The **Guardian of the Lost** moved faster than Kiran thought possible.


    The **blade** came down in a silver arc, splitting the air with a sharp **whistle**. Kiran barely **rolled aside**, the impact **shattering** the stone floor where he had stood just a heartbeat ago.


    (That would’ve killed me instantly.)


    The knight did not hesitate. It **pivoted**, bringing its sword in a wide horizontal sweep. Kiran ducked, feeling the rush of air as the blade **sliced past his head**.


    {Trial of the Forgotten Knight Initiated.}


    {Objective: Survive.}


    (You don’t say!)


    He scrambled back, his mind racing. The knight was **Level 20**, far beyond his own **Level 7**. If it landed a single clean hit—he was **dead**.


    But then—


    A notification flickered.


    {Analyzing Combatant… Adjusting Difficulty…}


    {Adaptive Reflexes (Lv 2) → Lv 3!}


    Suddenly, Kiran could **see it.**


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    The knight''s movements were **calculated**, each attack precise, each step deliberate. But there were **gaps**—tiny ones. Flaws in the patterns.


    The knight lifted its sword again, and this time—


    Kiran **moved first.**


    ---


    **Impact.**


    He drove his crude blade forward, aiming for the knight’s side. But the moment his weapon connected—


    A **shockwave** threw him backward.


    {Warning: Direct Attacks Ineffective.}


    Kiran crashed against the stone wall, gasping.


    (It has some kind of defense mechanism—like a repulsion field!)


    The knight didn’t give him time to recover.


    It **lunged**, its sword stabbing down.


    Kiran rolled—just in time for the blade to sink deep into the ground where his chest had been.


    The knight was momentarily **stuck**.


    (That’s my chance!)


    Kiran sprinted, grabbing a **loose fragment** of stone from the ruined floor. He turned, **hurling** it at the knight’s helmet with all his strength.


    The rock **collided**—and for a split second, the blue flames in the knight’s eyes **flickered.**


    {Enemy Weakness Discovered: Head Stability Compromised.}


    Kiran’s mind **raced.**


    (So I need to hit its **head**?)


    The knight wrenched its sword free, turning toward him again. But now—**Kiran had a plan.**


    ---


    The next exchange was a **blur.**


    Kiran dodged left—then right, barely avoiding the knight’s relentless strikes. Each time the blade **missed**, it gouged deep scars into the stone floor, sending dust and debris flying.


    He needed an **opening.**


    Then—his **bad luck activated.**


    A deep **rumble** shook the chamber.


    Loose stones from the ceiling **broke free**, cascading down in a sudden rockslide. The knight instinctively **raised its shield**—


    And Kiran took the chance.


    He **sprinted** forward, leaping onto a **fallen pillar** for momentum.


    The knight turned back just in time for Kiran to drive his **fist**—holding another stone shard—**directly into its helmet.**


    **CRACK.**


    The flames in its eyes **flickered violently**.


    {Guardian Stability: 70% → 50%.}


    (That’s it! If I do this a few more times—)


    Then the knight **exploded with mana.**


    The force sent Kiran **flying.** He slammed into the far wall, vision **blurring**.


    When he looked up, his stomach **dropped.**


    The knight’s **form shifted.**


    Its armor **repaired itself.** Its flames **burned brighter.**


    And then—its **sword changed.**


    The simple blade elongated, glowing with ethereal **blue fire.**


    {Guardian of the Lost has entered **Phase 2.**}


    {New Ability Unlocked: Phantom Blade.}


    Kiran’s heartbeat **spiked.**


    (Oh. That’s **not** fair.)


    The knight **charged.**