Chapter 172: Let’s See What Avalushi’s Magic Giants Can Do

“Be careful when using magic! Controlling it will be difficult for a while due to the effects of the Dispersing Magic Orb!”

Isamu’s additional cautionary instructions rang out.

Marcella and Liddell were accustomed to mock battles using the Dispersing Magic Orb in their territory, but for first-timers, controlling magic becomes significantly more challenging.

While this time the targets were large, making precise magic adjustments unnecessary, it was essential to share this information to prevent any confusion.

As the dust from the Explosion Orb settled, the scattered members watched cautiously. Suddenly, a magic giant golem burst through the dust cloud.

Though it wasn’t as fast as a well-trained knight, it moved with the speed of a large monster. Considering it was likely controlled by a human, its biological-like speed was astonishing.

The golem quickly scanned its surroundings, then lunged at the nearest person, Schmeichel, swinging its spear without hesitation.

“Whoa!”

Schmeichel dodged, surprised by the golem’s speed.

“This thing is way faster than it looks!”

He shouted while keeping his distance. The magic giant golem swung its spear at Liddell, who was the next closest, before jumping back.

As the dust from the Explosion Orb cleared, another magic giant golem, lying with only its upper body raised, became visible behind the one that had retreated.

(If it came out of the dust cloud on purpose, it likely switches between thermal sensing and optical images… And the golem lying down must have taken a direct hit from the Explosion Orb. Though it’s down, its damage doesn’t seem too severe.)

Isamu began to formulate several hypotheses upon observing this situation.

(I can’t tell if the Dispersing Magic Orb is working yet… I thought disrupting the magic signal, like radio interference, would stop it since it’s remotely controlled, but it seems to be operating at a combat-capable level. Considering its fuel consumption issues, I’d like to think we’re shortening its operating time.)

As he watched, the fallen magic giant golem began to stand up slowly. The retreating golem stood protectively between Isamu’s group and the rising one.

Isamu stopped pondering and issued new instructions.

“Marcella and Liddell, keep it at bay from a distance. Liddell, let’s try using lightning attributes.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Gascoigne and Schmeichel, can you manage a hit?”

“It’s pretty fast, but we can handle it.”

“It’s worth a try.”

“Let’s approach it like we did with the spider-crba. It doesn’t seem to jump as much.”

“Understood!”

Isamu kept his instructions vague and concise to prevent the enemy from overhearing.

Everyone was experienced, and having dealt with remnants of ancient civilizations like the spider-crab, there should be no issues.

Proving this, everyone responded and sprang into action.

Liddell took the lead. She quickly circled around and hid behind a tree, chanting a spell aimed at the rising magic giant golem from its right-rear blind spot.

“Lightning Bolt!”

The fast-flying light sphere, slightly attenuated by the Dispersing Magic Orb’s particles still floating around, struck the golem’s right shoulder.

*Zap!*

Accompanied by a distinctive high-voltage sound, it scattered bright light, but seemed to have no effect.

The golem momentarily looked surprised but then stood up slowly, seemingly reassured by the lack of damage.

“Lightning doesn’t seem to work!”

Liddell’s voice rang out.

“Thank you! I couldn’t see from a distance, but the earth magic light suggests it neutralizes opposing attributes, similar to our cloaks.”

“Rock Fist!”

Immediately after Isamu’s response, Marcella launched a barrage from the front of the magic giant golem.

Fist-sized stones flew in a small fan-shaped spread.

*Bam! Bang!*

The stone projectiles crashed into the magic giant golem, which crossed its arms to protect its face, producing a dull impact sound different from that of metal. Unlike the previous lightning magic, it left small dents and scratches on the armor.

“Marcella, how’s the power?”

“It’s standard power! Earth magic seems to have some effect!”

As Marcella had said, the defensive mechanisms of the golem didn’t react against earth-attribute magic. However, the armor appeared to be very sturdy, as it didn’t suffer significant damage.

“Take this!”

“And this!”

*Clang*

Simultaneously, Gascoigne and Schmeichel, who had darted out from different directions, slashed at the magic giant golem’s legs as they passed by.

“It’s tough!”

“About as tough as that crab!”

Even though they used their reinforced earth magic swords, the Ferris Type 1, optimized for power, they only managed to inflict shallow cuts of about one to two centimeters deep.

*Clang*

The magic giant golem, which had just stood up, was cut but continued to move without losing speed, running past them to the back.

After less than a minute of combat, Isamu’s group formed a circle around the two magic giant golems. One of the golems, after scanning the surroundings, moved towards Liddell, who had previously attacked it.

Moving with the strides of a heavily armored person, it quickly closed the distance. Aiming its halberd-like weapon at Liddell, who was hiding behind a tree, it swung horizontally.

*Crack, crack, crack!*

“Mmph.”

Liddell leapt backward, evading the attack, but the trees around her were felled along with the one she was hiding behind. The power of the golem was considerable.

With a clear line of sight, the golem swiftly thrust its weapon forward. Liddell dodged by rolling sideways as the thrust caused the air to vibrate with a loud whoosh.

Ignoring Marcella and Isamu, who were attacking it with earth-attribute magic, the golem continued to focus solely on Liddell.

The other golem, which had been lying down, attempted to join the attack, but Gascoigne and Schmeichel kept it at bay using explosion orbs effectively.

“Why is it only targeting Liddell? If it can neutralize lightning magic, wouldn’t it make more sense to go after the one using earth magic? Wait a minute…”

Isamu wondered aloud about the golem’s persistent focus on Liddell, while Gascoigne called out from where he was keeping the other golem at bay.

“Isamu! We’re running out of orbs! At this rate, we’ll be at a disadvantage!”

“Got it! Gascoigne, switch to the lightning sword and target the joints!”

“The joints, right? Understood! Schmeichel, can you lower its arm?”

“Sure thing!”

Following Gascoigne’s command, Schmeichel activated two explosion orbs simultaneously. Instead of throwing them immediately, he ran under the golem’s legs to its front, then tossed the orbs to either side of its face.

Seeing the orbs, the golem guarded its face like a boxer.

*Boom!*

The orbs exploded near the golem’s face, but the damage was minimal due to its guard. Meanwhile, Schmeichel, who had been constantly moving and using hit-and-run tactics, stopped in front of the golem and provocatively beckoned it with his palm.

Irritated, the golem aimed a series of rapid thrusts at Schmeichel with one hand.

Schmeichel, with a desperate expression, dodged the thrusts and swung his sword down hard to meet the golem’s final stab.

*Clang! Thud!*

The halberd’s path was altered by the downward slash, causing it to plunge into the ground.

“Nice job!”

Gascoigne, who had been moving to the golem’s blind spot while Schmeichel distracted it, sprang into action. With the weapon stuck in the ground, the extended elbow joint was now lowered. Gascoigne thrust his lightning sword into the exposed joint.

*Crackle!*

Electric currents surged from the sword embedded in the joint, and suddenly, the magic giant golem collapsed to its knees, as if all its strength had been sapped.

*Thud…*

The golem fell with a loud crash, causing the ground to shake. 

“Whoa, close call!”

Schmeichel hastily dodged the falling golem that was coming down towards him.

“As I thought! These things are weak to lightning! That’s why their armor is designed to prioritize defending against it!” 

Isamu shouted upon seeing the golem fall.

“Let’s take down the other one the same way… What is that??” 

Isamu eyes widened as he looked at the remaining magic giant golem. He saw black light, indicative of dark magic, emanating from its entire body.

“What is it…!? This is bad!”

Realizing something, Isamu’s expression turned to one of urgency.

*Whoosh!*

The remaining golem moved towards Liddell with a speed vastly greater than before.

“What!?”

Liddell, though on guard, barely managed to leap back. However, the golem’s long limbs quickly closed the distance. It swung its halberd with incredible speed.

“Rock Wall!”

*Scrape!*

Isamu’s rock wall spell intercepted the attack, but the halberd cut through it, slashing diagonally upwards and missing Liddell by a hair. The golem spun around and re-armed itself with the halberd as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Isamu threw another scattering magic orb while retreating. Liddell and the others followed suit, creating distance between them and the golem.

“Damn it, it’s unexpectedly fast. The dark magic must be temporarily reducing its weight to increase its speed… At this rate, we’re in trouble.”

Isamu muttered to himself, wiping the sweat pouring from his forehead. He deduced that the weight-reduction magic he had seen in the ruins was now being used in combat.

As Isamu desperately tried to come up with a plan, his thoughts were interrupted by a loud explosion.

*Boom!*

The space between Isamu and the golem exploded.

“Whoa!”

Small rocks and broken branches thrown up by the blast struck Isamu without mercy. Shielding his face with his arms, he peeked through them to see a halberd embedded in the ground. The golem he had been facing still held its halberd, so it wasn’t the culprit.

Just as Isamu wondered where it had come from, he realized there was a third golem.

It must have thrown the halberd from a distance.

Although unexpected, this development created a gap between them and the golem in front, which was advantageous for Isamu group. The surprised golem, distracted by the literal side attack, looked back. Seizing this opportunity, Isamu and his team moved to increase their distance further.

Then, from the direction of the village, another golem came running, causing the ground to tremble. Despite lacking the dark glow, it moved with remarkable speed.

Although they had managed to put some distance between themselves and the golem, its speed meant it would catch up soon.

Just as they thought they were cornered, the newly arrived magic giant golem crouched beside the immobilized one that had been hit by the lightning sword. It touched the head and back of the fallen golem as if checking its condition, then signaled to the golem facing Isamu and his team with what seemed like hand signs.

The other golem responded with vigorous gestures before swinging its halberd in a wide arc, toppling the surrounding trees again.

As Isamu and his team braced themselves, the golem extracted the halberd from the ground, slung it over its shoulder, and turned its back, heading towards the village. It stopped beside the crouching golem, turned to glare at them as if in warning, then picked up the other fallen halberd, making a total of three halberds, and continued walking.

The third golem, having seen this, lifted the immobilized golem and began walking towards the village. After a few steps, it paused, turned to face Isamu, and stared intently at him for a moment before continuing its march towards the village.

At the village entrance, the two golems regrouped, exchanged a brief series of gestures, and then hurriedly ran north through the village.

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