As Junko and Nova check the item they just acquired, a loud explosion can be heard from the East wing to their surprise. Both of them feel worried so they head off east immediately. With a guy like Rhino on the East wing, who knows what kind of trouble Chella and Evaline must be dealing with?

A fruitful victory does not stop them from being concerned with the other group of baddies. Chella might not be the brightest when it comes down to fighting foes who can make tricks. Evaline can sometimes be careless and old man Gilbert is just a mere human. There's nothing but the sound of their hasty steps to replace the quietness of the hallway.

When they arrive at the East wing, the see piles of debrils but no signs of life to be seen. Nova looks around and notices Evaline making a firm stances with Chella and Gilbert hiding behind her. Junko notices the humongous figure of Rhino plugged into the ground upside-down. Three others guys beside him which are Wolf, Cheetah and Hyena lie helplessly on the ground, unable to move a muscle with the wounds on their body.

"Damn... what's wrong with this girl?"

"Bro... I think my kneecap is broken..."

"Your kneecap? What about me? My spine is demolished."

Observing closely, Junko concludes that it was an one-sided battle which surprises even herself. She didn't expect Evaline to be THAT capable of fighting.

Nova runs off to see if Chella and Gilbert are okay. She feels thankful that they didn't have any trouble. Chella is as relieved as her to see her company safe and sound. Gilbert approaches Wolf and takes from him half of an access card.

"We won and it seems like you too did as well, Noelle."

"Yep, grandpa. Me and Junko make a good team, too bad you guys didn't get to see it."

"We've just seen something pretty bizarre already. Let's just get going. Junko, isn't it? Could give me the half on your hands there?"

Junko nods and hands Gilberts a half which he attaches with the other, completely assembling an access card. Now they can finally move on the top floor of the fortress. They proceed to go back to where the elevator is supposed to be, leaving the wounded enemies behind without even battling an eye.

"Wolf... you just let them go like that?"

"What could we even do? They won so we must keep our promise. That was what master taught us."

"Agreed. But we don't end up having a great death instead of this prolonging ache all over our bodies."

"I personally think being spared from death isn't too bad."

"Yeah, I'd hate to die without thanking him for teaching us all we've learned."

The guys continue on with their casual chat while resting from muscle movements. Chella opens the elevator door then she and her allies ascend through many floors until they eventually reach the top. As the door slowly open, they can feel the wind blowing from outside. Perhaps the top floor is a roof.

Upon exiting the elevator, they found themselves inside what appears to be a Colosseum. The place is devoid of audiences forever, as if it was reserved only for the fearsome. Chella finally notices an unfamiliar figure looking at them from the other end of the makeshift arena. The figure lets out a laugh and walks forward.

"So you've indeed beaten all of them and safely make your way here. Congratulations for surpassing the challenge I prepared for you." *chuckles* "You'll proof to be interesting."

It's the infamous Lion in the rumors that many have heard about. He has terrorized and oppressed many that he deemed weak. Not a single person he met had given him the damage he desired in a battle. But today might be the day that he could taste what he has been craving for so much.

"Were you truly intending to invades towns and ruthlessly claim them?"

"Yes, because I was bored alright? If they have no one strong enough to face me then they're better of serving me to learn a thing or two from the one who triumphs."

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"Then our goal remains unchanged, we will end your tyranny."

"Here's hoping to see you at your best." *smiles* "Come at me! All of you! I don't care about the difference in number, just prove me with at least one single hit that this fight will be different."

"As you wish!"

Nova charges forward and launches two electric beams at the Lion but he doesn't attempt to dodge, simply standing still. He calmly inhales and projects a blast of scream from his mouth that morphes into a thick white wall blocking of the electrifying beams. Nova is in shock as she sees such displays of power. The white wall simply dissappears seconds later.

Chella and her allies know that the opponent isn't easy but they won't stop just for that. Exchanging nods with Gilbert, Evaline creates several crystal projectiles from thin air and hurls them toward the muscular man with naked top. Yet that doesn't scare him either, he launches another blast of screams, it shatters the crystals entering its path with ease and continues heading to her.

The group has tso scatter to dodge the fearsome attack. If they stood still at the spot they would be blasted into oblivion with a bitter lost on their end. For now they could see that the Lion possess the capabilities to lauch projectiles with his mouth. Whatever Addition he has, it is likely a strong one due to what was heard about his status. Unlike the others whom they've faced before, the Lion has the eyes of someone gleefully fighting until their last breath. Such eyes could wrap into bitter disappoinment if his enemies fail him.

Regardless, Chella wishes to emerge victorious along with the allies she has found along the way even though she still wonders about Panda's whereabouts. Chella inhales and refocuses on the situation, bearing the eyes of an aspiring warrior. The Lion catches himself noticing such eyes, thrilled to exchange punches even more. He does not discriminate anything about his opponent other than strength, either physically or mentally.

Yet he also reminds himself not to expect too much, she still has a lot to do to be able to tame the beast. Not wasting time, Nova decides to attack him by transfering electricity to the ground. Good thing that she notices there are wires beneath the thin but sturdy layers of metal.

The Lion has to jump as he notices it, causing him to loose balance. Nova signals Evaline to attack, she hurls another barrage of crystals pieces. However, the Lion lauches a barrage of his own from his mouth as well. White projectiles clash with the crystals, knocking away each of them.

"What? Is this cheating? It was supposed to work."

"Impossible. What kind of strength is this?"

"No time for questions. We need to come up with something."

"Junko, do you have something in mind?"

"Evaline, lend me a crystal spear."

"Oh... alright."

Evaline conjures a long spear made out of crystal and gives it to Junko. She runs toward the Lion while holding the handle. He's curious to see what the serious-looking one is intending to do. He releases another barrage of white projectiles but the crystal spear won't be shattered that easily thanks to Junko's telekinetic ability. She rides the hovering spear like a pro then flies to the sky, probably preparing for a downward strike.

But the enemy is aware of such attempt. He looks up and inhales, ready to release another blast of scream. As guessed, Junko throws the spear downward as she descends. He stops the spear from hitting him with his attack. However, Junko remains focused and tries to manipulate the shattered pieces of the spear and hurls them at him. He destroys them with his barrage of white bullets and surprisingly feels himself being hit, only to find out a wide cut appears on his torso.

The Lion coughs up blood like he has never done so before, slightly stunned to see himself being hit after so long. He knows it wasn't from the crystal pieces because his last attack prevented any of them from reaching him. The black-haird girl must've done something, he thought to himself.

Despite the surprise, it's still pleasant to someone of his kind. Only those who have fought too much would miss the wounds on their bodies. Is he feeling nostalgic? Maybe, maybe not. He just simply feels like the thrill he once had has come back to him. Finally, a delicacy appears after years of having tasteless gourmets of combat. An average human with common senses would never anticipate someone strong and experienced being hit by someone ways younger.

The Lion tries to suppress his urge to restlessly call out his opponent's name during battle. But... neither side has introduced themselves yet. He takes a deep breath and gently touches the clean cut on his body. Chella and her group look confused, not sure why the opponent has yet to make a move. Despite the cut being clean, it doesn't seem lethal to him.

"Ahahaha! You've done it, you've exceeded the slight expectation I have for you. It seems like I've underestimated you... which is good." *chuckles to himself.* "This must be the moment I am waiting for."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't like the sound of it, not one bit."

*sighs* "Same here, Junko. I've lived long enough to tell if someone is insane or not."

"You indeed managed to wound me. That proves your worth of being my foe. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Leonidas The Lion, one of the Seven Seraph serving Lord Arthur of the Apex Legion."

"So this... Arthur is the cause of it all?"

"He's a great man but enough about him. State your titles." *stands proudly*

"Chella."

"Nova is good." *feigns a smile*

"Gilbert Hawkins."

"Evaline the Maiden."

"I go by Junko, that's it."

"Now that we're done with the formalities... LET'S GET SERIOUS!"

"That wasn't his best?"

Leonidas deeply inhales and creates an earth-shattering blast of scream toward the sky. The others barely maintain balance on the surface. After a satisfying roar, he focuses his eyes on the battle. From this very moment on, it will be nothing more than a death battle between an aspiring group of fighters and a beast who has completely discarded any restrains it still had.

"Let me show you how strong I am as an Apex with my Addition... Psycho Echo!"