Everyone held their breath. There was supposed to be a loud thud. At least, that was what everybody was expecting. The sound of rocks striking against metal was never meant to be a quiet process. Naturally, people were expecting some screaming too, considering how the stone fist might have flattened two human beings in an instant.

Instead, there was only silence.

Clouds of dust mingled with the air, weighed down only by the fear of those watching on. There was nothing. Not a single person nor a single scream. The punch simply went right through the thin air. Even a mindless beast would have realized that something was wrong.

“You have my gratitude, Terrence.” A single, familiar voice broke the uneasy silence. “I’m glad I have your rune parchment with me.”

“Don’t mention it Staff,” Terrence replied, eyes still locked onto the colossal golem. “And I’m glad it actually worked.”

Now standing beside Terrence, Staff Bryce let go of the two female recruits. A parchment was seen fizzling beside his foot. The teleportation rune worked like a charm, and the group was removed from harm’s way.

“Recruit Layla,” Staff Bryce ordered, picking up his war hammer while speaking. “Bring Recruit Millenore out of the mine and seek immediate medical help.”

The red-haired girl, Recruit Layla, snapped out of her confusion and began nodding profusely. This could very well be the first time she has ever been teleported in her entire life. After all, a teleportation spell is incredibly expensive and not very easily accessible to the common folks.

“Yes…yes, sir!” Layla responded, stammering a little before dashing out the room with Millenore in her arms.

A fast and strong soldier, Staff Bryce thought to himself. In his experience, it was always only during a crisis like this do people with hidden talents truly shine. Perhaps one day, she just might become someone respectable. Staff Bryce grinned a little, heading towards the colossal golem once more.

“Now that we’ve taken care of that,” Staff Bryce said to himself, raising his war hammer above his head.

“There’s no need for me to hold back”.