—

The Golem, or rather the Guardian of the Northern Sands Facina summoned, stood nearly as tall as the large corridor, towering over Ezra and the others.

Its eyes flashed with an alarming white light as a massive long sword with a missing center appeared in its grasp. The weapon design seemed more like two incompletely merged longswords attached by ever-flowing threads of sand.

Because of this action, Ezra was compelled to learn Facina's name.

「 Lv.43 Facina, Ancient Sand Contractor (Titled Rare NPC)

Class: Sand Summoner

Health: 1,800,000/1,800,000 (100%)

Affiliations: Desertborn Brigands 」

Facina's stats didn't depict the level warranted of a Titled Rare NPC.

But that was to be expected.historical

After all, Facina wasn't a physical class that specialized in Health or Defense. She was a rare summoning class contracted to a sole familiar—the Guardian of the Northern Sands.

This was a power Facina had come across after stumbling into an ancient sand ruin years ago.

While inside the ruin, on her journey back to the hideout, she stumbled across a strange magic circle. After undergoing the magic circles' rite, Facina soon gained her current title and power.

The magic circle also revealed the place to be the ruins of an ancient desert civilization once inhabited by ancient desert [people before these deserts declined from their oasis-like conditions.

"Ezra, that golem looks quite difficult. Nothing like what is found inside the Adventurers' Guild's Training Center," Bastion whispered. He subconsciously gripped his shield tighter while clenching his jaw.

"I'm with you on that one. It seems abnormally strong, even if its summoner is feeble. This problem is can we get past this golem without fail?" Ezra questioned. Both Luna and Altair, the agility-based damage dealers, were in a separate party.

And although the golem was immense, Ezra learned that sometimes size didn't equate to slowness. She had gone against some large enemies that were extremely fast.

"I command thee, Protector of the Northern Sands, Vessel of the Ancient Pylon, annihilate these trespassers," Facina ordered.

At the same time, her left index finger shone with a mixture of beige and white light that intertwined into an elaborate magic circle.

Once the circle appeared, the Guardian of the Northern Sands bellowed and sped toward Ezra and the others.

"Bastion!" Ezra called out.

"I'm on it!" Bastion shifted before Ezra and charged toward the colossal Guardian of the Northern Sands with his shield raised above his head.

BOOM!

A frightening quake occurred once the golem's sword met Bastion's shield. Despite activating two defensive skills, his arms went numb from the mind-boggling impact.

'Holy shit!' Bastion cried out internally.

"Camila," Ezra looked at Camila with a flash of concern and authority in her gaze.

"Understood, Evie," Camila nodded.

She lifted her small cross and closed her eyes while chanting into it. A burst of rejuvenating vitality billowed from her body and flowed toward Bastion, who rapidly regained feeling in his arms.

"That's some damned good healing!" Bastion exclaimed. "Come here, you oversized hunk of stone!"

"Guardian's Sigil!"

A gigantic, archaic-feeling presence appeared behind Bastion, funneling a type of fortifying energy into this shield. The unknown energy source held similarities to Mana but also stark differences. It was known as a rudimentary Manifestation of Will.

With a penchant for protection, Guardian Knights were one of the classes that could awaken an incorporeal power such as Will.

Although Bastion didn't have access to it just yet, most of his skills displayed a lessened version of Will Manifestation.

The large image empowered Bastion and formed a deep blue shield meters high in the sky.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Guardian of the Northern Sands unleashed a relentless barrage, intending to smite Bastion. But, how could Ezra let her tanker fall?

She knew all too well how vital their defensive diversion was to damage dealers.

Tanks are what provided the windows to deal damage!

At the same time, Alice glanced at her inventory, particularly the staff inside. 'Aatrox gave this to me back in the Underground Labyrinth, but I can finally use it after increasing my Intelligence high enough.'

Alice's hand disappeared inside her inventory, but once it reappeared, it held an exquisitely made Unique Staff. The exterior was adorned by a crescent flame-shaped crystalline gem that gave off a rippling sensation.

A burst of strength flowed through Alice as she stared at the weapon in awe. 'It boosts flame and ice properties? But.. I don't have any Ice Affinity.'

As her current Mana Affinity passive stood, all her affinities were listed and individualized to give her a clear understanding. She excelled in Fire, but the rest were somewhat lacking.

Furthermore, an Ice Affinity was nowhere to be found.

Regardless, Alice made her assumptions. 'Could Ice be an Advanced Affinity of Water? I've heard a few things about Advanced Affinities but not enough to say I'm familiar. I should research this after we return.'

Alice lifted her new staff and chanted the succinct spell for Fireball.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Sszt!

Countless Fireballs bombarded the Guardian of Northern Sand, reducing its momentum ever so slightly. Lux similarly unleashed precise arrows aimed at areas believed to be the golem's weakness.

Ezra, on the other hand, contemplated the lessons she received from Kieran.

'Strength, Agility, and Control are the focus of my class. The union of these three will lead to an unimaginable advantage. I believe so as well.'

Once she felt confident enough, Ezra sped past Bastion and the golem. Inspiration struck Ezra as images of Altair and Kieran's battles replayed in her mind. 'Technique Linking might be out of the question, but I can still perfect my basic movements.

In the next second, Ezra spun and executed a type of sword wheel movement that traveled up the golem's arm. Once suspended in the air, Ezra's two swords blazed with Condensed Sword Force while she unleashed an actual Sword Wheel.

Argggh!

The Guardian of the Northern Sand's growl shook the corridor as Erza's Sword Wheel burrowed into its sand armor.

Eventually, it raised its arm and smashed the Sword Wheel, shattering it apart. But, a Sword Wave - Dispersion appeared in its shattered midst.

Bang!

The golem was thrown back into the wall while Facina's expression darkened. She coughed up blood a few seconds later, leading the others to understand the gist of her power and weakness.

"Facina is linked to the golem! Damage dealt to the golem is felt by Facina, but it is somewhat mitigated. No wonder her Health is so low," Alice voiced.

"Still, it seems she only suffers 20% of the damage inflicted upon the golem, which already possesses a frightening amount of Damage Reduction," Ezra added.

"That's true. If only we had some way to reduce its defense. It wouldn't be so difficult," Bastion groaned. He suffered the brunt of the golem's onslaught even after dodging and redirecting some attacks.

"Actually.. I might have just the thing. Are you guys willing to test my theory?" Alice asked.

If it were before she equipped her staff, she wouldn't be so confident. But, the staff in her possess increased the effectiveness of her flame spells.

"What are you thinking? I'm open to all suggestions," Ezra nodded.

At the same time, she continued to unleash her skills using sparse amounts of Condensed Sword Force to assist Bastion and ease some of his burdens.

"My strongest flame spell, you recall what it did inside the desert, right? I believe we need to focus the effect on the golem."

"Wouldn't that require a shocking amount of Mana Control?" Camila remarked. She was somewhat surprised that the quiet girl posed such a risky plan. While casting Inferno Sphere, Alice was essentially defenseless.

"Hopefully not. I hope it's manageable, but given that the remaining brigands are holding the others off, it's our only viable option."

Alice's expression was both grim but resolute.

Only their high-cooldown, high-rank skills dealt considerable damage to the golem. The rest were almost inconsequential and barely helped alleviate the struggle Bastion experienced.

However, although the Guardian of the Northern Sands was a formidable opponent, Bastion surprisingly didn't give in.

After recalling Kieran's comment, an adamant and unrelenting spirit stirred up inside him.

'Aatrox intends to mold me into his Chief Tanker. Even though I hold nothing but a Normal Class while everyone else experiences fortuitous encounters, he doesn't doubt me and continues to have faith in me. How can I ignore that faith? No, even if it's with a Normal Class, I will become better..'

"I will become stronger!" Bastion muttered resolutely.

Bang!

"The plan will work! Because I will buy as much time as you need!" Bastion declared. His tone didn't carry a hint of doubt as he slammed his shield into the ground and turned midair.

Bang!

Bastion unleashed Shield Tremor from an awkward position, but it sent the golem stumbling backward. Before it could recover its footing, Bastion activated another exclusive skill—Unimpeded Rush!

Bastion slammed into the Guardian of the Northern Sands and activated another skill against its body that threatened to topple over.

"Shield Retribution!"

Bastion's shield pulsated with a vibrant energy that blasted against the downed golem. He looked back simultaneously and roared. "Begin!"

Alice was shocked by Bastion's decisiveness and shuddered for a moment. Once she regained her wits, Alice began the moderately long chant for Inferno Sphere.

"Rise, Guardian of the Northern Sand. Protect your fortress," Facina declared. Her eyes shone with a white light identical to the golem, and her voice changed, sounding somewhat ancient.

Whoosh!

Despite this change, Bastion had resolved himself to buy enough time.

Bastion's eyes blazed with the fires of passion as he smashed his short sword against his shield. "Come at me!"