Shattering the Golden Idol
A golden statue monster radiating light from its entire body. Not your average humanoid statue—it had three heads and six arms. It looked like some kind of golem, so maybe it had a core embedded in its chest like the trash mobs.
Thud! I kicked off the ground hard and leaped straight at it. Two of the statue's six arms swung into motion, aiming right for my position mid-air, palms spread wide like it was about to clap me like a fly. No dodging in the air, but that's what skills are for. I activated Sword Charge, the dashing technique, propelling my body forward even in mid-jump.
Crunch! My gleaming sword from the skill effect stabbed right into the statue's chest. But the feedback felt off. Given its appearance, I'd assumed it was some inorganic material, but it felt like piercing flesh. Apparently, it was just coated in shiny gold flakes on the surface—the inside was living, blood-pumping meat. So, no separate core like the golems. Better to assume that.
"Nice."
Some might think no weak point is bad, but for me, this was way better. If it had a specific core to destroy, my attack options would be limited. But anything with blood and flesh shares common vulnerabilities. Like those three massive heads, say. The sword's penetration suggested its durability wasn't that high anyway. I could just slice 'em all up.
Squelch! I twisted and yanked the sword from its chest. Not red blood, but green sprayed out. Looked poisonous, but poison or not, didn't matter. My poison resistance was high enough.
The boss's golden hand swung at me again. I kicked off its chest hard and retreated.
Boom! A massive impact rang out as the boss's body toppled sideways. My strength stat helped, but it was lighter than expected. I'd figured it was a destruction-type boss relying on its huge bulk and durability. But toppling this easily from a kick? Probably not a pure melee brawler.
Kiririk! My guess proved right the next instant. One of the heads opened its mouth and unleashed magic. A mechanical whirring sound, then heat haze rippled out, followed by a torrent of flame.
"Dangerous!"
Kim Jin-a shouted from a safe distance. She'd clocked the magic's power. Yeah, the flames packed more punch than the 4th-floor boss Salamander's fire.
But even that Salamander's flames barely fazed me.
Whoosh! I raised my shield and blocked the blast. Searing heat pressed through, but it wasn't enough to burn my flesh.
Protecting the body from fire damage.
Just a nice warmth, really.
"Fucking insane..."
I heard the party's tank, that dickhead paladin, mutter under his breath. He sounded shocked. What, a tank freaking out over this?
Step, step. Shield forward, I charged straight through the flame stream. Distance to the boss closed fast, and the fire cut off abruptly.
Kiririk. Another head opened wide with a mechanical grind. This time, not fire—a massive ice spear shot out. Figured ice after fire failed.
Reduces frost damage taken.
Level wasn't as high as flame resistance, so not a bad call. But who said I'd just take it? Shield's not for show.
Crack! I swung the shield and shattered the ice spear, sliding under to close in. Stored sword and shield in inventory, switched weapons.
Short swords from killing lizardmen on Floor 3—one in each hand. Not my favorites, but perfect for this. Watch closely, dual-wield noob. This is how you do it.
* * *
The boss ended up a flailing stump, all six arms and two legs severed. No more magic from those golden heads—I smashed them with a hammer.
Bang!
After all the "first clear" messages, this straightforward stuff felt refreshing. Boss was a pushover. The elemental attacks from its three heads didn't work on me, and its six-armed melee was no better. Even with unfamiliar dual swords, I crushed it easy—switched to hammer and it was a joke. Probably wrapped up in minutes. Shortest clear for this mini-dungeon, easy.
HP dipped from the magic but Combat Healing filled it right back up.
"Uh, u-uh... I mean..."
The three party members stared at me with different expressions. Gladiator Kim Jin-seok rubbed his eyes like it was a dream. Mage Kim Jin-a gawked with sparkling eyes. Dickhead paladin Kim Min-hyung was pale, jaw trembling.
"Hey."
It was kinda funny, so I walked up and said something. Thinking I'd bite, Min-hyung jumped back.
Guy's agile.
"Y-Yes?!"
Late reply, polite too. Like I'd beat his ass.
"What about Jeon-bung?"
"N-No, nothing, hyungnim!"
Now it's hyungnim, not Jeon-bung. Does he know my age? Atmosphere's tense, he's scared shitless—perfect for a lesson. He was rude, but never crossed lines. When I went for the golems, he gestured no, asking if I wanted to die solo. Rough words, but concern. Just male ego bullshit. Not a bad guy. Besides, who am I to judge? Leeching off mom's back.
Seems he gets it now. Light education time.
"You're the tank, right? Grab a shield."
"P-Pardon? Shield?"
"Yeah. Hold it, max power."
Min-hyung complied without question. Stance awkward. I tapped his arms and legs with my hammer haft, correcting lightly. Stance from Floor 3 shield-only training against lizardmen. Proper form beats most defense skills for shock absorption.
"Here it comes."
Locked in, I cracked my knuckles. Learned the stance—now test it.
Right?
Dashed from a step back, punched his shield.
Boom!
"Ack!"
Couldn't hold, flew back with shield, sprawled. Ahh, satisfying.
* * *
Boss down, dungeon cleared. We ported out.
You have broken the clear record for Secret Golden Temple (Intermediate).
A system message popped up, engraving our names on the small metal plate at the entrance. Guessed right—shortest clear. No special reward, but felt good.
"Whoa, clear time almost halved? That trap was a boss shortcut, huh."
Kim Jin-a bounced excitedly again. Emotional, like a retriever—happy no matter what.
"Thanks to Jin-hyeok-ssi, we set a record. Thought we were dead at first..."
She rambled about being surrounded. Chatty too.
I listened, then realized: "Oh, gotta distribute loot."
Mini-dungeon clears send rewards (minus EXP/gold) to party leader. Max contribution extra went to me, obviously. Mostly solo clear, but no community drama over no share. Only care about street food coins anyway. Quarter it?
Checking trade interface—
"Oh, about that, Jin-hyeok-ssi."
Kim Jin-a made an unexpected offer.