging us almost as soon as we enter the room.

Suddenly, Iron Keep starts laughing as he makes his way to the front of the group, "Let's see what this thing can do!"

Iron Keep starts rushing at the golem with a speed comparable to its own. Trista and Mucky, as well as the Lei couple, also run towards the golden golem, yet their speed doesn't even come close to Iron Keep's.

It only takes a split second before Iron Keep is glowing bright silver, and in the next split second he's clashing with the golem. Their collision sends a shockwave through the room, picking up dust and pushing it away from the center of the blast.

The scene honestly shocks me. Iron Keep is strong, I already knew that, but I had no idea he was this strong. He should have around the same cultivation level as me, probably lower if anything, yet there's no way I could do something like that.

'Was he hiding his strength as well? Man, I really wish I could use magical techniques! Or is that some kind of martial art?'

Iron Keep is currently grasping the golem's sword with both of his hands, and while at first glance they seem to be in a stalemate, it quickly becomes apparent that the golem is stronger, as Iron Keep starts gradually getting pushed back.

But even though it's winning in this contest of strength, it's facing off against more than just one person. As the other four near it, I wonder what the golem is going to do, when suddenly I notice that its sword is falling apart.

The sword turns into numerous small cubes that float into the air, and as Iron Keep loses his balance due to the sudden change, the golden golem delivers a kick to his chest, pushing him back several feet. As the other four near it, the cubes quickly reform into a sword, which is immediately swung at Mucky and Trista.

Their swords clash, and Mucky and Trista are both pushed backwards. The Lei couple manage to hit the golem, but any damage they do is merely superficial and starts repairing itself immediately. The golem then turns its attention towards the Lei couple, who manage to successfully retreat thanks to Ruth's flying daggers.

'Ah! What am I doing?! I need to fight as well!'

The first thing I do as I rush towards the golem is to send my soul towards it, but I'm quickly met with some sort of barrier. I feel like the barrier is really strong, but it doesn't seem nearly as strong as the ones between the rooms, which seem more or less unbreakable.

I decide to use the most basic method of attack, which is to simply bash the barrier with my soul. As soon as my soul contacts the barrier, it quivers slightly.

'Haha, seems breaking it is possible! Still, I'm not sure I'll be able to...'

My thoughts are interrupted as I notice the golden golem barreling towards me, brandishing its sword. Its reckless charge earns the golem several wounds, but it seems to ignore them as it stares straight at me with its all too lifelike eyes.

I come to my senses and jump to the side just before it reaches me, but I can instinctively tell that I won't be able to dodge its sword. With little other choice, I activate the shield necklace. Although I'm stronger now than I was before, the shield necklace still saps a good amount of my qi reserves.

As soon as the sword makes contact, cracks spread throughout the shield, but it doesn't shatter. Without a second thought, I retract my soul. Immediately after my feet touch the ground, I start running towards Iron Keep and the rest.

Through my frantic running, I barely notice a figure rushing past me. I turn my head only to see Mucky making a beeline for the golem, which is itself still following me.

"Mucky!" "Stephan!"

Trista and I both shout at the same time. I immediately make a hundred and eighty degree turn, but there's no way I'm going to reach them in time. As I see the golem divert its attention to Mucky, I try activating the shield necklace again, but for some reason it doesn't work. Everything seems to slow down as I see the golem raise its sword.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

With a single thought, I force as much qi as I can out of the marble on my chest, channeling it through my meridians. I can feel the qi pulsing through my body, straining my meridians due to the sheer amount. I ignore the discomfort and steady myself, staring straight at the golem as qi rushes towards my head.

As the beam of qi exits my mouth, my tunnel vision is widened, and I start seeing my surroundings. Ruth has sent all four of her flying daggers at the golem, all but one focused on its joints, the last heading toward the golem's sword. Green Horn has his horn out, and is blowing on it. The Lei couple and Iron Keep are both rushing at the golem, and even Trista overtakes me before my attack can reach its target.

'Haha, was that even necessary?' The thought crosses my mind, but I in no way regret my actions.

I feel like I can see every detail as the beam of qi reaches the golem. First piercing the golem's metal plating as easily as a knife cutting through butter, then coming out of its back almost as quickly. I watch as the golem's body goes limp, its momentum still carrying it forward. Ruth's daggers, as well as Mucky's sword, both hit the golem nearly simultaneously, after which I hear the amusing sound of Green Horn's horn.

Everyone else is able to stop in time, allowing the golem's body to fall lifelessly to the ground. Trista slows down for a second, but quickly returns to her earlier pace and proceeds to embrace her brother. Aside from those two, everyone else stops in place, silently staring at the golem.

A wave of weakness suddenly rushes through me, as the urge to breathe takes hold, forcing me to start panting. Almost every inch of my body starts aching, especially the areas where qi passed, my head being the worst.

Soon it gets to the point where it's hard to stand, and I find myself subconsciously looking towards Mama, who's already walking this way at a brisk pace. As soon as she gets to me, she picks me up and hugs me.

"You scared me."

"Heh, I wasn't in that much danger. Even if the golem had hit me, I would have been fine. Probably."

Not only did I channel too much qi through my meridians, damaging them slightly, I used way too much qi, to the point where now I have hardly any left. It's pretty exhausting, really. I didn't even know that my body relied on qi this much.

"Thank you for saving my stupid brother."

Suddenly I hear Trista's voice, so I turn my head to look at her. She's currently standing beside Mucky, who seems to be pouting while looking at the ground.

'Haha. Trista must have scolded him, and rightfully so.'

Mama shakes her head, "I saw what happened from over there. He was in danger because he was trying to protect Lyna, and for that I am grateful."

Mucky lifts his head up and glares at Trista, "See!"

Trista whips around and glares back, "Shut up, Mucky! I know you were trying to save your friend, but what am I supposed to tell dad if you die?"

Mucky lowers his head again, looking even more indignant than before.

I tap Mama on her shoulder, "Can you tell Mucky thanks for me?"

Mama smiles and looks at Mucky, "Stephan, Lyna says thank you."

Mucky lifts his head back up and beams, "You're welcome!"

As everything settles down, I start nestling into Mama's arms, trying to make myself comfortable. At some point, I look up, only to see Mama intently staring at something. I follow her gaze to the golden golem, which seems to be glowing.

It glows brighter and brighter, to the point where it's hard to look at, before finally disappearing with a flash. In its place are several items; three books, a fancy golden sword, two bracelets, and a large wooden puppet.

'Wow, that's not much compared to the stuff we got at the pyramid dungeon.'

I notice Iron Keep taking a step forward before Trista rushes over to the pile, waving her hand over it and causing it to disappear.

"Thank you all for your help. As agreed upon, here is your reward of one thousand spirit stones."

She holds her hand out, on top of which appear several of those temporary storage devices. She then tosses one toward each person present, including Mama.

She then grabs hold of Mucky's arm, "Let's go."

Iron Keep, who was already closer than anyone else to the doorway leading out, starts walking towards it, "Wait just a minute. I have something to tell you."

Trista stops in place, "I do not want to hear."

"What if I told you we were all fighting alongside criminals this entire time?" asks Iron Keep, pointing his finger at Mama and I.

Trista turns her head and looks at us, followed by Mucky.

Trista looks back at Iron Keep, "Then I would ask why you hadn't let me know before now."

Iron Keep chuckles, "There's a bounty out for their death, you see. I had considered killing them and turning the bounty in, yet I imagine I would get a bonus if I were to kill the murderer of the famed Trista Riddith. And although I've never heard of him before, I'll bet your brother there is pretty important as well. I bet they'd pitch in a couple thousand extra spirit stones for avenging his murder."

Ruth interjects, "That wasn't the plan."

"Plans change."

Throughout Iron Keep's monologue, Mucky keeps looking between him and us.

His eyes eventually rest on us, "Is he talking about you? You guys didn't kill us."

He then turns and looks at Trista, "What's he talking about?"

She only sighs, "Shut up, Mucky."

Suddenly I find myself nearing the ground, as Mama lays me down.

"Trista, Stephan, stand behind me." Mama says, using a stern voice.

Iron Keep laughs, "What are you going to do? Your beast is weakened, and you're just weak."

Mama smiles, "You underestimate me."