Albrecht stood in the center of the rewards room, the weight of his past decisions and the gravity of the moment pressing down on him like a heavy shroud. Around him, the ancient relics glimmered faintly, their soft golden glow casting long, eerie shadows across the stone walls. Dust lingered in the air, dancing in the dim light as if disturbed by the very tension that filled the chamber. Albrecht's heart pounded in his chest, the pressure of the System's warning reverberating in his mind, an incessant reminder of the stakes at hand.
His jaw clenched. Defeat wasn't an option. Not now. Not after everything. They had pushed too far, fought too long, and lost too many comrades to give up now. Turning back would be akin to death itself.
Reaching into his inventory, he felt the familiar pull, the slight hum of the System's interface flooding his consciousness. The cool, digital tone filled his thoughts:
[Mystical Fire Stake retrieved]
