The dust thinned enough to reveal the charging beast, forcing Hajin to roll aside while his fractured ribs screamed in agony.
His refined sword scraped along the thick hardened hide, leaving behind nothing more than polished scratches upon the coarse bristles.
"A refined edge is still only metal against enchanted bone plates," he spat, wincing as he clutched his aching side. "And I paid fifteen hard-earned credits for it!"
'Base physical strength stops being useful the exact moment fractured ribs join the enemy side in combat.'
He slipped inside the creature's forward charge and slammed a hard left fist into its jaw, knocking the beast off its charging trajectory.
A thick mutated foreleg swept toward his temple, forcing him to duck swiftly while kicking its weight-bearing knee until the joint buckled.
The monster collapsed chest-first into the dirt, allowing him to leap onto its spine and drive both knees into its thick shoulders.
Dark blood erupted from its gaping snout in a dark stream, as the jagged bristles along its spine suddenly ignited with violent mana.
The corrupted energy acted as an explosive reactive cushion, absorbing the shock before his strikes could reach vital internal organs.
A concussive shockwave discharged at point-blank range before his follow-up punch landed, scorching his cheek and launching him backward through the air.
[ Health: 38 / 100 ]
[ Condition: Fractured Ribs Aggravated ]
'Thirty-eight health remaining... this fight ends within the next sixty seconds, or it ends me instead.'
[ NewViewer_02: wait the pig just exploded, do all the pigs here do that or did we get a special one ]
'This mutated abomination refuses to stay down... and every single exchange costs me another cracked bone.'
The wounded monster dragged itself upright upon its damaged forelimb, as all three corrupted Shards continued their steady, ominous orbit.
He abandoned his conservative approach, releasing the dense reserves of divine mana he held back since the battle began.
A luminous golden Ring materialized around his right wrist, radiating familiar ancient warmth that settled deep into his aching bones.
[ JunaFanClub: the ring is back, everybody hold onto something ]
'Fine... we settle this fight using everything the divine system has granted me.'
"Chat," he called out, his lips curling into a wicked, bloodied smirk as he backed away. "You dropped real money today... let us see what your coins actually bought."
He sidestepped another clumsy charge while opening the floating system marketplace, scanning through available items amid the chaotic battle.
[ Wallet Balance: 815 Credits ]
'Eight hundred and fifteen credits... buys either a formidable weapon or an expensive apology to my shattered ribs.'
Most catalog entries exceeded his current budget or required higher attributes, but one corroded weapon glowed near the bottom of the list.
[ Instant Noodles (Earth Import): 8 Credits ]
[ Healing Salve: 15 Credits ]
[ Iron Pot: 12 Credits ]
[ Winter Cloak: 40 Credits ]
[ Chains of the Goddess ]
[ Condition: 99% Damaged ]
[ Price: 750 Credits ]
[ Note: Binds to unique bloodline only ]
[ Lullaby of the Goddess ]
[ Type: Recovery Catalyst ]
[ Price: 100,000 Credits ]
'One hundred thousand credits for a recovery lullaby... making the instant noodles look like pocket change.'
[ CringeSlayer91: skip the broken chain, save two weeks and buy anything that is not held together by rust ]
[ LurkerNoMore: get the noodles, be a man of culture even midfight ]
[ ShadowMage44: the shop sells an iron pot next to goddess relics, the divine clerk has jokes ]
"This is a battlefield, not a kitchen," he muttered dryly, shaking his head at the chat. "Rust stays on the menu today."
'Ninety-nine percent damaged indicates complete scrap... but today I feel like taking a reckless gamble.'
The monster pivoted on its wounded limb and charged, forcing him to leap clear with his thumb hovering over the purchase button.
'No time to second-guess.'
[ Item Purchased: Chains of the Goddess - 750 Credits ]
[ Wallet Balance: 65 Credits ]
A crushing metallic weight materialized in his right grip, dragging his arm downward until his knees buckled against the damp forest soil.
The corroded chain radiated an ancient, suffocating pressure unlike any standard enchanted weapon forged across the kingdom.
His Ring answered with a resonant pulse, sending waves of warm energy through the glowing links into his bloodstream.
'Held together by ancient rust and divine pressure... yet my hand refuses to let go.'
'The resonant pulse in my blood carries an ancient melody... though I cannot recall where it slept.'
His fingers remained locked around the weapon as the ancient links fused against his skin, while the beast closed in.
[ Passive Trait Triggered: Fragment's Blessing ]
[ x10 Rarity Tier Upgrade Applying to Shop Purchase ]
[ Rarity Upgrade: Normal -> Rare ]
[ Damage State: 99% Corrosion Carried Through Upgrade ]
'Every crack in the links remained intact, because the upgrade elevated its divine essence rather than its physical shape.'
'My passive trait functions on shop purchases... exceptional news arriving at the worst possible tactical moment.'
[ Bond Required ]
[ Chains of the Goddess requires unique bloodline to activate ]
[ Bind now to unlock functionality ]
'It demands a blood bonding ritual right now... with razor-sharp tusks leveling directly at my chest.'
He bit his right thumb until crimson blood welled, smearing the fluid across the ancient rusted links in his palm.
Radiant light erupted from the weathered iron, illuminating the clearing as the corroded surface burned with sacred celestial fire.
Luminous runic symbols surfaced along each interlocking link, sinking beneath the polished sheen as the notification window rapidly updated.
[ Bond Successful ]
[ Chains of the Goddess ]
[ Type: Growth Weapon ]
[ Rank: Rare ]
[ Active Skill: Divine Bind ]
[ Divine Bind: The chain locks onto a target upon impact and multiplies its physical weight until the hold breaks or release. ]
'A self-binding divine anchor... precisely the versatile weapon this chaotic new life has been missing.'
The crushing weight dissolved between rapid heartbeats, until the weapon rested within his fingers as light as a held whisper.
"The upgrade fixed what you are, not the broken shape they left you in," he said with a quiet, appreciative smirk. "Guess that makes two of us."
He planted his feet in the dirt and snapped his wrist, sending the chain whipping across the wide forest clearing.
The chain struck across the monster's snout mid-charge, throwing the three-hundred-pound beast violently off its feet with tremendous force.
The creature crashed into the forest floor shoulder-first, pushing a thick wave of pulverized soil ahead of its violent tumble.
Divine Bind activated the instant the sacred metal made contact, multiplying its physical mass across the beast's thick armored neck.
The monster's momentum collapsed beneath impossible gravitational pressure, pinning its thrashing limbs against the unyielding stone and forest dirt.
He yanked his arm backward with fluid grace, tearing the chain free as it coiled obediently around his glowing knuckles.
Fifteen feet of sacred links answered his will, humming with gentle warmth before relaxing like a loyal sleeping hound.
[ CringeSlayer91: wait what the hell was that, where did the golden whip come from ]
[ ShadowMage44: he pulled a legendary out of the discount bin and now he looks like a menace ]
[ LurkerNoMore: chain weapons are so cool, and the glow means it likes him ]
[ NewViewer_02: day one on this stream and the man bought a broken legendary midfight, i am never leaving ]
[ Stream ]
[ Viewers: 53 ]
[ Soul Energy: 26 ]
[ Trend: Rising ]
'Fifty-three strangers watching for free... while collectively funding my entire tactical arsenal through donations.'
'Sixty-five credits remaining after that purchase... the stream chat had better enjoy the fireworks they funded.'
Across the clearing, Juna's ear tracked the loud metallic crack, prompting her claws to dig deeper into the earth.
'That radiant whip sound belongs to him... get up, force these trembling legs to move, get up...!'
"Round two, you ugly pig," he declared, leveling the glowing links toward the pinned abomination with a cold glare. "Let us see how you like real divine power."
Far beyond the western highway, Princess Didi stood with crossed arms as the final beast of the royal hunt dissolved into ash.
The royal vanguard eliminated a horned crusher at noon, boxing the creature so thoroughly that her ancestral blade never even cleared leather.
'Eight royal knights, two veteran captains, one overbearing bodyguard... and the only sword left completely dry is mine.'
Her escort cheered the successful hunt and gathered their equipment, paying zero attention to the subtle vibrations beneath their feet.
"I said I wanted to fight it!" Didi snapped, stomping her heel onto the turf with an indignant scowl. "Not stand here like a decorative statue while you kill everything for me!"
Gazel wiped his broadaxe blade with an oiled rag, sliding the broad blade into its scabbard before offering a stiff, formal bow.
"Apologies, Your Highness," Gazel replied with a gruff sigh, his weathered face showing zero remorse. "The beast lunged toward the supply line... royal security protocol took precedence."
"Protocol," Didi scoffed, crossing her arms tightly over her silver-trimmed breastplate as her lips pursed in an angry pout. "Which conveniently manages to keep me out of every single real fight!"
"We protect the royal bloodline," Gazel stated firmly, meeting her fiery glare without blinking. "Your personal safety sits far above casual combat training."
"Safety is just another word for a gilded cage!" Didi retorted, tossing her silver hair back with a furious huff. "At this rate, the council will never permit me to enter an official Gate!"
'Three pure frost Shards, top scores in my academy cohort... yet they treat me like fragile porcelain that might shatter in the wind.'
She marched toward the royal carriage with her velvet cloak trailing across the churned mud of the abandoned farmland clearing.
"You will reach a Gate one day, Princess," Gazel said quietly, walking a steady pace behind her shoulder. "Royal council approval or no approval."
"They will keep me locked behind palace walls until someone decides I am sufficiently docile," Didi muttered bitterly, her gloved fists clenching at her sides. "As if practical combat experience grows on palace trees!"
"Experience killed my last two squires," Gazel said, his gravelly voice dropping into a sorrowful rasp. "I would rather you resent me for a hundred years and stay breathing."
'He carries those two lost names like an open wound... and his grief serves as a far harsher commander than any royal decree.'
She reached the carriage door when sudden, violent seismic tremors shook the earth, nearly knocking her off her balance against the lacquered chassis.
The ground bucked violently beneath the carriage wheels, prompting Gazel to draw his broadaxe with practiced martial swiftness.
"Your Highness!" Gazel roared, shoving her behind the carriage wheel with an outstretched arm. "Stay off the cracked stone!"
A secondary fissure split the outer grass, driving the carriage horses into frantic, terrified whinnies as the royal escort drew their blades.
"The ground... it is breathing!" a young squire shrieked, stumbling backward with wide, panicked eyes. "Look at the turf moving in concentric rings!"
Gazel silenced the panicking youth with a stern glare, keeping his watchful eyes fixed on the rapidly expanding ripples of dark soil.
"That is no ordinary seismic tremor," Gazel warned, lowering his center of gravity as his knuckles tightened on the axe haft. "Something immense is walking directly beneath our feet."
A nearby knight's torch guttered erratically in the still afternoon air, its orange flame bending strangely toward the mysterious ground fissure.
'The ambient mana smells like an ancient, forgotten crypt... patient, ravenous, and entirely unnatural.'
Pale crystalline frost spread instinctively across Didi's knuckles as a deep, reverberating subterranean voice echoed through the vibrating bedrock.
"Interesting," the hollow voice echoed from the depths of the earth, dripping with ancient cruelty. "Is that royal blood I smell up there?"
"Move the horses!" Gazel commanded, his voice cutting through the rising panic. "Clear the ground before it opens up beneath our feet!"
The horses shrieked in unison as one unified chorus of absolute terror, their desperate cries abruptly silenced as the ground collapsed entirely.
The entire clearing lifted in a slow, ominous circle around the royal carriage, shedding loose soil like cascading dark waterfalls.
Ancient stone monoliths wrapped in pitch-black thorny brambles tore upward through the fractured turf, sealing the clearing in a sinister ring.
The jagged obsidian pillars ground together like colossal teeth, shutting out the sunlight and plunging the royal clearing into suffocating twilight.
"Form a defensive perimeter around the carriage!" Gazel roared, his battle cry rallying the disoriented knights into a tight defensive circle.
Princess Didi drew her slender silver rapier with a sharp hiss, pale blue frost blooming along the length of the blade as she locked her stance beside him.
From the steaming subterranean crater at the center of the obsidian ring, a towering figure clad in spiked armor rose slowly into view.
Gazel braced his broadaxe with both gauntlets, stepping firmly between the young princess and the rising subterranean nightmare.