ALL NOVEL Chapter 395
Golem.
A type of monster, often created by alchemists or wizards as a combat servant.
In modern times, it was almost a forgotten type of servant.
It required a lot of effort to create, and making a useful golem cost a terrifying sum. Even the maintenance costs were exorbitant, so unless one was extraordinarily wealthy, there was no real reason to make a golem.
For the same price, one could hire several experienced mercenaries as guards.
Thus, golems in this era were perceived only as a luxurious hobby for the rich.
But… what about a golem made from the World Tree?
“If I hadn’t heard in advance, I’d be in the same predicament as those guys.”
The Bear Drummer let out a hollow laugh as he looked up at the World Tree Golem. The golem, which had turned the battlefield to a standstill in an instant, was thumping its chest like a gorilla and roaring.
An overt threat.
While the Dark Elves weren’t the type to be afraid of such behavior, feeling tense was unavoidable.
It was indeed a major headache for them that an enemy with such a massive body had joined the battlefield.
“The rear guard will hold off that brute! The rest keep fighting…”
The Flowing Shadow leaped back, narrowly avoiding a swinging arm and grinding her teeth.
‘Is that really a golem? Its reactions are way too fast!’
Typically, golems were known for their sluggish movements due to their design structure. Yet the golem before her exhibited organic movements as if it were a living creature.
Even for her, who had lived many years, encountering such an opponent was a first, and she couldn’t afford to launch an aggressive offensive.
She was both a Dark Elf warrior and a commander.
A unit without a commander is no better than a rabble. Remembering this fact, she clenched her teeth and widened the distance from the World Tree Golem.
“Damn it…”
Her gaze shifted to where the Dark Elves and Elves were clashing. A simple battlefield check.
It was obvious to her that the situation had rapidly tilted with the golem’s arrival.
‘I have to deal with this somehow!’
Her gaze fell on the burning tree.
‘Right, it’s just a tree after all.’
No matter how powerful the World Tree was, its fundamental weakness to fire remained unchanged. Of course, it would require a powerful flame, but fortunately, her sword still bore the cursed flame.
‘No matter how much of a golem made from the World Tree, it should burn upon contact with fire.’
“Everyone! Ignite the fire!”
Dark Elf warriors’ swords began to blaze with a crimson flame once more. It was to take down the rampaging golem.
Dozens of Dark Elf warriors simultaneously toppled burning trees. They had burned enough to be ignited, so the tactic struck the Elves.
No matter how strong a warrior was, being crushed under a massive tree meant they had no chance of being unharmed, so the Elves could do nothing but hesitate.
That created an opening.
In that interval, the Dark Elves rushed towards the golem.
No matter how gigantic the golem was, it couldn’t block every attack. Some Dark Elves were caught in its hand, squashed, and lost their lives, but receiving wounds all over their bodies was unavoidable.
As the cursed flames began to spread across the golem’s body, smoke started to rise. It was evidence that the golem made of wood was beginning to ignite.
‘What? It’s burning way too easily!’
Despite its enormous size producing a moment of intimidation, the golem’s body igniting so easily left the Flowing Shadow puzzled.
Is this all there is to their secret weapon?
“Not surprising for those who grew up comfortably beneath the World Tree.”
“Who’s the one being surprising here?”
“What?”
“Who do you think created that golem?”
A twisted smile appeared on the Bear Drummer’s lips. Before the Flowing Shadow could even hurl an insult back, she looked up at the intense heat radiating above her head.
“What is that?!”
A massive hand swung down as if to swat a fly.
The Flowing Shadow hurriedly dove aside to dodge the golem’s strike.
“How is it moving so smoothly?!”
“Did you really think it wouldn’t be prepared when it knows it’s weak to fire?”
As the golem brushed itself off like a human after missing the Flowing Shadow, the cursed flames scattered in an instant.
The cursed fire, which was said would never extinguish until death, dissipated into dust, leaving the Flowing Shadow staring up at the golem with a dumbfounded expression.
“What the hell…”
‘This is the worst!’
The Flowing Shadow frantically scanned the battlefield at the screams echoing around her. The Elf elites had all fallen back, shooting arrows, while the golem was single-handedly shattering the Dark Elves’ frontlines.
Though they could easily dismantle the golem if they held it back…
‘If fire won’t work, then how can we eliminate this golem…’
Her gaze naturally fell on Maria’s face, nestled safely in the rear. The girl looked worriedly at the golem.
If she could just kill the one controlling that golem, she could at least stop its movement for now. The Flowing Shadow narrowed her eyes and surveyed the area.
‘Assassination… will require a sacrifice.’
Though she had insulted them as clumsy fools, she was aware from the battle so far that they were no easy opponents. For the assassination to succeed, she needed to draw attention.
And she also needed a warrior to execute the assassination.
‘Looks like it’s up to me.’
Her becoming commander meant she was the most outstanding warrior, after all.
To ensure success, a gamble was necessary.
A very risky gamble.
Evading the rampage of the golem, the Flowing Shadow spoke to the Dark Elf vanguard leader, the Ashen Wolf.
“Wolf. Draw their attention. I’ll target the one controlling the golem.”
“Captain, but…”
“There is no other way to win.”
Battles are a continuous gamble for one’s life. The Ashen Wolf tried to dissuade her with an expression of shock, but seeing her determined face, he sighed and grumbled.
“Why do I have to meet a commander like you…”
“If I die, you’ll be next in line.”
“Fine, just hurry up. We need to show those Elf bastards what we’re made of.”
The Flowing Shadow bent forward, channeling strength into her toes. If she struck the ground, she could dive at high speed. Drawing in a deep breath, she shouted.
“Everyone, charge! Get up close! That golem will have a hard time swinging wildly amidst the chaos!”
At her words, all Dark Elf warriors drew their swords and rushed toward the Elves. Their movements were markedly different from their previous rushes.
The Elf elites began to set their ranks as the Dark Elves surged past, ready to clash swords.
Despite the golem’s interference, they charged recklessly, and the number of warriors dwindled at a rapid pace.
“You’re foolish. If you challenge in this manner, you’ll end up the ones losing.”
“Sometimes, one must take losses.”
From the Flowing Shadow’s hand, crimson flames burst forth. As the Elf soldiers staggered from the sudden loss of vision, she leaped high, using the Bear Drummer’s shoulder as a springboard.
‘Is she aiming for Maria?!’
“Angry Wolf! Protect her!”
“Got it!”
The Angry Wolf dashed towards Maria in haste. However, to block the Wolf’s movement, a Dark Elf warrior rushed toward her.
“Get out of the way!”
“No can do.”
Instead of swinging her sword at the wolf, the Dark Elf warrior grabbed her, determined not to let her go. The wolf growled in frustration.
‘They’re persistent bastards!’
In the midst of this, the Flowing Shadow was nearly at Maria. Of course, Maria, sensing the killing intent of the approaching Dark Elf, naturally turned her gaze.
“If I just kill you…”
“… my grandson promised to show me great-grandchildren.”
“What?”
“So I have no intention of dying. Right, dear?”
Maria leaned sideways as if she already knew how the Flowing Shadow would attack.
The Flowing Shadow attempted to change the trajectory of her sword to strike at her neck again, but before she could do so, a bear doll shot up from the ground and struck her jaw first.
“Wh-what the hell…”
Blood flowed from her bewildered face.
The Flowing Shadow looked down at the bear doll, the blades that had pierced her body. She had become a shish kebab from the swords of the elite warriors that rushed in too late.
‘I’ve… lost…’
Her consciousness flickered out like a dying flame.
——————-
“Captain!”
With the leader’s death, the morale of the Dark Elves shattered completely.
Defeat was all but confirmed.
‘Given this situation…’
The Ashen Wolf shouted in a voice as if he were spitting blood.
“Noble warriors! Take at least one more with you! Let our existence be etched into their hearts!”
The battlefield tilted completely in favor of their enemies.
The Dark Elf warriors swung their swords fiercely until the very end, facing their demise.
“… What are the casualties?”
“Fourteen dead. Thirty-one critically injured. The rest are fine!”
‘A solid victory then.’
The Bear Drummer looked down at the corpses of the Dark Elves, sighing.
‘What if we lost the World Tree? Would we end up like this?’
He shuddered at the horrific thought.
‘I must report to the Queen. But before that…’
Though victorious in battle, there was no time to rest.
The Bear Drummer issued orders to subordinates, who were tending to the bodies of their fallen comrades.
“Hurry, we’re going to aid our allies!”