The roar echoed like thunder trapped within the ancient walls, shaking dust and fragments of stone from the high ceiling. The beast emerged from the deep shadows at the back of the chamber — massive, a grotesque hybrid of an armored bear with draconic traits, scales corroded by ancient mana glowing blood-red, bloodshot eyes locked onto me with primal hunger. Enormous paws dug into the ground, cracking stone, claws long as swords scraping sparks. Its mouth opened, revealing serrated fangs and hot breath stinking of old carcass.
Fuck, a real residual guardian — high rank for a peripheral ruin. Without Aria, I'd be dead in seconds.
The floating sphere — my new AI "partner" — spun rapidly at my side, its red eye flashing blue holographic alerts into the air.
[Threat classified: Corrupted Guardian Rank C+. Weaknesses: Scaled joints fragile, mana core in chest. Current energy 85% restored. Primary weapons online: Plasma cannon charging, force shield projected. Master, orders?]
I grabbed the old sword from the ground, my body still throbbing from the recent Awakening — sore muscles, but adrenaline mixed with lingering primal desire pulsing through my veins. Points at 6820, extended time, but the Beast whispered in the back of my mind, ready to return if I weakened.
"Hit the joints first! Shield on me, cannon on the chest!"
[Confirmed. Initiating synchronized combat protocol.]
A translucent blue dome formed around me, mana shield crackling as the beast charged — a massive paw slamming where I stood, the impact shaking the ground but rebounding off the barrier. The recoil threw me backward, my back hitting a fallen column, air knocked from my lungs.
The beast roared again, an unstoppable charge, but Aria fired — a red plasma beam blasting from the sphere, striking the joint of the front leg. Scales melted with a hiss, exposed flesh smoking, the creature limping in furious pain.
I rolled aside, sword in hand, running low to flank it. Script knowledge helped — beasts like this have blind spots on the sides. I struck hard at the exposed rear joint, the rusty blade cutting deep despite resistance, green mana-blood gushing hot over my hands.
The creature spun fast, tail whipping — I barely escaped, Aria's shield absorbing the impact in a shower of sparks. Fuck, it still hurt, bones vibrating.
[Master, minor injury detected. Injecting mana stimulant? Warning: May trigger residual desire of the Aspect.]
"Not now! Focus on the core!"
Another plasma shot — straight into the exposed chest as the beast reared onto its hind legs. Direct hit, the glowing core cracking, its roar turning into an agonized screech.
I seized the moment: jumped onto the fallen column for momentum, sword raised, plunging into the weak point beneath the neck. Awakened strength helped — the blade sank in, cruel twist, blood spraying like a fountain.
The beast staggered, legs failing, its massive body collapsing with a tremor that split the ground. One last weak roar, eyes fading out.
Gasping, I dropped to my knees, sword dripping green. My body hurt like hell — shallow cuts on my arms, ribs throbbing, but alive.
Aria floated closer, her hologram partially reappearing — curvy body still tactile from Awakening remnants, a mechanical yet seductive smile.
[Victory confirmed. Guardian neutralized. Loot available: Rank C mana core, reinforced scales, natural-weapon claws. Absorbing residues for self-upgrade? Master performed… adequately.]
Adequately. I laughed hoarsely, wiping blood from my face. Points didn't go up — pure combat didn't count like sex, but the core was worth gold. Sell it or use it for an airship.
I turned over the huge body — the pulsating core in its chest, hot to the touch. Scales for armor, claws for better blades. Real lost-era items.
Deeper in the chamber, behind the pedestal, a hidden door opened with the guardian's death — a secret room with intact metal crates. Inside: ancient airship parts, robotic tools, even a small eternal mana reactor.
Complete jackpot.
Aria scanned everything, her voice animated.
[Material sufficient for a basic dirigible at the hideout. With my upgrades, an exaggerated version is possible — stealth, armed, hidden dock at the island's base. Independence guaranteed, master. Initiate construction immediately?]
Independence. Hide it like in the script — my own territory, far from the matriarchal family, the academy in sight but under control.
"Yes. Hide everything in the lower part of the island, per ancient protocol. Start slow, use worker robots if needed."
[Understood. Estimated time: 1 month for flying prototype. Additional partners recommended for… alternative energy recharge.]
Heat rose subtly — the Beast teasing. Points now 6780, being consumed.
I left the ruins at dusk, backpack heavy with initial loot, Aria floating invisibly at my side (stealth mode active). The forest was less hostile on the way back, but mosquitoes still bit, mud sucking at my boots.
I reached the mansion at nightfall. Family in the hall — mother anxious, Jenna sneering.
"Back alive? Find anything or just dirty your boots, mob?"
I showed the glowing core. Shocked silence.
Mother smiled predatorily.
"That's worth a fortune. Or power. Good work, Shade. Now, plans for the academy — heiresses will want an Awakened with relics."
Jenna narrowed her eyes, pure jealousy.
I smiled inwardly. With Aria building a secret airship, partners for points, meta knowledge…
This matriarchal world wasn't ready for me.
But sleep weighed subtly that night — the Second Nightmare teasing closer?
The Beast purred, satisfied. For now.