A golden ripple surged around him, fused with Destruction and Aether Blood. As the blast wave of decay erupted from Varnak's chest cavity, Leon met it head-on. Not with a shield, but a spear forged from Gold Magic and condensed Shell Reverb—a single strike launched like a comet.
It pierced the heart of the Hollow Bloom.
Varnak shrieked, his body unraveling in a storm of petals and thorns, disintegrating from within.
[Victory: Challenger Leon. Rank 47 Defeated.]
Leon dropped to one knee, panting, his skin flecked with toxins and his core still echoing from the clash.
"...That one hurt."
Roselia ran to his side, immediately pressing a healing rune to his back. Naval followed, tossing him a purging tonic.
"You're still crazy for doing this," she muttered.
Leon just grinned weakly. "And we're not even halfway."
