The multiverse was trembling. Energy from the Convergence surged violently, making the floating islands pulse and shake like fragile glass. John hovered midair, Phantom Core humming in resonance with the artifact. Every island around him reflected shards of multiverse light, neon and crimson, casting eerie patterns across the team's faces.
"This… this is bigger than anything I imagined," John muttered, fists glowing, heart racing. "We've stabilized some islands, but the rest… they're unstable."
Susan floated beside him, aura blazing. "John… the dimensional rifts are multiplying. If we don't act fast, the islands could collapse entirely, and the Convergence will destabilize."
John grinned, adrenaline surging. "Then let's not waste any time."
Eve's drones whirred, projecting holographic energy streams. "Analysis: Multiple rifts generating uncontrolled energy pulses. Probability of collateral collapse: 72%. Recommendation: targeted neutralization or coordinated artifact resonance."
Crystal's runes glowed brightly, fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air. "We need perfect synchronization. Any misstep could trigger multiverse backlash."
Rin cracked his knuckles, smirking. "High energy, high chaos. My kind of fun."
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Dimensional Chaos Escalates
The first wave of rift-born creatures emerged, their forms shifting unpredictably. Neon limbs and phasing bodies blurred as they lunged toward the team.
John clenched his fists, Phantom Core energy pulsing in response. "Everyone, synchronize! We handle this together!"
Susan unleashed an amplified elemental storm, stabilizing multiple islands while striking the creatures.
Rin & Arin executed high-speed melee combos, targeting weak nodes in the shifting enemies.
Eve's drones predicted the creatures' dimensional jumps, guiding team strikes with millisecond precision.
Crystal reinforced islands with glowing rune bridges, keeping terrain intact.
Leo & Mika set adaptive traps that phased partially into dimensional space, capturing enemies as they materialized.
The chaos intensified. Energy pulses from the rifts created shockwaves that sent smaller islands tumbling into the void.
John smirked through the tension. "This is insane… I love it."
Susan's voice trembled slightly. "Insane? This could get us killed, John."
John laughed. "Not today. Not with this team."
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Artifact Revelation
As the battle raged, the artifact pulsed violently, projecting a swirling holographic interface:
[Artifact Hidden Function – Rift Stabilization Mode Detected]
[Warning – Unstable Dimensional Energy Increasing]
[System Alert – Artifact Quantum Core Overload Available]
John's grin widened. "Looks like the artifact wants to help… and maybe show off."
He extended his hands, letting energy flow into the Quantum Core. The artifact responded, amplifying each team member's abilities beyond prior limits:
Susan: Elemental storms now stabilize multiple islands and enemies simultaneously.
Rin & Arin: Combat speed and strike precision exponentially increased.
Eve: Drones can now predict multi-dimensional energy flows simultaneously.
Crystal: Rune bridges withstand extreme rift surges, preventing collapse.
Leo & Mika: Adaptive traps now phase fully into dimensional space, capturing more enemies.
John: Phantom Core Overdrive fully integrates with artifact energy, massively amplifying output.
John laughed, energy crackling across his body. "Alright… let's see what this level can do."
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Coordinated Assault
The team moved as one, combining attacks, strategies, and artifact resonance. Energy nodes pulsed violently, rifts quivering.
John focused, sending a concentrated Phantom Core strike into the nearest energy node. Susan's storms converged simultaneously, Rin & Arin landed a dual-combo strike, Eve guided every movement with drones, Crystal stabilized the terrain, Leo & Mika's traps phased to intercept rogue energy flows.
The rifts began to close, dimensional energy stabilizing slowly. But from the largest rift emerged a colossal figure: a multiverse guardian spawn, bigger and more powerful than the last. Its eyes glowed crimson, fractal wings unfurling, energy pulses warping reality around it.
John's grin widened. "Carl… you really don't like us taking it easy, huh?"
Susan's eyes widened. "This one… it's unlike anything we've faced before."
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Premium Vote – Influence John's Strategy!
The massive guardian spawn threatens multiple islands simultaneously. Your vote decides John's next major action:
Options:
1️⃣ Direct Overdrive: Use Phantom Core + Artifact Overdrive to strike the guardian head-on, risking island collapse.
2️⃣ Strategic Coordination: Focus on stabilizing islands and neutralizing weaker rifts first, then strike the guardian safely.
3️⃣ Harem/Team Bonding: Temporarily strengthen synergy with Susan, Eve, or Crystal, unlocking hidden artifact powers before engagement.
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Rewards (In-Story)
Everyone who votes earns 10 virtual Power Stones, unlocking artifact abilities or minor perks.
Top 1–5 voters unlock exclusive bonus scenes:
Secret harem interactions with Susan, Eve, or Crystal
Extra artifact skill upgrades
Hidden lore revealing Carl's next move
Reading this chapter earns 5 Coins for story hints or minor in-story bonuses.