Reis followed the distant silhouette across the plain.
His steps were steady, but all he saw ahead was the towering knight gleaming faintly in the darkness.
A system window flickered into view.
[Warning: This path leads to a dangerous encounter. Leveling and better equipment are recommended].
Reis read the words slowly. A clear warning, a cold line of text telling him directly:
Continue, and you will fall.
He lifted his gaze back to the guardian.
There was no surprise, no hesitation.
Instead, a faint smile touched his lips, because he knew exactly what awaited him in the heart of that plain.
"This is the same path I've always taken. every time I walk toward it, the ending is the same".
He chuckled, the bitter laugh of a player who understood the rules of the game more than he wished.
"If I charge straight ahead, I'll die the usual way. Quick. Pointless. Forgettable".
He closed the window, his eyes fixed on the guardian's silhouette, still lingering there alone in the void.
He drew a long breath and murmured to himself: "Death is easy. The real game begins when you take another path and play it smart".
Turning his head to the right, he spotted a half-buried stone gate.
The system flashed again:
[Entrance Discovered: The Forgotten Catacomb].
Reis paused only for a moment. "A catacomb.. that means spirits, traps, and hidden gear".
Without hesitation, he stepped inside, clutching his rusted sword and battered shield.
The air shifted. A chilling cold dug into his bones.
From the walls, gray shapes began to stir.
Shades of fallen warriors with shattered swords and broken shields.
The system displayed:
[Enemies: Warrior Spirits – Level 3].
One.. Two.. Five.. Ten.
The numbers kept climbing until the entire stairwell swarmed with them.
Reis smiled faintly as he raised his shield.
"Overwhelming numbers. The worst scenario for a beginner. But I'm not a beginner".
The first spirit lurched forward, its body translucent, dragging a blade that hissed with cold sparks.
Reis waited, then stepped back two paces at the perfect moment. The spirit stumbled and slipped into a pit beside the passage.
A muffled wail followed, then silence.
The system chimed:
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
[Acquired: 6 Coins].
"One down, without even a swing".
Another spirit lunged at him. By the fractured wall, a small chest caught his eye. He kicked it open mid-fight.
[Acquired: Short Dagger – Attack Speed +20%].
A grin spread across his face. "Now this is where the fun begins".
He dropped the shield, gripped the dagger in his left hand, and rushed forward with his sword in the other.
The dagger flashed. A quick stab tore through the spirit's core before a heavy swing shattered its form to dust.
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
Another spirit rushed from a narrow corridor.
Reis's foot pressed against a hidden tile.
Arrows shot out from the walls, tearing through the phantom's body until it disintegrated mid-charge.
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
But more kept coming. The passage filled with shadows from the left, the right, and the stairs behind him.
Reis laughed lightly.
"Good.. time for a massacre."
He sprinted toward a leaning stone pillar, slammed it with his shield, and sent it crashing onto three spirits at once.
Their cries faded into black dust.
Four more advanced together. Reis leapt back, forcing them into a tight corridor. Then he dashed in, dagger flashing like lightning.
One fell. Then another. The third raised its blade, but Reis ended it with a clean strike.
The fourth shattered under a brutal shield bash.
The system flooded his vision:
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
[Warrior Spirit defeated].
[Acquired: 24 Coins].
Two remained, charging side by side. This time, he didn't retreat.
Snatching his shield from the ground, he blocked one strike, then drove his dagger into the second spirit's chest.
He spun, his broken sword crashing against the first spirit's face, ending both in the same heartbeat.
The system announced:
[All enemies defeated].
[Reward: 40 Coins].
Reis stood in the crypt, panting. His shield was cracked. His sword dripping with phantom sparks.
But nothing remained except silence and the clink of coins filling his inventory.
He smiled, remembering the fight. "A rookie would've died here.. but me? I play smart".
The system opened a new window.
[Unlocked: Environmental Advantage].
...
Reis continued deeper into the catacomb until he reached a small chamber. at its center stood a broken stone statue glowing faintly.
A fractured voice whispered from it. "Five shards.. free me from the curse".
[Side Quest Discovered: Collect 5 Shards from the Vessels of the Dead].
Reis bowed briefly. "Shards.. defensive magic? Could be useful later".
But time pressed. He pushed forward until a wide ruined hall unfolded before him.
The system flared.
[Mini-Boss: Grave Warden – Level 4].
From the rubble, a massive skeletal knight rose. Rust covered his armor. His colossal blade dragged sparks across the stone with each step.
Reis lifted his shield instinctively.
"A greatsword.. slow swings. That's my opening".
The warden swung down with crushing force.
Reis blocked, but the impact hurled him back into the wall.
[Stamina: 76/100].
"Tch.. one block costs this much?".
He switched tactics, swapping his sword for the dagger.
When the warden charged again, Reis ducked under the strike and pierced twice between the gaps in its armor.
[Critical Hit!].
The knight staggered but struck back instantly, sending Reis crashing to the ground.
[Health: 55/100].
Gasping, he pushed himself up. "Another blow like that.. and it's over".
This time, he didn't fight head on. His eyes darted to the cracked ceiling and weakened pillars.
A grin crept across his face. "You're heavy.. and that's your weakness."
He lured the warden into the narrow passage.
The knight swung sideways.
Reis bent back, letting the colossal blade smash into a crumbling column. Debris rained down, pinning the warden in place.
Reis seized the moment. He leapt onto the rubble, plunging the dagger into its chest twice, then driving the broken sword straight through its skull.
[Grave Warden – Health Critical].
But the knight shoved him away with brutal force.
[Health: 45/100].
Reis rose, breath ragged. "Stubborn.. fine. Let's finish this".
He circled, forcing the knight to follow. When the massive blade lifted for another crushing blow, Reis slid back toward a line of ancient traps.
His foot pressed a hidden plate. Arrows shot from the walls, skewering the warden's body.
A thunderous cry shook the chamber.
The skeletal titan collapsed into dust, its greatsword crashing lifelessly beside it.
[Grave Warden defeated].
[Acquired: 25 Coins].
[Acquired: Cracked Iron Helm].
Reis slumped to the ground, panting, before picking up the helm and pulling it onto his head despite its weight.
[Defense +2].
At the far end of the chamber, a colossal stone door opened by itself. Cold wind rushed through.
Reis stepped outside and found himself on a rocky height overlooking the plain.
The view below was clearer than ever.
A towering knight astride a golden horse circled the plain.
The system flashed:
[Main Quest Updated: Bypass or defeat the Guardian to cross the plain].
Reis chuckled softly, hand tightening on his sword.
"There it is.. the first real trial. But this time, I won't make any stupid mistakes".
He descended slowly toward the plain, the sword in his hand, the dagger at his side, the shield catching the guardian's faint glow in the distance.