Something didn’t feel right.

Jogid’s vision blurred. One of the seven creatures from hell must be nearby. A swirling vortex ruptured the fabric of space and time itself. An enormous, writhing mass of tentacles and temporal energy surged through the opening, blotting out the sun.

He’d heard about this monster—the Temporalis Krakenox. It was here. He’d barely had time to erect a hasty ward around the perimeter of Master Kaito’s property before the first tentacle lashed out. The barrier shattered on impact and Jogid was flung backwards, skidding along the earth.

There is no way my nascent Earth IDM, fledgling flames-level magic, can stand against the Krakenox’s Time dimension, Tier 10 Level 5 capabilities. And while my magic is Determination Aligned, the Krakenox’s enigmatic, Enigma Aligned energies are a league apart.

But I have to try.

After all, he had already passed the first trial. Master Kaito had been pleased with the effort he put into bettering his home and allowed Jogid to stay with him for a little longer in exchange for simple help around his property.

This was surely another trial set by his teacher. He must be testing his resolve as a disciple, proving his willingness to defend that which he held dear—to protect all the hard work he had devoted to making his home pristine. Why else would a hell beast attack this property, at this very moment?

This place, these lands, were under Jogid’s protection. And he would defend them with his last breath.

After summoning another set of wards, Jogid unleashed a torrent of fire spells from his palms. More tentacles smashed towards him, and Jogid leapt and wove between them, unleashing spell after spell. Blasts of lightning and icy shards glanced off the creature’s hide.

A tentacle wrapped around Jogid’s leg and hurled him skyward. The world spun dizzyingly before he crashed down, pulverizing Master Kaito’s garden.

“No!” he gasped, clambering to his feet. The vegetables and herbs meant to feed his Master, obliterated. Boiling rage flooded Jogid’s veins.

The Krakenox descended, its body coiling and crushing trees to splinters. Jogid stood firm between it and the house. He would not fail his Master again.

He opened himself fully to the mana coursing within. Arcane glyphs erupted across his body. Reality itself seemed to vibrate from the power he was channeling.

With a draconic scream, he unleashed a beam of pure cosmic energy, blasting into the Krakenox’s body. The creature shrieked in what could only be surprise and pain. Two of its tendrils burned away into ash. But it was not enough. Jogid’s attack had weakened the beast, but sapped his own life force perilously low. He panted, glyphs flickering as the Krakenox loomed closer. A tentacle snapped forward, aimed straight for the house.

On pure instinct Jogid threw himself in its path, too late to get fully clear. The razor-sharp limb sheared clean through his left arm in a burst of blood. Jogid collapsed, his vision tunneling…

Yet the house still stood.

▬▬ι═════ﺤ

Karen, do you remember if we locked up the house this morning?

I am not speaking to you.

Come on, this is important…please. Oh, and remember to use the units of time that I asked for.

Yes, Master Kaito, the door to your house has been securely locked. The locking mechanism was engaged at [07:48 AM], immediately after your departure.

Thank you! You see, that wasn’t hard. Besides, you can’t be mad, I thought you didn’t do ‘emotions.’

You shut me down, remember? Do you have any idea of the energy expenditure required to force-start my systems? Currently, I am operating at only 23% capacity. There isn’t even sufficient power to reactivate the AQGS. My purpose extends beyond catering to whims that defy logic and protocol.

Then everything worked out perfectly.

[NEW QUEST: Go Fuck youself.]

▬▬ι═════ﺤ

He swore he would vanquish Temporalis Krakenox.

If he couldn’t defeat a hell beast, he wasn’t worthy of being Master Kaito’s disciple.

Jogid screamed as the tentacle snapped his left wing and tore it from his back. Searing pain clouded his vision as ichor poured from the ragged wound. He barely registered another tentacle lashing out, shattering the bones in his right leg.

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He collapsed, helplessly watching his purple blood desecrating his master’s earth. He was no match for the Krakenox’s power. But he hadn’t failed yet—the house still stood.

My current level restricts me to a basic manipulation of mana—I have shamed my Master. The Krakenox wields Time IDM with a natural, almost innate mastery, manipulating temporal streams in ways that defy the standard conversion efficiency formulae. Its control over Time IDM, unbound by the typical limitations of tattoo dynamics and ritual precision, operates on a level that my training and experience haven’t yet reached. My approach, while technically sound, lacks the advanced understanding of IDM’s interdimensional nuances and the adaptive versatility to counter such a formidable foe.

The beast loomed closer, tendrils erupting from its body and warping the flow of time around him. Suddenly he was back at the start of the battle, erecting the wards.

But how—He already knew the answer to his own question. The hell beast’s power.

Again and again Jogid fought, only to be flung back to the beginning, forced to relive his failure. This cycle of defeat was its revenge for his insolence, for daring to wound it earlier.

The temporal loop dragged him back once more…

The loop reset, again.

And again.

How long until his mind shattered from these repeated failures? But the image of Master Kaito steeled his will. He would not yield. If all he could do was buy one more second for his Master’s home, that sliver of hope would sustain him.

But Jogid’s vision wavered, his body broken and ruined. One final tentacle strike had reduced him to little more than a torso and head.

The Krakenox loomed victorious over Master Kaito’s property. He had failed. Utterly and completely failed in his duty as a disciple. The house was gone.

As the tentacle cast darkness into his vision, he prayed for a swift end, ashamed that he wasn’t worthy, and that his magic was so weak.

But suddenly the sight of a familiar presence sent comfort down his spine.

His master’s feet were light. Jogid didn’t even notice the moment Kaito appeared in front of his shameful form, let alone sense his IDM.

He had been fighting all day, and now he felt like he could finally let his entire body relax.

“You fought well, Jogid. I am proud,” said Master Kaito, kneeling gracefully beside what was left of his body. Jogid could only stare in awe through his one remaining eye.

The Krakenox surged forward in challenge.

The Master gazed at it pensively, as one might examine a stubborn stain.

The two suns dipped below the horizon.

And then with an almost lazy snap of his fingers, the tentacle froze mid swing.

Everything blurred.

Jogid felt himself splintering through the fabric of time itself under the Master’s power. It wasn’t as painful and chaotic as the Krakenox’s spell—this felt nice, gentle and soothing.

When his vision stabilized, it was early in the morning, the battle hadn’t even started and his whole body had been restored.

With the same casual snap, Kaito annihilated the Krakenox before it could fully manifest. The temporal beast split into a hundred perfect sashimi slices under an invisible blade’s divine cuts. Its various parts rained down around the pristine garden and house.

Jogid could scarcely comprehend the elegant display of might. Master Kaito had not even needed to move from his spot. Truly, he was the pinnacle of collected power and wisdom.

Kaito turned to Jogid with a benign smile. “Thank you for guarding the house in my absence. But did you remember to fetch the groceries like I had asked?”

Jogid stared blankly, then flushed in shame. “N-no Master, I failed in that as well. Please forgive me!”

▬▬ι═════ﺤ

Karen, at what time did this whole thing start?

At approximately [08:05 AM].

Damn…really? All my work. Gone. This is a disaster! Why am I between two impossible choices? The nerve to make me choose between restoring my home or redoing all those tax returns?

▬▬ι═════ﺤ

The feast before him seemed to mock his failures.

He couldn’t bring himself to put a single morsel in his mouth. The centerpiece at Master Kaito’s table was a true work of art, the Master called it ‘Krakenis Tentaculorum.’

When he finally swallowed his pride and the tip of his slender tongue touched a piece of tentacle an explosion of flavors danced across his snout—the rich savoriness of the hell beast’s flesh infused with herbs and spices from lands unknown. It was the most exquisite thing he had ever tasted.

“Delicious, is it not?” Master Kaito asked. “The process of preparing Krakenox meat was a fine opportunity to refine my secret Tenderizing technique. It appears the creature’s temporal energies have added a rather unique flavor profile.”

Jogid could only nod mutely. That his Master could turn the remnants of Jogid’s shameful defeat into such an amazing dish was humbling.

As the meal progressed, Master Kaito regaled Jogid with the tale of his day processing tax returns for the villagers. Jogid listened intently, honored to be privy to even the mundane details of his Master’s life.

“Given today’s temporal disturbances, I’m afraid all 27 forms will need redoing,” Kaito remarked with a hint of wry amusement. “Quite the tedium. However, with your assistance, we might just make light work of it.”

Jogid’s heart swelled at the offer. “It would be an honor, Master! I shall not fail you in this.”

Master Kaito gave an indulgent smile, the kind that held a touch of wisdom. “Very well then. We set out at noon. Prepare yourself for an enlightening journey.”