The final exchange was short.
Violent.
Messy.
Andres stumbled forward during a dodge.
The creature reacted instantly—
But this time—
He anticipated the follow-up.
He didn't try to overpower it.
He didn't try to match strength.
He simply stepped into its blind angle—
And struck.
Not hard.
Not elegant.
But precise enough to disrupt balance.
The creature collapsed sideways.
Hit the ground hard.
It twitched.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped moving.
Silence returned.
Andres stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Body shaking slightly.
"…I could've died."
He said it quietly.
No pride.
No celebration.
Just truth.
He looked at his injured arm.
Then at the dead creature.
"…So this is this world."
A pause.
"…Everything wants to kill me."
He exhaled slowly.
And for the first time—
He fully accepted it.