Chapter 23 - Breaking the Guardian

  Akari’s sword trembled in her hands, the faint violet glow flickering along its edge.

  The Veilbound Guardian staggered, dark mist pouring from the wound she had inflicted.

  It bled.

  That meant it could die.

  The Guardian let out a distorted howl, its entire form writhing as if in agony. But its eyes—their eerie, burning glow—held no fear.

  Only rage.

  > Veilbound Guardian: Adaptation in Progress.

  Warning: Enemy is adjusting to your attacks.

  Akari’s stomach dropped.

  She only just figured out how to hurt this thing—

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  And now it was already adapting?

  The Guardian’s tendrils lashed out, faster than before.

  Akari barely managed to leap back, twisting her body to avoid being skewered. But the moment her feet touched the ground, a second attack was already coming.

  Her instincts screamed—

  She ducked.

  A black tendril slashed through the air above her, missing her by a breath.

  Too close.

  Akari gritted her teeth. She needed a strategy.

  Her first strike had worked because her sword was infused with Veilbound energy. But if the Guardian was adapting, she couldn’t just rely on the same attack.

  She had to overwhelm it before it could adjust completely.

  She turned to her summon, the shadowy beast already crouched beside her, its violet eyes glowing with recognition.

  > New Link Ability Available: Twin Veilbound Strike.

  Synchronize with your summon for a combined attack.

  Perfect.

  Akari focused, reaching through their bond.

  Her summon moved in sync, its body flickering with the same violet energy that pulsed through her sword.

  The Guardian lunged—

  And they struck together.

  Akari’s blade sliced through its torso, her summon’s claws ripped through its back.

  A burst of dark mist erupted, the Guardian’s body convulsing violently.

  The ground shook.

  It let out a piercing shriek, its form cracking, like shattered glass barely holding together.

  Akari didn’t stop.

  She pressed forward, slashing again—

  And again.

  Each strike tore more of its twisted form apart, its mist-like body failing to regenerate fast enough.

  > Veilbound Guardian’s Core Integrity: 28%

  She was winning.

  But then—

  The Guardian froze.

  The entire battlefield shuddered as its form began shifting, distorting into something else.

  A final transformation.

  > Warning: Veilbound Guardian is entering its Berserk State.

  Threat Level Increasing.

  Akari’s breath hitched.

  She had one chance before it regained control.

  No hesitation.

  She tightened her grip on her sword, channeling every last ounce of Veilbound energy she had left—

  And then, she charged.