The ground shook beneath them, every step of the Burrow Warden echoing like war drums in the hollow cavern. Chains clanked, its green-glowing mask glaring down at them like a corrupted god ready to pass judgment.

  

  [Boss Battle Initiated: Burrow Warden – Lv. 15 – Corrupted Variant]

  Adaptive Protocol Engaged: Enemy has analyzed player stats and techniques.

  “Adaptive protocol?! What the hell kind of starter dungeon is this?!” Noct snapped, eyes wide.

  “It’s not!” Seraphis hissed, hands glowing. “We triggered a Corruption Surge! Probably from me using a rare technique!”

  “Great,” he muttered, “we’re fighting a boss that has patch notes.”

  The Warden lunged.

  Shadow Step.

  Noct vanished in a blur, reappearing behind the creature, slashing downward with a heavy strike.

  

  [Critical Hit: 243 DMG]

  It screeched, then spun unnaturally fast, a glowing chain whipping out toward him like a serpent. Noct couldn’t dodge in time.

  CRACK!

  

  [You have taken 312 DMG | Current HP: 218/530]

  [Status Effect: Chain Snare – Movement -30% for 6s]

  “GRAHH...!”

  He skidded back, half-kneeling, vision shaking.

  “NOCT!” Seraphis shouted, her hands glowing a warm gold.

  

  [Skill Activated: Radiant Bloom]

  Instantly restores 35% of an ally’s HP. Removes one negative effect.

  A soft burst of light washed over him. The chains unwrapped. Wounds knitted halfway.

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  “Back in it,” he growled, rising.

  “Try to not get clapped again, thanks.”

  They split, Noct rushing left, Seraphis orbiting wide right, flinging holy pulses that disrupted the Warden’s chain attacks.

  But the boss adapted. Mid-fight, it duplicated one of Noct’s own moves.

  It vanished.

  “Shadow Step?!” Seraphis gasped.

  Too late. The Warden reappeared behind her, claw swinging.

  

  [CRITICAL HIT: 420 DMG]

  Seraphis slammed into the wall, coughing blood.

  “Seraphis!!” Noct's voice cracked.

  

  [Ally HP: 91/470]

  She grinned through the blood. “Not dead... yet...”

  Her eyes flared bright blue.

  

  [Unique Trait Activated: Divine Restoration – Phase 1]

  Passive: When HP drops below 25%, instantly triggers an auto-heal based on INT stat. Cooldown: 12 hours.

  

  [+310 HP Restored]

  A blinding pillar of light burst from her chest, forcing the Warden back a step. She hovered for a moment, halo of gold forming above her head, wings of light flickering behind her.

  “Yo...” Noct whispered, stunned.

  Seraphis floated down like a goddess.

  “I don’t always flex,” she said, “but when I do, I resurrect my own damn self.”

  The Warden screeched in rage, slamming both claws into the ground, corrupted spikes erupted around them like a minefield.

  “Enough stalling,” Noct snarled, eyes glowing faintly purple.

  He activated Focus Surge, a temporary state he'd been saving since earlier.

  

  [Focus Surge – Rare Technique Activated]

  Doubles speed and attack power for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 3 minutes.

  He shot forward like a bullet.

  Slash.

  Shadow Step.

  Slash.

  Shadow Step again.

  

  [Combo Multiplier: 5x]

  [Total DMG: 1,540]

  “Seraphis! Tag me in!”

  She thrust her hands forward, chains of pure light launched from her palms.

  

  [Technique: Chain of Sanctum – Rare]

  Restrains corrupted beings. Stuns for 3 seconds.

  The Warden froze in place.

  Noct didn’t hesitate.

  He flipped mid-air, both hands gripping his blade in reverse.

  

  [Backstab Bonus: +50% DMG]

  Blade plunged through the Warden’s mask.

  

  [BURROW WARDEN DEFEATED]

  The body cracked apart into glowing particles, bursting into data streams that spiraled upward.

  

  [EXP Gained: +1,342]

  [Credits: +890]

  [Item Drop: Chain Mask – Rare (Headgear)]

  [Item Drop: Technique Scroll – Chain Reversal (Uncommon)]

  [Chest Spawned: “Better” Tier Chest Detected]

  Noct dropped to one knee, panting.

  Seraphis plopped down next to him, laughing breathlessly.

  “Hell of a warm-up, huh?”

  He looked at her with a smirk. “Remind me to never piss you off.”

  “Noted. Now open that chest, rookie.”

  End of Chapter 5...