After completing the mission to eliminate Seong Bachio and Hyung Bin Hwan—or at least, after Ji Kai made it appear that way—he continued with Kim Nina in an effort to clear the dungeon and defeat its boss as quickly as possible.
According to the system, this place was called the Valley of the Golems—living stone creatures with high durability.
Their attack speed was considered moderate, though in some cases, a golem could move with decent swiftness. As for destructive power, it was naturally immense.
The real problem wasn't their attacks—Kai and Nina were already fast enough to dodge them as if they were random swings from a child.
The issue lay in the creatures' toughness and the difficulty of dealing with them.
According to reports archived by the guild, these creatures possessed a mana-infused core that allowed them to resurrect within two minutes and thirteen seconds.
In such a situation, the best option was to combine strength and speed. Fortunately for Ji Kai, the item he obtained from killing Ba–chio and Bin Hwan was a reinforcement-type artifact.
[Item: Reinforcer] [Class: C]
[Details: An item that increases either the user's toughness or flexibility, granting a 10% advantage over others.]
[Note: This item exists in other classes, each with different attributes.]
[Available Quantity: 1/5]
I remember this item well; I used to get it a lot, and it was really useful.
Indeed, the item in other classes bears the same name, but depending on its class, it has either better or worse features. The highest-ranked item doesn't necessarily have to be the best; each one depends on the circumstances.
Currently, I can use this item to strengthen my right arm, so I can destroy the golem with punches.
Although I'll lose the ability to use weapons optimally as a right-handed person, it's still better than using them on my feet, as a sudden change might cause me to feel heavy and difficult to move.
In a situation like this, speed is just as important as strength.
In a situation like this, speed mattered as much as strength. Ji Kai activated the item without Kim Nina noticing, and then they swiftly engaged the golems scattered throughout the area.
To save time, they bypassed any golem that wasn't worth fighting, delving deeper until they reached a zone densely populated with them.
Unlike goblins, golems didn't have a fortress to gather in. Instead, they had a sort of rally point where their leader resided—distinguished by a purple gem embedded in the center of his stone head.
He barely moved, simply sitting still.
The target was identified, the mission was clear, and twenty minutes remained before escape became impossible. That alone was enough to make Ji Kai act fast.
A direct assault—Ji Kai landed atop a golem's head and shattered it with a punch from his reinforced right arm.
Without hesitation, he forced his hand into a small opening, grabbed the core, and crushed it.
Nina remained silent the entire time, even as she dealt with slowly advancing golems.
She showed no reaction, as if her focus was elsewhere.
After prolonged combat, Ji Kai reached the boss golem. Its eyes opened, and the gem on its head glowed.
It moved faster than the others, causing Ji Kai some trouble.
« Kim Nina, try distracting this guy so I can strike directly, » he said clearly.
But Nina didn't respond or act, leaving Ji Kai puzzled. Still, he didn't dwell on it and continued fighting the boss.
Maybe she didn't hear me. Or maybe she's exhausted. In that case, I'll handle him a bit until Nina regains her strength.
Beyond that, something caught his attention during the fight…
In the fight against Seong Ba–chio, I realized something ...
I was stronger and faster than before. I had finished him off much quicker than I expected.
Maybe it was because I'm in level 19 now with power equivalent to level 62? I don't know ...
Things were getting complicated.
The boss golem kept attacking, each strike causing massive destruction and sending rocks flying. That was expected—golems were known for their strength, and this one was roughly 25% larger than the average.
Ji Kai tried at least to damage its hardened shell while waiting for Kim Nina to prepare.
« If you're ready, try distracting this golem so I can land a final blow and defeat it » Ji Kai shouted loudly this time to ensure Nina heard him.
But again, no response. Confused, he attacked the golem's eyes to buy time and check on her.
« Hey, what's wrong with you? I've been calling you! » Ji Kai approached and grabbed her shoulder, but she shoved his hand away violently.
« I heard you. No need to repeat yourself—I'm not deaf » Nina snapped, refusing to meet his eyes. Ji Kai realized she was in a bad mood. He had a hunch why, but wanted to confirm.
Huh? What wrong with her ?
« What's going on? Why are you acting like a middle schooler? We're in serious danger—we need to defeat this golem and get out fast » Ji Kai's tone was informal and slightly harsh, for good reason: only fifteen minutes remained before the demon's arrival.
« Don't you see how far you've overstepped?! » Nina suddenly shouted, her voice filled with rage and frustration, shocking Ji Kai.
« You exposed us at the start, then decided on your own to kill those two. Now you talk to me like you're superior, even though I'm older, more experienced in the guild, and outrank you »
« What gives you the right to command and decide, huh? » Her anger was clear—her face flushed, and her voice weakened with each outburst.
« You're still hung up on that? Are you serious? They were going to kill us. »
Ji Kai repied , and tried to explain, his tone tinged with irritation.
« Their deaths were necessary for us to survive and complete the mission!. »
« Oh, how noble of you~ bullshit! » Nina replied , scoffed angrily.
« I didn't ask you to do anything. I didn't ask for help. And what did you do? You sentenced them to death like you had the authority! You bastard! »
She began cursing, and Ji Kai lost his temper. He grabbed her right arm forcefully, forgetting it was already hardened.
« You fool! We don't have time for this crap! Their deaths were better than ours.»
« Their deaths mean no more crimes like the ones they committed against those buried because of them! »
His voice was sharp, haunted by memories of Jayon Jo—the traitor from his past.
He couldn't imagine showing mercy or offering redemption.
« Let go of my arm! Damn it! » Nina cried out in pain from his grip.
Ji Kai briefly lost control, but regained his composure—not because of the approaching golem, but something else…
[Warning]
[Unexpected variable detected!]
« Huh? » Nina saw Ji Kai's face change suddenly, as if his soul was about to leave his body.
She also noticed the shift in atmosphere—and the golem… stopped, seemingly afraid.
No ... no no no no no
we have to run! Now!
« Move! We have to run! You can Drop anything —just don't drop your life! » Ji Kai released her shoulder, grabbed her wrist, and began dragging her frantically.
Thay was in danger—real danger.
Ji Kai ran fast, so fast that Nina struggled to keep up, confused by his sudden panic and the change in atmosphere.
But eventually, she matched his pace and began running more steadily.
« What's happening? Why are we running? » Nina asked mid-sprint, before freezing in place. Ji Kai stopped when he noticed.
« Damn it… » Ji Kai halted, staring at the system message before him.
[Mission: Escape from death—Failed]
[An unexpected variable accelerated the countdown]
Oh ... No ...
He tilted his head upward, eyes wide as if they might burst from their sockets.
[Warning]
[ The Demon Has Arrived ]