Ch.59Deep Dive (3)

Vulcan’s Final Weapon, Titan.

From the name alone, one might easily imagine a massive golem exceeding 50 meters, but in reality, it wasn’t quite that large.

Its actual size was approximately 5 to 6 meters tall, which might seem rather small to be called a “Titan.”

There were various reasons for its modest size, but the most significant factor was the material issue.

“What material was it made from that caused this?”

“Obviously, it’s made from orichalcum that he created himself. But producing even small amounts isn’t easy. Both the materials needed to create orichalcum and the time required are major obstacles.”

It’s not like he couldn’t have made something other than Titans, so making them as large as desired would have been difficult.

Of course, smaller size doesn’t necessarily mean weaker, so rather than being a downgrade, it could be considered an improvement tailored to the situation.

“Here… this way would be better. That path is quicker, but considering the ancient demonic beasts’ migration routes, this way should be safer.”

While explaining about the Titan we would soon face, I led the group through the maze-like mine, reconfiguring our route on the spot.

I could only predict the demonic beasts’ paths, but with my experience and a bit of luck, we were able to advance without major danger.

After proceeding for some time, Kitsune looked at me with a questioning expression.

“But… there don’t seem to be many monsters in the deep level. Even the lower level wasn’t this sparse.”

“Ah, in the deep level, the boundary between predators and prey is quite clear. Most creatures besides the ancient demonic beasts have virtually no combat ability.”

Even with evolution adapting to the environment, that doesn’t guarantee specialization in combat.

Especially with established predators, many creatures evolved in different directions rather than confrontation. Hiding, for instance.

But that didn’t make the lower level any easier. Even without threatening monsters, the environment remained harsh.

“And… honestly, if there were many monsters in the deep level too, it would have been difficult. Just walking feels like it’s draining my stamina rapidly.”

“I agree with that… For me, maintaining the barrier for extended periods consumes significant spiritual energy…”

“Keung…!”

“It’s definitely hotter here than even that lava zone, being so much deeper.”

Walking alone was torture for Kitsune and me, and Lilly too seemed to be suffering from the heat, visibly sweating since earlier.

Because of this condition, we had to stop frequently for rest despite not engaging in combat.

We focused on managing our stamina, knowing that forcing a march and then encountering an ancient demonic beast while exhausted would be dangerous.

“We’re almost there…”

How far had we traveled?

After approximately three days since entering the deep level, we reached one edge of the deep level.

Considering we sometimes had to retreat based on demonic beast positions, this was relatively quick progress.

Upon hearing we had arrived, Lilly tilted her head curiously, touching the wall and tapping it with the back of her hand to check if something was there.

“It looks like an ordinary wall to me.”

“Well, it’s a space created by a god. It’s nearly impossible to distinguish just by looking at it.”

I walked past the wall Lilly was examining and stood in front of the entrance to Vulcan’s forge.

From the outside, it appeared to be an ordinary wall no different from the one Lilly had just been touching.

Yes, it was a completely ordinary wall. Until I channeled a specific pattern of magical energy into it.

Chwaraarak-

As I channeled the magic, a very subtle vibration transmitted through my fingertips touching the wall.

It felt like something inside had started to operate.

Kugugung.

While feeling this sensation, I continued moving my magic according to the pattern for several minutes. What had appeared to be an ordinary wall descended into the ground with a massive vibration.

During this process, dust that had accumulated from years of disuse swirled up and obscured my view, but it was quickly cleared by Lilly’s magic.

Once the dust cleared, what appeared before us was a well-polished passage extending from floor to ceiling.

“How did you even find this… How exactly did you discover it? Was there some kind of puzzle like with my contract?”

“No, I only heard rumors that something existed in the deep level… but there were no further clues.”

“Then how did you find it?”

It was a secret space impossible to find just by looking at it from the outside.

Since Lilly couldn’t detect anything, even bringing another archmage wouldn’t have helped them sense anything.

So Lilly gave me a curious look, wondering how I had found this place.

With other knowledge, she usually just accepted that I somehow knew things, but this time she seemed to want to know my method.

However… my method of finding this place was so eccentric that I was reluctant to explain.

‘Honestly… I was going through a rather extreme phase when I was stuck…’

Despite my reluctance to speak, Lilly’s gaze didn’t waver, and I finally revealed the truth.

“…I checked.”

“Huh?”

“I broke every part of the wall from the center to the edges to directly check if there was anything…”

Why was my face turning red over something like this? I tried to cool my flushed face, which was burning for reasons other than the deep level’s heat, as I moved forward.

“Let’s hurry in before the door closes…”

“Right…”

* * *

Thud. Thud.

As we passed through the door and entered, I could feel the hot air beginning to cool.

Despite the absence of air conditioning devices, the fierce heat subsided somewhat, and I could feel my stamina consumption decreasing.

‘Seeing how the heat is concentrating in one place, the forge seems to be working properly.’

When I obtained orichalcum previously, like with the presence of the lesser dragon, the forge’s operational status directly affected the quality of items we could obtain.

Still, from what I could confirm now, it seemed to be functioning without major issues, which was a relief.

‘Actually, cases where it doesn’t work are rarer.’

Perhaps because it was a facility created by a god, instances where it didn’t function were few enough to count on one hand across numerous playthroughs.

Lilly seemed to notice these facts as well.

“Where is all this heat gathering right now?”

“The heat goes to a specially designed heat storage facility and is used where needed. It’s probably used for hammering too, but since that’s not happening now, it’s likely being used to raise the temperature in the item storage warehouse.”

“Item storage warehouse… what are they storing there?”

“Nectar, of course.”

Though it’s now recognized as an alcoholic drink, nectar’s original purpose was fuel for lighting fires.

And that nectar contained intense fire energy within it, requiring storage in a hot place.

‘Honestly… I still don’t understand why anyone would think to drink something meant as fire fuel.’

After all, even the discovery of saccharin, which has a sweet taste in reality, was an accident from not washing hands. So I decided not to overthink it too much.

Still, the idea of drinking fuel remains incomprehensible!

As we continued talking and moving forward, we could see a massive golem standing in the distance.

It was clearly a golem wearing armor made of pure white orichalcum that shimmered with rainbow hues. The golem’s size was approximately between 5 and 6 meters.

From a distance, its appearance was remarkably similar to an armored human, and if not for the size difference, it could easily be mistaken for one.

“Is that it…?”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s what I mentioned as the final boss of this mine. Vulcan’s Titan.”

Not long after the Titan came into view, it slowly began to move from its stationary position.

Wooong-

The power source within the Titan also began to make noise as it started to release its energy.

“By the way, Frey, there’s something I’ve been wondering about while listening to your explanation.”

“What is it?”

Thud. Thud.

With its core fully activated, the Titan began approaching us one step at a time.

With each step, the internal vibrations resonated, giving a tangible sense of the Titan’s weight and the power of its energy source moving that mass.

“This Titan was made directly by Vulcan, the god of blacksmiths, right?”

“That’s right. Made directly by Vulcan himself, in perfect condition.”

Kuwoong-

The Titan, now directly in front of us, was looking at us who had entered this forge freely.

“Then… are we actually able to defeat it in battle?”

It examined each of us one by one, checking if we existed in its database, and upon confirming we did not, it spoke to us.

[I ask you. Are you intruders?]

“Of course not. How could we possibly defeat that thing?”