[Final Showdown Begins Now].
Reis closed the window firmly.
There was no space left for hesitation.
He knew this moment allowed no distractions.
The knight drove his horse forward, the spear rising high and slicing the air once again as it had dozens of times before.
Reis sprinted in jagged lines, weaving between scattered stones, desperate to break the lethal accuracy of the knight's aim.
The spear struck the ground beside him, earth exploding upward like ash in his face, but he ignored the dust and pressed on.
He lunged to the side and slammed his shield against the horse's leg, then twisted his body and slashed at the knight's waist without pause.
Steel clashed against heavy armor once more.
Sparks burst and a sharp metallic echo rang through the night.
[Weak Damage].
Reis snarled in frustration, leaping back, but his reaction was half a moment too slow.
The knight's armored arm slammed against his side.
The impact rattled his vision and sent the ground tilting beneath him.
[HP: 11/100].
He dropped to his knees, gasping for air, blood filling his mouth, the sword slipping in his trembling hand.
With effort he raised his head, just in time to see the spear lifting high, the final strike descending without mercy.
He clenched his teeth and surged upward.
There was no thought, no fear left, only instinct.
He charged straight at the knight.
This time there was no room left for retreat.
The spear came down with crushing force, but Reis slid beneath its sweeping arc, driving his sword forward with every last shred of strength.
The dagger in his other hand struck too, a twin blow aimed at the narrow gap between armor and flank.
[Critical Damage].
[Bleeding Inflicted].
The knight's metallic scream tore across the plain, its echo shaking the cold night air.
The horse staggered, stumbling a step, the spear knocked off its deadly path.
But Reis's body could endure no longer.
He collapsed onto the dirt.
[HP: 1/100].
For a heartbeat his breath stopped.
His vision blurred into haze.
The only sound left was the hammering of his heart, heavy and unrelenting.
His hand crept slowly toward the sword lodged in the knight's side, gripping it with every fragment of strength he still possessed.
[Enemy – Tree Knight: HP: 08].
[Warning: Player is near death].
Reis gave a bloodstained smile, whispering in a voice barely audible.
"Now.. the spell".
His trembling hand lifted, tracing the sign with shaky precision, pressing bloodied fingers together.
A faint glow flickered in his palm.
At first it was no more than a dying ember, then it spread, growing brighter until it engulfed his entire body.
[Healing Spell – Activated].
[+30 HP].
He exhaled deeply.
The blood flow from his chest slowed and the pain began to ebb.
He had not regained full strength, but his breathing no longer tore at him with every gasp.
Before him the knight regained his footing, armor screeching as he pressed against his own wound.
The spear lifted once more, heavier and deadlier, raised to finish the battle.
Reis raised his battered shield, tightened his grip on his sword, and smiled with defiance.
Once more.
[HP: 31/100].
[Enemy – Tree Knight: HP: 08].
He stepped forward without hesitation, his eyes hardened with unshakable resolve.
The knight moved to meet him, horse snarling, the earth trembling under its hooves.
Reis did not wait for the strike.
He charged faster.
His footsteps rang loud against the broken stones, not hiding but announcing his challenge.
The knight lifted his spear for a direct thrust, but Reis shifted at the last instant.
He leaned left, then cut sharply toward the horse's leg.
The blow was not meant to wound but to draw the knight's guard low.
As the knight reacted, Reis threw himself upward, springing onto a broken stone pillar.
From its height he hurled himself forward, both hands gripping his rusted sword, diving straight for the narrow gap at the knight's shoulder.
The spear rose to deflect, but gravity and fury were faster.
The blade sank deep between armor and neck.
A piercing shriek of metal split the plain as if steel itself screamed in agony.
[Critical Hit – Fatal Damage].
The knight convulsed violently, bellowing a final metallic roar as his horse stumbled and fell to its knees.
Reis wasted no time.
He ripped his dagger free and drove it twice into the wound, sparks bursting around him in a storm of light.
[HP: 31/100].
[Enemy: 0].
The knight's golden frame toppled from his horse, crashing into the earth like a fallen wall.
The ground quaked as silence reclaimed the plain.
Reis stood in the dust, chest heaving, his sword glowing with a sheen of molten blood.
He raised his head, eyes glimmering with a final smile, the smile of one who had at last slain the nightmare haunting all his past attempts.
[Main Quest Completed].
[Tree Guardian Defeated].
[Reward Obtained: Golden Guardian Shield – Rare].
[Reward Obtained: 1200 Coins].
Reis closed the window calmly and sank onto a nearby stone, clutching his torn shoulder.
A quiet laugh escaped him as his gaze lingered on the fallen knight.
"Finally.. this hell is over".