Chapter 23: Spear Against the Corrupted

VirtuaGenesis – ZONE: NULL

The Glitch Spear hummed in Amir's grip, its unstable form flickering between solid and transparent. Code particles drifted from its tip, unstable yet deadly.

Across from him, the Corrupted Guardian let out a deep, digital groan, its body twitching erratically.

The air crackled. The platform beneath Amir's feet fractured further.

> Ding!

Terrain Integrity: 11%

Warning: Structural Collapse Imminent!

"No time to waste!"

The Guardian lunged.

Its massive blade-arm carved through the air, aiming to split Amir in half.

Counterattack

> Ding!

Skill Activated: Quickstep Lv.1

+5 Dexterity XP

Amir sidestepped, pivoting sharply on the collapsing terrain.

With a burst of momentum, he thrust the Glitch Spear forward—aiming for the Guardian's flickering chest.

> Ding!

Critical Strike!

-??? HP

A massive rip in the Guardian's data appeared, the impact sending waves of distortion through its body.

But the Guardian didn't stagger.

Instead, it let out a deep, glitched howl.

The environment shook violently.

> Ding!

Corrupted Guardian has entered [Phase 2]

New Ability Unlocked: Void Absorption

Dark tendrils erupted from the Guardian's back, lashing out at Amir with blinding speed.

Escape or Engage?

> Ding!

Choose an action:

[1] Dodge and reposition

[2] Use Glitch Spear's instability to strike again

[3] Attempt Code Manipulation to hack the Guardian

Amir's mind raced.

[3] Attempt Code Manipulation.

> Ding!

Code Manipulation Activated!

WARNING: Insufficient Proficiency!

Chance of Failure: 75%

"Come on, work!"

Amir reached out, focusing on the shifting pixels that made up the Guardian's body.

For a second—just a second—he saw its data structure.

Lines of corrupted code, shifting and unstable.

> Ding!

Partial Override Success!

Guardian's Attack Speed -20% for 10 seconds!

"That's all I get?!"

The Guardian's attacks slowed, but only slightly.

It was still coming.

And the platform beneath them?

> Ding!

Terrain Integrity: 7%

Time Until Collapse: 45 seconds.

"I have to finish this now!"

Final Strike

The Glitch Spear was unstable.

If he pushed too hard, it would break.

But if he didn't?

He'd be dead.

> Ding!

Skill Activated: Overclock Lv.1

WARNING: Weapon Durability Critical!

Amir gripped the spear tight, charging straight toward the Guardian.

The Guardian swung its blade down, its movements still partially slowed from the hack.

Amir jumped.

Time slowed.

The spear glowed violently, pulsing with unstable energy.

One shot.

He threw the spear with all his strength—aiming for the core of the Guardian's glitching chest.

> Ding!

Direct Hit!

The spear pierced through.

The Guardian froze.

A second later—

The world exploded into fragments of shattered data.

> Ding!

BOSS DEFEATED: [Corrupted Guardian]

+350 XP

+System Synchronization 3%

+Special Reward Unlocked!

Victory.

But Amir had no time to celebrate.

Because the platform was still falling.

And below him—

The abyss was waiting.

Next Chapter Preview:

Amir's first boss victory!

What's the Special Reward?

Falling into the Unknown

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