The air inside the sanctuary grew heavier with every step. The torches set along the cracked walls burned with a pale, unnatural flame, their glow stretching shadows across murals that depicted armored figures kneeling before a colossal being Noel didn't recognize.

Selene's steps were silent, precise, wand steady at her side. Her voice broke the stillness, quiet but sharp. "Where are we, really?"

Noel exhaled, his hand brushing the hilt of Revenant Fang. "Doesn't matter. What matters is we stay alive and figure a way out." He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Best chance is sticking close."

For a moment, Selene's pace faltered. The faintest trace of color touched her cheeks, though her expression stayed controlled. She didn't answer.

"You alright?" Noel pressed, tone even.

"Yes." The word came too quickly, too sharp. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead. "Focus."

He smirked faintly. "That's what I'm doing."

The silence returned, broken only by the echo of their footsteps. The corridor ahead seemed endless, carved stone giving way to high arches that disappeared into shadow. Strange inscriptions marked the walls, glowing faintly as if stirred by their presence.

Noel slowed for a moment, eyes narrowing at the runes. 'Definitely not natural. And if this place is what I think it is… things are about to get worse.'

Selene moved a step closer to him, her wand glowing faintly with gathered mana. She didn't comment, but the gesture was answer enough.

The faint metallic sound of footsteps echoed from deeper within. Not rubble. Not stone shifting.

Something was waiting for them.

The figure stepped forward, metal boots clanging against the stone with each deliberate stride. Its armor shimmered faintly, runes of light etched across the surface, glowing with a steady brilliance that pushed back the shadows of the sanctuary. No human presence lingered in its movements—just cold precision, like a construct designed for a single purpose: to kill intruders.

Noel felt the air around him tighten, Revenant Fang trembling faintly in his grip. 'So that's how it is. That glow… it cancels the shadows.' He clenched his jaw. Shadow Step was out—he'd have to rely on everything else.

The automaton raised its blade, a longsword of radiant steel, and brought it down in a brutal arc. Noel met it head-on, Ignition Surge flaring as Revenant Fang caught the strike. Sparks and embers exploded outward, the heat of his cursed blade struggling against the divine shimmer of the enemy's weapon.

"Glacialis!" Noel snapped, forcing his free hand out. A shard of ice streaked forward, smashing into the automaton's chest. Frost crackled across the glowing armor—but just as quickly, the runes pulsed, burning the ice away in a hiss of steam.

Selene stepped in, wand slashing through the air. "Gravition Hold!"

The ground groaned as crushing weight pressed down on the automaton, its movements stalling for a brief moment. Noel took the opening, twisting Revenant Fang and driving forward. "Voltage Needle!" A spark of lightning shot from his blade, piercing between plates of armor.

The automaton staggered—but did not fall. Its head snapped toward Noel with mechanical speed, the glow of its runes intensifying. It swung again, faster this time, the force rattling his arms even through the surge of fire bolstering his blade.

'Damn thing's tougher than the beasts. This is going to take everything we've got.'

The automaton's sword slammed down again, the impact jarring through Noel's arms. He slid back a step, boots grinding against the stone, Revenant Fang locked against radiant steel. Sparks rained around him, flickering out against the dark walls of the sanctuary.

With a sharp shove, Noel broke free, twisting to one side as the automaton's blade carved a gouge in the ground where he'd been standing. He hissed through his teeth, muscles thrumming with strain. "Damn thing doesn't stop."

He cast a quick glance at Selene, who was already moving, her wand a blur as frost gathered around her. The air temperature dropped sharply, her golden hair whipping with the surge of mana.

"Selene," Noel called out, his voice cutting through the clash of steel. "You gonna be able to keep up?"

Her cyan eyes snapped to him, unwavering despite the chaos. "Keep up?" Her tone was flat, almost offended. "I advanced during the Festival Hunt. Mana Core: Ascendant."

Noel blinked, caught off guard for a fraction of a second. Then a sharp grin tugged at his lips. "Hah. Should've guessed."

Selene flicked her wand, the motion crisp, precise. "Frozen Lance."

A spear of condensed ice formed in an instant, gleaming in the dim light. She hurled it with unerring force, and it pierced into the automaton's shoulder. The construct staggered, frost crawling over the glowing runes before shattering away.

Noel didn't miss a beat, flames roaring along Revenant Fang as he stepped into the opening. "Ignition Surge!" His blade became a streak of molten fire, carving across the automaton's chest and sending a shower of molten sparks in every direction.

The construct lurched back, its runes flaring brighter, almost blinding in their glow.

Selene's voice was calm, even as her mana flared. "Don't hold back, Noel. I won't either."

The automaton steadied itself, sword rising once more, the battle far from over.

The automaton pressed forward again, its sword radiating pure light, cutting arcs so bright they seared into Noel's vision. Every clash sent shockwaves through his bones, each strike heavier than the last. It wasn't human—it didn't tire, didn't falter, only executed.

Selene raised her wand, frost lacing the ground at her feet. "Gravition Hold."

The air around the automaton warped, its movements grinding to a crawl as if invisible chains of gravity pulled against its limbs. Its sword arm wavered, slowed, though the light still burned ferociously against the pressure.

"Now!" Selene's voice rang clear, her cyan eyes locked on Noel.

He surged forward, Revenant Fang flaring with fire as he whispered, "Ignition Surge." The cursed blade roared alive, flames crackling down its obsidian edge. He darted past the automaton's slowed defenses, slipping under the swing of its sword by a breath.

Heat licked against his face as the light barely missed him. He twisted his stance, every ounce of mana he had pouring into his grip. Revenant Fang hissed, hungry for the strike.

Noel's boots slammed against the ground as he launched upward. The automaton turned, its helm glowing brighter, runes straining to resist. Too slow.

With a sharp exhale, Noel swung. Revenant Fang carved through the air, its flame-coated edge colliding with the automaton's neck. The cursed steel cut clean, sparks and molten fragments bursting outward.

For an instant, time froze. Then the head fell, clattering against the stone floor, runes dimming into silence. The body stood rigid for half a second more before collapsing with a deafening crash, its sword skidding lifelessly away.

A faint notification shimmered before Noel's eyes:

[You have slain Ascendant Automaton (Common – Ascendant). You received 0.30%.]

[Current Core Progress: 13.73% – Mana Core: Ascendant]

Noel exhaled slowly, lowering Revenant Fang. His hand trembled faintly, though not from exhaustion—adrenaline still surged hot in his veins.

Selene dismissed her spell, the warped air snapping back to normal. She approached, wand lowering, gaze fixed on the ruined construct. "Effective," she murmured, voice flat as always. But her eyes flicked to him for just a second longer than usual.

Noel smirked faintly. "Guess I can still keep up."

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