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Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: The Firefang Guardian

The serpent door rumbled open, spilling blue light into the cavern. Beyond lay a vast circular arena lined with jaguar statues. The air was heavy with ash and heat.

Lin stepped inside cautiously. "This is very… final-bossy."

Crystal whispered with relish: "Because it is."

The door slammed shut behind them. The ground shook. One of the jaguar statues at the center cracked and moved, its stone eyes igniting like twin suns. With a grinding roar, it stood — a massive feline of obsidian plates, claws glowing molten red.

The Guardian Beast had awakened.

---

The Firefang Jaguar

The beast's jaws opened, releasing a low rumble. Then — whoosh! — a jet of fire erupted, sweeping across the arena like a flamethrower. Lin dove behind a pillar as the stone blackened under the blast.

"FIRE!" Lin yelped. "It shoots fire! Why does everything shoot fire?!"

Crystal giggled. "Because it's cooler that way."

Elara rolled behind another pillar, coughing. "You think your club is gonna work on that?"

Nyra's voice was steady. "Every guardian has a weak point. Find it before you die."

"Right. Weak point. Sure." Lin peeked around the pillar. The jaguar's chest glowed faintly between the plates — a pulsing red crystal.

Puzzle Sense flickered in his mind.

"That's it," he whispered. "Its heart."

---

First Assault

The jaguar lunged, claws leaving trails of sparks as it struck the floor where Lin had been. He rolled away just in time, heat singeing his hair.

He swung his club at the glowing chest plate. The impact echoed — but the stone barely cracked.

"Oh come on!"

Crystal purred. "You're gonna need leverage."

The beast spun, tail sweeping like a wrecking ball. Lin ducked but was thrown off his feet, slamming into the arena wall.

Pain shot through his body.

HP -32.

He groaned. "I'm okay… I think…"

---

Trap Turnabout

Lin's eyes darted across the arena. Faint runes glowed near the jaguar statues lining the walls — similar to the ones in the Gauntlet.

An idea sparked.

"Elara! Shoot the runes!" he shouted.

She hesitated, then drew her bow. Arrows streaked into the runes. One by one, the statues glowed and collapsed, revealing hidden spike traps and collapsing floors.

The Guardian roared, momentarily stunned by the traps activating around it.

Lin grinned. "Okay kitty. Let's dance."

---

Final Strike

He sprinted up a fallen pillar, using it as a ramp. The Guardian lunged, jaws snapping. He vaulted off the pillar's edge, landing directly on its back. The heat seared through his boots.

"Crystal, boost me!"

DING! Temporary Buff Activated: Adrenal Surge +50% Speed

He scrambled along the jaguar's spine, gripping cracks in the stone. The chest crystal pulsed beneath him.

"Say cheese, Furball!" he yelled, slamming his club down with all his strength.

The crystal shattered in a burst of molten light. The Guardian roared, staggering. Flames burst from its mouth one last time before it crumbled into rubble, the glow fading.

Lin rolled off and hit the ground, coughing and covered in dust.

"Ha… ha… I did it…"

System Notification:

> Guardian Defeated!

Reward: Skill Upgrade – Trap Crafting Lv.2

Item Obtained: Firefang Core (Crafting Material)

Crystal purred approvingly. "Not bad, hero. You're finally getting interesting."

---

Aftermath

Nyra approached, her expression softer now. "Few pass the Guardian. You are… different."

Lin grinned weakly. "Different stupid, maybe."

Elara smirked. "You looked cool, though. For once."

A new door opened at the far end of the arena, its serpent runes glowing. Faint desert wind whispered through.

Nyra's staff glowed faintly. "The Temple's trials are over. Beyond this door lies the Desert Realm."

Lin groaned, dragging himself upright. "Please tell me there aren't lava fish in the desert."

Crystal: "Nope. Just sand worms."

Lin's eyes widened. "SAND WHAT?"

To be continued…

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