Chapter 120: Stubborn Stone Body

Chapter 120: Obstinate Stone Physique

Rip!

Ryan wrenched the knight's sword from the dirt, wiping the soil clean from its blade.

Seeing his weapon recovered, he let out a sigh of relief.

He could discard the armor on his back, but this weapon could never be lost.

This was his absolute treasure.

"Having a scalp that is too tough isn't entirely a good thing either."

Levi muttered in a low voice, looking at Ryan’s bare head.

Ryan did not catch it clearly, turning around to ask, "What did you say?"

"Nothing, I said let's find a way out," Levi replied casually.

Ryan looked up, staring at the completely altered surroundings, and felt a bit of a headache coming on.

"We're doomed, I can't find the exit," Ryan sighed.

"Let's look around first. Where is the path you all came in from?" Levi asked.

Ryan pondered for a moment, pointed toward the left, and said, "It should be over there."

"Let's go check it out first."

The two walked toward the left.

The cavern had collapsed, and precariously dangling rocks hung everywhere.

Ryan volunteered himself, walking ahead to clear the path.

"I'm a knight, my defense is incredibly strong, so it's more suitable for me to lead the way."

"Yes, I can tell."

Levi looked at his large bald head and asked, "Aren't you going to look for your helmet?"

Ryan glanced back at him and said, "I don't have a helmet."

"Oh?" An expression of doubt surfaced on Levi's face.

Ryan grinned, "My extraordinary trait grants my body an ultra-strong defensive power."

"Have you heard of the Obstinate Stone Physique? It's incredibly powerful!"

"This suit of armor is just for show; when it comes to an actual fight, I have to rely on myself."

Levi shook his head and said, "Never heard of it, though I have heard of being obstinately foolish."

"Uh? What does that mean?" Ryan had never heard of that idiom.

Levi said, "It roughly means being very stubborn."

Ryan laughed and said, "Then that sounds somewhat similar to my extraordinary trait."

Levi asked, "Do you know Rena?"

Ryan nodded and said, "I know her, of course I know her. Rena is the most talented student in the history of the Knight Academy."

"I even served as her teacher for a period of time. Later, after she took Great Knight Orne as her master, we didn't see much of each other."

Levi revealed a look of surprise, "You're a teacher at the Knight Academy?"

"Well, not exactly, I should be called an instructor now."

"The Knight Academy started military-style management this year, so the teachers are all called instructors now," Ryan said.

Levi asked curiously, "Then between you and Rena, whose defense is stronger?"

Without a second thought, Ryan answered directly, "Of course Absolute Defense is stronger!"

"The Absolute Defense extraordinary trait is one of the strongest knight talents."

"You can't see it clearly now, but once Rena becomes a great knight and Absolute Defense transforms to reveal its complete power, you will know what true absolute defense means."

"That is the strongest defense rumored to be capable of withstanding even Forbidden Spells."

"Even at the current stage, Absolute Defense is a bit more formidable than the Obstinate Stone Physique."

"Absolute Defense can reinforce all types of defense, including one's own body and external objects."

"Unlike me, I can only reinforce my bodily defense and cannot enhance the defensive strength of external objects."

"This is a disadvantage, but it's also an advantage."

Ryan laughed and said, "The good thing is, my extraordinary trait is a passive skill, taking effect every single second."

"Absolute Defense, on the other hand, requires the consumption of energy. Once that energy is depleted, no matter how strong the Absolute Defense extraordinary trait is, one can only stare blankly, unable to exert its effects."

Levi understood.

"When Rena fought the Ant King, did you see it?" Ryan asked.

Levi said, "I saw it."

Ryan said, "By relying on Absolute Defense, she could stand firmly in place, completely blocking the Ant King's collision."

"Although I can also block the Ant King's collision, I would definitely be sent flying."

Levi understood once more.

What Ryan had said was already clear enough. If he still didn't understand, Levi would have to question his own intelligence.

Levi did not press further regarding who possessed the stronger defense between him and Rena. Changing the subject, he asked, "What about that piece of mithril ore you discovered earlier?"

Ryan shook his head and said, "I don't know. The cavern has collapsed, who knows where it got buried?"

"There seems to be someone ahead."

Levi lifted his gaze to look forward, unable to see very clearly.

Ryan's vision was much better than his, allowing him to see much further.

After walking another dozen paces, Levi finally spotted a blurry silhouette.

"Mage Wylde!"

Ryan shouted with a hint of pleasant surprise.

He hadn't expected to find him under such circumstances.

Wylde was trapped beneath two giant boulders; the exit was narrow, and he had no way of getting out.

Hearing the sound, Wylde turned his head to look over.

Seeing Ryan, a look of joy surfaced on his face, and he hurriedly called out, "Knight Ryan, quick, help me move these rocks, I can't get out."

If he were to cast a spell, he could also blast apart the rocks blocking the path.

But the previous collapse of the mine had terrified him, making him fear using high-power magic underground casually.

While he was still hesitating over what spell to use, he saw the two men, Ryan and Levi.

Ryan walked up to the boulder, drove his long sword into the ground, and gripped the stone with both hands, intending to shift it away.

The stone refused to budge.

"This is no good—the two stones are too heavy. I can't move them."

Lei'an looked at Wilder with helpless resignation.

Wilder's face fell.

"What should we do?"

He turned toward the figure in black robes and asked, "Who is he?"

"Wilder Mage, greetings. I am Timo, a summoner," Li Wei introduced himself.

He sensed his Shadow Attendant had finally arrived nearby—after all this time, it had at last broken free.

"A summoner?" Wilder glanced at Li Wei and shook his head.

"If only you were a warrior instead."

Knights excelled in defense and endurance.

Warriors possessed explosive power and raw strength.

Even among peers of equal rank, the physical disparity between a warrior and a knight could reach several-fold.

Hearing this, Li Wei smiled faintly. "Though I'm not a warrior, my summoned beast has considerable strength."

Wilder raised his head, surprise flickering across his face.

Shhh—shhh—shhh!

A digging sound emerged from the nearby mud and rubble.

Instinctively wary, Lei'an drew his longsword and stepped before Li Wei as a shield.

Boom!

The Golden Anteater burst forth from the earth.

Its once-gleaming metallic scales were now caked in dirt, appearing dull and worn.

Lei'an demanded, low-voiced, "Is this your summoned beast?"

"Mm."

"Step aside. Let my summon clear the path," Li Wei said.

Li Wei and Lei'an retreated from the boulder.

Wilder also withdrew deeper into the cavern, careful to avoid accidental injury.

The Golden Anteater swung its sharp claws, carving away the surrounding rock.

Crack—crack—crack!

Sparks flew like rain. In moments, a narrow but passable passage was carved open.

The beast stepped back.

Lei'an peered forward. "Wilder Mage, you may come out now."

"Not yet. Since your summoned creature can tunnel, let it dig inward properly."

"Just now, I saw a large chunk of mithril ore fall down there."

Now that escape was possible, Wilder suddenly grew unhurried.

He instructed Li Wei to command his summon to excavate the mithril.

Li Wei followed the direction Wilder pointed toward.

Behind Wilder gaped a palm-wide fissure, deep within which shimmered a profound, silvery glow.

(End of Chapter)