The ground trembled as the Void Guardian stepped out of the ritual circle.
Each step of the monster cracked the ancient stones of Velkar Temple.
The royal knights immediately felt the pressure of its presence.
Captain Leon stared at the creature.
"It's stronger than before…"
The Void Guardian's body was now covered with thicker black armor.
Sharp crystal spikes had grown along its shoulders and arms.
Dark energy leaked from its body like smoke.
One of the royal mages shouted from behind.
"Captain! Its mana output has doubled!"
Leon tightened his grip on his sword.
"Then we bring it down together."
He raised his blade.
"All knights!"
"Focus your attacks on the monster!"
Several knights rushed forward.
Their enchanted swords glowed with magic.
One of them jumped and slashed at the creature's leg.
CLANG!
The blade bounced off the dark armor.
Another knight cast a fire spell.
"Flame Burst!"
The explosion hit the monster's chest.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
For a moment—
everyone hoped it worked.
But then the smoke cleared.
The Void Guardian stood there completely unharmed.
The monster slowly turned its head.
Its glowing red eyes locked onto the attacking knights.
Then it moved.
Faster than anyone expected.
BOOM!
Its massive claw slammed into the ground.
The shockwave sent several knights flying across the ruins.
"Fall back!" Leon shouted.
But the creature didn't stop.
It swung its tail through a group of soldiers.
Armor shattered.
Stone pillars collapsed.
The battlefield turned chaotic.
Meanwhile—
inside the temple courtyard—
the cult leader calmly watched everything.
One of the cultists approached him.
"My lord, the royal army has engaged the Guardian."
The leader nodded.
"Good."
"And the ritual progress?"
"Sixty-eight percent."
The leader smiled slightly.
"Soon."
Back in the battlefield—
Captain Leon gathered his mana again.
His sword began glowing with golden energy.
He charged directly toward the monster.
"Royal Knight Technique!"
"Solar Breaker!"
His blade struck the Void Guardian's chest.
CRACK!
For the first time—
a visible fracture appeared in the dark armor.
Black energy burst from the wound.
The monster roared in anger.
Leon jumped back quickly.
"It can be damaged!"
The knights regained hope.
But suddenly—
the cult leader raised his hand from the temple steps.
Dark energy shot through the ritual circle again.
The Void Guardian's wound slowly closed.
Leon's eyes widened.
"It's regenerating…"
At the same moment—
far away in the royal palace—
Saksham felt the surge of power again.
Inside his mind, the system flashed urgently.
SYSTEM ALERT
Void Guardian Awakening:
68% → 71%
Critical Stage Near
Saksham clenched his fists.
"The ritual is still working…"
Orion stood beside him silently.
His expression had become serious again.
"If the progress reaches seventy-five percent…"
Saksham looked at him.
"What happens then?"
Orion answered quietly.
"The Guardian enters its final evolution."
Far away in the ruins—
the cult leader slowly raised both arms.
Dark lightning exploded across the ritual circle.
The Void Guardian roared louder than ever before.
And the awakening continued.
To be continued…