Chapter 7 — The Iron Giant
The ground trembled as the Ruin Guard advanced.
Each step of the ancient machine crushed grass and dirt beneath its massive feet. Rusted metal joints groaned as the towering construct turned its glowing eye toward Aiden.
The bright orange light in its core flickered ominously.
Aiden exhaled slowly.
"…Well, this escalated quickly."
He tightened his grip on the wooden spear.
Behind him, his mother stood calmly with her arms crossed, watching like a spectator at a training match.
She had clearly decided not to interfere.
Aiden glanced back for half a second.
"You're seriously not helping?"
She shrugged.
"You wanted to travel the world."
Her tone was completely relaxed.
"Consider this preparation."
Aiden sighed.
"Great."
The Ruin Guard suddenly raised its arm.
Aiden recognized the motion immediately.
Missiles.
He sprinted sideways just as the machine fired.
A barrage of small rockets streaked through the air.
Boom!
Explosions tore across the field behind him, sending dirt and smoke flying into the sky.
Aiden rolled across the grass and quickly stood again.
His mind raced.
In the game, Ruin Guards had clear weak points.
The glowing eye.
The leg joints.
But the spear in his hand was made of wood.
Not exactly the ideal weapon for fighting an ancient war machine.
Still…
The machine wasn't particularly fast.
That was his advantage.
The Ruin Guard swung its arm horizontally.
Aiden ducked under the attack and sprinted toward its side.
The spear thrust forward.
Clang!
The tip struck the joint behind the machine's knee.
The metal didn't break.
But the impact made the construct stumble slightly.
Aiden jumped backward immediately.
The Ruin Guard turned again.
Its glowing eye locked onto him.
For a moment, the machine froze.
Then the core in its chest began to glow brighter.
Aiden's eyes widened.
"Ah."
That attack he remembered very clearly.
"Not good."
He dove behind a large rock just as a massive beam of energy blasted across the field.
The laser carved a glowing line across the ground, sending smoke and sparks into the air.
The rock cracked under the heat.
Aiden rolled out from behind it and stood again.
"…Okay."
He looked up at the towering machine.
"If I'm going to win this…"
He twirled the spear once.
"…I need to stop playing safe."
The Ruin Guard stepped forward again.
Aiden charged.
This time he didn't stop.
The machine swung its arm downward.
Aiden jumped.
The attack slammed into the ground beneath him, sending dirt flying everywhere.
Midair, Aiden twisted his body.
The spear shot forward.
Clang!
The tip struck the Ruin Guard's glowing eye.
The machine staggered.
The light flickered violently.
Aiden landed and sprinted past it.
"Good."
The eye was sensitive.
He knew it.
The Ruin Guard roared mechanically and spun around.
Its movements were slower now.
Aiden circled carefully.
The machine fired another missile barrage.
Aiden sprinted through the explosions, dodging the blasts as they struck the ground around him.
The air filled with smoke and dust.
Perfect.
The Ruin Guard lost sight of him.
Aiden dashed forward through the haze.
The spear shot upward.
Clang!
Another direct hit to the eye.
This time the glowing light dimmed significantly.
The Ruin Guard stumbled backward.
Its movements became unstable.
Aiden didn't give it time to recover.
He sprinted forward again.
Jump.
Spin.
Strike!
The spear slammed into the eye one last time.
CRACK.
The orange light shattered like glass.
The massive machine froze.
For a moment everything went silent.
Then—
The Ruin Guard collapsed.
The ground shook as the giant construct crashed into the dirt.
Aiden stood there breathing heavily.
"…That was way harder than fighting hilichurls."
Behind him, slow clapping echoed across the field.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Aiden turned.
Standing near the edge of the vineyard was a familiar figure in a dark coat.
Red hair shimmered in the sunlight.
Diluc stepped forward calmly.
"Well done."
Aiden sighed.
"You were watching too?"
Diluc nodded slightly.
"I was investigating reports of a wandering Ruin Guard."
His eyes shifted toward the fallen machine.
"It seems the problem has already been handled."
Aiden rested the spear on his shoulder.
"With a wooden weapon."
Diluc looked mildly impressed.
"Your strategy was efficient."
Aiden shrugged.
"I knew its weak point."
Diluc studied him carefully.
"Most people your age wouldn't."
Aiden smiled awkwardly.
"…Lucky guess."
Diluc didn't comment on that.
Instead he glanced toward Aiden's mother.
"You trained him well."
She shrugged casually.
"He still hesitates too much."
Aiden groaned.
"I literally just destroyed a giant war machine."
"After three mistakes."
"…Harsh."
Diluc allowed himself the faintest hint of a smile.
Then he turned back toward the city.
"Come."
"The winery workers will panic if they see that thing lying here."
As they began walking back toward Mondstadt, Aiden glanced down at his hand.
For just a moment…
He thought he felt something warm in his chest.
Not fire.
Not exactly.
But something close.
Something ancient.
Something waiting.
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…Weird."
The warmth vanished instantly.
Aiden shook his head.
Probably nothing.
Still…
Somewhere deep inside him—
Something had stirred.
And Aiden had a strange feeling that this was only the beginning.