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.**

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  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.**