Li Wei stood in front of the large stone gate, holding the golden key in his hand. The thick mist from the surrounding waterfall blurred his vision. Slowly, three large figures emerged from the fog, carrying with them a cold aura that made the air around them shudder. They were spirit guardians huge, humanoid beings with glowing golden skin and piercing blue eyes, filled with merciless menace.
Li Wei took a deep breath, the pain from his wounds becoming more unbearable. He knew he had no choice but to fight. To escape from this book world, he had to defeat them.
"Bring it on," he muttered, gripping the golden key tightly.
One of the spirit guardians stepped forward first, raising its sword of light, which radiated intense heat. Its movements were swift and threatening. Li Wei tried to predict their attack pattern, but the strike came faster than he expected.
"Argh!" Li Wei leaped to the side, narrowly dodging the first swing, which almost sliced him in half.
Though he managed to avoid it, the force of the swing was strong enough to make his skin feel scorched. He quickly created distance between himself and the guardians, keeping his eyes locked on them.
But the guardians didn't give him time to rest. The second and third guardians moved together, attacking from two different angles. Li Wei quickly spun backward, but the second guardian's sword still managed to graze his shoulder.
"Ugh...!" Li Wei grunted in pain.
Blood started to drip from his shoulder, and the burning sensation made it even harder to concentrate.
"They're too strong," he thought, struggling to suppress the pain that spread throughout his body.
[System Window]
Quest Update: "Identify the Weakness of the Spirit Guardians for Maximum Attack Effectiveness."
Hint: "Their weakness lies in the energy core in their chest. Destroy the core to disable them."
Li Wei narrowed his eyes. He focused on the chest of the spirit guardians, and there it was a brighter glow in the center of their chest. That was the energy core the system mentioned.
"I have to destroy that... but how do I get close?"
Li Wei gritted his teeth against the throbbing pain in his shoulder and tried to form a strategy. Their attacks were fast and powerful, while his strength was waning with each injury he sustained.
One guardian lunged forward, swinging its sword in a diagonal arc. Li Wei dodged, but the tip of the sword still managed to slice his thigh. Blood splattered, and his legs began to weaken. Li Wei felt like death's hands were tightening around him.
"I... can't keep this up..." he thought.
He stumbled, his body becoming increasingly difficult to move. His breathing was ragged, like his lungs were on fire. But he knew he couldn't give up. If he died here, he wouldn't just fail this quest, he might never return to the real world.
The third guardian swung its sword in a sweeping motion from the left. Li Wei ducked, barely dodging the attack. At that moment, he saw his opportunity. When one guardian attacked, their movements slowed slightly, possibly due to energy being distributed among them.
"This is my chance!" Li Wei thought, determination flooding him.
With all the strength he had left, he sprinted toward the first spirit guardian. His body screamed in protest, pain stabbing every muscle and joint, but he pushed forward. When he got close enough, he leaped into the air, and with all his might, he punched the energy core in the guardian's chest.
"CRACK!"
The energy core cracked, but it didn't fully shatter. The guardian staggered backward, its body flickering with unstable light. However, the attack left Li Wei off-balance, and he crashed hard to the ground.
"Ugh... cough, cough…"
Li Wei coughed, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His entire body ached, and cold sweat poured down his face. But before he could catch his breath, the second guardian lunged at him.
With his last reflex, Li Wei rolled to the side, but not fast enough. The sword slashed a deep wound along his side. Blood gushed out, and his vision began to blur. He knew he wouldn't last much longer if this continued.
"I... have to... end this fast," Li Wei whispered, barely able to stand. He recalled the fight with the first guardian and realized his attacks needed to be stronger.
With trembling hands, Li Wei focused the remaining energy in his legs and launched a quick assault on the second guardian. Using what little strength he had left, he jumped and slammed his heel into the energy core in its chest.
"CRACK!"
The core cracked, but still didn't completely break. The second guardian staggered. However, the other two guardians were still active, and they weren't giving Li Wei any time to rest.
The third guardian rushed toward Li Wei, who was on the verge of collapse, swinging its sword. Li Wei tried to dodge, but exhaustion and his wounds slowed him down. The sword struck his left arm.
"Arghhh!" Li Wei screamed.
It felt like a thousand hot needles pierced his bones. He lost the use of his left arm, and blood dripped from his fingertips.
But he couldn't stop. With his one usable hand, he gathered all his remaining courage and resolve. As the second guardian approached again, he targeted the already-cracked energy core. With a desperate cry, he delivered one final blow.
"BOOM!"
The second guardian's core shattered completely, and its body dissolved into particles of light.
But there was no time to celebrate. The third guardian immediately attacked, and Li Wei was too exhausted to dodge. The sword struck his back, sending him crashing to the ground. His breathing was ragged, his body soaked in blood. He felt like death was imminent.
"No... I can't give up…" he thought, fighting to stay conscious. The last guardian approached, raising its sword high for a killing blow.
That's when Li Wei saw the glowing energy core in the guardian's chest. With the last of his strength and consciousness, he charged at the guardian and punched the core with all his might.
"CRACK… BOOM!"
The energy core shattered, and the final guardian disappeared in a burst of light. Li Wei collapsed to the ground, no longer able to feel his body.
[System Window]
Main Quest Completed: Unlock the Exit Gate.
Reward: Dagger of Shadowstep.
With his breath nearly gone, Li Wei crawled toward the gate. With trembling hands, he inserted the golden key and turned it. A bright white light burst forth, and he knew it was his way out.
With the last of his strength, Li Wei stepped into the light, and everything went dark.