Clyde Pov

  The first thing I noticed aside from the boss is what appears to be iron ore behind it. I can't actually say for sure since I haven't actually been in any other dungeon. It's not like I have time right now to ponder whether it is or not anyway. The boss spots us almost immediately and charges at us with a speed that is frankly surprising given its size. Golems are typically slow lumbering things but apparently nobody told this guy.

  Cole steps forward and just barely has time to activate his skill before the golem strikes his shield. Fortunately, this skill is one of his strongest defensive skills essentially turning his body into a solid wall. I'm not sure how it works but right now that hardly matters. I'm not about to waste this opportunity so without hesitation I activate my own skill increasing my strike force and stab towards the golem's chest. My attack is deflected but I can already see Chandra launching a few throwing knifes enhanced with a skill that increases their penetration ability.

  The good news is it worked, and the knives are able to pierce the golems iron hide. The bad news is that it's still a relatively low-level spell so it's only able to penetrate about 4cm into the iron golem's hide. Enough to do significant damage ... if we were fighting almost any other creature. Golems however are almost entirely made of magic and as such don't really have internal organs to damage. I guess technically the crystal containing the rune work and spell used to bring golems to life could count as an internal organ. That kind of thinking is better left to the academic types though.

  Cole uses taunt to keep it focused on him. I'm also using my skill to keep the pressure on him. I briefly wonder why Darrel hasn't taken action, but he must have a reason. Looking over I see him doing something. I'm curious but at the same time it's obvious he's going for subtlety, so I decide to avoid drawing too much attention towards Darrel. Fortunately, the golem is still completely focused on Cole.

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  Seeing a brief window of opportunity, I strike out with my sword once again. This time the Golem doesn't block it in time and I'm able to stab almost 2cm into the golems body using only brute force and a skill that enhances brute force. It's not much but it's progress. Meanwhile Lily is using her skill to enhance Cole's already formidable defense, at least judging by how hard she appears to be concentrating.

  While all that was happening Chandra somehow managed to retrieve her knives. I make a mental note to ask how she was able to casually retrieve her knives from the enemies back during combat. Right now, I barely have time to notice much less think much about it. Suddenly Darrel lets go of the spell he's been working on as several ice shackles launch themselves out of the ground pinning the golem in place. Seems like an odd choice of spell to me. Especially given how long it took to conjure. At the same time Chandra launches another volley of throwing knives.

  This time they actually manage to get deep enough to puncture the golem crystal, and just like that the fight is over. It's all thanks, surprisingly enough, to our two ranged support party members. We were all kind of bummed out that the iron golem didn't drop any loot. Then I remembered the iron ore on the wall near the exit. Unfortunately, none of us had the gear nor the expertise to fully take advantage of it. Cole decided he'd give it a shot anyway and went to go hack at it with his sword.

  While he was doing that, I asked Darrel why he chose such a bizarre spell. Seems to me like it would have been much better to go with his signature ice spears. "Well, about that. Me and Chandra often train together so I know for a fact that those knives of hers should have gone much deeper than they did, even on the second throw. The only thing I knew that could cause that is if something was interfering with the penetration skill. I knew right then it was highly magic resistant." He said in a matter-of-fact tone. I decide not to press further since he is the magic expert among the five of us. At least compared to us he's the expert.

  A few minutes later Cole come back with a surprising amount of iron ore. Not as much as he would have gotten with proper gear and training but an impressive amount none the less. So much in fact that our box of holding is now full. Next time we delve we're going to have to start leaving loot behind as much as it pains me to say that. Fortunately, with the dungeon gaining popularity there are enough people delving that I doubt the shops will even notice the lack of wood and stone rank gear from our party.

  For now, it's time to move forward, after checking to make sure we are all fully recovered and ready that is.