The cavern shook like thunder as Arin charged forward.
The Stonebone Guardian raised its massive arm, blue flames pulsing violently from its hollow eyes.
"NECROMANCER—YOUR JUDGMENT COMES!"
Arin didn't stop.
[Soul Link Burst remaining: 09 seconds]
Lunara sprinted beside him, her ghostly body blurring with speed.Her tiny fangs glowed — far sharper than any normal wolf.
The Guardian swung.
WHOOM—!
Arin slid under the giant's arm, the wind grazing his cheek so hard it burned.
"Damn… that was close!"
He pointed at the Guardian's foot.
"Shadow Grip!"
A dark claw erupted from Arin's shadow — larger, stronger now — and grabbed the Guardian's ankle.
The giant paused for a moment.
Just long enough.
"Lunara! Now!"
The baby wolf leaped, her body wrapped in silver ghost-light.
With a fierce howl, she slashed across the existing crack in its armor—
KRAAAAACK!
The stone shattered.
A chunk of armor fell, revealing glowing runes beneath — the Guardian's core.
The Guardian staggered.
"A spirit beast… evolving so soon… impossible…"
Arin felt something swelling inside his chest — a pressure, a burning energy forming inside him.
"System… what's happening?"
[Detection: Host is reaching a Critical Will Threshold][A new skill is attempting to manifest]
Arin's eyes widened."A new skill…?"
The Guardian roared, lifting both hands to crush him.
"YOU ARE STILL UNWORTHY!"
Arin raised his own hand — instinctively.
His shadow extended on its own.
A long, curved shape emerged from it…A blade…?
No—A fang made of pure darkness.
Like a curved wolf fang forged from shadow.
His heart pounded.
"W–What is—?"
[New Skill Awakened][Reaper's Fang: Lv.1][Type: Shadow Weapon][Effect: Manifest a shadow-forged fang that cuts spiritual cores]
Arin's breath caught.
He had created… a weapon?
The Guardian stomped forward, shaking the entire cavern.
Arin gripped the shadow-fang, feeling cold power flow through him.
Lunara howled behind him.
Arin leaped.
The Guardian swung—
Arin dodged midair—
And with a wild, instinctive strike—
He sliced the glowing rune core on the Guardian's chest.
SHIIIIIIING—!
A pulse of shadow energy exploded outward.
The Guardian's body froze.
A crack ran through its chest plate.
Then—
BOOOOOOOOM!!
The giant collapsed, hitting the ground with a deafening crash.
Dust billowed.The cavern fell silent.
Arin landed roughly on one knee, panting, sweat dripping down his face.
Lunara rushed to him, nudging his hand.
He smiled weakly.
"We… we did it."
The system chimed:
[Dungeon Guardian Defeated][Reward: +2 Skill Slots][Reward: Shadow Trait Fragment ×1][Reward: Reaper's Fang — Stable Manifestation Unlocked][Level Up: 4 → 7]
Arin blinked.
"So many rewards…?"
He looked at Lunara.
The tiny wolf glowed faintly — she was evolving again.
He laughed softly.
"This world is crazy… but I guess I'm part of it now."
Behind them, the ancient gate started glowing again — different this time.
Inviting.Calling.Awaiting.
The Reaper had taken his first step.