The ruins of Velmora stood like skeletons of a dead world—jagged steel, broken towers, and silent whispers of a forgotten city.

  Derukan led the way, glasses hiding the glow in his eyes. The group followed close: Lirien tense, Grax armored and heavy-footed, Tess scanning the air with her drones, and Zyne—silent as ever.

  Suddenly, the rift split open.

  Monsters poured through—twisted ogres, fire-winged drakes, shadow demons, undead liches casting spells from broken bones.

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  Derukan’s arm lit up.

  > System Sync Initiated... Arsenal Mode Engaged.

  Without hesitation, he shifted forms—massive swords, twin daggers, longbows, sniper rifles, spears, glaives, whips of lightning and even ethereal chains—all summoned, used, and discarded in perfect motion.

  He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t speak. Didn’t blink.

  Each monster fell within seconds.

  The others could only watch.

  “He's... not even trying,” whispered Tess.

  Lirien frowned. “It’s like he’s on autopilot. Fighting... but thinking of something else.”

  The final demon fell, disintegrating into embers. Silence.

  Derukan stood in the middle, barely breathing hard. His eyes were locked not on the battlefield—but the locket glowing softly at his chest.

  Then—a soft chime.

  > [System Notification: You have acquired a new skill.]

  Derukan blinked. His mechanical fingers twitched.

  He said nothing.

  But something had changed.

  Something deep, and irreversible.

  ---