The Guardian's roar thundered through the cavern.
BOOOOOOM!
Its stone fist crashed into the ground, sending cracks racing toward Arin. Dust exploded upward. Rocks shattered.
But Arin didn't freeze this time.
Lunara's energy pulsed through him — cool, steady, sharp like moonlight.
His body felt lighter.His senses sharpened.His fear… gone.
[Soul Link Burst in effect: 30 → 29 seconds]
Arin dashed sideways just as the Guardian's second strike came down.The air whistled beside his ear.
"Damn… that would've crushed me."
Lunara barked sharply — a signal.
Arin understood instantly.
They moved together.
He sprinted to the Guardian's side while Lunara darted low, her ghostly body slipping through the Guardian's shadow.
The Guardian turned its burning eyes.
"Your soul… resonates with hers.Interesting."
It swung a massive arm — horizontally this time.
Arin dodged, rolling across the cold stone floor.
"System! Attack option kuch? Main sirf dodge karke thodi jeet paunga!"
[New Sub-Skill Unlocked: Shadow Grip (Basic)][Effect: Create a small shadow hand to bind a target for 0.8 seconds.]
"0.8 seconds… bas?" Arin groaned. "But—okay!"
The Guardian lunged again.
Arin raised his hand.
"Shadow Grip!"
A faint gray-black hand formed from his shadow and latched onto the Guardian's ankle.
The giant creature froze — only for a fraction of a second.
But that was enough.
Lunara moved.
The tiny wolf leaped upward, her claws glowing with a thin silver aura.She slashed across the Guardian's left shin.
A crack appeared on the stone armor.
Arin grinned."Nice one!"
The Guardian looked down at the crack — surprised.
"A newborn spirit beast… broke my guard?"
Its blue-fire eyes flared.
"Then… I shall no longer hold back."
The ground trembled.
Its body split open slightly — revealing glowing lines of ancient runes beneath.
Arin's smile vanished.
"Uh-oh."
[Warning: The Guardian is entering Phase Two][Soul Link Burst remaining: 18 seconds]
The Guardian lifted both arms.Stone plates unfolded.Light gathered between its palms.
A beam of raw energy began forming.
Arin's heartbeat slammed.
"Lunara… move!"
They sprinted as the Guardian unleashed:
KRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAA–BOOOOOM!!!
A massive beam tore through the cavern, obliterating everything in its path.
Stone pillars evaporated.Walls melted.
Arin barely slid behind a fallen boulder, panting.
"That attack… one hit and I'm done."
But Lunara nudged his hand.
Her eyes glowed fiercely — telling him they still had a chance.
Arin stood up again.
Sweat dripped down his face.His aura flickered.
But he didn't run.
He clenched his fists.
"Alright, big guy. I'm done being scared."
He stepped forward.
Lunara howled — a rising ghostly sound echoing through the cavern.
The Guardian glared down.
"Show me your resolve, Necromancer.Show me your will to command death."
Arin's shadow rippled.
A second, larger Shadow Grip formed behind him — stronger than before.
Arin smirked.
"Let's finish this… together."
He charged.
Lunara leaped.
The Guardian raised its arm for a killing strike—
And the cavern shook as battle erupted again.