Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

Chapter 206 Heading To Lost Grove (2)

As they ventured deeper, clusters of bioluminescent mushrooms glowed softly in the shadows, casting an ethereal radiance over their surroundings. This natural luminescence allowed Ara to finally relax, no longer needing to maintain the floating orb of fire she had been using as a light source.

Despite the eerie tranquility, something gnawed at Vincent's mind. Expanding his mental perception to its maximum range, he attempted to scan the area—but to his surprise, he couldn't sense a single primal nearby.

Anur, despite his crystalline physique, carried the air of an inquisitive child. His curiosity often betrayed his otherwise imposing presence.

"Why haven't we encountered any primals yet?" he muttered, though his voice was loud enough for the others to hear.

This time, instead of Dio, it was Diriko—the drakorii man walking ahead of Anur—who responded.

"Do you see those symbols carved into the walls?" Diriko's hoarse yet composed voice carried through the passage.

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Vincent had already noticed the strange glyphs earlier. They pulsed with a faint, otherworldly glow, hinting at a hidden power.

Diriko continued, his tone steady but slightly reverent. "Those are known as primal wards. They are ancient hand-carved sigils, left behind by a civilization that once lived in harmony with—yet also feared—the primal monsters. These symbols don't just emit energy; they mimic the very essence of primals, creating a feedback loop that confuses, disorients, or outright repels them."

"I see—"

Before Anur could finish his thought, his gaze landed on a massive stone figure looming ahead. It resembled a golem from fantasy lore, its towering form blending seamlessly with the surrounding chasm walls.

Anur pointed in confusion. "Isn't that a primal? And also…"

His eyes flickered toward the plump, sleeping rabbit nestled on Vincent's shoulder. Though curiosity burned within him, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself.

The others had also noticed Mochi, but their immediate focus remained on the golem before them.

At that moment, the golem's attention wasn't on them. It stood motionless, its massive back turned toward their group.

Diriko's brow furrowed beneath his mask. His lips twitched slightly. He had just explained how primal wards prevented such encounters—yet here they were, facing a primal right in the heart of the Desert Grove Chasm.

Though unlikely, it wasn't impossible. Still, encountering a primal within this supposedly warded zone was a rare phenomenon.

Dio came to a halt, prompting the others to instinctively stop as well.

A sense of unease settled over them. No one recognized the primal before them.

"Dio, what's the plan?" Urek, the black-haired man with dreadlocks hidden beneath his panther mask, asked in a hushed voice.

Though the golem exuded no immediate hostility, Urek found the situation unnerving. Caution, he believed, was the best course of action.

Suddenly—

The golem turned.

Its ruby eyes flared to life, emitting an ominous, pulsating glow as it scanned the group. And then, its gaze locked onto Vincent.

No. Not Vincent.

It was staring directly at Mochi.

Vincent tensed as he noticed this shift, and at that very moment, Mochi stirred. Lifting her head groggily, she blinked at the massive stone entity that had its sights set firmly on her.

Vincent's voice echoed in Mochi's mind. "What did you eat today? Why are you attracting so much attention?"

First, it had been Ara. Now, this unknown golem.

Mochi tilted her head in utter confusion. "What did I do?"

All she had done was sleep. She hadn't even looked at anyone. How could she possibly be the source of this sudden hostility?

A mechanical, echoing voice rang through the cavernous space.

"INTRUDER DETECTED! INTRUDER DETECTED! ELIMINATE THE INTRUDER! ELIMINATING—"

A blinding laser beam shot forth from the golem's eyes, streaking directly toward Mochi.

"Look out!" Dio's warning came, but the attack was too fast—even for someone of his speed.

Anur and the others, standing beside Vincent, reacted instinctively, their eyes widening in shock. They cursed under their breath as they leaped aside in a desperate bid to avoid the impending blast.

Vincent's own reflexes kicked in, but even he felt a fraction too slow.

Mochi, realizing the imminent danger, shrieked in his mind. "DODGE IT! DODGE IT!"

But it was too late.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion rocked the area. A thick cloud of dust and debris erupted into the air, obscuring everyone's vision.

Dio, despite the sudden chaos, reacted swiftly. His voice rang with authority as he issued rapid commands.

"Diriko, grab its attention! Crizelia, support with Ara—cover Diriko! Urek, Zarrok, Korvath—follow me! Anur, Bern—check on Shroud's condition!"

Anur and Bern responded immediately. "Understood!"

Nearby, Zarrok scoffed, his earlier resentment toward Vincent surfacing. "Hmph. That guy's probably dead already."

Korvath, sensing Dio's displeasure, tried to interject, but the damage was done. Dio's expression darkened momentarily before he returned to the task at hand.

"It doesn't matter. Just go check on him. Let's move, Urek!"

At Dio's command, Diriko wasted no time. He lunged forward, releasing a thunderous roar that sent his mask flying, revealing his drakorii visage.

Yet, despite his aggressive display, the golem remained unmoved—its crimson gaze still fixated on the spot where Vincent and Mochi had stood.

Dio and the others exchanged sharp glances. Something wasn't right.

With a swift hand signal, Dio ordered Urek to act. The panther-masked warrior surged forward, summoning a massive black-and-gold war hammer from thin air. With a fierce cry, he swung the weapon directly at the golem's left leg.

BANG!

The impact echoed throughout the cavern.

But to everyone's shock—

The hammer rebounded harmlessly.

"What the hell?!" Urek's disbelief was palpable. "It's like hitting solid bedrock!"

Zarrok and Korvath wasted no time, charging in tandem. Twin silver greatswords slashed through the air, their edges shimmering with condensed energy.

CLANG! CLANG!

Yet—their blades barely left a scratch.

A second later, a fire-forged lance and a crystalline spear hurtled through the air, striking the golem's face dead-on.

BOOM! BOOM!

Crizelia and Ara had launched their attacks simultaneously—but just like before, their efforts proved fruitless.

At that moment, Dio seized his opportunity.

Darting behind the golem, his arms surged with azure energy—a telltale sign of Tier 3 strength.

With a powerful shout, he drove his fist toward the back of the golem's head.

BANG!

A resounding impact filled the chamber.

Yet—

The golem remained unshaken.

Dio grimaced as a sharp numbness spread through his arm. Even at full strength, his attack had done nothing.