The ones slowly rising to their feet were golems.
Including the one he had lent to Kwak Ji-cheol during the duel.
Back then, it got blown away after taking a direct hit from Wind Force, but there’s no guarantee the same outcome will happen this time.
Because the user is different.
At the time, Kwak Ji-cheol was a newly enrolled first-year, whereas Mok Jong-hwa standing before us was a third-year about to graduate.
The level of buffs, traits, and item effects applied to the golems is different.
Not to mention, the difference in control must be significant too.
To be able to control three at once and still cast magic.
After roughly assessing the opponent’s capabilities and tendencies, we had a brief strategy meeting.
First, I exchanged glances with Jeong Jin-myeong.
“You take the battery role.”
“Sounds good.”
Since it was his usual role, Jeong Jin-myeong agreed readily.
Next, I looked at Song Cheon-hye.
“You’re more comfortable with close combat.”
“That’s right.”
“Then it’s decided. You two focus on offense. I’ll handle the golems.”
At that, Song Cheon-hye raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“You sure? Leaving it to us?”
“To be honest, anyone can do the attacking.”
All of us had main spells ranked B+ or higher.
We had the firepower to land effective hits even on a third-year.
I then pointed at the golems with my eyes.
“Those can’t be handled by just anyone.”
“…That’s true.”
Most of Song Cheon-hye and Jeong Jin-myeong’s spells were likely focused on offense.
Even if they had some defensive or utility skills, their ranks would fall far short of what’s needed to stop third-year-level golems.
On the other hand, I had pushed Wind Force up to A+, and if it came to it, I could even use Amplification, so among the three of us, I was the most suited for the task.
I also have to manage my health.
To win by decision, we needed to operate in a way that minimized damage.
Of course, it wasn’t enough for us to simply take fewer hits. We also had to inflict greater damage on the opponent.
So I said a word to Song Cheon-hye and Jeong Jin-myeong.
“Think of it as a short-term battle.”
“Since there’s not much time.”
“I’m saying don’t hold back. Go all out from the start.”
They seemed to catch my point immediately.
As my teammates finished preparing and stared down the opponent, the countdown began.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Start!]
[Kim Ho: 100%]
[Song Cheon-hye: 100%]
[Jeong Jin-myeong: 100%]
vs
[Mok Jong-hwa: 100%]
[Time Remaining 04:59]
Mok Jong-hwa immediately planted his staff into the ground.
A low chant followed, and a green glow spread from the magic circle beneath his feet.
At the same time, the three golems began advancing.
We sprang into action as well.
While Jeong Jin-myeong summoned mana stars above his head, Song Cheon-hye and I stepped forward toward the golems.
Gathering and compressing wind, wrapping my body in electricity—
Crackle—
The distance between both sides quickly closed.
As two of the golems pulled their arms back simultaneously, ready to swing—
Boom!
Compressed air exploded, and their huge bodies staggered.
Not missing the opportunity, Song Cheon-hye shot forward.
Weaving in a zigzag pattern, Song Cheon-hye broke through to the third golem and turned into a bolt of lightning that struck down toward Mok Jong-hwa.
Crrrraack!
But what she hit was a wall made of soil, moss, and tree roots.
A defensive spell had activated just in time.
The next moment, a huge earthen hand reached out, and one of the golems she had passed earlier tried to kick her, but Song Cheon-hye narrowly dodged and retreated.
She maintained a certain distance, charging electricity around her so she could dive back in at any time.
Crackle—
Mok Jong-hwa briefly glanced at Song Cheon-hye, then scanned Jeong Jin-myeong and me one after the other.
And the moment our eyes met—
[Activated ‘Amplification’.]
[The rank of ‘Mutual Destruction Eye’ has increased. (C → A)]
[Activated ‘Octopus Limbs’.]
[The target has been afflicted with ‘Poisoned (A)’ status.]
[The target has been afflicted with ‘Weathered (A)’ status.]
[The target has been afflicted with ‘Frozen (A)’ status…]
[Cooldown: 01:39:57]
Whoooosh—
Crackle, crackle—
Parts of Mok Jong-hwa’s body froze over, and sharp winds slithered over him like snakes.
On top of that, poison effects stacked, causing his health to drop rapidly.
[Mok Jong-hwa: 97%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 95%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 92%]
A ten-hit combo of Mutual Destruction Eye via Octopus Limbs.
Normally, I would’ve waited to assess his resistance to debuffs before using it. But I unleashed it early to throw him off balance.
Sure enough, Mok Jong-hwa seemed visibly shaken.
“…Debuffs this intense. When did it happen?”
Naturally, no answer came, and it didn’t seem like he expected one either.
Right now, what mattered wasn’t the cause. It was putting out the fire.
Mok Jong-hwa’s staff pointed toward the ground, and earth rose up to wrap around him up to his chin.
As the debuffs were peeled away layer by layer, the rate at which his health dropped began to slow.
[Mok Jong-hwa: 88%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 86%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 85%]
But we weren’t about to just stand by and watch.
Focusing on recovery meant having less room to invest in offense and defense.
Fzzzzzzzzzt—
Song Cheon-hye charged in, cloaked in lightning.
As a wall of dirt and moss shot up, she slammed into it headfirst as if she’d been waiting for it.
Crash!
The moment the wall crumbled, Jeong Jin-myeong slashed down with his staff.
Hundreds of shards burst forth as the stars of mana scattered.
[Stardust]
Whoooosh—!
The golems tried to return to their master, but I used Wind Force to trap two of their legs.
Only one nearby golem managed to move as intended.
“……”
Rather than using the golems for defense, Mok Jong-hwa stored them in his inventory.
And then, he faced the downpour of star fragments defenseless.
Whoooosh—!
[Mok Jong-hwa: 85%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 84%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 83%]
Considering it was a nearly all-in strike, his health barely dropped.
Losing 1% at a time probably meant a few stacks of the Mutual Destruction Eye debuff were still lingering.
So Stardust didn’t hit.
“!!”
Peering into the thick dust cloud, Song Cheon-hye flinched.
Mok Jong-hwa had vanished without a trace.
Thud!
The next loud crash came from behind Jeong Jin-myeong.
Mok Jong-hwa was pulling the golem he’d retrieved back out.
He used Blink, huh.
A move to slip past our all-in attack, shake off Song Cheon-hye and me, and close in on Jeong Jin-myeong.
Even if they were both battery-type mages, the difference in skill was significant. With a golem in hand, he probably thought he could finish it quickly.
“Tch.”
Song Cheon-hye gritted her teeth and pushed off the ground, but the distance was too great. Joining the fight again quickly wouldn’t be easy.
To make things worse, the two remaining golems blocked her path.
Having cleared away the interference, Mok Jong-hwa drove his staff into the ground.
The floor rippled like a wave, crashing toward Jeong Jin-myeong.
The golem moved in sync, slamming its thick wooden arm down.
Boom!
[Jeong Jin-myeong: 100%]
[Jeong Jin-myeong: 99%]
Jeong Jin-myeong barely managed to dodge, but luck wouldn’t keep favoring him forever.
Just as the golem reached out to strike again—
Boom!
Compressed air exploded, and the creature staggered.
I had stepped in at just the right moment.
Relieved yet surprised by the unexpected help, Jeong Jin-myeong looked at me.
“You…?”
Mok Jong-hwa picked up the question.
“A first-year using Blink?”
“That’s right.”
“…I thought it was my trump card, but it turns out to be a blunder.”
If he had been the only one capable of using Blink, Mok Jong-hwa could have quickly taken out Jeong Jin-myeong and turned it into a 2-on-1 fight.
A win by decision would’ve been all but guaranteed.
But now that I had caught up right away, it only left him exposed to danger.
After all, he had stepped right into enemy territory as a turret-type mage.
Jeong Jin-myeong and I both understood this. So the moment we exchanged a glance, we moved.
Whoooosh—
Wind spiraled inward as mana stars began to rise.
Another golem lingering nearby was once again knocked aside.
Bang!
Mok Jong-hwa responded calmly.
Raising his staff halfway, he pulled out a thumbnail-sized emerald orb from his pouch and began chanting.
The staff and orb glowed green, and a wall of earth entwined with vines shot up, forming a small fortress.
He had used the item to amplify his spell.
The next moment, the gathered compressed wind erupted in a blast.
Whooooooosh—!
Part of the earthen fortress crumbled.
Even with the armor-piercing effect of the spiral explosion, it hadn’t fully broken through.
What’s more, the earth rapidly gathered again, beginning to restore the structure.
But just then—
“I’m here.”
Having just rejoined the fight, Song Cheon-hye charged in, lightning crackling all over her body, and kicked the wall.
Crackle—Crackle—booooom—!
The partially restored opening was blown wide open, and through that gap, the star fragments poured in.
Bang-bang-bang—!
[Mok Jong-hwa: 81%]
[Mok Jong-hwa: 73%]
Mok Jong-hwa, now exposed, looked utterly defeated.
His whole body was covered in dirt, with small cuts all over.
“…These first-years just keep breaking my expectations.”
In other words, it meant he’d lacked discernment. A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.
But only for a moment. His expression hardened as he took us in.
“I said I wanted a fight with no regrets. Then I should give it my all to the very end.”
Without delay, Mok Jong-hwa pulled out a marble the size of a fist, then drove his staff deep into the ground and began chanting a spell.
Fwaaash—!
Brilliant green light filled the circular arena.
The ancient tree golems grew slightly larger, and flower buds bloomed on each branch.
[Four Seasons – Spring]
Four Seasons.
The spell progresses in order from Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter while stacking buffs of the wood-earth element along the way.
It peaks in the Fall and turns into a debuff in the Winter.
He’s planning to finish this before it gets that far.
At Mok Jong-hwa’s gesture, the golems began to move in perfect coordination.
One targeted Song Cheon-hye, and two reached out their limbs toward Jung Jin-myeong.
I took position nearby and cast the Wind Force I’d prepared.
Boom-boom-boom!
But perhaps due to the [Four Seasons] buff, they didn’t get blown back like before. They only staggered slightly.
They moved again, thrusting their fists forward.
“……”
Even so, Jung Jin-myeong stood firm, silently continuing his spellcasting.
He must believe I can hold them off.
Of course I can.
Even if I can’t push them back, I can deflect their blows.
As I cast Wind Force, a thick wooden fist narrowly grazed past me.
At the same time, I sent a dark cloud toward the golem on the opposite side.
[Soft and Fluffy]
Boom!
The leg of the charging golem, coming in with terrifying force, was flung back as it struck.
Meanwhile, Song Cheon-hye was weaving around the golem’s limbs, relentlessly pounding away at Mok Jong-hwa’s earthen wall.
Rumble, crash!
She was forcing him to focus all his energy on restoration.
Whether the tactic had worked or not, Mok Jong-hwa was struggling to cast any other spells.
But this state wouldn’t last forever.
[Four Seasons – Summer]
Because the buff had entered its second phase.
The flower buds blooming on the golems’ bodies opened fully, and their movements grew noticeably sharper and more aggressive.
Song Cheon-hye stepped back, dodging a falling wooden fist.
Bang!
[Song Cheon-hye: 98%]
[Song Cheon-hye: 96%]
Even just the shockwave was enough to deal damage.
“……!”
The ones targeting Jeong Jin-myeong had grown stronger as well.
They swung their arms in wide arcs.
Wind Force won’t cut it this time.
And [Soft and Fluffy] was still on cooldown.
So I aimed my staff at the golem that was relatively closer.
[Harmonized Flow]
The wooden arm that had come crashing down, filling my entire view, stuck firmly to the tip of my staff.
I yanked it in and hurled it straight at the other golem.
Bang!
The two golems crashed into each other and tumbled across the floor in a tangled heap.
“……What.”
“……!?”
Even Mok Jong-hwa, along with Song Cheon-hye and Jeong Jin-myeong, fell silent for a moment. They were speechless.
Despite being third-year golems with stacked buffs, they’d been tossed aside with ease.
Meanwhile, I said calmly,
“Let’s finish this.”
“……!”
With her expression hardening again, Song Cheon-hye drew in all the lightning she could muster, wrapping it around her body, and struck the earthen wall.
At the same time, the mana stars filling the sky all came crashing down at once.
Whoooosh—!
Sensing danger, Mok Jong-hwa quickly turned his gaze. Not toward us or the golems, but to the opposite side of the circular arena.
He was planning to blink away again.
Not a second time.
Only I get to pull off cowardly moves like that.
I raised the Crow Tree and began chanting the trigger word.
“Caw?”
Mok Jong-hwa flinched on the spot and looked around.
“I’m sure I cast—”
Whooooooooooosh—!
The fragments of mana swept over him.
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