The Ruin Guard swung its massive sword.
The air split with the force, sending dust and debris flying. Jiwon stumbled back, barely keeping his balance. Haein rolled to the side, her sword flashing as she tried to strike the armored enemy.
The skeleton moved first. Bones rattling, it charged, dodging the massive swings with surprising speed. Its claws scraped the guard's armor, leaving shallow marks.
[Raise Skeleton – Proficiency Bonus Applied]
The guard roared, a deep, hollow sound that echoed through the chamber. With a swing of its blade, it shattered a pillar, sending concrete and stone tumbling toward them.
"Fall back!" Haein shouted.
Jiwon didn't move.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, feeling the system pulse in his mind.
[Skill Suggestion]
[Bone Reinforcement – Available]
[Cost: High Mana]
He opened his eyes.
"Skeleton, reinforce!" he commanded.
A faint glow spread across the bones. The skeleton's frame thickened, cracks sealing as jagged bone grew stronger. Its movements became heavier, more deliberate.
The Ruin Guard charged again.
This time, the skeleton met it head-on, blocking the swing. The sound of clashing bone and metal filled the chamber. Sparks flew. Jiwon felt the vibration in his chest through the mana bond.
Haein took the opportunity to strike. She ran along the side, slicing at exposed joints in the armor. Blue sparks flickered at the contact points, but the Ruin Guard barely reacted.
"Damn," she muttered. "This thing's tough."
Jiwon noticed a weak point near the guard's shoulder. A faint shimmer under the rusted armor, likely the source of its movement. He focused.
"Skeleton, hold!" he said sharply.
The skeleton braced.
Jiwon raised his hands, mana coiling around his fingers.
[Bone Spike – Skill Unlocked]
[Target: Ruin Guard]
[Cost: Moderate Mana]
He released.
Sharp spikes erupted from the ground beneath the guard's feet, piercing through the stone and lightly scratching the armor. The Ruin Guard staggered, clearly unprepared for the attack.
Haein's eyes widened. "Impressive."
The system chimed.
[Enemy HP: 85% Remaining]
[Skill Proficiency Gained: Bone Spike Lv.1 → Lv.2]
Jiwon's heart beat steadily. The fight was far from over, but for the first time, he felt… capable.
The Ruin Guard roared again and swung downward. The skeleton met it with a heavy block, and Jiwon stepped forward.
"Stay behind me," he instructed Haein.
This was only the start.