The guardian's eyes widened slightly.
Just for a moment.
And that was all Arthur needed.
As he moved forward and past it.
His dagger came out in the same motion, already coated with wind.
The edge wasn't just sharp. It felt like it cut before it touched.
Arthur didn't hesitate.
He struck cleanly in a single motion as he passed.
Then he was already behind the guardian.
A second passed.
Then the blood came.
It spilled out from the guardian's chest in a heavy line, soaking through as the cut opened fully.
From where the others stood, it looked deep.
Serious.
Enough to matter.
The guardian staggered slightly.
Arthur turned back to face it.
But his expression didn't change.
"…Not enough."
He had felt it.
Right at the last moment.
The resistance.
The earth.
The guardian had reacted not effective, but enough.
A thin layer of hardened earth had formed over its body just before the strike landed. The blade cut through it, but it slowed just enough.
Reduced the damage.
