BXBX NOVEL Chapter 399 399
"Leon, that was a mistake," Paul stammered, trying to keep his voice steady. "I didn\'t know what had transpired inside, and I acted according to the laws."
Leon\'s lips curled into a faint smile, the kind that sent chills down Paul\'s spine. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, as if pondering Paul\'s fate. "You see, the Shadow Zone was of great importance. All families have invested heavily in it. If I didn\'t do anything, I would be the one to be blamed as I was overseeing the entire situation."
"Yeah, you\'re correct about that," Leon replied, his voice deep and resonant. "You did what was expected of you at that moment."
Paul nodded, desperation creeping into his tone. "See... I had no choice. As someone of high status, you surely understand my limitations."
Leon tilted his head, considering Paul\'s words. "I understand very well, but…" he paused, letting the weight of the moment hang in the air. "But that didn\'t compensate for the injustice I suffered."
A wave of panic washed over Paul, his face paling as the implications settled in. "You…" he whispered, fear gripping him tightly. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath, summoning the courage to ask, "What do you need? Spirit stones, weapons, treasures, herbs... I can help with anything. After all, I am a Saint and have a reputation of my own."
Leon shook his head, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "No need for that."
"Then…" Paul trailed off, uncertainty gnawing at him.
In an instant, Leon raised his fist, clenching it tightly. The very air around them twisted, distorting reality with a palpable pressure. A ripple of force surged forth, vibrating through the ground and rattling the nearby trees. With a crazed smile that hinted at the chaos to come, he pointed his fist at Paul.
"Since you are a Saint, I think you can at least take this much. I will just punch you one time. Survive this first of mine, and we are clear."
"Really?" Paul asked, surprise mingling with a flicker of hope. Perhaps it wouldn\'t be as catastrophic as he imagined.
"Okay, hit me with your best!" Paul declared, feigning bravado. Laughter erupted from Leon, the sound dark and unsettling. "Hahaha! You are really crazy."
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Leon squared up to Paul, a predatory gleam in his eyes. He flexed his fist, the air around it shimmering with pent-up energy.
"Since you are a Saint, I think you can at least take this much," Leon stated, his voice cold and unwavering. "I\'ll just punch you one time. Survive this first of mine, and we are clear."
Paul\'s confidence wavered, but he quickly masked his fear with bravado. "Okay, hit me with your best!"
Leon\'s grin widened, a flash of madness in his gaze. He lunged forward, delivering a punch that felt like the weight of the world. The air seemed to ripple, warping as his fist sliced through it.
When his fist connected with Paul\'s chest, it unleashed a devastating shockwave. The impact echoed like a thunderclap, sending a jolt through the ground. Trees nearby bent and creaked as if caught in a tempest, leaves spiraling away from the chaos.
Paul was propelled backward, his body lifted off the ground as if weightless. He felt his ribs crack under the immense pressure, a searing pain spreading through his torso. Time slowed as he sailed through the air, his mind racing with disbelief and dread. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
With a grimace, Paul channeled his inner energy, his instincts kicking in. He gathered his breath, his aura flaring to life as he readied himself for the next move. He launched a series of strikes at Leon, each punch fueled by desperation, but they barely grazed the powerful enforcer. Leon laughed, easily dodging and deflecting his attacks, his movements fluid and effortless.
"Is that all you\'ve got?" Leon taunted, his amusement palpable.
With his heart racing, Paul closed his eyes for a fleeting moment, a surge of determination rising within him. He was not merely fighting for himself anymore; he was fighting to regain his honor, to reclaim his status as a Saint. He tapped into the depths of his training, focusing on his footing, and unleashed a powerful kick aimed at Leon\'s midsection.
But Leon anticipated the move, sidestepping with a grace that mocked Paul\'s effort. The counterattack was swift and merciless. Leon\'s fist shot out, connecting with Paul\'s side, sending him sprawling to the ground once more.
Paul gasped, the air leaving his lungs in a rush. The world blurred at the edges as pain radiated through him, yet he pushed against the ground, refusing to succumb. He had to survive; he had to endure this trial. He gritted his teeth, sweat mixing with blood as he forced himself back up.
The crowd around them was silent, enraptured by the display of raw power, but Paul was beyond their gaze. All he could feel was the burn of his muscles and the weight of fear pressing down upon him.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of struggle, Paul managed to steady himself, a flicker of defiance igniting within him. He faced Leon, breath ragged but eyes burning with determination.
"I won\'t go down that easily!" he shouted, his voice steady despite the pain coursing through his body.
Leon raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Paul\'s resilience. "You\'ve got spirit, I\'ll give you that."
But Paul was aware that he had already paid a steep price. He had survived, but it had cost him more than just his pride; his body ached, bruises blooming across his skin, and he knew he would bear the marks of this encounter long after it ended.