The Ruin Guardian's charge shook the entire plaza.
Each step cracked the stone beneath its feet.
"Move!" Rye shouted.
Everyone scattered.
The creature's massive arm swung sideways, smashing through a broken statue. Stone exploded across the street like shrapnel.
Eokimo ducked behind a fallen pillar, breathing hard.
This thing is way too big.
The ground trembled again.
Dagan was already moving.
With a sharp shout, he dashed forward, spear in hand. His body lowered as he closed the distance, striking the guardian's leg.
CLANG.
The sound rang like metal hitting a mountain.
The spear barely scratched the rocky surface.
"…well, that's not good." Dagan muttered.
The guardian raised its leg and slammed downward.
Dagan rolled away just before the impact shattered the ground where he stood.
Nearby, Lira flicked her coin again.
But this time the coin didn't fall.
It hovered for a brief second.
Then shot forward like a bullet.
CRACK.
The coin struck the guardian's shoulder, leaving a thin fracture across the stone.
"Good!" she called. "It can break!"
Sen stepped forward next.
He placed one hand on the ground.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the stone beneath the guardian suddenly shifted upward like a jagged spike.
BOOM.
The spike smashed into the creature's chest, forcing it to stumble half a step.
The Ruin Guardian roared.
Red light pulsed through the cracks across its body.
Eokimo watched everything carefully.
Their skills…
Everyone had one.
Everyone except him.
Or at least… not one he could use directly.
He clenched his fists.
Absorption only works after killing something.
Which meant right now—
He was basically useless.
The guardian turned suddenly.
Its burning eyes locked onto him.
"…Why me?" Eokimo whispered.
The creature lunged.
Its massive arm swung down like a falling building.
Eokimo dove sideways.
The ground exploded where he had been standing.
Dust filled the air.
His ears rang.
Think. Think.
He looked at the creature again.
The cracks Lira created.
The dent Sen made.
The leg Dagan struck.
They were damaging it little by little.
But the guardian barely seemed slowed.
Another roar echoed.
The creature lifted both arms.
Rye suddenly stepped forward.
For the first time since the fight started.
His eyes were calm.
Too calm.
"Back," he said quietly.
Dagan frowned.
"What?"
"Just move."
Something in Rye's voice made everyone hesitate.
Then they backed away.
Rye exhaled slowly.
The guardian raised its arm to strike him.
He didn't move.
Not until the last second.
Then—
He stepped forward.
Fast.
His hand shot out and struck the guardian's chest.
For a split second, nothing happened.
Then the crack across the creature's body spread violently.
CRRRRACK.
The stone shattered outward like breaking ice.
The guardian staggered.
Dagan's eyes widened.
"…What the hell was that?"
But Rye didn't answer.
The Ruin Guardian roared in fury.
Red light surged through its body.
The cracks began slowly repairing themselves.
Eokimo felt a cold drop of realization in his stomach.
"…It's healing."
The creature lifted its arm again.
And this time—
It slammed the ground with enough force to send all of them flying.
Eokimo hit the stone hard, air knocked from his lungs.
As he struggled to sit up, he saw the guardian advancing again.
Slow.
Relentless.
And nearly unharmed.
Eokimo wiped blood from his lip.
Then muttered under his breath,
"…We're going to need a better plan."