Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

"What—what's happening?!"

"Is it an earthquake?!"

Nearby, panicked onlookers turned to look at the commotion.

"It's—it's a reactivated Ruin Guard!"

Someone stumbled back, trembling.

The Ruin Guard, legendary for its power, was said to be capable of destroying an entire village.

Its blazing firepower was enough to plunge ordinary people into despair.

"Run for your lives!"

The terrified shouts were drowned out by the roar of machinery.

Clang, clang, clang!

The ground trembled violently at the harbor.

Amidst the confusion of the tiny, scrambling crowd, a massive shadow rose to its feet.

Red beams flared to life, sweeping over every person at the docks.

Ren frowned.

It can lock onto multiple targets now?

If it could attack all at once, the fleeing civilians nearby would be in grave danger.

"Takahashi-sama, this—!"

The samurai reacted quickly, drawing their weapons.

They surrounded Ren, awaiting his orders.

But looking at the Ruin Guard's impenetrable shell...

"Assist the civilians with their evacuation. Protect the ships."

"I'll handle this."

Ren raised his blade, speaking calmly.

It might look intimidating, but for him, this was just a matter of cutting through the core.

"Oh, so it's this model."

Sandrone focused on the core, patting Ren's hand.

He glanced at her.

"Keep the core intact for me."

"Do we even know each other that well?"

"What are you saying, my partner?"

The doll-like girl pouted, tugging at his fingers in protest.

"Come on, you've got this—go take it down!"

Ren shook his head slightly.

Is this really the behavior of a Harbinger? Cheering me on like a bystander?

She's completely slacking off.

At that moment, a blazing red beam swallowed Ren's view.

The shadow of the Ruin Guard loomed, bearing down on him.

Boom, boom—!

The massive machine had already advanced toward him.

Its core glowed with an unusual crimson light, locking onto the most threatening target: Ren.

"This core... it's exceptional."

Ren observed quietly, analyzing its weak points.

If the core needed to be preserved, then there was only one way to handle this.

"Leave it to me, my partner."

Sandrone's voice rang out as she pointed with a delicate finger.

"Attack the hidden power transmission hub."

"But be careful—it's scanning for—"

Before she could finish, the sharp whine of compressed air erupted.

The Ruin Guard's iron arm swung with devastating force.

Its first move was a crushing blow!

"..."

Purple light flickered in Ren's eyes.

In an instant, he vanished, dodging the massive fist.

A flash of purple appeared above the Ruin Guard,

glowing with a distinct brilliance.

[Elemental Skill: Stellar Restoration]

But before he could strike, several golden beams flared to life below him.

Whirrrrr—!

They were fully charged laser cannons, already aimed at him mid-air.

The crimson light locked onto him instantly,

leaving him no room to escape.

"Laser cannons firing in 0.1 seconds,"

Sandrone clung tightly to his finger, her voice calm as she gave the countdown.

She turned to look at him instinctively.

His reflection in her sapphire eyes was unwavering, even as the deadly beams bore down on him.

The wind whipped through his hair, giving him an untamed and confident appearance.

Sandrone blinked slowly.

As expected of the man I've chosen.

No matter the situation, he always seemed certain he could overcome it.

But mid-air, with no way to reposition—

How will you deal with this?

"Keep it up, my partner," she teased.

"..."

Amid the searing golden light,

Ren shielded the doll-like girl in his palm.

Without responding, he merely gave a slight nod.

In the next moment, a vivid green glow lit his eyes.

[Elemental Skill: Lemniscatic Wind Cycling!]

Whoosh—!

Ren transformed into a streak of emerald light, darting away.

Bzzt, bzzt.

The Ruin Guard's scans faltered as it lost track of its target.

Before absolute speed, even its advanced systems failed.

"You might as well stay down,"

Ren's clear, confident voice rang out.

The streak of emerald light reappeared before the machine's power hub.

"This is..."

Sandrone's wide eyes reflected the vibrant glow.

A new force seemed to radiate from Ren.

He was faster now.

"Just the joy of an Anemo user,"

he said with a faint smile, still holding her securely.

She had pointed out the power hub, and here it was.

With a single slash of his blade, he aimed to cut straight through the Ruin Guard's defenses.

Sandrone frowned slightly.

Can a blade alone really cleave through a Ruin Guard?

Then, as if hearing her thoughts, Ren spoke calmly.

"There's something you've miscalculated."

"My sword can cut through a lot of things."

"And that includes... your doll body."

Her sapphire eyes widened slightly in shock.

He wasn't joking.

Shing—!

Under her watchful gaze, the towering shadow froze.

The Ruin Guard had been cleanly severed, its immense form rendered powerless by Ren's strike.

In the end...

It fell in two.

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T/N: SASUGA REN-SAMA