The Paladin in the Abyss

All the toxic snakes on Medusa's scalp bit into that hand, injecting their venom into the tender flesh; yet, the pale hand remained unshaken, firmly covering the eyes of the snake-haired gorgon.

Lancelot charged to Medusa's front within the span of two heartbeats. When he stopped, his sword tip had already pierced her chest, followed by a horizontal slash that completely severed the gorgon's spine. The snakes instantly lost their vitality, slipping off like dehydrated octopus tentacles and leaving several round bite marks on the arm belonging to the vampire.

"Are you alright?" Lancelot kicked the headless corpse aside and steadied the young girl by her shoulders.

"I'm sorry, I really need to rest now," little Isa weakly smiled at Lancelot, "I thought I was immune to the toxins…"

"You did great just now," Lancelot said as he removed a dimensional bag from his belt, "Get a good sleep, and leave the rest to us."

"Hmm…"

The vampire girl turned into a wisp of smoke and then drifted into the human knight's dimensional bag. This dimensional bag contained a small wooden box belonging to her. When she was killed by a vampire, her body was placed inside it, and it was in that wooden box she awakened as a vampire. Thus, the box was her coffin, and wherever it was, there was her grave.

All vampires were bound to their grave soil; they had to return to their coffins, crypts, or graveyards daily to rest, or else they would quickly weaken, much like sleep-deprived mortals. However, at the same time, they could also restore their life and strength by resting in their place of death.

Isa, bitten by the toxic snakes in Medusa's hair, could not be effectively healed by the elf priest's divine arts, so she needed to heal her wounds this way.

Unlike the damage caused by toxins, Medusa's petrifying gaze was a form of spell-like ability that did not directly harm the life of the target. Isa had stopped the petrification from taking effect the moment she transformed into her gaseous form. Once she reformed in the box, she immediately realized this and informed Lancelot through a mental link, asking to join the fight again.

However, the human knight asked her to wait a bit longer, as he had a better idea.

The dark environment, the noisy clashing of metal, and the presence of a powerful knight closing in—all were in place for the vampire wanderer to launch a perfect sneak attack, and Isa executed her part brilliantly.

The death of Medusa sent the two petrified flesh golems into a frenzy. They swung their already destructive fists more wildly, recklessly trying to destroy any enemy in sight. The situations of the dwarf and the half-elf turned extremely dangerous, but they were not panicked at all—their team's strongest member, Lancelot, now had no rivals to restrain him.

The human knight swiftly crossed the corridors of the dungeon. Despite wearing mithril plate armor, he moved as quietly as a cat pouncing on a mouse. Considering the endurance of his companions, his longsword first stabbed into the golem attacking the half-elf at the waist, and with a wide horizontal cut as he withdrew the blade, he made a massive gash.

Although the golems did not feel pain, their bodily structure was similar to that of ordinary humans, so such a severe injury to the waist substantially weakened their strength and agility. After landing a successful strike, Lancelot immediately turned to the other enemy and did the same before it could notice its companion's plight.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The process of killing these golems was bloody and bizarre. Even after their limbs were all severed, leaving only half an arm and a head attached to the body, they continued to gnaw madly at the air around them, displaying a life force even demons of the abyss did not possess.

However, when every part of their bodies was dismantled, the energy that drove their movements finally completely dissipated. The mostly petrified limbs scattered on the floor looked disgusting and eerily more terrifying than when they were still capable of movement.

"You rascal..." Barrend's voice sounded from behind Bruto, "How on earth did you guys get here?"

Bruto turned around and hugged his father tightly. When Lancelot had first met Bruto, the young Dwarf was no stronger than his father, but now Bruto realized that his size had grown at least two sizes bigger than Barrend. It seemed that a dangerous and tense adventure life was more conducive to muscle growth than working beside the forge.

"Dad, I'm not ready to lose you..." Bruto buried his face in his father's thick beard, his voice trembling, "It's not time yet."

"Me neither." The old Dwarf patted Bruto's back hard, "Thank you, my good boy."

Companions cheered to celebrate, while Lancelot felt a tinge in his nose, he took a deep breath, turned his head to the side, and saw a group of people descending from the steps above. The one in the lead was the Elf wearing Chainmail who had been there before they entered the building, and Tiflin, who had had a healing potion from them, was also among them.

Lancelot immediately placed his hand on the hilt of his Longsword and intentionally made the sword blade rub against the floor—a warning to the newcomers as well as a reminder to his mates. Hearing the sound, everyone quickly turned around, raised their weapons and Shields, and prepared for battle.

Even Barrend picked up a broken golem's leg from the ground—Dwarfs had no taboo, and the knee end proved a suitable Hardhead Hammer.

"Did you kill the Madam?" The Elf peered at Lancelot, then at the headless female corpse on the ground, and her snake-haired, mop-like head lay dozens of feet away, "Just you guys?"

"What, you wanted to capture one alive?" Bruto replied mockingly, "You should know that's impossible, right?"

"No, just didn't expect the famous Madam could be defeated by you all," the Elf shook his head solemnly, "How did you do it?"

"That's none of your business," Lancelot responded coldly, "Now, we want to leave. Are you planning to stop us?"

"Of course not." The Elf stepped aside, pointing to Tiflin, "You saved Tory's life and helped us take down the most dangerous enemy... Thank you very much."

"She captured someone she shouldn't have." Lancelot shrugged and walked towards the exit stairs, "When we came knocking, she shouldn't have expected any less."

"We all saw what happens as a result," the Elf nodded, but as Lancelot passed by, he suddenly spoke up, "Wait a minute."

"What?"

"I think this belongs to you." The Elf picked up a longbow next to the female corpse and handed it to Lancelot, "By the way, my name is Soveris Nightwind. It's clear you all are outsiders. I suggest you leave this city immediately. If you need help, you can find me most nights, except nights like tonight, at the Wolfhead Tavern in Raventown to the east," he said.