The moment the golem's fingers brushed the crimson mark, the symbol flared to life.

Tendrils of sickly red energy erupted from it, coiling around the golem's hand like venomous vines.

Its solid form trembled, and cracks webbed across its stony surface with a deafening series of snaps.

Within moments, the golem disintegrated into dust, its remnants dispersing into the night like ash caught in an invisible wind.

The crimson mark pulsed faintly now, its light no longer violent but ominous, like a predator lying in wait.

The elders stood motionless, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.

Raed's voice sliced through the silence.

"What just happened?" His sharp gaze waiting on Hakim for an explanation.

Hakim adjusted his spectacles, his brow furrowed deeply as he examined the scene.

"The mark…it reacted to the golem's touch. Violently. It destroyed it in an instant."

He gestured toward the now-still mark, his voice heavy.

"Whatever this mark is, it's hostile. That much is clear."

Samira's sharp eyes narrowed at the mark, her tone edged with unease.

"Will it do the same to us if we approach?"

Hakim brushed a hand through his beard, his tone measured but uncertain.

"I'm not sure. A golem is a construct of elemental energy, not a living being. The mark might react differently to a person—or not at all. But…"

He paused, glancing at the heap of dusty remains scattering.

"It only reacted when the golem touched it. That's the only pattern we've seen so far."

Tariq grunted, hefting his Warhammer onto his shoulder.

"If that's the case, then stepping anywhere near it might mean death. We'd be fools to risk it."

Hakim's jaw tightened, his tone resolute.

"We can't just leave it. This thing will keep drawing more monsters to the village if it's not dealt with."

Samira rubbed her chin, her expression thoughtful but wary.

"That sphere is either incredibly valuable or incredibly dangerous. Whatever lies within, whoever placed that mark didn't want anyone getting near it."

Hakim nodded slightly.

"It's possible that the mark is a defensive mechanism meant to repel intrusions, keep people away."

His voice trailed off, his gaze fixed on the faint crimson glow.

"But the danger is undeniable. No one should approach it lightly. Whoever does must understand it might be their last decision."

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Raed stepped forward, his commanding presence silencing the group. His tone was calm but carried the weight of unyielding authority.

"This mark might be dangerous, but we can't ignore the possibility of what's inside. Whoever takes the risk to approach will be putting their life on the line—and if they succeed, they'll earn the first claim to whatever's in that sphere."

A tense silence settled followed his words, the weight of the decision hanging heavily in the air.

Then, Malik stepped forward, as the youngest elder, he was barely in his early thirties, his voice steady but filled with determination.

"I'll do it."

Tariq snorted, his tone tinged with both disbelief and grudging respect.

"You serious? You really want to gamble your life on this, boy?"

Malik shrugged lightly, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed his nerves.

"Someone has to, or we'll be standing here arguing all night. Besides…"

He managed a faint grin.

"If there's a treasure in that sphere, I wouldn't mind having first pick."

Tariq's snort turned into a low chuckle.

"You've got guts, kid. Just don't let them spill out when that mark gets ahold of you."

Hakim frowned, his voice heavy with caution.

"Malik, think carefully. You saw what happened to the golem. This isn't bravery—it's a gamble with your life."

Malik's grin faltered slightly, but his resolve remained firm.

"It's a risk, yes. But someone has to take it. If not me, then who?"

They all understood his meaning, as an orphan he didn't have anyone to return to when they all had families.

Raed stepped closer, his sharp gaze looking into Malik's.

"Listen carefully. Approach slowly. The moment you feel anything—anything—off, you retreat. Do not hesitate. That's an order."

"Yes, Chief," Malik said, his grin fading as he steeled himself.

The elders stepped aside as Malik began his descent into the crater. Each step felt heavier than the last, the oppressive energy emanating from the sphere pressing down on him like a physical weight.

Zayd watched from his hidden perch, his breath caught in his throat.

'He's insane… No Treasure could be worth this.'

As Malik drew closer to the sphere, he froze mid-step.

"Malik," Raed called sharply.

"What's wrong? Retreat!"

Malik didn't answer. His eyes were locked onto the red mark, his body trembling as though caught in an invisible grip. Slowly, as if in a trance, he moved toward the sphere, ignoring Raed's shouted command.

The mark blazed with a faint crimson hue, its patterns writhing like a fiery serpent. As if sensing his approach.

"Stop!" Hakim's voice rang out, his hands pressing against the ground.

A stone wall erupted between Malik and the sphere, but as it neared the mark, it showed signs of decay and crumbled into dust.

Malik's trembling hand reached out, his fingers brushing the mark, and since then, everything went terribly wrong.

In an instant, the fire crept up across his body like ravenous vines engulfing his arm.

His scream tore through the silence — it was not just a cry of pain, but the sound of something vital being shredded from deep within.

"Pull him back!" Raed shouted. "Now!"

Samira conjured massive stone hands to grab him away, but the moment they touched him, they decayed into dust.

His skin darkened, veins bulging as they pulsed with crimson light, the corrupted flames eating him from inside out, destroying more than just flesh and bone.

Unlike normal fire that simply burned, these flames seemed to feed on his fear and consume his very soul, twisting and corrupting everything they touched.

Tariq in a desperate attempt slammed his Warhammer into the ground, summoning a pillar under Malik's feet, but it decayed as soon as it touched him.

"It's corrupting his connection to earth," Hakim shouted, his weathered face pale with shock.

The ground beneath his feet cracked, the soil turning to ash as if rejecting his presence.

Malik's body convulsed, his head snapping up as his once-warm eyes turned into voids of shadow, rimmed with flickering crimson light.

The veins beneath his skin pulsed erratically, spreading like cracks across a fragile surface. His breathing grew ragged, each gasp sounding more like a growl.

Zayd watched, frozen in place from horror.

'What is this…What's happening to him?'

The corrupted energy surged, warping Malik's connection to the earth into a distorted mockery of itself.

Malik's breathing grew uneven, and then he let out a sound—a twisted, broken laugh that bubbled up like bile. It echoed across the battlefield, a haunting mix of rage and madness.

"Prepare yourselves! That thing is no longer Malik" Raed commanded, drawing his scimitars in one fluid motion.

"It's coming!"

The creature turned toward the elders, its hollow eyes filled with malice. With a guttural snarl, it charged, its movements unnatural and terrifyingly fast.