❖ [System Notification – Shrine Progress: 8%]
Objective: Defeat the Twin Guardian Foxes to unlock the inner sanctum.
Warning: Spiritual synchronization required for gate passage.
Hint: "Balance flame and wind. Only harmony will light the path."
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[System Mood: COMBO MODE – PARTNER DANCE INITIATED. TWO TAILS, ONE TRAIL.]
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"Ugh," Isumi huffed, brushing her flame-tipped ponytail behind her shoulder. "I hate puzzles."
Jin Hwan scratched his cheek, blinking at the ancient gate covered in glowing kanji.
"It said something about 'spiritual synchronization.' I think we need to fight in sync to activate it."
"Tch, so basically… we have to work together," she grumbled, folding her arms.
"Didn't we already do that earlier?"
"Barely. You just jumped in and kicked stuff. You're chaotic."
"Thanks?" Jin Hwan said, unsure whether it was a compliment or not.
Before Isumi could retort, a low growl echoed across the shrine path. The earth trembled as two colossal fox spirits emerged—each at least four meters tall, with spectral bodies made of flickering flames and shimmering mist.
❖ [Dungeon Mini-Boss – Twin Guardian Foxes: Shiranui & Kogetsu]
Health: 18,000 / 18,000
Type: Spirit / Elemental / Fire-Wind
Special Mechanic: Linked Health – must be defeated within 10 seconds of each other.
"I'll take the left one!" Isumi snapped, her fan glowing as flames coiled along the edge.
"Guess that leaves me with the big guy on the right!" Jin Hwan activated Wind Step, kicking off the ground like a blur.
❖ The Dance Begins
Jin Hwan zipped forward, barely dodging a searing blast of blue flame. The guardian fox—Kogetsu—snarled, then twisted mid-air, tail whipping around in a flame wheel.
"Double Jump!" Jin Hwan shouted, leaping higher than normal, flipping midair, then driving a wind-infused kick into the fox's snout.
BANG!Kogetsu stumbled, its body rippling like a candle flame.
"Don't fall behind, Bunny-boy!" Isumi called from the other side.
Her fox was Shiranui, and it was faster—dashing through shadows. She parried its strikes with elegant sweeps of her flaming fan, every movement precise.
"Foxfire Bloom—Second Form!" she yelled. A circle of lotus-shaped flames exploded around her, searing through the fox spirit's limbs.
"Whoa…" Jin Hwan muttered, momentarily stunned. "That was pretty cool."
"H-Huh?! What did you just say?!" Isumi shouted, cheeks suddenly flushed."Are you… are you hitting on me in the middle of a fight?!"
"Wha—no?! I mean, I just meant your attack looked flashy!"
"Fl-Flashy?! So you're saying it's all show and no power?!"
"That's not what I meant!"
[System Mood: FLIRTING DURING COMBAT DETECTED. RECOMMENDED: FOCUS.]
❖ The Turning Point
Both foxes reared back at the same time and unleashed twin howls. A barrier of swirling fire and wind erupted around them, pushing Jin Hwan and Isumi back toward the center of the arena.
❖ [Boss Mechanic Activated – Twin Pulse Phase]
Players must perform a Coordinated Strike within 10 seconds to break the barrier.
Time Remaining: 00:10
"We have to hit them at the same time!" Jin Hwan shouted.
Isumi narrowed her eyes, fire gathering in her palm."Fine! Just don't mess this up, okay? On my count—THREE!"
"Wait, shouldn't we count down?!"
"Just trust me, you dumb rabbit!! THREE—TWO—ONE—NOW!"
Jin Hwan and Isumi moved at the same time.
Jin Hwan: "Wind Crescent Kick!"
Isumi: "Foxfire Lotus Slice!"
Twin attacks struck their targets in perfect harmony.
BOOM!
The barrier shattered like glass, and both foxes shrieked in unison before dissolving into glowing embers.
❖ [System Notification – Twin Guardians Defeated]
Gate to Inner Sanctum: Unlocked.
Synchronization Rating: 89% – High Compatibility Achieved
*Reward Unlocked: Joint Skill – "Windfire Pulse: Flame Tail Fang"
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[System Mood: WHOLESOME COMBO ACHIEVED. SHIPPING INTENSIFIES.]
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Panting, Jin Hwan leaned against a stone pillar, brushing sweat off his brow.
"That was… intense."
Isumi stood a few feet away, fan tucked under her arm, tail swaying lazily behind her.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
"…You weren't completely useless back there."
"Gee, thanks." He chuckled."Coming from you, that's like… highest praise."
Her lips twitched—maybe a smile? But she turned away quickly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm just saying… maybe it wasn't entirely bad having you around."
He blinked, scratching his head."Is that… you being nice?"
"Wha—! N-No!! Don't be stupid!!"She turned beet red, waving her fan in front of her face."I just meant… for dungeon efficiency, got it?!"
"Riiight," Jin Hwan said, clearly not convinced.
But secretly, he smiled.
The cold tsundere fox girl was warming up.And even if he was hopelessly dense in matters of love…He could feel the gap between them shrinking—battle by battle, flame by wind.
❖ [System Notification – Shrine Trial 1 Complete]
Next Objective: Face the Inner Sanctum Spirit – "The Nine-Tailed Flame Phantom"
Time Until Sanctum Awakens: 02:00:00
Recommended: Rest, strategize… and maybe flirt. Just a little.