87. Quicksand Desert (5)
There was no hesitation in facing an S-rank monster.
[Die! Flame Salamander!]
Cromide, gripping the Queen Sword in reverse, thrust it toward the salamander's forehead.
Pssshhh!
"Kuaaaahhh!"
Along with the monster's distinctive screech, something indistinguishable—whether blood or lava—bubbled out from between the blade. Cromide's right arm, fitted with the jaw muscles of an S-rank dinosaur monster, produced power comparable to a 1st-class Gigant. That's why it pierced straight through the salamander's skull in one go.
Thud!
This time, with his right foot reinforced by the powerful tail muscles and bones of an S-rank dinosaur monster, he pinned down the writhing salamander's neck. The beast was still alive, true to its monstrous nature. Then he yanked the Queen Sword upward.
Splurt!
"Kueeek!"
Lava-like blood sprayed from its head. But Wayne didn't stop there. He severed the salamander's neck with a single stroke, pulled its body from the lava, laid it on the ground, and expertly sliced open its belly down the middle. Thrusting his hand inside, he pulled out a gleaming red magic stone.
Even then, the salamander twitched, refusing to die. Unless its magic stone was removed or shattered, it had the ability to reattach even a severed body. Only now was it truly finished.
'Whoa! A 20cm one!?'
Wayne's face lit up with surprise at the size of the magic stone. In the past, Karaz's flame golem—the right-hand man of King Brass—had been made with a 15cm red magic stone. This salamander, having lived far longer, yielded one a whopping 20cm in size. Without a doubt, it would produce a far superior golem.
Cromide descended the lava hill, magic stone in hand.
[Everyone okay?]
Yulih replied.
"All dwarves are safe! But the Steel Golems..."
Up close, Wayne saw that five had melted completely, magic stones and all—beyond repair. The five behind them had salvageable stones, at least.
[It's fine! With all these magic stones we got, I'll make new ones.]
"Wayne! Is that the monster's magic stone?"
Yond asked in astonishment.
[Yeah, this is an S-rank magic stone!]
Wayne set the red magic stone down on the ground.
"Whoa! So big and beautiful!"
"Look at that iridescent glow! This'll make an amazing golem."
"Ooh! Valhalla!"
The young dwarves gaped in awe. An S-rank magic stone's luster was breathtaking. It was no wonder it was the continent's most expensive and renowned gem.
[Sabina?]
Wayne glanced at Artemis, leaning against one wall.
[You alright?]
[I'm sorry. I couldn't even land a hit on that monster... I was useless this time.]
Sabina's voice was uncharacteristically subdued for the first time.
[No, you were a huge help. And thanks to you, I figured out how to make better use of Cromide's capabilities.]
[You don't need to console me. When we get back, I'll train even harder and make sure I can actually help you next time! Let's head back now!]
Wayne had spoken the truth, but Sabina saw it as her own inadequacy and vowed to steel herself further. Wayne gathered intact magic stones from the melted Steel Golems and headed for the exit with the dwarves.
Zzzzt! Crackle!
The Valhalla Gate pillar flashed with light. Wayne and the dwarves returned safely to the territory.
Curtis came running at the news.
"What? The refugees still haven't arrived?"
"Yes!"
"No word from Bastian either?"
"Yes, just in case, I sent someone to Lorenne territory."
Three weeks had passed in the Quicksand Desert. It had been over a month since parting with Bastian's squad. The refugees' absence meant something had gone wrong.
"The farmlands?"
"We've been watering regularly, turned the soil completely, and even bought expensive fertilizer with gold coins to spread around. Ready to farm anytime. Half the houses around the fields are finished too."
"Good work. I need to handle some things with the dwarves first, so wrap it up well. And let me know the second you hear from Bastian."
"Yes, sir!"
Wayne gathered the golem masters and Odd-trained dwarves in the Warrior's Corridor, then sought out Workshop Chief Aelga.
"Make them as fast as possible."
"So, 40 Steel Golems and 5 reinforced golems mixed with orr?"
"Yeah, start with the reinforced ones."
"Won't have enough orr for five."
Orr—the substance dwarves called the gods' metal—was essential for reinforced golems.
"How many can we do?"
"Max three reinforced golems."
"Got it. Do those three as quick as you can."
"Don't worry. We'll pull all-nighters if we have to."
The dwarf workshop chief and smiths buzzed with excitement at the long-awaited work. After making only farm tools, crafting their ancestors' legacy golems felt exhilarating.
"Everyone assembled?"
"Wayne! Starting the warrior trials right away?"
"Yeah, we'll need dwarf power soon."
"Ooh! Valhalla!"
The dwarves cheered loudly, especially those trained in Odd for golem control but without assigned Steel Golems.
"We've got 49 regular magic stones, 5 reinforced ones, and 1 red one!"
"Whoa! That's a lot!"
Wayne pulled out the red magic stone.
"And this is from the S-rank monster we took down!"
"Ooh! Huge!"
"Woooah!"
The dwarves gasped in unison.
"Any dwarf want to take the warrior trial with this red magic stone? Step forward!"
Despite Wayne's offer, none stepped up.
Wayne looked to Yulih.
"Yulih! Wanna give it a shot?"
Yulih shook his head.
"No, Wayne! I know my limits. Can't handle it yet. But I'll take on a reinforced golem!"
Wayne nodded.
"Good! This reinforced magic stone goes to Yulih."
He handed over the 10cm reinforced stone. Yulih was wise indeed. Wayne had confidently offered the red one knowing he wouldn't succeed—nor would any dwarf here. Their Odd reserves were still too low, and golem piloting experience lacking.
"Only one reinforced golem material left now. Who's next?"
"I nominate Great Warrior Brock!" Yond declared.
The young dwarves echoed the recommendation.
"Wayne! I'll do it!"
Wayne handed a reinforced magic stone to Great Warrior Brock. He distributed stones to dwarves who lost Steel Golems this time, and the rest to new golem master candidates.
"Alright! Who's first for the warrior trial?"
Brock stepped forward.
"Wayne! You carry our ancestors' legacy! Why don't you go first?"
"Right! Wayne first!"
The dwarves called out as one.
"Fine! I'll do it!"
"Ancestral spirits bless Wayne!"
"Woooah! Valhalla!"
Wayne entered the Warrior's Corridor with the red magic stone.
Rumble! Boom!
Lightning cracked as he entered, and suddenly he stood alone in the Great Forest.
'Of all places, the Great Forest...'
Clearly an illusion, yet the forest sprawled realistically before him. He'd have to enter the Warrior's Corridor someday anyway—to eventually craft the thunder golem King Brass used.
'I wonder who... or what will come?'
The warrior trial pitted one against their deepest fear. Even Wayne swallowed dryly, uncertain.
Then—
"You'll make a fine opponent!"
"Huh?"
A man in silver armor appeared, sword drawn.
"No way, King Carian?"
"Indeed. I am your foe!"
Wayne gulped. King Carian had reached the pinnacle of Odd, transcending human limits—leaping 10 meters from a seated position, striding 3-4 meters per step. A true warrior.
"Fine! Carian, I'll surpass you!"
Wayne drew his sword from his waist.
But then—
"I'm here too, whelp!"
"What?"
A 145cm dwarf with hulking shoulders appeared, wielding a massive King Hammer Yol Das. It was King Brass.
"Brass? You fighting too?"
"Aye. Dwarven pride on the line—I'll smash you with my hammer!"
"Next it'll be Python and Mrirak too..."
Wayne shook his head—
"Kuaaaah!"
"Kiiiaa!"
A giant serpent monster, Python, slithered down a colossal tree, while a massive mantis monster descended with flapping wings. A river formed nearby, and electric eel monster Mrirak poked its head out.
"Crazy! I jinxed it. Everyone out now?"
At least the queen ant wouldn't—
"...She did."
Smaller, but the queen ant appeared too. All were etched deeply in Wayne's memories—threats he constantly worked to overcome.
"No time to waste—let's go!"
Wayne unleashed white Odd, forming a magnetic field, accelerating his internal white Odd up to 160 times overdrive. He beckoned them.
"Come on!"
"Kueee!"
"Kiiiaa!"
"Take my sword, Wayne!"
"Dwarves are strong!"
They all charged at once. Wayne swung his sword while blasting accelerated Odd.
Zzzzt! Boom boom!
Rumble! Thud! Thud!
"What's going on inside?"
An hour passed with no sign of Wayne, leaving the waiting dwarves tense.
"Ooh! He's coming out!"
Wayne emerged shirtless, his sculpted muscular body marred by scorch marks.
"Wayne! What happened to your clothes?"
Yond shrugged off his outer garment for him.
"Did it work?"
Wayne grinned, raising the magic stone in his hand high. Red light flashed, bathing the corridor in crimson.
"Behold! The core of our ancestors' legacy—the flame golem!"
"Ooh! Incredible!"
"Woooah! Valhalla!"
The dwarves roared in unison.
"Next warrior, enter!"
Yulih took his reinforced magic stone into the Warrior's Corridor. That day, many dwarves challenged it—some succeeded, some failed.
The reinforced golem was complete!
At Aelga's call, Wayne grabbed the red magic stone and rushed to the golem workshop.
"Wayne! Ran short on orr, so it's only 11 meters."
"No, perfect. Too big and it'd be hard to control."
Wayne embedded the glowing red golem core into its chest. The gray golem now had a heart.
"Hammer the heart!"
The dwarves pounded with hammers, and finally Wayne swung King Hammer Yol Das down on the reinforced golem's heart.
Boom!
"Awaken!"
Flash!
The 11-meter reinforced golem opened its eyes.
[I have received the call of the great king!]
The reinforced golem's blazing red eyes gleamed as it clenched its fist, flames erupting from its hand.
Then Wayne shouted.
"I bestow upon you a name! You are Salamander! Golem of flames!"
Grrrrr! Thud!
The flame golem knelt on one knee, bowing to Wayne.
'Yes! With this, it can take on a 1st-class Gigant!'
Combining the 1.5-class Gigant Cromide with this Salamander flame golem would let them fight a 1st-class Gigant. Afterward, Yulih and Brock claimed reinforced golems, while the young dwarf trio each piloted two Steel Golems.