CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: KALAMUS HOUSE (2)

The battlefield fell silent for a moment, interrupted only by the metallic clash of weapons and the groans of the wounded. Among all the sealakels still standing, one emerged with a firm step and a defiant gaze: the general, clad in black armor adorned with shells and scales, a massive trident in his hands glowing with marine runes.

"You..." roared the general, pointing at Jax with the blade of his weapon. "You are the leader of this insolence!"

Jax stepped forward calmly while the girls tried to warn him.

"Girls, take care of the stragglers," he said with a crooked smile. "This big fish is mine."

Manaia wanted to protest, but seeing the gleam in his eyes, she understood there was nothing she could do to stop him.

The duel began with a thunderous roar. The general’s trident struck with overwhelming force, each impact resonating as if the very ground would shatter. But Jax dodged with precision, his sword dancing like lightning.

"You are strong, human!" roared the general after blocking a diagonal slash.

"No, my friend..." Jax replied with irony, locking his gaze on him. "You’re just an obstacle in my way."

With a quick spin, Jax slipped under the trident, slicing the general’s side. Dark blue blood gushed like a river, but the sea beast roared and counterattacked with fury, sending a wave of energy that pushed Jax backward.

Meanwhile, the girls fought against the remaining soldiers. The scene was chaotic: screams, blood, and flashes of magic filled the hall. Several suffered deep cuts and wounds, but Manaia and the healers acted quickly, closing lacerations with flashes of light and potions.

The battle between Jax and the general reached its climax when the general swung a downward strike with all his weight. Jax blocked it with both hands, the pressure cracking the floor beneath his feet. But just as the general thought he had the advantage, Jax laughed.

"Is that all?"

With a roar, he unleashed his full power, pushing the general back. A direct thrust pierced through the trident’s defenses, sinking deep into the monster’s chest.

The general tried to breathe, but only a gurgle of blood escaped his mouth.

"No... impossible..." he whispered before collapsing heavily to the ground.

A heavy silence filled the room, immediately broken by Jax’s voice:

"Alright, now it’s our turn. Leave none alive!"

What followed was a massacre. Jax led the charge, cutting down and smashing the sealakels mercilessly. His companions followed, fired up by the victory. The floor was covered with bodies, and the salty water mixed with blood, forming puddles under their feet.

Finally, when the last enemy fell, a vibration ran through the hall. The large door at the back began to slowly open, revealing a corridor lit by golden torches.

"I suppose this is the next phase..." murmured Jax, cleaning his bloodied sword.

"You’re a demon..." said Manaia with a tired smile, leaning against him.

"No, my love," Jax replied, kissing her forehead. "I am your demon."

With steady steps, the group gathered in front of the new entrance, watching as the door slowly opened.

The door finished opening with a deep creak, revealing a corridor of blackened stone. The air was suffocating, thick with smoke and sulfur, as if hell itself had seeped into this place.

"Smells like burning..." complained Lya, covering her nose.

"It’s the smell of those who didn’t make it out alive," Jax replied with a sinister smile as he moved forward.

The group continued until they reached a hall even larger than the previous one. In the center, on cracked and blazing ground, stood eight colossal figures. The lava golems were awakening slowly, their bodies made of glowing volcanic rock and rivers of magma running through their cracks like molten veins. Each step they took shook the floor.

The system was quick to notify:

[Alert!]

[You have entered the second phase of the Kalamus Dungeon]

[Enemies detected: 8 Lava Golems – Level 80]

"Level 80?" Manaia exclaimed, her face frozen. "This is insane, Jax!"

"Don’t worry, darling..." he said, drawing his sword. "They’re just hot rocks."

One of the golems roared, a sound like a volcano erupting, and raised a massive arm. The compressed magma mass fell like a hammer on the group. Jax reacted in time, pushing the girls back. The impact shattered the floor, sending sparks and glowing fragments flying everywhere.

"Take cover!" shouted Jax, lunging forward.

The first golem leaned forward, throwing a fist of molten fire. Jax dodged by inches and counterattacked, his sword slicing through the burning rock, sending sparks flying. But the cut only left a smoking crack.

"They have monstrous defenses," he growled. "We’ll have to smash them with brute force."

The girls jumped into action. Water and ice spells rained down on the beasts, slowing their movements. However, the heat of the place caused the spells to evaporate too quickly.

A second golem raised both arms, summoning a wave of magma that surged across the floor like an infernal river. Several of the girls dropped to their knees from the scorching heat, their clothes singed at the edges. Manaia, with a desperate gesture, raised her staff.

"[Water Barrier]!" she shouted, forming a dome that withstood the fiery assault.

Jax took advantage of the distraction. He leaped over the debris, propelled with brutal force, and landed directly on the leader golem’s shoulder.

"Time to smash your face!" he shouted, plunging his sword into the glowing crack.

A deafening roar echoed through the hall as steel pierced the molten rock. The golem tried to shake him off, but Jax cut through with a flurry of strikes until a burst of lava sent it flying through the air.

"Jax!" Manaia shouted.

He landed on his feet, chest covered with superficial burns, smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Relax, this is just getting fun."

The eight golems advanced in unison, their bodies glowing ever brighter. The heat was unbearable, and each raised their natural weapon — magma fists, glowing rocks, fire whips — heralding relentless destruction.

The real battle was only beginning.