Chapter 187: Crimson Rosemary

"And any idea what that herb is?"

"That’s a Crimson Rosemary," Fenrir replied. "Another legendary treasure. I’m honestly surprised something like that even exists in this world."

"Why? Rosemary herbs are very common." Leon said, puzzled.

"But this Crimson Rosemary is different. Not only is this thousand years old, but also, you could say it’s one of a kind. No other variant can compare to it. For it to be born, it requires drops of pure phoenix blood."

"It requires what?" Leon asked, his heart pounding.

"Pure phoenix blood. Why, Master?" Fenrir asked, noticing the urgency in Leon’s voice.

"If I need pure phoenix blood to concoct a pill... can this herb replace it?" Leon asked instead of answering, his voice filled with anticipation.

"Of course," Fenrir replied, completely unaware of why Leon was taking it so seriously.

"Both of you, come out," Leon said.

Fenrir and Noira immediately stepped out of the Soul Sanctuary. Remaining concealed behind the massive rock, they still had no idea what Leon was planning.

"Fenrir," Leon said firmly. "Let’s use Fusion. I need that herb no matter what."

"Y-Yes, Master."

Fenrir immediately knelt before him, turning his back toward Leon.

Leon placed his palm against Fenrir’s back.

"Fusion."

A blinding light erupted, swallowing both Leon and Fenrir. A terrifying wave of energy exploded outward. The massive boulder they had been hiding behind cracked before instantly shattering into countless fragments.

Theo and everyone else abruptly turned toward the source of the disturbance.

They could all feel it.

That overwhelming surge of power...

It was as though a calamity capable of destroying everything in its path had just been unleashed.

Within the dazzling light, Leon and Fenrir’s bodies gradually merged into one. Thick, skin-colored fur streaked with black rapidly spread across Leon’s body, just as it had during their first fusion. His face elongated into a wolf-like muzzle resembling Fenrir’s, while two sharp fangs extended from the corners of his mouth. His black eyes slowly transformed into a deep brown.

As the brilliant light gradually faded, a majestic hybrid of a human and a Glacial Wolf stood where Leon had been.

Noira had already stepped aside.

Leon raised his gaze and locked eyes with Theo. "That herb...

I want it."

His voice wasn’t loud. He spoke only two simple sentences. Yet everyone standing on the mountaintop felt a chill run down their spines.

Even the elderly man, who had just taken out a cauldron, froze in place, not daring to make the slightest movement.

Leon’s long hair billowed in the wind as he stood tall like a king overlooking his domain.

For a brief moment...

No one dared to move. An indescribable majesty radiated from his body, silently pressing down on everyone present.

Then Theo finally snapped out of his daze.

"Who the hell are you, monster?" he shouted. "And you want my herb? Dream on! Brudy, kill it!"

At Theo’s command, the S-Class knight who had searched Elena’s apartment charged toward Leon with his sword drawn.

From beside the massive boulder, Elena watched everything unfold with wide eyes.

She had been brutally tortured until she revealed where the herb was hidden. She had no idea why these people wanted it so badly or why it was so valuable. All she knew was that it had been left behind by her father. It was one of the last memories he had given her.

She never wanted to part with it.

But she had no choice.

She had already lost all hope of surviving. Judging by Theo’s ruthless nature, she was certain he would kill her once he obtained what he truly wanted.

Yet out of nowhere...

This monster had appeared.

A monster that could speak.

And he wanted the herb as well.

’Just what is so special about that herb?’ she wondered. ’Why is everyone after it?’

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Brudy closed the distance in an instant. A blue aura enveloped his sword. The moment he entered striking range, he slashed without the slightest hesitation.

The sharp blade whistled through the air as it shot straight toward Leon’s neck.

Leon didn’t move.

Theo’s lips curled into a smug grin. He thought his opponent hadn’t even been able to react.

Even Elena believed the mysterious newcomer would lose his head in the next instant.

But just as the gleaming blade was about to touch Leon’s neck...

His right hand moved.

Everyone froze.

The S-Class knight’s sword had stopped less than a millimeter from Leon’s throat.

It looked as though the blade had struck an invisible wall.

And then they saw it.

Leon’s index and middle fingers were pinching the blade between them.

With nothing more than two fingers...

He had effortlessly stopped an S-Class knight’s full-powered strike.

And then...

Leon twisted the sword with nothing but his two fingers.

Claaang!

The blade snapped in half.

The broken fragment spun wildly through the air before embedding itself into the ground several meters away with a schlk sound.

Brudy’s face turned deathly pale. He felt as if he was standing before a grim reaper.

Theo’s smug smile froze.

Elena’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Under everyone’s stunned gaze, Leon moved again.

Not by much.

He simply bent his left knee... And drove it forward.

Baaam!

Craaaack!

Blaaargh!

Three distinct sounds echoed across the mountaintop. Leon’s knee slammed deep into Brudy’s abdomen, folding his body in half.

The sickening sound of bones shattering rang through the air as several ribs caved in at once. The terrifying impact even ruptured his internal organs.

The next instant...

Brudy’s feet left the ground. His body shot backward like a cannonball, blood spraying from his mouth.

Whoooosh!

His limp body flew straight off the mountaintop before disappearing into the abyss below, crashing through countless trees along the mountainside.

Silence.

A suffocating silence enveloped the entire area.

In just two moves... Leon had defeated an S-Class knight.

Two moves.

And everyone present could tell one thing.

That hadn’t even been close to his full strength. He had acted like he was swatting a fly.