His gaze lifted toward the horizon as he stepped forward—until the stone balcony ended in a sheer cliff. From there, the shattered world below stretched endlessly. The wind blew around him, warm with power, carrying the scent of obsidian dust and ancient steel.
Behind him, the others approached.
"So," Roman asked with a half-smirk, "you're going back to the Obsidian Ant arena again?"
Leon turned slightly, his eyes calm and blazing all at once. "Of course."
As the Tier VIII energy still pulsed faintly in his veins, Leon stood at the threshold of the Obsidian Ant Arena once more. The ancient obsidian gates recognized his presence now not as an outsider—but as a newly crowned force. The guards bowed as he passed.
Above, the crowd was already buzzing.
"Voidbreaker Leon returns!"
"He's after Rank 50!"
The arena shifted as the announcer's voice rang through the volcanic amphitheater. "The challenger seeks Rank 50—face your foe: Malgrax, the Spiral Shell!"
