The chamber shook as the Guardian fully emerged—seven feet of obsidian armor and molten lines running through its limbs. Its head lacked features, but a deep hum echoed from its chest, vibrating the air itself.
> [Boss-Class Hostile Detected: Ruin Guardian – Tier II]
Weak Points: Arm Joints, Core Crystal (Chest)
Attack Pattern: Slam | Pulse Shock | Overload Surge
Suggested Strategy: Divide and Distract – Target Core Crystal during Cooldown Window
Rowan pulled his sword free with a growl. "It's already charging."
The Guardian lifted both arms—and slammed them down. The floor cracked. A pulse of concussive force threw Aric back into the wall.
Darius rolled left, skidding behind a half-toppled pillar.
> [Quick Command: Summon – Shield Glyph]
Cost: 15 Gold | Duration: 5 Seconds
"System—cast it!" he yelled.
A glowing sigil erupted between Aric and the Guardian just in time to absorb a second blast.
"Rowan, keep its left arm busy. Aric, circle wide and draw fire. I'll hit the core when it opens."
They moved like clockwork. Rowan danced close, his blade scraping sparks off metal. The Guardian's swings were slow but heavy, every miss crushing stone.
Then—the cooldown window.
The chest crystal flickered.
Darius dashed forward.
> [System Skill – Core Strike]
Bonus Damage vs. Exposed Node Targets
Cost: 10 Gold
He leapt.
"NOW!"
The blade struck the crystal.
CRACK.
The Guardian reeled. A screech—metallic and furious—rang out as its core fractured. Steam hissed from its back vents.
> [Critical Hit – Core Integrity: 47%]
It roared and slammed a fist into the floor, triggering a localized quake.
Chunks of ceiling dropped. One grazed Rowan's shoulder, but he stayed standing.
"Darius!" Aric shouted. "Finish it before it overloads!"
> [Core Surge Countdown: 00:17]
Self-Destruct Imminent
Darius didn't hesitate. He sprinted, ran up the creature's arm, and plunged his blade straight into the heart of the crystal with both hands.
A burst of white light—
BOOM.
And then silence.
The Guardian crumbled, falling backward in slow motion. Its core cracked open, spilling light before flickering out.
> [Guardian Defeated]
+150 Gold | +2 SP | Loot: Obsidian Core Shard, Guardian Battery (Empty)
Level Up: 9
Empire Control +2%
Darius dropped to one knee, breathing hard.
Rowan clutched his bleeding shoulder. "We're alive."
Aric grinned. "Barely."
Darius stood. His interface shimmered with something new.
> [Empire Tech Path Unlocked – Obsidian Constructs]
You may now research: Auto-Sentinels, Ruin Alloy Walls, or Guardian Echo Relays.
But before he could react—
A gust of wind.
A strange pressure.
Like something watching from just beyond the threshold of the ruin.
Darius looked toward the exit.
Unaware that Kaelira was already a half-day away—and closing fast.
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Author: I am thinking integrating harem in my work but in later chapters