Chapter 106

The air was thick with the sound of crackling ice as the towering ice golem slowly lumbered forward, its vague humanoid features casting an imposing silhouette against the dungeon walls.

Vasiliki, her face etched with exhaustion, focused her weary gaze on the two crystal mantises trapped within an icy prison before her.

With a flick of her staff, the golem surged forward, its massive fists raised in preparation for the impending clash.

The crystal mantises, their razor-sharp carapaces glinting in the dim light, strained against the ice that held them captive, their struggles becoming more frantic with each passing moment.

Being a bit sensitive to magic, they had immediately perceived the ice golem to be a bigger threat than Vasiliki.

As the golem closed the distance, one of the mantises managed to break free, its chitinous limbs slicing through the ice after a decent struggle.

It lunged forward, its mandibles clacking menacingly as it immediately aimed for the golem's vulnerable joints.

But Vasiliki was quick to react, guiding the golem's movements with fluid grace, directing it to raise its arm and block the mantis's assault.

The impact of the collision sent shards of ice flying in all directions, the sound of their collision echoing through the area.

The golem responded by swinging its massive fist, attempting to crush the nimble creature, but the mantis darted to the side, its reflexes lightning-fast.

The second mantis, having finally broken free of its icy prison, joined the fray, its crystalline wings buzzing as it immediately dashed towards the ice golem.

It continued moving around until it settled on attacking from behind, its serrated claws outstretched, aiming to tear into the golem's torso.

Vasiliki, her brow furrowed in concentration, guided the golem to pivot and catch the mantis mid-dash, its large hands closing around the creature's body.

The second mantis, sensing its impending doom, lashed out with its razor-sharp claws, the crystal appendages ringing against the golem's frozen form.

Undeterred, the golem gripped the mantis, its icy fingers closing around the creature, its carapace crackling with the strain.

The mantis screeched, its high-pitched cry echoing across the area, as the golem began to squeeze.

Seeing its companion’s state, the first mantis took a more offensive approach and began lashing out at the ice golem.

Whirling, the golem swung its other hand, attempting to catch the nimble insect.

But the mantis was too fast, darting and weaving around it, its crystal claws slicing the golem's frozen limb with each pass.

Sparks of energy crackled as the mantis's attacks began to weaken the golem's structure.

Vasiliki gritted her teeth, pouring more of her almost empty reserves into the construct, reinforcing its rapidly deteriorating form.

While trying to catch the first mantis, Vasiliki noticed that the first mantis responded to its companions screeches.

‘I can use this’ she thought.

Directing the golem, it’s icy grip tightened around the second mantis, causing it to let out an agonizing screech.

The creature's carapace also cracked and splintered further.

The first mantis, responding to its companion's peril went into a frenzy, redoubling its assault, its claws raking across the golem's arm that held its companion.

Vasiliki felt the strain of maintaining the construct, her vision blurring as she struggled to keep the golem's movements coordinated.

She could currently only maintain the spell for around 2 minutes, and the deadline was fast approaching.

But she refused to give in now, channeling her remaining strength into a fierce counterattack.

The golem's free hand lashed out, its icy fingers finally managing to clamp around the first mantis's thorax as it’s movements had become a bit more predictable.

The creature thrashed and struggled, but the golem's grip was unrelenting.

Vasiliki then commanded the golem to tighten its hold on it, and with a sickening crunch, the mantis's exoskeleton shattered, its body going limp within the golem's clutches.

The remaining mantis, witnessing the brutal demise of its companion, let out a shrill, piercing cry.

Vasiliki didn’t care and commended the golem to toss the lifeless creature aside.

She then turned her attention back to the second mantis, which was still trapped in the golem icy grasp.

“Fufufufu” Vasiliki let out a low chuckle as she stared at the mantis.

“I am going to make you pay for this” Vasiliki said, pointing at the wound across her chest.

She hadn’t forgotten the crystal mantis who injured her, and despite her current state, she was going to make it pay.

Slowly, inexorably, she controlled the golems icy digits and began to peel away the mantis crystalline carapace, layer by layer.

The mantis cries of pain and fury echoed across the room, and Vasiliki allowed herself a grim smile of satisfaction.

Her revenge was very effective – the golem was stripping the mantis of it protective shells, rendering it vulnerable to a more brutal killing blow.

Summoning the last of her strength, Vasiliki willed the golem to pull out each segment of mantis, its icy fingers closing around the creature's vulnerable form.

The mantis thrashed and writhed, but the golem's grip was firm, and with a sickening crunch, the creature's body was being ripped apart, part by part.

Being a dungeon monster was the creatures saving grace, because after Vasiliki dealt a certain amount of damage to it, it’s body quickly disintegrated, leaving behind its magic stone and a drop item.

Immediately after, Vasiliki sagged, her legs trembling as the golem's form began to crumble, its icy structure losing cohesion.

She had done it – the crystal mantises were no more, and she had emerged victorious.

But the cost had been high, and as the golem's icy fragments scattered in the wind, Vasiliki felt her consciousness slipping away.

With a final, weary sigh, she crumpled to the ground, her mind surrendering to the darkness as she succumbed to the exhaustion and the strain of her ordeal.

The battle had been won, but at a price, and Vasiliki knew that when she awoke, she would have to face the consequences of her actions.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

"Draco, nii," Michalis called out, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

"Yes," Draco replied, his tone measured and calm, despite the peculiar events that had just unfolded before them.

Michalis furrowed his brow, his mind still grappling with the intensity of the recent battle.

"What the hell did we just witness?" he asked, his words laced with a mixture of bewilderment and concern.

Draco paused, carefully considering his response.

"I... I must confess, I am not entirely sure how to adequately describe what we have just seen," he admitted, his voice betraying a rare moment of uncertainty.

Michalis nodded, his own unease evident. "That's not normal, is it?" he probed, seeking reassurance from his elder brother.

"No, my dear brother, that was most assuredly not a normal occurrence," he conceded, his words tinged with a hint of worry.

Vasiliki fight had been a rollercoaster of emotions for the onlookers, especially during the latter half.

'Ugh, where did I go so wrong in raising her?' he pondered, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

What Vasiliki had done to the monster was a rather dark and unsettling act, even for one as vile as her opponent.

To make matters worse, she had thought to do so while severely injured and under immense strain.

Draco could sense that the others shared his sentiment, the looks on their faces mirroring his own unease at witnessing her actions.

But for now, her wellbeing took precedence.

Reaching Vasiliki's unconscious form, Draco carefully flipped her over, his experienced hands swiftly removing her armor.

As the leather straps were peeled away, a deep gash came into view, stretching from her shoulder, between her breasts, and down to her stomach.

The others, being family, were unfazed by her exposed state, but Nikolaos, Michalis, and Vasileios maintained a respectful distance, mindful of her privacy.

"This is bad," Draco murmured, his brow creasing in concern as he immediately began tending to the wound.

'Sigh, why was she so stubborn, even with such an injury? It must have been agonizing,' he thought, shaking his head.

Draco had desperately wanted to intervene when he saw her take the hit from the crystal mantis, but the fierce determination in her eyes had stayed his hand.

The same had been true during Michalis and Nikolaos' battles against their respective opponents.

He knew that Clair, Eleni, Dimitra, and Vasileios would likely display a similar level of tenacity, preferring to fight until they were unconscious rather than concede defeat.

'Where did they get such a level of stubbornness?' he mused, a tinge of pride and concern intertwined in his thoughts.

Draco wanted nothing more than to shield his family from both physical and mental threats, but to facilitate their growth, he had to constantly push them to the brink of death.

It was a delicate balance, and one that weighed heavily on his heart as he has to witness them all come dangerously close to the precipice.

To make him feel worse, the scenario’s were all constructed by him.

"Mmmh," a pained groan from Vasiliki's lips as Draco's hand pressed a bit too hard against her wound.

This pulled Draco from his thoughts, and he refocused his attention on the task at hand.

"Endure, it wouldn't be nice if there is a scar," Draco murmured, his touch gentle as he focused his energy on healing her.

A few minutes later, Draco leaned back, a satisfied expression on his face.

"Phew, that should do it," he thought, marvelling at the seamless healing of her flesh.

It had required more effort and mind than expected, but he had managed to heal Vasiliki's injuries without leaving any scars.

Glancing at the others, he noted the scars adorning Michalis and Nikolaos' wounds, a testament to their battles – badges of honour, as they had requested.

The girls, however, were more sensitive to such reminders, and Draco had been careful to spare them from such visible scars.

"Can you get me a mind potion?" Draco asked Eleni, who was standing closest to him.

Scurrying through her dungeon bag, Eleni retrieved a shimmering vial and handed it to Draco.

"Here you are," she said, her voice tinged with concern.

“Thank you” Draco said, turning to Vasiliki.

‘Wait, can an unconscious person even drink?’ Draco pondered, stopping himself just before administering the potion.

Draco had initially intended to give the mind potion to Vasiliki, who was currently experiencing a condition known as "mind down.".

However, he remembered reading somewhere that unconscious individuals should not be fed liquids, as it could potentially flow into their lungs and cause them to choke.

Gazing down at Vasiliki's prone form, Draco pondered his next course of action.

Vasiliki’s natural recovery was going to take time, but proceeding with the trials while she was incapacitated would be dangerous.

He was also worried that postponing the trials might diminish the others' current enthusiasm and drive, which had been bolstered by watching Michalis, Nikolaos, and Vasiliki's previous successes.

Draco sat in contemplation, gently brushing the strands of silver hair from Vasiliki's face.

"You're really a handful," he muttered, observing her slow, steady breathing.

Clair, who had been observing the scene, let out a wistful sigh.

"How unfair," she murmured, wondering if she should feign injury to receive similar attention from Draco.

Picking up on Clair's quiet musings, Draco internally groaned.

‘Ugh, I wish I hadn't heard that,’ he thought, casting a sidelong glance in her direction.

Clair, realizing Draco might have overheard her, quickly tried to backtrack.

"It's not what you thi-" she began, but Draco cut her off.

"Can you help dress her up?" he asked, gesturing towards Vasiliki.

"Oh, yes, of course!" Clair replied eagerly, quickly retrieving an extra shirt from her dungeon bag.

Leaving Vasiliki in Clair's care, Draco approached Michalis, Vasileios, and Nikolaos, who were examining the crystal mantis wings - a drop item from Vasiliki's victory.

"Hmm, Draco nii, is Vasiliki alright now?" Vasileios inquired, while Michalis and Nikolaos continued their study of the wings, seemingly unconcerned.

‘Look at these boys, looking so carefree. While I appreciate their complete trust in me, I have to drill it into their heads that i am not some miracle worker’ Draco thought.

Normally they should have been panicking or something but due to their trust in him, they could remain so calm and indifferent.

While it was a good thing that they trusted him and remained calm, their expectations were quite a burden for Draco.

It was forcing an older brother who can do anything image on him, which he also subconsciously tried to fulfil.

It was a problem that he was aware about, but he currently lacked the means to deal with it yet and they were still a bit young so he had to endure.

Throwing these thoughts to the back of his mind, Draco quickly informed them of the current situation and changes to his plans.

Michalis and Nikolaos were to carry and guard Vasiliki as the other attempted their trials.

It was a big risky but Draco wanted to maintain the hype from Michalis, Nikolaos and Vasiliki’s victory in their trials.

He didn’t want the light to die out and hoped that everyone would emerge from their trials, stronger and victorious.