The ground didn't stabilize.
It worsened.
With the first layer shattered—
The Core Guardian changed.
The blue energy within it surged violently.
Not controlled anymore.
Not contained.
"…It's reacting," Arjun muttered.
The system confirmed.
[Core Guardian entering Defensive Escalation Phase]
"…So it gets stronger the more we break it."
The Guardian pulsed.
The entire zone responded.
Cracks spread outward.
Buildings shifted.
The street beneath Arjun's feet warped.
Then—
The Hunters changed too.
Their movements became sharper.
More aggressive.
[Hunter Units — Enraged State]
"…Of course," Arjun said.
"…Everything scales together."
A Hunter lunged.
Faster than before.
Arjun moved—
But this time—
It almost hit.
"…Speed increased."
The drone responded.
[Estimated boost: +35%]
"…Not good."
Behind him—
The squad struggled.
More pressure.
Less control.
"We can't hold them!" the girl shouted.
Arjun's eyes sharpened.
"…Hold for 20 seconds."
"What?!"
"…Just do it."
No explanation.
No time.
He focused forward.
The Core Guardian shifted.
The second layer moved.
Segments opened slightly—
Revealing a deeper structure.
[Layer 2 Active]
"…That's my window."
Arjun activated Speed Boost.
Then—
Overload.
The plasma rifle screamed.
Energy surged violently.
[Warning: Weapon stability critical]
"…Just a little longer."
He ran forward.
The ground erupted again.
Spikes.
Multiple.
He dodged.
Barely.
A Hunter intercepted him mid-run.
Arjun didn't slow.
He grabbed it—
Used its momentum—
And threw it directly into the Guardian.
Impact.
The second layer shifted.
"…Good."
He aimed.
Fired.
The blast hit the opening.
[Layer 2 Integrity: 100% → 84%]
"…It's working."
But—
The Guardian responded instantly.
A focused pulse.
Stronger than before.
Arjun was thrown back—
Hard.
[Suit Integrity: 54% → 46%]
"…Still hits like a truck."
He stood again.
Breathing heavier now.
The system flashed.
[Overdrive Recommended]
Arjun didn't activate it.
"…Not yet."
Too early.
Too risky.
He needed timing.
Another Hunter lunged.
This time—
He didn't dodge.
He stepped in.
Grabbed it mid-air—
And used it as a shield.
The Guardian's pulse hit—
Destroying the Hunter instantly.
"…That works too."
Behind him—
The squad was losing ground.
"Arjun—!" the older man shouted.
"…10 seconds," Arjun replied.
He moved again.
Closer.
The Guardian pulsed—
Preparing something bigger.
The ground beneath it collapsed deeper.
A massive energy build-up formed.
The drone reacted.
[High-density attack incoming]
"…That's my chance."
Arjun ran forward.
Directly into its range.
The second layer opened—
Charging energy.
Unstable.
Exposed.
"…Now."
He fired.
A full overload blast.
Direct hit.
The second layer cracked.
Then—
Shattered.
[Layer 2 Destroyed]
The entire Guardian shook violently.
The core became partially visible.
Bright.
Unstable.
[Core Exposure: 41%]
"…That's it."
But the system flashed.
[WARNING]
Arjun's eyes narrowed.
"…What now?"
[Guardian entering Final Defense Phase]
The ground stopped moving.
Then—
Everything froze.
For one second.
Then exploded.
Massive energy waves spread outward.
The entire zone reacted violently.
Hunters retreated instantly.
Not fleeing.
Clearing space.
"…It's preparing something big," Arjun said.
The drone confirmed.
[Core overload detected]
"…So final phase."
Arjun steadied his stance.
Behind him—
The squad regrouped.
Barely holding.
Ahead—
The Core Guardian stabilized.
Now fully awakened.
Core visible.
Layers gone.
But—
Energy output doubled.
"…So this is the real form."
The Guardian moved for the first time.
Not anchored anymore.
It stepped forward.
The ground collapsed beneath it.
Every step—
Like an earthquake.
Arjun smiled slightly.
"…Good."
He raised the plasma rifle.
"…Now it's a fair fight."
The system didn't agree.
[Survival probability: 19%]
"…Better than before."
The Guardian raised its core—
Energy gathering—
Faster than anything before.
Arjun took a step forward.
"…Then let's finish it."
And this time—
There would be no holding back.