The Ruin Guard towered over them, its blue flames flickering with every heavy breath. Dust hung thick in the air, mixing with the faint metallic stench of the chamber.
Jiwon felt the system pulse sharply in his mind.
[Enemy Behavior Analysis Complete]
[Weak Points Detected: Shoulder joint, Back plate]
He lowered his hand and whispered, "Skeleton, keep it busy. Don't let it focus on her."
The skeleton rattled, standing tall before the Ruin Guard, blocking its massive swings.
Haein's eyes flicked to Jiwon. "You're calm… How?"
He didn't answer. He didn't need to. He already knew.
The Ruin Guard swung again, faster this time, aiming at Haein. The skeleton intercepted, groaning under the pressure. Jiwon concentrated, letting mana flow into his bones.
[Skill Upgrade Available]
[Bone Spike – Efficiency Increased]
He clenched his teeth. The ground beneath the guard cracked, sharp bone spikes erupting from below.
The guard staggered, eyes burning brighter.
Jiwon exhaled slowly. "Now."
The skeleton lunged, slashing at the weak shoulder joint. Haein leapt forward, striking the back plate with a precise swing. Sparks and blue fire exploded where metal met steel, but the guard couldn't shake them off.
The system chimed.
[Enemy HP: 60% Remaining]
[Skill Proficiency: Bone Spike Lv.2 → Lv.3]
[Raise Skeleton Lv.2 → Lv.3]
Jiwon felt the rush of adrenaline. His heartbeat matched the rhythm of the fight, every movement calculated.
The guard roared, swinging wildly, but Jiwon anticipated the pattern. Another series of spikes erupted beneath its feet, forcing it to stumble.
Haein's sword cut again, this time leaving a deep scratch along the rusted chest plate. The Ruin Guard faltered, its balance broken for the first time.
Jiwon raised his hand, mana coiling visibly around his fingers. "Skeleton… push!"
The skeleton surged, reinforced bones snapping with force as it slammed into the Ruin Guard. Sparks flew. Metal screeched. The armored figure staggered back into a pillar, cracking the stone beneath it.
Haein caught her breath. "I didn't expect… you to control it so well."
Jiwon didn't answer. He was too focused. Another thought ran through his mind: he had to get stronger, faster. Each dungeon, each fight… they were just the beginning.
The Ruin Guard growled, smoke rising from its blue flame eyes. It raised its sword once more.
Jiwon smiled faintly.
"This is just the start."