The massive stone-and-shadow creature roared, its voice shaking the ground beneath their feet. The disciples instinctively stepped back, but Jihoon stood firm, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the beast's movements.
"This isn't just a mindless creature," Jihoon said calmly. "It's a guardian. It's protecting something—likely what we're here for."
Mira gripped her staff tightly. "Master, what's the plan?"
Jihoon's voice was steady. "Observe first. Its movements will reveal its weaknesses. Yoon, focus on spotting any runic patterns on its body—they might be the key to its power. Kwan, stay ready to defend."
The creature charged, its shadowy limbs elongating unnaturally to swipe at them. Kwan stepped forward, his martial energy flaring as he blocked the attack with a glowing shield technique. The force of the blow sent him skidding back, but he held his ground.
Jihoon's hand moved in precise patterns, conjuring a series of glowing glyphs in the air. "Mira, strike with elemental magic! Target its legs!"
Mira nodded and began chanting, her voice resonating with power. A torrent of fire erupted from her staff, slamming into the creature's stone legs. The flames licked at the shadows, causing them to writhe and retreat, exposing cracks in the stone.
"It's working!" Mira exclaimed, her confidence growing.
Yoon's sharp eyes caught something glowing faintly on the creature's chest—a circular rune pulsating with energy. "Master! There's a rune on its chest! It might be its core!"
Jihoon turned his focus to the rune. "Good work, Yoon. That's our target."
The creature, sensing its vulnerability, let out another roar and began summoning tendrils of shadow that lashed out in all directions. Jihoon raised a barrier of shimmering light to protect his team, but the strain of holding it against the onslaught was evident.
"Kwan, Mira, distract it! Yoon, guide me to the core!" Jihoon commanded.
Kwan launched himself at the creature, his martial energy surging as he delivered a flurry of powerful strikes to its legs, forcing it to stagger. Mira summoned a whirlwind of ice shards that pelted the creature, further disorienting it.
Meanwhile, Yoon used his keen perception to guide Jihoon closer to the rune. "There's a weak point near its center! If you can hit it directly, it might shatter!"
Jihoon nodded, his hand glowing with pure arcane energy. He leaped into the air, bypassing the creature's flailing limbs, and aimed directly at the glowing rune. With a burst of magic, he struck the core with precision.
The creature let out a deafening roar as the rune shattered, its body crumbling into dust and shadows that dissipated into the wind.
The group stood in silence, catching their breath. Jihoon turned to his disciples, a small smile on his face. "Well done. This was only the beginning. Let's see what it was guarding."
As the dust cleared, a hidden staircase leading underground revealed itself. Jihoon felt the surge of ancient energy emanating from below. Whatever lay ahead would bring them closer to their goal—but also closer to danger.
"Stay alert," Jihoon said, leading the way. "Our journey into the unknown has only just begun."