Ch.5The Fleeing Mountain Keeper NPC (5)

[Mime Golem: Level 362]

[HP: 199,992]

[MP: 150]

Setting aside the fact that the status window is masochistic, the stats before me are bleak.

“…My God. 200,000? I should have paid more attention to HP bars in games. This is insane.”

A golem with a higher level than mine and MP to boot. Detailed status information isn’t showing, but that might be because it relates to my attack-proportional damage or something.

What’s certain is that number: 199,992. That must be what’s left after my attack hit it.

So it originally had 200,000. Which means my punch only did 8 damage. Or including the thrown rock, I couldn’t even do 10.

I address the status window directly.

“I get that you have some kind of will. Sorry for calling you a masochist earlier. Just keep showing the HP bar like that.”

The status window doesn’t answer, but it continues displaying the creature’s HP in front of me. I pick up the rock I threw earlier, back away to create some distance.

And throw it again.

[HP: 199,992]

“We’re truly screwed, damn it.”

So my punch only did 8 damage. Which means…

“Oh God. Am I supposed to trade punches with this thing 25,000 more times?”

Since my HP is higher, it’s not impossible.

But considering how I just collapsed clutching my stomach after taking one full swing from it, I might not be able to maintain my sanity by the time I land 25,000 punches, even if I still have HP left.

Unfortunately, unlike the status window, I’m not a masochist. That one hit was honestly enough to break my fighting spirit, and if I take any more, I don’t think I’ll be able to pull myself together. What should I do?

“Think, think… Intelligence 3, please work for once…”

Let me recall my past life memories. Please, brain, work for me.

I’m in full brain-power mode, but I can’t think of anything better than throwing rocks from a distance…

“Ah!!”

I look behind the golem. This space resembles a temple. And in this place is a flying mount.

A plot point first revealed in EP.4. The celestial horse, a mount from the heavenly realm, sleeps here. More precisely, it’s sealed behind that altar.

I clearly remember that when clearing this area, the altar wall crumbles, and the celestial horse emerges to carry the user up into the sky.

Which means…

“I just need to break down that wall!”

I don’t need to defeat the golem. And I already have the tool to break it.

“Hehe. Finally, my brain is working.”

I look at the mannequin-like golem in front of me and back away. The creature moves exactly as I do, also backing up. When I reach the wall and continue walking while leaning against it, it does the same. Yes, just keep walking like that… When I see it climb onto the altar, I turn around.

“I don’t even need to hit the wall myself. If I angle this right, it will hit the wall for me.”

With my back turned, I place my hands on the wall and calculate various angles. Fortunately, I notice that its arms are slightly longer than mine.

My hands are no longer touching the wall, but I can see its arms are still against it.

“Good. Now if I punch from here!”

-BOOM!!

“Nice!!”

My fist doesn’t reach the wall, but its fist connects perfectly, creating a crater the size of a fist.

[Mime Golem: Level 362]

[HP: 199,992]

[MP: 150]

Even after delivering such a powerful blow to the wall, its HP hasn’t decreased at all. This is the perfect excavator.

“Let’s get to work, golem!!”

After that, the sound of pounding echoes throughout the temple as I continue shadow boxing in the air.

Good, good. If I can break down this wall, I might be able to get the celestial horse!!

After happily pounding the wall for quite some time, I can see it starting to crumble.

Yes, just a little more! Golem, let’s create a world where no one gets hurt and everyone becomes happy!!

The golem’s HP did decrease by 8 and its fist is getting a bit damaged, but since its HP isn’t decreasing further, we’re safe.

Having perfectly rationalized my actions, I continued using the golem to pound the wall.

And then.

-RUMBLE!!! CRASH!!

“Huh?”

The golem was hit by falling stones from the collapsed ceiling and flew to the center of the temple.

[Mime Golem: Level 362]

[HP: 199,320]

[MP: 150]

“What? Why did the ceiling…?”

I noticed the golem’s HP had decreased, but honestly, I don’t care.

It was an enemy I needed to defeat anyway. But I was definitely hitting the wall, so why did the ceiling collapse first? Was this place poorly constructed?

I immediately approached the wall near the collapsed ceiling. And the golem, now back on its feet… miraculously follows me, moving in the same direction.

When I reach the area near the collapsed ceiling.

“…Oh, shit.”

Collapsed ceiling. Collapsed wall. And… no sign of the celestial horse that should have emerged, but instead, for some reason, there’s a pool of blood.

“…Do golems even bleed?”

I look at the golem standing behind me in the same pose, and it also turns to look behind itself.

You, yes you, you bastard.

While I was denying reality.

[Celestial Horse (Dead) Level 110]

“…Status window, this isn’t what I wanted.”

Under the massive ceiling debris. A pool of blood. The status window mockingly indicates that this was the celestial horse.

Ah. I’m truly screwed.

*

“…I can’t forgive this. Golem, I’m going to kill you somehow!”

[Celestial Horse (Dead) Level 110]

I shout at the golem facing the same direction as me, but of course, it only mimics my actions, showing me its back.

And on that back, the status window is prominently displayed.

This bastard seemed masochistic, but does it have sadistic tendencies too?

Fine. Let’s admit it. This was a terrible “accident.”

The free mount obtainable in EP.4, the celestial horse, suffered the ridiculous accident of being crushed by the ceiling. How could this happen? My head really hurts.

Naturally, I grab my brow, and the mime golem makes the same gesture, grabbing its non-existent brow.

“Sigh. I’m really screwed. Should I just leave?”

Finally, I start walking. There’s no way to revive the celestial horse that died in the “accident,” and there’s no reason to fight stupidly with that golem anymore. So I might as well just leave.

With that thought, I approach the wall that was the door and place my hand on it, and the door naturally rolls open. I relight the torch I left outside and exit.

“…No. How far is this thing going to follow me?”

In a game, the golem would have respawned in its original position the moment I gave up and went through the door. But since this is reality, it seems to have bugged out, as it continues walking in the same direction as me.

Honestly, it’s a bit scary. Can’t you just go away now?

“I’ll have to get it caught on a nearby rock and leave it behind.”

No celestial horse and a stalking golem following me. Honestly, the situation is too disgu—

-RUMBLE.

“What’s that?”

[DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER. DANGER.]

“What?”

Suddenly, the status window frantically writes “danger” in front of me.

Is this thing really alive? More importantly, what’s this vibration…?

Ah. Wait, could it be.

“The ceiling just now… the scene where you fly up after clearing the celestial horse quest. And since the golem left the boss room. Don’t tell me the dungeon is being cleared…?”

As if confirming my words, the status window continues to display “danger” frantically. And in response, the cave begins to shake even more violently.

This is bad. Originally, I should be flying out riding the celestial horse!!!

“Ah!! Why is this happening?!!”

Unable to blame anyone, I ran like mad.

*

Do you know John McClane, New York’s indomitable police officer?

He’s an incredible human who always survives without dying, even in the most difficult situations.

In my memory, I only acknowledge the sequels up to Die Hard 3, but anyway, he doesn’t die in any situation where he should.

When I heard in Die Hard 4 about his wife handing him divorce papers after he risked his life to save her in parts 1 and 2, I really thought that living like that would make you want to die.

What nonsense am I talking about?

“Seriously!!!”

The cave, which started collapsing from the direction of the temple, is crumbling at a tremendous speed, threatening to kill me at any moment.

What’s even more annoying is that the golem running beside me is keeping pace with me but doesn’t seem tired at all.

Why doesn’t this thing bump into anything?!!

“Aaahhh!!!”

I threw away the torch long ago. Trusting only my eyes that have adjusted to the darkness, I run with all my might, and in the distance, I can see the light from the hole I entered through.

That’s it. If I can just get out through there!!!

-RUMBLE!!!

“Stop this bullshit!!!”

The entrance area is collapsing with soil and debris, even though the back should be collapsing first.

An entrance barely big enough for one person. It might actually be easier to climb up now, but the entrance has become smaller, and if I run there together with the golem, we might get stuck, or worse, I might bounce off its hard body and get buried while it escapes.

This really seems bad?!!

“Damn it!! Am I going to die in a place like this?!!!”

Trying to outrun the golem, I increase my speed with all my might, but this cursed golem also increases its speed exactly like me.

I’m screwed, really screwed…!!!

Finally, as I step on the loose soil and start climbing up, the space in front collapses further, narrowing. My legs sink into the mud falling from above.

I can’t die in a place like this!!!

I look at the golem floundering beside me, but it’s at about the same height as me. No, I’m a bit lower.

Because more mud has come down on my side, I’ve been pushed back further. At this rate, I’ll become a stepping stone for that thing and get buried. Am I really going to die like this?

If only that bastard had been behind me, I could have at least stepped on it to climb up!!!

Ira’s face, who will be left alone, flashes before my eyes, as does the image of my once-respected father.

Damn. Is this the flashback before death? Am I really going to die like this?

As the sound of collapse approaches from behind and the entrance shrinks, reducing the light, I really think I’m going to die here…

-THUD!!

“Agh!! D-damn it!!”

Finally, a falling rock hits my shoulder, and momentarily stunned, I slide further back behind the golem.

And because I hesitated, the golem also stops in place.

Ha. Who would have thought I’d be buried alongside a golem? This isn’t even a proper burial.

Finally, I close my eyes as I watch the light of the entrance closing before me…

-CRACK!!!

“Huh?”

Suddenly, something grabs my arm and throws me high into the air.

And what I felt in that moment was.

My back hurts like hell.