Richard collapsed to his knees, blood trickling from his mouth, staring at the void where his chest had been. The wound was fatal—he knew it. Minutes, maybe seconds left before his body gave out completely.
But his mind was racing, calculating, refusing to accept defeat.
I can't lose. Not to him. Not to a goblin. There's one technique left... the forbidden one... but the cost…
His eyes moved to Satou, standing over him with that damned Shadow Blade still active, waiting to finish it.
No choice. I use it or I die anyway.
Richard's expression hardened with resolve. "I didn't want to use this," he muttered, speaking more to himself than to Satou. "This technique drains life force directly, burns years off my existence with every second it's active. Every moment it's maintained costs me decades. But with what's happening... I can't take chances."
