The holographic map hovered above the crystal sphere.Blue lines stretched across ruined highways.Red circles marked Corruption Zones.Black symbols identified areas completely overrun by evolved zombies.But Ethan's attention remained fixed on one flashing message.Another Custodian has entered the region.The words lingered for several long seconds before fading.Nobody spoke.Finally, Noah broke the silence."I thought you were supposed to be unique."Ethan looked away from the map."So did I."Luna stepped closer, her silver-blue eyes scanning the hologram."The ancient records never said there would only be one Custodian.""They only said..."She hesitated."...that Custodians eventually become enemies."The atmosphere immediately grew heavier.The System chimed.Main Mission UpdatedRace for IroncrestObjectives:• Reach Ironcrest City.• Secure the Territory Seed.• Locate the Second Custodian.Mission Rank:SSFailure:Territory claimed by rival Authority.Ava folded her arms

Blue light erupted from Ethan's body.It surged upward like a pillar piercing the heavens, scattering the crimson pressure that had blanketed the battlefield.The suffocating weight vanished.The survivors gasped, drawing their first full breaths in several seconds.Cassian's outstretched hand trembled ever so slightly."So..."His crimson eye narrowed."The Territory Seed has accepted you."The smile on his face faded."That is... inconvenient."The Infinite Rebate System rang with a clear, powerful tone.Hidden Skill ActivatedKingdom's WillCurrent Territory:Guardian CandidateEffect:Allies within range gain +30% Strength.Morale cannot be reduced by fear-based abilities.Corruption resistance increased.Guardian Authority consumption reduced by 20%.Duration:Five Minutes.Blue waves spread across the battlefield.As the energy washed over them, everyone felt it.Ava straightened.The ache in her bruised muscles faded.Fenrir lifted his massive head and released a proud howl.So

The crimson beam swallowed the horizon.It tore across the shattered motorway with enough force to vaporise everything in its path.The air screamed.Concrete melted.The earth split open beneath the immense pressure.Every survivor stared in horror."Ethan!"Sophia screamed.The Infinite Rebate System blared.Fatal Attack DetectedCorruption Siege EnginePrimary Cannon:Annihilation BeamEstimated Impact:2.3 SecondsRecommended Action:Evade ImmediatelyEthan didn't move.He couldn't.The beam was too wide.Too fast.There was nowhere to run.Then—A golden blur shot past him."Get down!"Adrian roared.The Vanguard Custodian planted his massive greatsword into the broken highway.Golden flames erupted around him.Vanguard AuthorityIron VanguardA colossal golden shield materialised before the blade.The crimson beam slammed into it.BOOOOOOM!The explosion flattened the surrounding forest.Trees were ripped from the ground.Burning vehicles tumbled through the air like toys.The s

The first cannon fired.A pillar of sapphire energy tore across the battlefield with a deafening roar, striking Cassian before he could even react.The explosion lit up the ruined highway.Dust, crystal shards, and chunks of broken asphalt erupted into the air.For the first time since the Crimson Order had appeared...The First Apostle was forced backward.His boots carved deep trenches through the fractured road as he slid nearly thirty metres before stopping himself with the tip of his crimson blade.Silence followed.Every pair of eyes turned toward the towering crystal walls surrounding the newborn territory.Haven.Only seconds earlier, the battlefield had been nothing more than a stretch of shattered motorway littered with burning vehicles, corpses, and ruined military equipment.Now it looked like the heart of an ancient kingdom reborn.Walls of blue crystal rose nearly sixty metres into the air, their surfaces engraved with glowing runes that pulsed in time with Ethan's heart

The colossal stone doors groaned as they slowly swung inward.A wave of cool air drifted from the darkness beyond, carrying the scent of ancient stone and something else...Power.Not the violent, oppressive power of corruption.This was calm.Steady.Like an endless river flowing beneath the earth.Blue crystals embedded in the walls flickered to life one after another, illuminating a vast underground corridor.Their soft glow reflected across polished white stone that looked untouched despite countless years buried beneath the earth.Sophia instinctively moved closer to Ethan."This place...""...it feels alive."Luna nodded slowly."I've only read fragments about Guardian Vaults.""They were said to preserve humanity's greatest hope."Fenrir stepped forward first.His silver ears twitched as he sniffed the air.Through the Beast Bond came reassurance."No corruption.""Only ancient strength."Ethan loosened his grip on his sword."Stay alert anyway.""If Cassian wanted this place d