The red lights began to move.
One by one, figures stepped out from between the broken pillars. Humanoid shapes, thin and twisted, their bodies wrapped in torn uniforms. Their mouths opened, releasing dry, echoing screams.
"Ghouls," Kang Haein said calmly. "Fast ones."
The first ghoul lunged.
Haein moved instantly. Her sword flashed, cutting the creature down in a single clean strike.
Jiwon raised his hand.
"Advance."
The skeleton stepped forward and met the next ghoul head-on. Claws scraped against bone, sparks flying as the creature slammed into it.
Jiwon felt the impact through his mana.
He frowned slightly but stayed focused.
"Hold the line."
The skeleton braced itself, forcing the ghoul back. Another one jumped from the side.
Haein cursed under her breath and moved to intercept, but Jiwon spoke first.
"Left."
The skeleton reacted instantly, swinging its arm. Bone struck skull.
Crack.
The ghoul collapsed.
[Enemy Defeated]
[EXP Gained: 15]
More came.
Too many.
"Back!" Haein shouted. "They're surrounding us!"
Jiwon scanned the area quickly. The ruins were narrow. Pillars everywhere. Bad positioning.
He took a step back and focused.
The system responded.
[Battle Focus Activated]
[Mana Consumption Increased]
Jiwon clenched his teeth.
"Push forward," he said. "Don't stop."
The skeleton surged ahead, forcing a path through the ghouls. Haein followed closely, cutting down anything that slipped past.
The floor was soon littered with bodies.
[Enemy Defeated]
[Enemy Defeated]
[EXP Gained]
Jiwon felt the pressure build in his head.
His vision blurred slightly.
Too many commands.
"Jiwon," Haein said sharply. "You're pushing too hard."
"I'm fine," he replied, though his voice was tense.
A deeper sound echoed through the chamber.
Heavy footsteps.
The ghouls suddenly stopped advancing.
They turned toward the darkness.
Something else was coming.
A massive shape emerged between the pillars.
An armored figure.
Rust-covered plate armor. A two-handed blade dragged behind it. Blue flames burned where its eyes should have been.
"…That's not normal," Haein muttered.
The system confirmed it.
[Elite Enemy Detected]
[Designation: Ruin Guard]
Jiwon felt his heartbeat slow.
This one was different.
He stepped forward.
"Stay close," he said quietly.
The Ruin Guard raised its blade.
And the ruins shook.