Now outside the city, the two beings stood across from each other, locked in an intense gaze. The sun beat down on them mercilessly, casting harsh shadows and intensifying the heat radiating from the scorched earth beneath their feet. Aster and his guards observed from a distance, along with Zander and Leo, all watching in silence as the tension grew, waiting to see who would make the first move.

Zander approached Aster and asked, “Are you Aster?”

“Yes, that’s me. You must be the new recruit, same as the tiger—Zander, right?” Aster replied.

“Yeah. I wanted to ask—what’s our plan, in case something goes wrong?”

“If things take a bad turn, we’ll find a way to stop it,” Aster assured him.

Just then, Leo stepped up, visibly frustrated. “Why are we just standing here like statues? Why don’t we go and attack the monster? We outnumber it and might be stronger than that thing.”

Aster shook his head. “Patience, Leo, right? We don’t know what this thing is capable of. It’s wiser to wait and see how this plays out.”

“How painful would you like your death to be, Leon?” the creature sneered.

“I’d rather not die at all,” Leon replied, unfazed. “But I’d prefer it if you left the city and everyone in it alone.”

“Oh, you will die today, Leon, for what you did. I won’t waste any more time—the sooner we begin, the sooner I get to watch you suffer.”

“Then let’s get started,” Leon said, bracing himself.

The creature took a stance, leveling its pitchfork-like weapon directly at Leon. But Leon surprised everyone—he slipped a ring off his middle finger and murmured, “Hasta.” Instantly, the ring transformed, extending and unfolding into a polearm with gleaming red and gold accents, the weapon’s blade catching the sunlight as he gripped it firmly.

They locked eyes for a tense moment before charging, clashing in a flurry of strikes. Blow after blow, they moved with blinding speed, their weapons colliding in bursts of sparks. Everyone watched in awe as the two figures matched each other, each strike faster than the last.

Leon is so fast, Zander thought, barely able to track their movements.

They’re both so fast and skilled with their weapons. I wish I were in this battle—it’s like watching two warriors perfectly matched, going blow for blow, Leo thought, his eyes fixed on the fierce duel unfolding before him.

They clashed relentlessly until Leon suddenly called out, “Sand Trap.” In an instant, sand swirled around, enveloping the creature entirely.

“What… what is this magic?” the creature snarled, struggling within the swirling sands.

“I can control sand at will,” Leon replied calmly. “This is your chance to leave.”

“You think I’ll leave without… taking my revenge!” With a furious roar, the monster unleashed a powerful gust of wind, blasting the sand away and breaking free of the trap.

Sand powers? That’s so cool!” Zander exclaimed.

“It really is,” Aster agreed. “Leon is an incredible fighter—truly the best when it comes to combat.”

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“The best? I guess I’ll have to fight him afterward,” Leo said, half-joking but serious.

“So, Leon is really that good at fighting?” Zander asked, intrigued.

“Of course,” Aster replied with a nod. “We’ve sparred at least 300 times, and I lost every single one. It’s quite embarrassing. That’s why he’s considered the hero of the city—his power and strength are unmatched.”

The monster unleashed a powerful sirocco, a fierce windstorm aimed directly at Leon. With quick reflexes, Leon raised a sand wall, using his magic to deflect the raging winds. The wall held firm against the onslaught, sand swirling around him as he maintained his stance.

Leon swiftly transformed the sand wall into sharp spikes, extending them toward the monster. However, the creature deftly dodged, slipping to the side and closing the distance for a close-quarters fight.

As the fierce battle continued, the woman in the white robe with the basket covering her head muttered, “Maybe if the monster kills Leon, I could tell the man I’ve done my job.”

The sand beneath the creature's feet transformed into sharp spikes, piercing through and stabbing the monster in the leg, causing it to let out a furious roar. Enraged, it glared at Leon and summoned three powerful dust devils, swirling with energy. The creature combined them into a massive, swirling vortex and launched it directly at Leon, the force of the attack threatening to engulf him.

The wind from the massive dust devils was incredibly powerful, creating a force that began to pull Zander, Leo, Aster, the guards, and the woman in the white robe off their feet. They struggled to maintain their footing as the swirling vortex threatened to sweep them away, their bodies resisting the chaotic gusts. “Hold on!” Aster shouted, trying to anchor himself against the raging winds while glancing at Leon.

Leon quickly pulled out the bell once again and rang it, creating a resonant sound that enveloped him, rendering him immune to the howling winds. With determination in his eyes, he thought, I need to hurry up and stop these dust devils. I have to end this fight as quickly as possible.

Leon wrapped everyone in a protective layer of sand to keep them safe from the strong winds. With a wave of his hand, he created a powerful creature made of sand from the ground. The giant sand golem, sparkling in the storm, charged ahead at his command, ready to attack the monster.

“What?!” the monster exclaimed as the golem tackled it to the ground, delivering powerful blows. With its attention drawn away by the relentless assault of the golem, the monster couldn't focus on the huge vortex swirling around. So soon it dissolved into the air, and soon the sky began to clear.

The monster unleashed a fierce sirocco, sending the golem tumbling away like a ragdoll. But in a swift, unexpected move, Leon plunged his polearm deep into the creature's chest. A horrific scream echoed through the battlefield, resonating with pain and fury.

“He got the monster! Leon struck true!” a soldier shouted.

“You bastard! I will tear your body apart!” the monster roared, its voice laced with rage.

“Stop!” Leon interjected, his tone firm but pained. “I don’t want to kill you. I only want you to leave. I’ll admit to any wrong I’ve done.”

“You killed my master!” the creature spat, eyes blazing.

“What? I never—”

“Master Jingzhi.”

A sudden flashback surged through Leon's mind, vivid and disorienting. He found himself as a small child, standing before a burning house, the acrid smell of smoke filling the air. Through the flames, he could see the figure of Master Jingzhi with his mother and father's heads in his hands.

“Which one would you like?” Master Jingzhi asked.

Leon stood silent, his eyes brimming with tears that flowed like a river. He tossed them toward young Leon, who dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion.

“Vayu!”

A creature, an unsettling mix of rat and cat features, skittered over to his master’s side, its eyes gleaming with a strange loyalty.

“Do you see this?” the master sneered, gesturing toward the devastation. “This is called vengeance. His father cast me out, so I’ve returned the favor in kind. Do you understand, Vayu?”

“Yes, master,” Vayu replied, bowing slightly. “But... what of him?”

The master glanced at young Leon, a faint smirk twisting his lips. “He will stay here, to grieve for his parents. Perhaps he will come for revenge one day. But I assure you, he’ll find what he’s looking for—one way or another.”

As the smoke began to settle, Master Jingzhi walked over to the trembling child, leaning down to meet Leon’s tear-filled gaze. “Don’t seek revenge,” he murmured softly. “It’s nothing but an empty shadow, a mirage that leads only to failure. And if you do…You will be meeting your parents again in the next life.”