The metal humanoid doll stood still. It's body was covered in blades throughout its body, securing a victory for Adam.
"I guess it's time to move on?" [Adam]
He lowered his guard and began to walk forward.
"You idiot! That won't work against a Siyr!" [Krino]
"Huh?" [Adam]
The Siyr's body whirred back to life, jerked back and forth. Its joints creaked as it moved, as if it was covered in rust.
"What the hell?!" [Adam]
The blades that he launched into the Siyr were being sucked into it, causing another image of it to flicker.
"What… did I just see?" [Adam]
Behind the appearance of the Siyr, he saw something else. The flickering image of it revealed a rusted version of it. The outlines of its metal plates were cracked, if not broken, but it was somehow moving as it sparked.
"It's an illusion. What you're looking at right now is a somewhat operational Siyr. It's actual body must be incredibly worn out." [Krino]
"Why would it need to do that?" [Adam]
"Sorry, but I'm not allowed to say much more about it. I'm already stretching the rules quite a bit just to tell you its features." [Krino]
Adam released a short sigh and raised his blade.
("Guess I won't be asking how to beat it.") [Adam]
He approached the Siyr cautiously, observing its movements carefully.
("Let's just test the water first…") [Adam]
As his eyes were locked onto the Siyr, he noticed a glint from its arms. The Siyr's arms morphed from hands into blades, putting Adam on edge.
("It's coming!") [Adam]
The Siyr charged forward, its arms flailing as it ran. Fortunately, Adam was already prepared. With a single stroke of his blade, he sliced its arms off with ease. It's image flickered, an indication of it weakening.
("Too easy.") [Adam]
He went in to finish it off, but was alarmed by the sudden lights flashing from its chest.
("This is bad!") [Adam]
He raised Krino just in time to intercept a number of blades protruding from its chest. After blocking the attack, he stepped back to create distance between them.
("Alright, that didn't work. Now what?") [Adam]
As he calculated his next move, the Siyr's arms shone a bright blue.
("…Is this a joke?") [Adam]
He chuckled to himself as he watched the metallic doll regrow its arms in an instant.
("It can regenerate… Great.") [Adam]
As he prepared himself to confront the Siyr again, he had a sudden thought.
("Wait… If it can regenerate… Why is it rusted?") [Adam]
Working off of his idea, he closed his eyes.
"Scout." [Adam]
He created a thin layer of mana around his body and expanded it into a large invisible bubble. As soon as the Siyr entered it, Adam inspected it.
("Thats…!") [Adam]
Through his scout, he saw the true form of the Siyr. Not only did he unveil its appearance, he also discovered its inner workings.
("It's taking in the mana from its surroundings?") [Adam]
From his view, he saw multiple bright lights within its body.
("I'm not sure what that is... but it looks important. Maybe breaking them will do something?") [Adam]
"What kind of logic-" [Krino]
Ignoring Krino's words, Adam went on the offensive. The doll raised its arms, trying to attack Adam, but it's limbs were simply sliced apart again.
("Gotta watch out for the blades.") [Adam]
As predicted, he leaned sideways to evade blades poking out of its chest.
"One." [Adam]
He struck its shoulder, causing its right arm to go limp.
"Two." [Adam]
He kicked away its left arm as the Siyr grew a blade from its elbow. Wasting no time, he plunged his sword directly into its thigh.
"Three." [Adam]
As it lost control of its leg, he cleaved its head in half when it bent over.
���And that's it." [Adam]
The lights within the Siyr's body faded, causing it to fall lifelessly.
("That… wasn't too hard now that I think about it.") [Adam]
"I actually can't believe you did it." [Krino]
("Was I really that amazing?") [Adam]
"No, I just thought you were too stupid to figure out it's weakness without step by step instructions." [Krino]
("...Sometimes I wonder if you're really a part of my soul.") [Adam]
"You said it, not me." [Krino]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Leaving the Siyr off to the side, Adam continued through the large corridor. Although multiple Siyrs appeared on the way, he disposed of them quickly. After dismantling Siyr upon Siyr, Adam ended up in front of a large copper door.
("Is this last room?") [Adam]
"Only one way to find out." [Krino]
Placing both hands on the door, he strained his muscles to push it open.
"HNNG!!" [Adam]
Turning slowly, he managed to get it open.
"Finally-" [Adam]
As he took a look forward, he noticed a sudden shift in atmosphere.
("I… can't move?!") [Adam]
He struggled to move, but stopped when he saw a familiar figure before him.
"Candidate, you have reached the second trial." [???]
Adam was stunned. The little girl who had pushed Felix and himself into a dungeon was standing in front of him.
("That girl from before!") [Adam]
"A gift." [Little Girl]
She reached out to him, causing Adam to struggle in vain.
("Don't- Don't touch me!") [Adam]
He wanted to scream, but his lips wouldn't budge.
"Let the second trial… begin." [Little Girl]