The Defective Golem's Reward
Compared to the "Trial to Overcome" that Millije and I had tackled last time, this dungeon followed an utterly textbook structure. You plow through the trash mobs as you advance, eventually reaching the boss. Defeat the boss, and the clear room opens up. Inside that clear room lies the strategy reward—a treasure chest—along with an exit leading outside.
—Grroooaaar!
A massive hand forged from boulder-sized rock whooshed past Kalen's front several times. The dungeon's boss was a Twin-Headed Golem. True to its nature as a beginner-growth dungeon, its patterns were limited to swinging those enormous arms in all directions while growling "Grraaah, groooar," but the wide attack range made it hard to exploit openings.
That said.
"Kalen, circle behind it while I draw its attention."
"Understood. What next?"
"I'll go around the other side. Once you're out of its line of sight, slash its ankle hard with an Attribute Sword. It'll topple into a groggy state... no, it'll be immobilized for a while. Then we strike together."
Not impossible.
Kalen nodded in preparation, and I raised a branch from the spirit tree to chant my spell.
"【Low Tier Fire Elemental Magic: Fireball】, 【Low Tier Wind Elemental Magic: Wind Blade】."
A flaming orb formed at the tip of the branch, then...
Two spells capable of synergy combination!
Combining automatically!
"【Low Tier Fire and Wind Elemental Magic: Fire Blade】."
Wind fused into it.
—Kaboom!
Flames scattered in slashing arcs. The spells struck the massive golem's twin heads dead-on, erupting in thick smoke as the heads spun dizzily.
—Groooarrr?
In that instant, Kalen dashed right, and I circled left. The golem tried to pursue us but ended up smashing its own heads together.
—Grar? Grar? Groar?
"Now..."
Before I could finish.
"【Attribute Sword: Pierce】!"
—Slashhh!
A sword infused with pure white frost sliced parallel across the golem's ankle. It staggered, posture crumbling, then toppled with a crash.
Thud!
And it didn't stop there.
"Hyaah!"
She leaped, unleashing another Attribute Sword.
Hm.
The first strike severed the golem's left neck. Kalen's signature weapon, Will of the White Eye, was still a solid item at this stage. Sure enough, two clean cuts lopped off the head, and the remaining golem bellowed in fury at losing its twin.
—Grroooaaarrr!
Even wilder attacks rained down. The giant hand scraped the cavern walls, pounded the floor, and lunged to grab us.
"Come to think of it, it's fascinating."
Kalen swung her sword unperturbed, bisecting an incoming arm.
"A golem's a precise magic machine made of stone, not a living creature, right?"
"True, but..."
"So how does it make sounds? Does it have vocal cords?"
Hm. Not the best topic while slicing off limbs mid-battle.
I casually deflected the golem's left arm with my spirit tree branch and replied.
"It vibrates its internal mana core—the nucleus—and channels the sound through its throat. Odd, though. Golems lack emotions, so why vocalize at all?"
"Fascinating."
She spun, thrusting her Attribute Sword to sever the remaining arm.
As a result.
The golem knelt with severed ankles, armless, staring at us.
"...It does look a bit pitiful up close."
"Nonsense. It's glitching and malfunctioning—that's why it ended up here. And it attacked us 'humans,' not demons. A golem built to protect humanity, turning on us."
"I see..."
Kalen nodded, climbed the massive body, and plunged her sword into its neck.
—Groooaaarrr...
It turned toward me with a low wail, orange gaze meeting hers as she said,
"Time to die."
Crack!
The last head fell easily. The light flickering from the helm's visor as it rolled across the floor faded away.
"Exactly 15 minutes."
"Fast?"
"As expected. Good work, Kalen."
...Now, time to check the rewards.
At that moment, the cavern floor rumbled.
"Adrian!"
"No worries."
The shaking stopped soon after.
Kalen glanced beside us in surprise.
"That's... the clear room."
"Opened from the quake. Let's go—it's linked to the exit."
I led the way, and Kalen hurried after, fretting about danger.
What's she so worried about?
The clear room was half the boss room's size. And...
"Oh, that's..."
Our steps halted in unison.
"Treasure chest."
"Ah..."
It was half her body size. She let out a soft gasp, and before opening it, I read the floating message.
Congratulations! You have cleared the Weekday Dungeon 'Underground Defective Golem Warehouse'!
First clear of an Earth-attribute dungeon! Special privilege for first Weekday Dungeon clear granted! Clear rewards definitively increased by one!
Oh. Extra reward thanks to the privilege.
Here's hoping for gear that suits him.
I approached and placed my hand on the chest. Deep breath. Open.
...Creeeak.
Kalen peered inside tensely.
"A... worn book, and this is..."
"Shield."
I smiled. Jackpot.
A yellowed old grimoire. And an iron shield caked with dirt.
Kalen lifted the shield, which matched her torso.
(★) A shield buried underground for a very long time. It has absorbed a faint power of the earth.
Lowers stun probability slightly for the user.
Strong defense against all elemental attacks, including Attribute Sword.
On perfect block success, 3% chance to inflict 2 seconds of Stun on foe.
(Magic attacks offer minimal effect.)
Equip Req: Strength 10+.
Appraisal: 300,000 Elrin.
Oh, pretty decent drop for a beginner dungeon. Viable through Act 2.
"Sh-shield... A shield. Heavy. Adrian, what do you plan to do with it?"
She stared blankly at it while holding it.
"Not using it myself. Couldn't lift it with my arm strength."
"Sell it then? Weight's fine... condition's good. A bit of care, and general store'd take 400,000 easy."
Yeah, selling sounds smart.
To the smiling guy, I said,
"For you to use."
"Smart idea... Pardon?"
"That shield's yours. Suits you."
"...Pardon?"
I chuckled at her stunned face.
"My gift for skipping training to come with me. Don't like it? Return it. But if you refuse, it'll just gather dust in the dorm."
That too.
Kalen's a tank at heart. She only uses a sword now, but in the original, she picks up a shield later and goes full tank.
But that's later. Not till Act 3 at earliest.
Too long to wait naturally. So, linking it to her job-change key item—a shield—might advance the timeline.
"Won't take it?"
"N-no, I will. I mean, yes."
She stroked the face, gazed at her reflection, then hugged the filthy shield tight and smiled.
"Thank you, Adrian. I'll treasure it like my heart."
"..."
That familiar smile left me speechless.
Kalen Snowwhite's ending. When she casts off all curses and returns as Hyrin Snowwhite—that smile.
"Gotta add shield training starting today. Hm, adds to the schedule?"
I smirked and picked up the grimoire. Familiar messages flashed; I read the key one.
【Low Tier Earth Elemental Magic: Ground Lock】
Third low-tier spell acquired.
"Let's head back."
"Yes!"
* * *
Across the desert, back to Salenium.
Shield on back, sword at waist—Kalen looked inexplicably delighted.
"Always wanted to try a shield. More than slashing... protecting feels better."
"Is that so."
"But I'd only learned swordplay... Limits to guarding with a blade. Felt it hard during Lycanslope. Thought about a shield, but adaptation seemed tough, so I hesitated..."
She smiled again.
"You gave me conviction, opportunity. Thank you."
"No big deal. Consult me if issues arise—roommates, right?"
"Roommates..."
She repeated it, nodding.
"I'll etch it deep. Still afternoon, got new gear—off to train."
"Don't overdo it."
"Overdoing builds skill, no?"
Cheeky.
She waved and dashed toward the knight department.
Running that fast with strength-10 sword and shield? Knights are knights, alright.
Parted ways, back to central district.
"Adrian, been looking for you."
Someone called out.
Mid-boulevard, a figure stood.
"You're..."
Familiar face. Purple bob cut, headband. Mole at eye corner. Neat uniform. Armband... green.
Armband.
In Salenium Academy, that armband means one thing.
She flicked it with her left hand and said,
"Student Council, Daisy von Shukros."
"Student Council, huh."
"Yes. Melwood Elion's disciplinary results are out. Come to the council room now. I'll guide you. Follow."
What.
Figured it'd come soon.
"Won't come? We'll drag you. Lycanslope, now this—you're involved again. President's orders: face-to-face to verify."
Top magic student.
Student Council.
Reina's eternal rival.
The "Ore" Daisy von Shukros declared thus, turned, and walked off.