Kaito Arakawa — Perspective
The guardian’s glowing core was finally exposed.
“This is our chance!” Reina shouted.
Yuna immediately strengthened her support magic while Elira moved back carefully to avoid the guardian’s attacks.
The Genesis energy surrounding me became stronger.
Warmer.
Like multiple powers were flowing together inside my body.
The guardian roared and charged toward us again.
But this time…
I could react faster.
Much faster.
“Left side!” Reina warned.
I moved instantly.
The guardian’s massive fist crashed into the ground beside me, destroying the stone floor.
Dust exploded into the air.
But before the guardian could recover—
I jumped forward.
Straight toward its exposed core.
“Now, Kaito!” Yuna shouted.
A burst of wind magic pushed my body forward even faster.
The glowing energy around my hand intensified.
Then—
I struck the guardian’s chest core directly.
CRACK.
The blue crystal inside the guardian shattered instantly.
For a moment, the entire chamber became silent.
Then the giant stone body stopped moving completely.
The guardian collapsed.
A loud system notification echoed inside my head.
[TRIAL COMPLETED]
Ancient Guardian Defeated
Rewards:
– Bonus EXP Granted
– Genesis Link Resonance Increased
– New Ability Acquired:
[Sky Step — Beginner Flight Ability]
“…Flight?”
Before I could process it properly, another notification appeared.
[Special Task Completed]
Objective:
– Defeat the Guardian of Genesis Ruins
Reward:
– Hidden Synchronization Bonus Unlocked
So the system gave me another hidden task the moment we entered the ruins.
This thing seriously never stops.
The ruins slowly became quiet after the guardian disappeared.
Then everyone’s attention shifted toward the center of the chamber.
A glowing sphere floated above the platform.
Soft blue light spread throughout the room.
Reina activated Appraisal immediately.
But then her expression changed.
“…Appraisal failed.”
Again.
Elira stared at the sphere nervously.
“…That energy feels ancient.”
For some reason…
I felt drawn toward it.
Like it was calling me.
Slowly, I stepped closer.
The moment my hand touched the glowing sphere—
The entire chamber froze.
The sphere suddenly dissolved into particles of light and disappeared.
At the same time—
A familiar voice echoed inside my mind.
> “Ah… finally.”
My eyes widened slightly.
“…Genesis?”
> “Hi. Nice to meet you again, Kaito Arakawa.”
Again?
What does that mean?
The voice sounded calmer now.
More human.
Less robotic.
> “A fragment of my existence was trapped inside these ruins. When you touched the core, your Genesis Link reacted with it and released me.”
I stayed silent.
Meanwhile, the others looked confused because they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“Kaito?” Yuna asked nervously.
“What happened?”
“…The system is talking to me again.”
That sentence somehow sounded crazier every time I said it.
Genesis continued speaking.
> “I can now assist you more directly during your journey.”
Journey.
Right.
Because apparently getting transported into another world wasn’t enough already.
Then the voice suddenly became serious.
> “There should be a lever near your position. Pull it.”
I looked beside the platform.
There really was a hidden lever attached to the wall.
“…What does it do?”
> “It opens the escape route.”
Fair enough.
I pulled it immediately.
RUMBLE.
The ruins suddenly shook violently.
Massive stone walls slowly moved apart above us, revealing an opening leading toward the surface.
Light poured into the chamber.
Yuna looked relieved instantly.
“An exit!”
Elira sighed softly in relief too.
But then Genesis spoke again.
> “Use your new ability.”
“…What?”
> “Sky Step. Carry them outside one by one.”
Right.
The flight ability.
I focused slightly—
And suddenly my body felt lighter.
Blue energy formed beneath my feet.
Then slowly…
I lifted off the ground.
“…No way,” Reina whispered.
Yuna’s eyes widened completely.
“You can fly now?!”
Honestly…
I was just as shocked as they were.
One by one, I carried everyone out through the opening above the ruins.
First Yuna.
Then Reina.
Then Elira.
The ability felt unstable, but manageable.
Finally, after escaping the ruins completely, we reached the forest surface again.
Fresh air hit immediately.
For a brief moment…
It actually felt peaceful.
Then suddenly—
“Don’t move!”
Multiple voices echoed around us.
Figures appeared from the trees instantly.
Archers.
Warriors.
All surrounding us at once.
Elves.
Elira’s expression changed immediately.
“…An ambush.”
There were too many of them.
At least twenty.
Maybe more hidden nearby.
Several bows immediately aimed directly at me.
One wrong movement and we’d probably be filled with arrows.
Reina quietly lowered her stance.
“…We can’t fight this.”
Yuna looked nervous beside me.
Elira stepped forward slightly.
“…Please wait—”
But before she could finish—
An elf warrior interrupted coldly.
“Humans are forbidden near Genesis ruins.”
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
I slowly raised my hands.
“…Guess we’re surrendering.”
And honestly…
We didn’t really have a choice.