The Runesmith

As Roland stepped through the colossal doors, Agni padded close behind, his fiery aura illuminating their path. The obsidian floor echoed softly under their boots and paws, amplifying the eerie silence that filled the massive chamber. The oppressive energy within seemed to press against Roland's chest, a silent warning that their presence was unwelcome.

“Stop Agni.”

“Worf?”

The door creaked shut behind them, and he ordered his wolf to halt. The area before them was truly vast, with hundreds of statues lining the sides, their stony gazes fixed on the newcomers. However, the statues were not fully animated - at least, not yet. He had analyzed how this area worked, thanks to the runes permeating the massive chamber.

"Any normal adventurer would have probably made a mistake by now and already been attacked..."

His visor flashed as he scanned the area, revealing the hidden runic pathways. The intricate web of runes stretched across the floor, walls, and ceiling. Touching even one would likely trigger a cascading reaction, causing the small army of obsidian statues to attack. Fortunately, he had sent his floating golem ahead. The construct hovered through the chamber without disturbing the traps, confirming his suspicions. Near the entrance was a small, safe zone free of runes or traps. The guardians would stay dormant if they remained there and refrained from attacking.

"Agni, take a few steps back and wait by the entrance door for now”

Agni, his wolf companion, let out a low growl of displeasure, clearly eager for a fight. Despite his frustration, the wolf obeyed, retreating to the door and settling his large frame beside it with a huff. With that taken care of, Roland turned his attention to the chamber before him. There were exactly two hundred statues in the area, with a towering giant at the far end rounding out the number.

"I suppose once they’re triggered, I’ll have to fight through a few waves before the big one gets involved”

He was in luck - this entire chamber was laced with his specialty: runic symbols and magic. While the design here was far more intricate than the simpler Albrook dungeon he had previously explored, Roland was confident in his ability to decipher it.

The statues weren’t ordinary constructs. His keen eye detected the faint glow of hidden runes etched across their surfaces. They were runic golems, crafted from various types of stone, including the ominous obsidian ones. Those runes were likely the key to defeating them.

"The biggest problem will be that giant one," 

He muttered, his visor flashing as he studied the massive figure in the distance. 

"Its rune structure is a lot more complex than the smaller ones, I don’t think I’ll be able to crack its code before it attacks me, which leaves me with a few options…”

Roland possessed the ability to control runic constructs and golems. In theory, he should be able to wrestle control of these golems from the dungeon's grasp. However, their sheer number presented a massive challenge. To make matters worse, they didn’t follow a uniform runic sequence, further complicating the task. Roland quickly realized that trying to dominate all of them simultaneously would demand an immense amount of mana and razor-sharp precision. Even for him, the risk of overloading his senses was great as he had never attempted a hostile takeover on such a scale before.

"Fifty of them is probably my limit. If I add my own golems, it should suffice..." 

He wondered as a plan took shape in his mind. The massive statue wasn’t the only problem. The real obstacle lay in the throne it was seated upon. From his analysis, this was the control console for the entire golem army. Unfortunately, it was out of his reach for the moment. Even if he managed to gain access, taking over the giant statue might prove impossible. For now, his best option was to clear the area and study the throne further. Perhaps in the future, this chamber could be farmed for valuable resources.

As Roland examined the enemies more closely, he identified the smaller golems as tier-3-adjacent entities, their bodies far tougher than anything a typical tier-2 class holder could handle. The materials they were constructed from - obsidian and high-density stone - made them durable and dangerous. Only the massive statue at the back was a true tier-3 threat, far stronger than the monsters he had faced in the temple.

These lesser golems, while classified as guards, were formidable due to their construction. Their high durability elevated them to pseudo-tier-3 status, though they lacked the power of a true tier-3. The leader, however, was an entirely different beast.

Its glowing eyes locked onto Roland, an unmistakable sign of its awareness. The High-Lord sat motionless on its throne, radiating an aura of power that dwarfed its subordinates. For now, it remained idle, but Roland knew that once he made his move, the entire chamber would spring to life.

“Good, Agni.”

“Woof?”

“I have a plan, let's do this.”

“Awoo!”

Agni perked up as Roland finally decided to make his move. After a brief moment of calculation, he activated his spatial runes, summoning his small contingent of golem troops.

First came the floating golems, some shaped like cubes and others more octagonal. They hovered silently above his head, ensuring they didn’t touch any of the intricate runes on the chamber floor. Next came the spider golems, which skittered out from the spatial runes. Due to the limited space near the entrance, they crowded against Agni, much to the wolf's displeasure. Agni growled softly, shifting uncomfortably as the metal constructs bumped into his body, but Roland paid it no mind.

The force wasn’t large - just twenty floating golems designed for ranged support and another twenty spider golems, still in need of further upgrades. Though not at their full potential, they would serve their purpose. Now, the real task began: stepping forward to wrest control of some of the dungeon’s golems and turning them against their allies.

Roland’s gaze flicked toward the nearest guard golems. Each was equipped with a shield and spear.Choosing which ones to dominate required little deliberation; the obsidian golems were clearly the most durable and imposing of the group.  

Roland began channeling his runic magic, his armor pulsing with power as he activated the intricate circuits smithed into its surface. His visor flared with data, displaying the complex structures of the obsidian golems nearest to him. With a deep breath, Roland extended his hand, using Rune Authority to take over the golemic constructs.

The skill struck the first golem, its obsidian body trembling as the dungeon’s control system clashed against Roland’s will. Sparks of mana erupted from its joints, but the conflict was brief. Moments later, the glowing runes on its body dimmed, replaced by the soft blue hue of Roland’s magic. One by one, Roland repeated the process, each success boosting his confidence.

By the time he finished, five obsidian golems stood at attention, their glowing eyes now under Roland’s control. Though the process strained his mana reserves, the payoff was undeniable. The obsidian golems' shields shimmered briefly with runic traces before the glow subsided, signifying the completion of his takeover.

Encouraged, Roland pressed on, his runic program spreading like a virus through the dormant ranks. Another five golems fell under his command, their rigid postures shifting as they aligned themselves with their new master. Each additional golem drained his MP further, the cost weighing heavily on his reserves. He knew the strain would persist until he relinquished control, but the tactical advantage was worth the sacrifice.

"Agni, get ready - they’re coming.” 

Agni’s ears perked up, and the wolf lowered his body into a defensive stance, a low growl rumbling in his throat. By the time Roland had infiltrated the systems of around twenty golems, the dungeon retaliated. A faint tremor ran through the chamber as the remaining rocky soldiers began to stir. Their once-dormant forms came to life, the runes carved into their bodies flaring to life with a crimson glow. One by one, their eyes locked onto Roland, their movements growing as the dungeon’s defensive mechanisms fully engaged.

The chamber erupted in a grating sound of grinding stone and hissing mana as the enemy golems fully activated. Their eyes, blazing crimson, locked onto Roland and his allies. The dungeon’s defenses roared to life, an overwhelming tide of runic magic animating the statues into deadly warriors.

Roland wasted no time. With a single command, his twenty dominated obsidian golems moved into formation, their massive shields locking together in unison. The result was an impenetrable defensive wall that braced against the advancing horde. Behind them, the floating golems took their positions, hovering above the shield wall. Their rune-etched forms began to glow as they charged up mana projectiles, ready to unleash a volley at Roland’s signal.

“Spider golems, spread out! Lay down suppression fire!” 

The spider golems sprang into action, their articulated legs tapping against the obsidian floor as they skittered to the edges of the chamber. Some began scaling the walls, using their limbs to secure their positions by digging in. Once in place, they aimed their cannons at the advancing rocky golems.

A salvo of magical projectiles erupted from the spider golems, streaking through the chamber and colliding with the dungeon's constructs. The impact didn’t destroy the enemy golems outright, but visible cracks began to spread across their hardened surfaces. Despite their resilience, the sustained bombardment from the spider golems was wearing them down, slowly tipping the balance in Roland’s favor.

Agni remained behind the defending line of golems but shifted into his tankier red ruby form. His flames subdued, and his fur was replaced by shimmering crimson crystals. With a deep growl, he opened his mouth, releasing a surge of fiery energy. The blast seared through the advancing army, melting their bodies and destroying several in the process.

‘This would be easier if I could just eradicate all the runes at once…’ 

Roland thought, his mind racing as he assessed the situation. He had considered it before, but there were simply too many runes, and the dungeon was actively resisting his magic. It was as if the very essence of the place was fighting back, preventing him from spreading his influence as freely as he would have liked. In theory, if he could disrupt the runes on these monsters, they would revert to nothing more than lifeless statues. But with so many golems activating at once, it was impossible to control or affect them all at once.

For now, his only option was to continue taking over the golems one by one. However, he soon realized that his initial estimate of fifty was far too high. After successfully controlling forty-four of the golems, Roland felt his mana reserves dangerously depleting. He needed to stop before pushing any further as it risked overwhelming him.

“Agni, use the golems as cover and try to keep your distance, if you get too close you might get overwhelmed.”

Roland drew his hammer and shield, deciding to conserve the rest of his magical energy. Controlling so many golems at once had taken a heavy toll on his mana, reducing it by more than half. As long as the connection remained active alongside his Rune Authority, he wouldn’t be able to regain mana, even with a potion.

The battlefield soon erupted in magical explosions and the sound of shattering rock as the golems collided with one another. Roland swung his hammer with precision, aiming for the legs of the advancing rocky guards. Each strike sent a ripple through their sturdy forms, breaking them apart. Agni, standing beside him, unleashed a mix of long-range flame attacks and close-quarter strikes with his ruby tail, which like a whip caused massive damage.

The fight raged on for several minutes, each moment a careful balancing act of offense and defense. Then, from the distance, a deep rumble shook the chamber. Roland’s eyes shifted toward the source. The massive, towering golem statue was beginning to stir.

The ground beneath Roland’s feet trembled as the massive golem statue slowly began to move. The colossal figure, which had been sitting immobile on its obsidian throne, shifted with terrifying slowness, its enormous stone limbs creaking with each motion. The stone surrounding its feet cracked as it stood, its glowing eyes flaring to life with an ominous red hue.

Roland’s pulse quickened as he surveyed the battlefield. The other golems were still locked in fierce combat, and only half of the enemy forces had been defeated. He had known the large golem would eventually be triggered, but he had hoped to clear the area before it came to life. Now, he faced the towering behemoth with only half of his mana remaining and part of his golem army damaged.

"Agni, I’ll leave the small fry to you and the golems."

"Awoo!" Agni responded eagerly, his tail flicking as he darted behind the defensive line of golems, staying low to the ground.

Roland, however, stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the advancing giant. The colossal golem moved slowly but with purpose. Rising from its throne, it grasped a massive scepter made of black rock, its spiked crown giving it a regal, almost intimidating appearance. The scepter and crown marked it as the golem's true leader, a king among the stone warriors.

Now that the towering golem stood before him, Roland was able to properly gauge its true height - nearly nine meters. This was truly a colossal foe, the largest monster he had ever encountered in his life. However, despite its size and power, the golem had a clear weakness: its agility. The creature’s movements were slow and awkward, making its actions easy to predict.

When the golem swung its massive scepter, it did so with a wide, telegraphed motion - one that Roland could easily react to. The impact of the swing generated a violent gust of wind, sending shards of rock flying in all directions. Roland quickly raised a well-placed mana shield, deflecting the debris and bracing for the next strike.

Behind him, he saw some of the sharp rocks collide with a few golem guards, tearing through them like Swiss cheese. Upon witnessing this, he had a bright idea. Instead of targeting the monster’s joints, as adventurers often did when battling other large golems, he slammed his tower shield to draw the monster’s attention. The large creature focused on him but remained stationary, just as he had hoped. Predictably, it unleashed the same cone-shaped attack in his direction.

Systematically he would block the shards while placing himself in front of the other living statues. As Roland maintained his strategic position, he continued to bait the massive golem into launching its destructive cone-shaped attacks. Each swing of its colossal scepter sent a rain of sharp debris in his direction, but Roland's tower shield absorbed all of the impacts while hitting the enemies with friendly fire. 

The enemy numbers were rapidly dwindling, and he continued to defend himself like a turtle, steadfast and unyielding. The battlefield was a storm of calculated chaos. The obsidian golems under Roland’s control held their ground, forming an impenetrable wall of shields and spears. Behind them, floating golems unleashed concentrated mana bolts, each strike illuminating the chaos with brief flashes of blue light. Meanwhile, spider golems continued their relentless flanking maneuvers, their cannons chipping away at the weakened foes. With the large boss golem’s assistance, the tide of battle turned swiftly, and soon, their enemies were no more - leaving the massive golem lord standing alone before them.@@novelbin@@

“Agni, target its lower body while I draw it away”

The cost of victory had been steep. His troop of rock golems had been reduced to just ten out of the forty he’d started with. The spider golems had also taken heavy damage; their shattered metal parts littered the ground. Only the floating golems, too small to be targeted effectively, remained mostly intact. They hovered in the air, relentlessly attacking the golem lord, which swatted at them like they were nothing more than bothersome mosquitoes.

The tide of battle seemed to be turning in his favor, and Roland decided it was time to act. After downing a mana potion, his power surged, and his body became enveloped in a haze of crimson energy. Like an arrow loosed from a crossbow, he shot forward, his hammer striking the monster’s ankle with immense force. Bolstered by his Overlord’s Might skill, the thick stone leg began to crack and, before long, shattered entirely.

The monster turned to face him but stumbled forward, its balance compromised by the loss of its foot. Roland leapt back as it struggled to remain upright. Unable to support itself, the creature collapsed onto its knees, the impact causing a slight cracking sound as it hit the unyielding obsidian ground.

Seizing the opportunity, Roland lunged forward again, this time aiming directly for the monster’s hidden core, which, for some reason, was located beneath its armpit. With one good hit from his hammer, the sound of shattering stone echoed through the chamber as Roland's hammer struck true. A pulse of energy rippled outward from the golem’s armpit, a sign that the impact had destabilized its core. The towering figure froze mid-motion, its crimson eyes dimming to a lifeless black. For a brief moment, silence reigned in the chamber and it seemed that the battle was over but then, out of nowhere the throne began to glow…