Nina and Yanai reacted instantly, summoning thick vines to shield themselves.

The golden eagle was far more formidable than expected.

Blades of radiant gold shot from its wings, slicing cleanly through the vines as it dove toward them with lethal force.

"Nina, this eagle must be the guardian spirit beast of the star source," Yanai said, his voice tense. "If we want it, we have to defeat it first."

"I know. But it can fly... that gives it an advantage over our abilities."

Even as she spoke, Nina cast a protective barrier and wrapped Dian securely in layers of vines, ensuring he would not be harmed.

"I’ll hold it down. You focus on attacking," Yanai said.

"Alright."

He seized an opening and lunged forward, catching the eagle’s talons with his vines and dragging it downward.

The eagle shrieked, golden light flashing as it tried to sever the restraints, but Nina intercepted its attack and struck back.

The air trembled with power as the eagle fought desperately to break free.

Its offense was relentless. Its defense nearly impenetrable.

Within moments, Yanai was already bleeding, wounds opening across his body.

Nina’s expression darkened.

She intensified her attacks, pouring more power into her vines, but even then, she could only barely hold the creature at bay.

Worse—she could feel it growing stronger.

Her gaze flicked toward the altar. The golden star source above it was expanding, its light intensifying.

Is it... feeding the eagle?

Before she could think further, pairs of glowing green eyes suddenly appeared in the surrounding forest.

A low, rumbling growl spread through the darkness.

Then, a pack of savage gray wolf-like beasts burst forth, charging straight at them.

They were surrounded.

Yanai grit his teeth, forced to split his attention, restraining the eagle while fending off the wolves.

But the pressure mounted quickly.

Nina’s heart tightened. She had to end this fast.

If Yanai lost control of the eagle and it took back to the sky, they would be at a complete disadvantage.

Her mind raced—then something clicked. The memory of bonding with Roro.

Her blood. She had used her blood to form a contract before... Could it work again?

Nina’s eyes sharpened.

She waited.

Watched.

Then, there was an opening.

In an instant, her vines surged forward, binding the eagle tightly. Drawing on the power of her spirit pearl and spirit stones, she yanked it violently from the air and slammed it down.

The eagle struggled fiercely, golden light flaring, but Nina was faster. She rushed forward and pressed her blood onto its head.

For a split second, everything stilled.

A powerful pressure surged from her bloodline, pressing down on the eagle.

Its resistance faltered. Then ceased.

The blood mark dissolved into its feathers as a glowing golden sigil formed on its forehead.

Nina felt it immediately—a connection. A bond.

Her lips curved in relief.

It worked.

The once-ferocious eagle lowered itself, obedient and calm.

Nina released the vines.

"Yanai, I’ve contracted it. You can let go."

He didn’t hesitate, withdrawing instantly.

Nina glanced at the battlefield. "No time for names... you’ll be Goldy."

The eagle gave a low cry in acknowledgment.

"Goldy, go! Kill the beasts."

At her command, the golden eagle shot forward like a streak of light, tearing into the wolf pack.

"Yanai, heal yourself first. I’ll handle the rest."

He nodded and immediately began treating his injuries.

Nina moved alongside Goldy, her vines sweeping through the battlefield.

The beasts quickly faltered under their combined assault. Within moments, the pack broke apart, fleeing in panic.

One of the beasts, in its desperation, ran straight toward the altar, and the instant it crossed the boundary, it turned to ash.

Gone in a heartbeat.

Nina froze, her eyes widening.

What...?

Even Yanai’s expression darkened. "The altar..."

It had changed. The place that had seemed silent and harmless, was now deadly.

Even if they defeated the guardian and survived the beasts... they might not be able to step onto the altar at all. And without that, how could they ever reach the star source?

Fortunately, that poor beast had served as a warning. Had they rushed in blindly, they would likely have been reduced to ash as well.

"Nina, what do we do now?" Yanai asked, his voice tight with concern.

He trusted her instincts far more than his own.

"I’m not sure either." Nina’s gaze shifted to the golden eagle. "But we can try asking Goldy. It might know something."

"That... actually makes sense."

Both of them turned toward the eagle.

"Goldy, do you know how to enter the altar?" Nina asked.

The eagle tilted its head, looking almost innocent.

Just walk in.

Nina frowned and lightly tapped its head. "But that beast just now was killed the moment it stepped in."

The eagle paused, as if thinking.

Beasts cannot. Master can.

Nina hesitated.

Goldy was now bound to her by contract. It shouldn’t deceive her... right?

After a long pause, she made her decision.

"I’ll try."

Yanai’s worry deepened. "Nina, are you sure it’s safe to just walk in?"

"Probably?" she admitted, not entirely convinced herself. "Help me watch over Dian. I have to try."

She quickly purchased several protective items from the system, layering herself with safeguards before stepping toward the altar.

"Goldy, you go first."

The eagle obeyed without hesitation, stepping onto the altar.

Nothing happened.

Nina let out a quiet breath of relief.

Still, she turned back to Yanai, her voice softer now.

"If something goes wrong... if I don’t make it... and if my mates also..."

She paused, then forced herself to continue.

"Please ask our fathers to take care of the children."

Her greatest worry had always been the children.

But she had no choice.

If she allowed that mysterious being to control her, the consequences would be far worse not just for her, but for everyone she loved.

Yanai’s chest tightened. He wanted to silence her, to stop her from saying such things, but he didn’t dare.

"Don’t say that. You’ll be fine."

Nina said nothing more. She took a steadying breath and stepped forward.

One step.

No reaction.

Only then did she fully walk onto the altar.

Above her, the star source continued to grow, glowing brighter with every passing second.

"How do I absorb this?" she asked.

Goldy circled the glowing mass.

Use the pearl inside you to convert it... or just eat it.

Nina stared at the now soccer-ball-sized sphere of energy.

Eat it?

She immediately rejected that idea.

"Little pearl, can you absorb its energy?"

The spirit pearl shimmered faintly in response.

Yes, Master. Move closer.

Nina stepped forward.

At once, the pearl began to draw in the star source’s power.

Time stretched. The golden light slowly dimmed as its energy flowed into her.

She felt it immediately. Power surged through her body, stronger than before, richer... and layered with something new.

As the star source entered her, the curse within her body reacted violently.

But this time, she fought back.

Using the star source’s energy, she suppressed it... pushed against it... began to erase it.

The glowing mass shrank, smaller and smaller.

Just as she thought she was about to succeed, pain exploded in her mind.

A cold, ancient voice echoed within her consciousness.

"Well done, little one. You actually obtained the star source."

A pause.

Then a low, mocking chuckle.

"But it’s useless. The power of the star source alone is not enough to break the curse I cast with my origin power."

Nina’s heart jolted. "You’re lying. The star source can definitely remove your curse."

This mysterious being... was somehow watching her.

And worse—it claimed the star source wasn’t enough.

"Heh... don’t believe me?" the voice sneered. "Then let me show you."

Before Nina could respond, darkness swallowed her vision. The world around her vanished. She found herself standing in an endless void.

And in that void, a pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.

At the same moment, on the altar outside, Nina’s eyes turned the exact same shade of red.