That unsettling buzzing noise rang out again as it charged, making Clayton flinch in discomfort.
Even so, he quickly regained his composure and retrieved a vial of molten magma from his dinsional storage.
Splat!
The golem’s hand struck the magma directly, glowing red as it began to lt.
Seeing this, Clayton smiled in satisfaction—his efforts weren’t in vain after all.
Though the golem lacked any true consciousness, it continued its attacks with the sa predictable tactics. But now, Clayton held a powerful advantage and could repel it with relative ease.
The battle dragged on, but unlike before, Clayton clearly had the upper hand. With each passing mont, his confidence grew.
Still, the strange noises emanating from the golem remained unnerving. Fortunately, the discomfort didn’t last long. With the help of the magma, Clayton finally reduced the golem to a mangled heap of tal.
Not taking any chances, he rushed over. He wasn’t about to repeat the mistake of assuming it was dead when it wasn’t.
He used every thod he could think of to confirm its destruction. Only after he was absolutely certain the golem was truly gone did he let out a long, weary sigh of relief.
"It’s finally over..." he muttered, collapsing to the ground for a much-needed rest.
While lying there, he glanced around. The place was a complete wreck. Dingo and Gemma were injured too, though thankfully not seriously. They quickly made their way toward him.
Once the area was confird safe, Clayton began to reflect on the battle. This trial had co dangerously close to ending his life. Without the pine resin or the stored magma, things might’ve gone very differently.
All he could do now was be thankful.
A short while later, what he’d been waiting for finally happened.
Buzz!
The sa buzzing returned, sending another wave of discomfort through his body. But this ti, a stream of vital information poured directly into his mind.
Just as he was about to examine his "rewards" from the trial, his body began to flicker.
Clayton realized his ti in that realm was almost up. Without wasting a second, he quickly stored the silver golem’s remains.
The mont he finished, he was teleported away.
...
In a lush, unfamiliar forest, Clayton and his two familiars appeared out of thin air. Seeing the outside world again filled him with relief and joy.
He scanned the area and sent Dingo to scout. Once he confird it was relatively safe, he allowed himself to rest.
Monts later, Clayton began processing the mories he’d received from the third trial. This ti, the reward was an advanced training technique called Light and Dark Harmony—a thod designed to balance, strengthen, and refine both soul and body.
Realizing how valuable this was, Clayton lit up with excitent and began studying it in detail.
While sifting through the information, he stumbled upon an intriguing spell. Curious, he gave it a try.
Instantly, that sickening buzzing sound returned.
Hum!
Clayton felt nauseous, dizzy, trembling, and in pain.
"Damn it! That disgusting spell again!" he growled.
It turned out the buzzing ca from a passive skill called Vibration Harmony Chant—once used by the silver golem. The spell disrupted the synchronization between body and soul, causing extre discomfort.
Its frequency was adjustable. Earlier, Clayton had unknowingly set it to one that clashed with his body’s natural rhythm, triggering a negative reaction.
But despite the awful sensation, the spell had a different, powerful purpose. When used correctly, it could harmonize body and soul frequencies.
If successful, it would allow the user to enter a state of soul-body union, enabling more efficient mana control, faster spellcasting, and heightened performance across multiple disciplines.
Not only mages—but alchemists, scroll-makers, and even knights required that level of synchronization to improve reaction ti and precision.
Clayton was thrilled by the discovery. On top of that, he now possessed rare tal scraps from the golem, perfect for crafting specialized tools or weapons.
As he basked in his growing optimism, a rustling sound echoed from the distance.
Clayton frowned and turned toward the source. Staying alert, he reached into his coat and scattered a few fine grains of dust onto the ground.
Monts later, a group of people appeared—clearly powerful, clad in fine robes and expensive armor. Instantly, Clayton grew wary.
The group approached and stopped nearby. Before he could say anything, one of them sneered and asked condescendingly:
"Hey. Have you seen anyone suspicious pass through here?"
Clayton froze. He felt an odd sense of déjà vu—this had happened once before, right after a trial.
When he didn’t respond imdiately, the man snapped:
"Hey! Are you deaf or what?!"
Clayton quickly apologized.
"Sorry, sorry... I was just thinking. But no, I haven’t seen anyone else around here."
The arrogant man didn’t look satisfied but chose not to waste more ti. With a cold glance, he turned and walked off.
Clayton scoffed quietly.
"Hmph. Who do you think you are? Just a bunch of three-star mage apprentices with rich family nas. Without that, you’d be nothing."
He brushed them off and resud his rest. anwhile, the group—clearly suspicious—circled back and discreetly examined the area he’d been in earlier.
After finding nothing alarming, they eventually left. But not before silently vowing to eliminate Clayton one day if the opportunity arose.
Clayton had no idea he was being watched—or that he’d just beco a target for no real reason.
As he tried to rest again, another rustling noise ca from a different direction.
Clayton groaned.
"Ugh... not again!"
He snapped to alertness. Monts later, a mysterious figure erged from the trees.
At first, Clayton remained calm. But when he got a clear look at the person, his eyes widened in shock.
"No way... it’s him?!" he scread inwardly.
His fear wasn’t unfounded. Standing before him was the sa man who had twice escaped the Sword Trial—and the siege of a major noble alliance.
The tsunami and magma flood that had appeared earlier? Clayton was now convinced this man was responsible for both.
He scanned the figure from head to toe, confirming his identity.
Though now bruised, battered, and far from elegant, Clayton was sure it was him.
For a brief mont, he wondered if the man’s injuries had co from the group that had questioned him earlier. But he quickly pushed the thought aside and made a decision:
Run.
Don’t be mistaken—just because the man looked weak didn’t an he was weak. Clayton knew better. Confronting him would only lead to a horrible death.
Without hesitation, Clayton bolted.
But the mysterious figure didn’t let him go. Despite his condition, he began staggering after Clayton, eyes locked onto his target.
Clayton was nearly in tears.
Imagine being chased by the man who fooled an entire noble alliance in Sunlight City!
It was absolutely terrifying.
And so, he kept running—praying that, sohow, that man would spare his life.
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