Resonant Rewrite

An hour passed as the purification process came to an end, and the air within the shield grew still. Rin sat slumped against the stone wall, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths as her gaze rested on Elyn, resting peacefully beside her.

"You're going to be the death of me, Elyn Ardane," Rin muttered with a mix of exasperation and reluctant fondness. Her eyes softened as she whispered under her breath, "Really, what have I gotten myself into?"

Her thoughts lingered on Mira's words. She let you join. You're the first Guide she's accepted.

Rin frowned, the puzzle gnawing at her. Why did Elyn trust Aria Felstone so much? Enough to risk her life with reckless abandon? The Elyn Ardane she'd written was calculated, pragmatic, someone who carried the weight of the world but never asked for help. Yet here she was, pushing herself to the brink to protect someone who, in the story's original timeline, was just a fleeting tragedy—a friend from the orphanage who died during a dungeon raid.

"This doesn't add up," Rin murmured, her fingers brushing against the dirt-streaked fabric of her trousers. "Why are you acting like she means the world to you, Elyn?"

A low growl interrupted her spiraling thoughts. Onyx padded into view, his black fur shimmering faintly with an ethereal sheen, evidence of the fierce battles he had fought. His amber eyes locked onto Rin, and he let out a soft rumble of pride.

Rin managed a tired smile. "Good boy, Onyx. You've done well."

She scratched behind his ears, earning a pleased chuff from the shadow wolf. Turning back to Elyn, Rin gently moved her head from her lap, laying it on her cape for support. Rising to her feet, her legs trembled under her weight. She staggered but steadied herself by gripping her dagger tightly.

"Onyx," she said, her voice firm despite her exhaustion, "stay here and protect everyone. I'll finish this."

The shadow wolf let out a low growl of acknowledgment, standing guard near the unconscious team. Rin turned away, her gaze hardening as she stepped out of the barrier and into the bloodstained battlefield beyond.

A Reckless Gamble

The final boss monster loomed ahead—a massive chimera-like creature, its body battered and bloodied from its earlier fight with Onyx. Three heads snapped in different directions, each glowing with a faint red light of corruption, as it growled in pain and anger.

Rin's chest tightened, but she forced herself forward.

She closed her eyes briefly, activating Beast Sharing, Onyx's enhanced senses surged into her awareness—a flood of smells, sounds, and vibrations that made her feel hyperaware of every movement around her.

With a sharp inhale, she activated Beast Resonance, pouring her energy into the ability. a new ability she had only recently unlocked through her merged classes.

The System immediately flashed a warning in an orange window.

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Caution:

Unstable ability detected.

Overuse may result in severe physical and mental strain.

Proceed with caution.

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Rin dismisses the System window with a flick of her hand. "Oh, great, an unstable ability and a warning. Couldn't have mentioned this before I jumped in?"

The System window flickered as though irritated by her sarcasm.

"Proceed with caution," she mimicked in a mocking tone, wiping sweat from her brow. "Like I've ever had the luxury of caution."

As she activated Beast Resonance, a second notification appeared.

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System Warning:

Temporary synchronization level exceeded. Chance of neural backlash: 38%.

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Rin snorted. "Neural backlash? I'll deal with that when I'm not dealing with this," she muttered, gesturing at the massive chimera.

Golden threads of light started shimmering in the air, encircling her and the chimera. The beast thrashed violently, its roars echoing in the cavern as it tried to break free. The wounds on its body pulsed with dark energy, its desperation palpable.

"Easy now," Rin murmured, her voice steady despite her trembling hands. "You're mine now. No one will hurt you."

The light grew brighter, enveloping both Rin and the chimera in a breathtaking display of golden energy. Slowly, the beast's struggles subsided. Its snarls turned to whimpers, then silence. The crimson glow in its eyes faded, replaced by a soft blue.

A System notification blinked into view:

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Submission achieved. Would you like to form a contract with this beast?"

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"Yes," Rin said without hesitation.

Golden threads twisted, forming an intricate seal in the air. It hovered briefly before descending onto both Rin and the chimera. The seal—a delicate pattern of blooming roses intertwined with a crescent moon—burned onto the chimera's fur and Rin's hand's back, binding them.

The beast's massive form began to shift, its features morphing and shrinking. Its hulking figure condensed into something far smaller and sleeker—a fox-like creature with shimmering golden fur, delicate pointed ears, and intelligent blue eyes.

The System chimed again, revealing the beast's status window:

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Name: [Unnamed] (Awaiting Contract Name)

Race: Shapeshifter

Class: Beast Companion

Attributes:

Strength: 85 Agility: 120Intelligence: 95 Endurance: 90

Unique Abilities:

Chimeric Form:

Can alter its size and appearance for strategic advantage.

Celestial Veil:

Uses radiant energy to obscure its presence, rendering it nearly invisible to enemies for a short duration.

Lightrend Fang:

Deals a powerful, light-infused attack capable of severing corrupted energy.

Contractor: Aria Felstone

Seal Level: Intermediate (Rose-Crescent Mark)

Notes: Beast bonded through high compatibility. Potential for growth if nurtured effectively.

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Rin tilted her head, her eyes scanning the extensive details. The System's thoroughness this time left her momentarily speechless.

"Okay," she muttered, her brow furrowing. "Is it just me, or are you actually trying now, System? Because when I made a contract with Onyx, all I got was, 'Shadow wolf. Likes to growl. Good luck.'"

The fox let out an amused yip..., as if to share in her perplexity.

"Don't take it personally, Onyx," she added, glancing at the shadow wolf prowling nearby. "It's not your fault the System had a bad attitude that day. But seriously, what's with the sudden effort? Feeling guilty, or is this some kind of apology for the nonstop torment?"

The System, predictably, remained silent.

"Of course," Rin sighed, rolling her eyes. "I get sarcasm and smugness when it suits you, but not a single word of explanation when I ask a valid question."

Shaking her head, she returned her attention to the small fox-like creature. Its radiant fur and keen gaze sparked an idea. "Aurelis," she decided after a moment of thought. "Your name will be Aurelis."

The System acknowledged the name with another gentle chime, and the seal on her arm pulsed in response, affirming the bond.

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Contract finalized. Beast name registered: Aurelis.

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The newly named Aurelis let out a small yip, his golden tail flicking in approval. Rin chuckled softly, picking up the tiny creature and tucking him carefully into her bag.

"Welcome to the team, Aurelis," she said warmly.

Pushing Through the Pain

The adrenaline that had kept Rin moving finally began to wear off. Her limbs felt like lead, her vision blurred, and every breath was a struggle. She leaned heavily on her dagger, barely managing to stay upright.

But she pushed forward, her determination unwavering.

"Onyx!" she called out, her voice hoarse.

The shadow wolf appeared instantly, his gaze sharp and attentive. Rin gestured toward the team. "Take them to the core. Make sure they're safe."

Onyx gave a short, obedient growl before he began nudging the unconscious team members onto his back one by one. Rin watched him carry them toward the dungeon's heart, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Good boy," she murmured. And call Onyx back to her shadow.

With the preparations complete, Rin turned to face the dungeon core—a glowing crystalline structure pulsating with malevolent energy. She raised her dagger, her hands shaking but steady enough to aim.

"Let's get the hell out of this place," she muttered.

With one swift strike, she shattered the core. The crystal exploded in a burst of light, and Rin barely had time to shield her eyes before everything went white.

Outside the Dungeon

When Rin's vision cleared, she found herself back outside the dungeon gate, the cool night air a stark contrast to the oppressive heat inside. The ground beneath her felt solid, safe—a sensation she hadn't realized she'd been craving.

The System chimed softly.

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Quest Complete: Dungeon Survival: Aurora's Maw, Part II.

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Rin scowled at the notification. "Yeah, yeah, shove it, System."

The bustling noise of people pulled her attention. A crowd had gathered, their faces a mixture of relief and curiosity. The rescue team rushed forward, carefully lifting Elyn and the others onto stretchers.

Rin stepped back, her legs trembling as the adrenaline finally drained from her body.

"Take care of them," she told one of the medics, her voice barely audible.

The medic nodded, and Rin let out a sigh of relief. But before she could take another step, a wave of exhaustion crash over her. Her knees buckled, and she caught herself with her dagger, the blade sinking slightly into the ground. The System chimed softly in the corner of her vision:

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System Alert:

Energy reserves critical. Physical strain at 92%.

Neural backlash: 48%.

Immediate rest required.

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"Rest... sure," Rin mumbled, ""System, what's this? Since when did you start caring about me?" swaying on her feet. She clenched her fists, fighting to stay conscious. Her muscles screamed, her vision dimmed, and she collapsed.

Her last thought, before unconsciousness claimed her, was a weary, sarcastic grumble—an attempt to hold onto her wit in a world that kept pushing her to the brink.

"Next time, I'm just writing a nice, peaceful story about kittens…"