Chapter 13: The final gambit
Alex's world spun as he plummeted toward the abyss. His body, bruised and battered, barely responded.
He had fought tooth and nail against the ancient warrior, only to find himself dangling over the edge, his fingers barely clutching the platform's surface.
Instinct kicked in. His hand shot to his belt, gripping the Emergency Dagger Hook. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the dagger toward the nearest solid structure, the blade digging into the platform's side with a metallic thunk.
A split second later, the enchanted chain extended, yanking Alex to a brutal stop midair. His breath hitched as his injured body screamed in protest.
"Hah! I knew carrying you wasn't a mistake," Alex coughed, speaking to the dagger like it was an old friend.
He swung his legs, using momentum to pull himself up, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. "If I die here, I swear I'm haunting whoever designed this trial."
Just as he hoisted himself halfway up, a shadow loomed above. The ancient warrior's blade gleamed as it descended upon him like a judgment from the heavens.
"Not today!" Alex gritted his teeth, activating [Shadow Step]. His battered body flickered, appearing a few meters away on the platform, rolling onto solid ground.
He barely had a second to breathe before the warrior lunged at him again.