After observing the entrance to the floating island, I unleashed the power of space.
A resonance of space, hard to describe, swept from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes.
The signature queasiness of spatial leap reverberated through my body as my toes lifted off the ground.
– Kki-ki-ki-ki-ki…
An unpleasant sound echoed in my mind.
Not a noise piercing my ears, but a dissonance of space that I naturally perceived.
How much time had passed?
My toes gently touched the ground.
I had just arrived at the floating island, which not long ago had been a dizzying height above.
And right then, as if it had been waiting for the moment, a massive fist came crashing down from above.
I had foreseen this.
Without panicking, I swiftly dodged to the side.
– KWA-AAAAANG!
A colossal shockwave filled my ears.
My eardrums buzzed with a sharp sound.
Dodging the gust of wind and dust that slammed against my skin, I hit the ground once more.
As the dust cloud that had exploded in size slowly began to settle, the identity of the attacker was revealed.
[Intruder… intruder…]
A massive body, the size of a building.
A pair of legs and arms, bipedal.
Thick white armor that clung to its entire body.
‘Hmm.’
It had quite a stylish appearance.
The golem inside was just a smooth doll, but the armor it wore really brought out its charm.
Not overly flashy, it emphasized rugged beauty with practicality.
[Intruder… intruder…]
A voice rang out from within the pure white helmet.
Clunk! Retrieving its fist that had just crashed into the ground, the golem turned its head toward me.
The magical light gleaming between the helmet’s gaps clearly recognized me.
‘A golem… a summoned monster.’
I had already figured that out.
Golems can exist as monsters, but they are mainly utilized by wizards, being constructed from dirt or metal.
The purposes of summoned monsters are diverse.
If they lack special abilities, they are used as errand runners, and like this golem, they are also employed for combat.
While exceptions exist, casting magic generally requires some time.
A wizard without the luxury of a moment to distract the enemy might make their summoned monster sturdy to be a frontline defender.
‘Creating a golem of such caliber is extremely difficult and costly…’
– Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
‘Skill and cost, that probably doesn’t apply at all for the master of the Tower of Knowledge.’
The ground rattled.
Numerous magical lights that were violently shaking my shoulders were shrugged off.
[Intruder… intruder…]
[Summon command, intruder…]
[Expulsion command, intruder… intruder…]
The one that just attacked me was particularly clad in thick gloves.
Yet, the golems rushing in now were all properly equipped as well.
Swords, spears, blunt weapons, and shields, all of vastly different sizes fitted to match the golem’s dimensions.
Those golems grasped these weapons tightly, forming a fan-shaped formation as they seemed to encircle me.
Behind lay a precipice… there was no escape route for my two legs.
‘Hmm…’
I nodded slightly.
In the original work, there were two ways to arrive at the Tower of Knowledge… the floating island.
One was during my time at Shio-ram, where the vice-chancellor delivered me straight to the Tower of Knowledge.
In that case, I would have been directly sent to the entrance of the Tower of Knowledge, avoiding any reason to tussle with the golems.
Even if I wandered around the floating island, the golems wouldn’t interfere unless I attacked first.
The other was simply barging in.
There were several attempts, but the only one that succeeded meaningfully was attempt number 11.
Ripping apart the powerful barrier that surrounded the floating island.
Entering and smashing all of those golems.
Banging on the door to the Tower of Knowledge, which was inaccessible, for several days before finally crashing it down…
Ironically, despite all that chaos, I could never meet the master of the Tower of Knowledge…
‘Even if I have the key, is it still considered an intrusion?’
That was my initial thought as the fists came crashing down.
But then…
[…Authority Check, Expulsion Command Rectified, Trial Command]
I adjusted my thoughts slightly, hearing a voice emanating from the golem that first dropped its fist toward me.
Immediately after, the murderous intent that had been directed at me from the golem eased significantly.
Could it be that the golem was bluffing? I couldn’t help but wonder.
But surely, the summoned monster of the Tower Master wouldn’t aim to turn me into a pancake…
‘Wait a second, now they’re rectifying? So that initial strike was really meant to kill me?’
I squinted as that thought flashed across my mind.
Now that I think about it, that first attack didn’t feel restrained at all…
‘The master of the Tower of Growth… This unpredictable dean seems to have at least some safeguards when playing with me, but could the master of the Tower of Knowledge be even crazier?’
– KOOOOOONG!
As rational suspicion settled into my mind, the golem crashed its immense body toward me.
With a frame that size, even just its body was a considerable threat.
The rush of wind filled with malice was palpable.
‘It’s fast.’
The golem approached, accompanied by a fierce wind right before my eyes.
Its heavy frame contrasted with its surprisingly swift movements.
– WHOOSH!
The fist grazed my hair.
I quickly sprang back, kicking the ground for distance.
Unlike before, the golem didn’t stop its assault.
Dodging the heavy punches that rained down by moving my body swiftly.
The power of observation read the premonitions of magic.
Rumble! Magic was being released from the seams of the armor.
From perfectly calculated spots, the released magic force propelled the golem’s body backwards.
With the added acceleration, the golem rapidly closed the distance, lobbing its fist wildly.
My hair flew back.
Watching the punch zooming towards me, I subtly extended one hand forward.
‘Magic Cut.’
– Kkki-ki-ki-ki-ki!
The punch that had come surging in was intercepted by the white ‘cut.’
Kki-ki-ki! The protective magic applied to the armor began to wear down.
It was a battle of strength. The punch that was outstretched was being pushed back.
– KWA-ANG!
Finally, the golem’s fist was forced back hard.
As a result, the ‘cut’ lost its power and disintegrated, yet the golem’s fist cracked open.
The golem stumbled, taking a few steps back before raising its fists again.
That golem was, after all, an artificially created summoned monster. It felt neither pain nor discomfort, meaning it could easily resume combat.
And knowing this, I naturally wouldn’t afford it any time.
Following the retreating golem, I burrowed into its space.
Gathering magical energy into my grip, I aimed for the waist dividing the golem’s upper and lower body.
Before reaching the armor, the defensive magic reflexively activated and blocked my hand.
Instinctively, I sensed the rippling motion of magic.
An attacking spell was going to be cast for retaliation.
‘Magic Bomb.’
Before that, I cast my own spell.
A rapid casting without a chant. This was my strong suit, thanks to my connection with magic.
With my hand resting on the barrier, I cast my spell first.
‘Magic Bomb, Spread Shot.’
The magical energy I held in my grasp erupted into countless pellets and blasted forward.
– KWA-AAAAANG!
The barrier blocking my hand instantly tore apart.
The spread shot pounded against the armor one after another.
The golem’s body visibly lurched as if it had swallowed a bomb.
– Kkik, kki-ki-ki…
The golem, which had been shaken intensely, creaked ominously.
Like a true summoned monster, it seemed determined to continue the fight despite the damage.
However, its waist was riddled with holes, making further combat impossible.
‘Hmm…’
Magic Cut and Magic Bomb.
These two spells, having refined the properties of magic, greatly amplified their power.
Moreover, I could enhance these spells further by adjusting the formula, allowing me to turn even a solid golem into scraps in an instant.
Of course, the complexity of the formulas increases, risking a backlash or explosion of magical circuits if miscast, but… it’s fine as long as I don’t fail.
Brushing off my hands, I turned toward the fallen golem.
…Even in defeat, the golem looked stylish.
But now it was nothing more than scrap.
– KUNG!
The now-scrap golem rose again.
It planted its foot down, straightened its bent waist.
The heavily damaged waist began to show its wear and tear.
– Kki-ki-ki…
…The damaged parts began to restore themselves.
As though time was reversing, the torn armor gradually returned to its original state.
Along with that, the golem’s body also healed.
‘Regeneration function.’
I wasn’t surprised about that.
Even the modest feathered wing on the sky was equipped with a regeneration function.
That isn’t necessarily an artifact, being a summoned monster instead. In fact, it would be easier to restore.
The repaired armor… similarly, wasn’t something to be surprised about.
What I paid attention to was not that.
‘The formulas have also been restored.’
Soon enough, as the armor regained its form, it absorbed a burst of light.
Clunk! The golem, now returned to its original state, raised its fists high.
– Clunk! Clunk! Clunk!
Following suit, the surrounding golems that had merely surrounded me readied their weapons.
‘Hmmm…’
I pondered for a moment, tapping my fingers, then reached out and plunged my hand into the void.
The golems are strong.
They were created specifically by the master of the Tower of Knowledge to protect the floating island.
They absolutely couldn’t be weak.
I could probably take on the untrained Aelus from Shipnaja as though walking a dog.
But right now, I wasn’t in a position to be brutally beaten by the golem.
Even if they formed a hundred-strong formation, it would still be the same.
I could easily melt them all with just Gop-hwa’s abilities.
If I unleashed all my means? It would all be a breeze to break through.
In fact, I don’t even need to do that. I could just leap through space to the entrance of the Tower of Knowledge, which I can see.
‘But I came here to train magic.’
To glean some of the truth.
And simultaneously, to learn the magic that will support my strength in the future.
I shouldn’t rely on other means right from the threshold of the floating island, saying that magic won’t work is a poor behavior.
Of course, my strength lies in the variety that arises from employing various means.
But on this floating island, it was necessary to primarily engage with magic.
I pulled my hand out from the void.
What emerged was a deep brown wooden staff.
It was a typical magic staff, curved at the end, with a blue gemstone as large as my head embedded within.
It wasn’t an artifact.
Just a rather average magic staff I had happened to acquire.
‘Hah…’
I lay it horizontally in front of me and gently sat down.
Soon, the staff, imbued with my energy, began to levitate.
Engraved with flight magic, the moment the magic activated from the ground.
There was an attempt to thwart my ascent.
Given that the master of the Tower of Knowledge personally engraved that magic, I knew it wouldn’t be easy for me to overcome it.
The activated magic tried to push me down to the ground.
– Scrape!
‘Not a chance.’
The blade of magical energy that suddenly shot up slashed the spell away.
Through the affinity with magical power, I sharpened the magic emanating from my entire body as if honing a blade and cut through only the magic.
…This was practically the same thing as magical manipulation, but let’s overlook that for now.
‘Even if I’m not a traditional mage… let’s try to fight similarly this time.’
Till now, I had focused too much on auxiliary magic.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it wouldn’t be great for training in casting magic as an individual.
Slowly facing the golems that seemed to be gearing up to approach, I brought my hands together.
Incantations and magic power flow.
These two self-suggestions are crucial for casting magic.
The problem was that my neck was in poor shape, and before, one of my arms had flown off, preventing me from performing an incantation.
Even now, my incantation was practically sealed, but with a prosthetic arm somewhat connected, I was able to perform at least the flow.
Bringing my palms together, I drew up magic power.
‘Manifest.’
Then I unraveled that drawn magic power into countless strands.
Shortly after, irrespective of the kind, innumerable spells poured forth like rain.
…
Till now, I had been too focused on auxiliary magic.
This time, I would fight like a mage.
With that bold declaration behind me, several hours later.
[Challenger, fleeing southwest, Pursuit Command]
[Shoot Down Command… Priority to subdue]
I was executing the 36th strategy of retreating in defeat.
Simply put, it was a tactical withdrawal.
*
[Player Adjustment System: Exploration Progress]
[Quest “Arriving at the Floating Island” Accomplished]
[You gain points…]
…
[Player Adjustment System: Favorability]
Lee Ha-yul → Master of the Tower of Growth (?)
●●●○○○○○○○(30/100)
“Complexity” “Confusion” “Doubt” “Miscommunication” “Gratitude” “Pouting”
…
Lee Ha-yul → Master of the Tower of Knowledge (?)
●●●○○○○○○○(30/100)
“Complexity” “Confusion” “Doubt” “Miscommunication” “Gratitude” “Pouting” “Crazy?”
…
[The Master of the Tower of Growth shudders.]
[The Master of the Tower of Knowledge shudders.]
[The Master of the Tower of Harmony jeers.]
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