Guardians Parry Evolution
The massive stone gate rumbled shut behind Aster. A dull echo spread throughout the chamber. There was no turning back.
The colossal wolf slowly stood. Its silver fur shimmered beneath the glow of countless mana crystals embedded in the cavern walls.
Each breath escaping its nostrils carried visible white mist. Its crimson eyes never left Aster.
The Wolffang Longsword rested firmly in his hand. If he wished to deepen his understanding of the sword, then he would dedicate this battle entirely to it.
---
Dungeon Boss
Fenris, Alpha of Wolfscar
Level: 15
---
Fenris moved first. Its body vanished like a silver streak.
Ironfang Pounce!
A high-speed leap that crushed enemies beneath its enormous weight.
Aster instantly stepped aside. The wolf crashed into the stone floor. The impact shattered the ground beneath it. Without hesitation—
Twin Flash Step!
His body surged forward. The first slash struck Fenris's shoulder. The second cut crossed its ribs.
-412 HP.
Fenris roared. It retaliated immediately.
Moonclaw Rend!
Consecutive claw strikes capable of tearing through armor.
Three massive claws descended one after another.
Aster raised his sword.
Guardian Parry.
Clang!
The first claw was redirected. But the second struck his shoulder. The third barely grazed his chest.
His HP dropped.
Aster retreated several steps.
"...Still imperfect."
The battle continued.
Again.
And again.
Fenris launched relentless assaults. Every exchange became another lesson. Guardian Parry no longer served merely as defense. Aster began observing the direction of every strike.
The angle.
The force.
The timing.
Each successful parry revealed another piece of the skill's hidden truth.
The Primal Codex quietly updated.
Guardian Parry Evolution
34%
...
Fenris howled.
Packlord's Howl!
Increased Attack and Agility by 30% for a short duration.
Its muscles expanded. Its movements became even faster. The silver wolf transformed into a blur. Aster was immediately forced onto the defensive.
He no longer searched for openings. Instead, he focused entirely on parrying. Every collision echoed throughout the cavern.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Each impact sharpened his understanding.
The percentage climbed steadily.
47%
...
59%
...
71%
---
Minutes passed. Both combatants had accumulated wounds. Fenris's silver fur became stained with blood. Aster's breathing grew heavier. His arms trembled from the continuous impacts.
Yet...
His eyes became calmer. Guardian Parry no longer felt like a skill. It became instinct. His sword seemed to move before conscious thought.
Another clash.
Clang!
Aster suddenly realized something. Guardian Parry had never been about stopping attacks, nor redirecting them.
Those were merely results. Its true essence lay elsewhere. Control.
Absolute control.
Not over the opponent.
Not over the sword.
But over himself.
His breathing.
His stance.
His balance.
Every movement of his body became perfectly synchronized.
At that moment—
The Primal Codex trembled.
Guardian Parry Evolution
89%
---
Fenris lowered its body. Its crimson eyes glowed violently. Mana erupted from its fangs. The entire cavern shook.
King's Execution!
At low health, Fenris condensed mana into its fangs before delivering a single fatal bite capable of killing careless adventurers.
The wolf disappeared. Not because it had become invisible, but because its speed exceeded ordinary perception.
Aster closed his eyes. He stopped chasing the wolf's movement. Instead, he listened.
One heartbeat.
One breath.
One intention.
Then...
He opened his eyes. Everything became clear. The charging wolf. The exact trajectory. The precise instant of impact. Aster stepped forward instead of backward. His sword rose naturally.
Not too early.
Not too late.
One perfect motion.
Guardian Parry!
CLANG!!
The enormous fangs slid harmlessly across the blade. The redirected force caused Fenris to lose its balance completely. The gigantic wolf crashed sideways into the cavern wall.
The entire chamber trembled. At that exact moment, the Primal Codex burst into brilliant golden light.
---
Guardian Parry
Evolution Progress
100%
Evolution Requirements Fulfilled.
---
Aster smiled.
"So..."
"This is the end of the path."
No.
The beginning.
He finally understood.
Comprehension and evolution were different. Understanding opened the path. Evolution required walking it. His thoughts ended the instant Fenris rose once more.
The wolf's movements had become sluggish. Its breathing uneven. Its health had fallen below ten percent.
Aster tightened his grip on the Wolffang Longsword. No hesitation remained.
Twin Flash Step!
His body surged forward. The first slash cut across Fenris's chest. The second pierced directly through its heart. The massive wolf froze. Its crimson eyes gradually lost their light.
Then...
Its enormous body dissolved into countless particles.
The dungeon fell silent.
A brilliant pillar of golden light descended upon Aster as the system's clear voice echoed throughout the cavern.
Congratulations!
You have cleared Wolfscar Cavern (Normal Difficulty).
Elite Difficulty has been unlocked.