Golden Golem

Back in his room, Li Shaolin shut the door and impatiently summoned a Skeleton Warrior, then draped the ordinary Mail Armor over it.

The Skeleton Warrior was about the same height as an ordinary person and could wear it, but since it was nothing but bones, the armor could not be filled out. It looked like a clothes rack, terribly awkward. After directing it to walk a few steps, the rings of the mail armor clinked constantly, getting in the way and severely affecting its movement. What should he do? Li Shaolin could not help but fall into thought.

How about stuffing it with linen or something similar? No sooner said than done. He immediately used the Infantry Sword to cut the bedsheet into thin strips and wrapped them around the Skeleton Warrior. Before long, he had turned a perfectly good Skeleton Warrior into something like a mummy. Once the Mail Armor was put on again, it was indeed much more convenient.

Slapping his forehead, he suddenly remembered a problem: could these Skeleton Warriors be conveniently recalled after putting on armor?

He took out the Book of the Dead and tried recalling the skeleton. Waves of black mist surged out and wrapped around the Skeleton Warrior. With a clatter, all the Mail Armor and bedsheets were left on the ground, while only the skeleton itself and the Bone Blade in its hand were taken into the book.

"Sigh, looks like that won't work." Li Shaolin could not help feeling discouraged. He could keep the Skeleton Warriors armored at all times without recalling them into the Book of the Dead, but then they would not recover. If he insisted on equipping them, once there were more skeletons, wouldn't it be a huge hassle? A full set of armor included a helmet, belt, bracers, gloves, boots, pants, chestplate, and more. The skeletons could not put them on by themselves, and equipping each one individually would be far too troublesome. After thinking for a long time without finding a solution, he could only fold up the armor and place it by the bed. Forget it, he should go check out the mine first.

After leaving the room, he followed the route he had taken last time. The moment he climbed over the enclosing fence, he saw that all sorts of frames and tents were being erected across the vast open land. Orcs with green skin, slightly shorter than humans but with powerful muscles, were swinging hammers and hoes as they prepared the grounds. Humans and orcs carrying lumber or pushing carts passed through from time to time. It seemed that the Darkmoon Faire truly had members from every race, just as Milika had said.

According to Li Shaolin's memories, the goods sold by the faire were not something he could afford. He should go to the mine first and come back to watch the excitement when he had time. Just as he was about to take a detour around the area, an orc child ran past him, then stepped in front of him and curiously looked him over before speaking in Common. "Sir, you're a class holder, right? Would you like to buy a frog?" At the same time, a green frog the size of a bowl croaked beside him, staring at Li Shaolin with wide eyes.

"A frog? Isn't that just a little pet? What's it for? And how much does it cost?" Li Shaolin was rather curious and asked the orc child in the little red vest.

"Keeping a frog with you can help get rid of mosquitoes and other pests that bother you. Of course, when you don't need it, you can seal it away. It can be stored in the special space unique to class holders, and it doesn't take up much room."

"Well, hehe, my space is a little small, so I'd better not buy one." Li Shaolin awkwardly declined.

"Please buy one. I'm begging you." The child spoke pitifully, his eyes full of pleading.

"Fine, then. How much for one frog?" Though it would be useless to him, Li Shaolin still had some sympathy for children and the elderly. It would not cost much anyway, so he could treat it as a good deed.

Seeing him agree, the child happily jumped up and held up one finger. "One gold coin."

"That expensive? One gold coin?" Li Shaolin was startled. Was this little brat trying to rip him off because he looked honest?

"The Sealing Box itself costs that much. You promised to buy it, so no backing out." The child's eyes were full of slyness.

Unwillingly, Li Shaolin took out one gold coin and handed it to the child, receiving the item called the Tree Frog Box in return. He could not help sighing. Selling frogs was really profitable for this kid. Selling just one was enough for an ordinary person to live on for a year. The Darkmoon Faire was not simple at all.

He skirted around the grounds as if avoiding the plague, afraid that someone else might rush out midway to recommend this or that product. If that happened, the ten or so gold coins in his pocket would not be enough to spend.

After weaving through the forest for quite a while, Fargodeep Mine finally came into view ahead. Perhaps news that all the Kobolds in the mine had been wiped out had spread. Adventurers who usually came to hunt Kobolds and seize candles and gold dust were now rarely seen. After all, the Stonefield Family had begun taking over the mine, so there was no longer any chance for them to profit from it.

Below the mine, the place was bustling with activity. The ruined wooden huts had been repaired, and rows of wooden houses stood in front of the mine as living quarters. People constantly brought over lumber, hoes, and other supplies. Some repaired mine carts, while others repaired the tracks, all busy beyond measure. A bare-chested middle-aged man was walking back and forth, directing everyone.

The moment Li Shaolin came down, the man spotted him. After carefully identifying him, he immediately came over with a broad smile. "You must be Lord Li Shaolin. I'm Homor of the Stonefield Family. Welcome!"

"That's strange. How did you know it was me?" Li Shaolin was puzzled. He had never met this man before.

The big man scratched his head. "Chief Bonis gave me your portrait. She said you might come to the mine in the next few days and told me to keep an eye out for you."

"Bonis is the chief?" Only then was Li Shaolin shocked. How was that even possible? What was going on?

Homor nodded and said, "Old Homor is a straightforward man. I don't beat around the bush. The chief told me that if you have any orders, just say the word and I'll handle them right away. Hehe, if I do anything wrong, feel free to tell me."

Li Shaolin had never been a class representative while studying in his previous life, nor had he ever held even the smallest official position after starting work. How could he understand anything about managing people? Seeing that Homor was handling things well, he could not be bothered to waste thought on it. After all, strength was what truly mattered. He said to Homor, "How are things inside? Can I go take a look?"

"Of course, please do as you wish. We've been busy with preparations these past few days, so work inside hasn't started yet." Homor gave a simple-minded grin.

He entered through the mine entrance he had used last time and saw miners reinforcing the walls on both sides of the tunnel. After all, the mine had been occupied by Kobolds for so long; who knew whether it was still safe? When the miners saw him enter, no one stopped him, and they continued with their work. Li Shaolin silently nodded. These people were quite good—not slacking off or holding anything back. What he did not know was the vast difference between commoners and the landowning class in this world. In a place filled with danger everywhere, surviving without a family's protection was incredibly difficult, let alone having enough food and warm clothes. At the very least, working hard meant they would not go hungry.

Following the mine passage, he soon reached the fork from last time. He could not help sighing. Last time, the place had been full of Kobolds, and he had needed to enter and leave with extreme caution. Now, there was not a trace of life left. If not for that small tunnel, he likely would not have had the chance to kill Goldtooth, much less obtain ownership of this mine.

As he was feeling deeply moved, he suddenly heard a faint sound from that small tunnel, as if something were inside. Could there still be Kobolds alive? Li Shaolin immediately summoned a Skeleton Warrior and a Clay Golem, while also casting Bone Shield on himself. In this cave full of loose earth and ore, it was better to let the golem go in and scout first.

With the order given, the golem slowly stepped inside. Li Shaolin held two Bone Blades between his fingers. Two Skeleton Warriors guarded the entrance, while one protected him at his side, ready to act the moment anything stirred inside.

Yet after the golem entered, it vanished like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response for a long time. At the same time, an inexplicable connection reached him. It felt as though a lost child were calling out to him, making him involuntarily want to enter the mine.

"Damn, there's something creepy here. What kind of charm spell is this?" Li Shaolin gritted his teeth and kept himself clear-headed, ordering a second-tier Skeleton Warrior inside. Skeleton Warriors only possessed soul fire, so this kind of influence on the soul should have little effect on them.

However, this time he was wrong. After the Skeleton Warrior entered, it too fell completely silent like the golem.

"What the hell is going on?" Li Shaolin began to panic. The golem and Skeleton Warriors were what he relied on most in this other world. If even they were useless, should he start considering running for his life?

Just as he hesitated, an opening suddenly split open in the soft cave wall. A pair of large green hands tore apart the crack, and a huge figure stepped out.

"Master!" A thread of mental connection was sent to him.

Looking closely, he saw a massive green-skinned golem nearly three meters tall standing there, and that connection was coming from it.

"This is... a golem?" Li Shaolin was baffled. Then, amid the rolling earth, another golem and the Skeleton Warrior emerged—the two that had entered earlier. Then what was this one? He was suspicious, but its shape and appearance were clearly identical to the ones he had summoned. Other than its color and size, everything else was exactly the same. He cast Detection on it, and several golden words lit up above its head: Clay Golem, Level 17!

How was that possible? This golem was eight full levels higher than him, and its name was actually golden. What was going on? Had it mutated? He tried taking out the Book of the Dead. Waves of black mist rose, but no matter how long he tried, he could not recall it.

At that moment, the deep male voice that had been silent for so long sounded in his mind once more: You have used the blood and souls of all things to create a Golden Golem. In return, you have gained the qualification to advance to Level 10 and unlock your exclusive space. Do you confirm?