It was a shocking moment for everyone present…
A moment in which time itself seemed to freeze, as though the world had held its breath...
(Raym), despite his severe injuries—despite the blood now pooling beneath him—stood alone before this overwhelming host of enemies: (No. 4), (Gork), and several heavily armed guards...
A sight no one would ever envy...
His left arm gripped the sword, trembling violently—an ominous sign that did not escape anyone's notice...(Raym), by nature, relied on his right arm...!!!
Now, that right hand was pressed tightly against his wound, futilely attempting to stop the bleeding...
(Gork) charged toward him with terrifying speed...At the very last moment, (Raym) managed to evade the giant, using what little strength remained to him, finding himself behind the massive figure...
But… unfortunately, that was his limit...
He could not even deliver a single strike...
His balance gave out suddenly, and he nearly collapsed—were it not for the sword he drove into the ground, leaning on it desperately to remain standing…
Directly before the eyes of (No. 4)...
The sight appeared to him as a golden opportunity...
He hesitated for a brief moment...
Should I really waste someone like this???A boy wielding the element of light… killing him would stir unrest...People would talk...They would say that (No. 4) killed a rare child...
But the hesitation did not last long...
In the end, he decided to finish him...
He prepared his attack as (Raym) struggled for breath, his chest rising and falling in slow, painful rhythm...
(Vail) was barely conscious...(Zak) lay motionless on the ground...As for the others… lifeless bodies, separated from death only by their final, fading breaths...
(No. 4) raised his dagger—
And at that instant—
An enormous explosion!!!
The ground shook violently, the walls cracked, as if the prison itself had screamed...
In the blink of an eye, everyone witnessed (Gork)'s massive body being hurled high into the air!!!
(Gork)…???The giant???With his immense size??? and monstrous strength???
He was thrown aside like a weightless doll.??
Stunned silence filled the space.???
Smoke engulfed the chamber, followed by—
Footsteps...
Calm…Slow…Certain.
A terrifying aura unlike anything they had ever felt before...
A crushing pressure emanated from his mere presence—felt by everyone without exception, even those unable to stand...
The smoke slowly began to clear…
Amid the tension and anticipation, the one responsible revealed himself...
It was him...
And no one else...
The Vice Commander-in-Chief—(Leo)...!!!
(No. 4) froze in place...Fear alone was enough for him to understand—
The man standing before him existed on an entirely different level...?!?
(Leo) surveyed the scene, his calm eyes taking in the state of the group...
(Vail) finally exhaled in relief, as if a crushing burden had been lifted from his chest...
"You're… late, as usual…"
(Leo) smiled faintly and replied in a clear, untainted voice:
"Well, I didn't realize you were reckless enough to storm a place like this…So I left it for last."
(No. 4) snarled in rage...
"Hey, you!How did you get past all the guards and reach this place??!"
(Leo) looked genuinely puzzled...
"Huh???I don't mean to ruin your mood… but there's no one else here..."
The words struck like thunder...
"What??! No one?!?What about the prisoners?!?The guards?!!Where are they?!?"
(Leo) let out a light chuckle, as though apologizing for something trivial...
"Oh, sorry about that...When I arrived, there was no one here… except for the noise coming from this room..."
(No. 4) dropped to his knees for a moment...
It's over…The words escaped his lips—and echoed within him...
But he stood up again...
He was no longer the same as moments before...He looked like a man extinguished… hollow...
Then, a dangerous thought crossed his mind...If I kill all of them… and deliver (Raym) to the commander myself…
I'll be praised...My status will rise...He straightened his back and pointed his dagger toward (Leo)...
"Hey, you!!!You seem somewhat strong…Tell me—who are you, and what rank do you hold among idiots like you???"
(Leo) played along calmly...
"Hm… well...I suppose I'm considered… Number Two..."
(No. 4)'s grin twisted into madness...
"Wonderful…Gifts are falling from the sky!!!
First, a boy with the element of light…And now, the Number Two of your annoying army!!!
Thanks to you… the commander will make me his first aide!!!"
Suddenly, (Gork) leapt toward (Leo) in a frenzy...
(Leo) turned and struck him with a lightning-infused punch...
It was no ordinary blow...
(Gork) froze for a brief moment, staggered, and lost his balance...
(Leo) gave him no chance...
He charged again and slammed the giant to the ground...
(No. 4) watched in stunned silence...
At the same time, (Raym) lost his footing and collapsed—but (Vail) caught him instantly, moving as if he had teleported, unseen by any eye...
(Gork) surged forward once more, raising his massive axe—
But (Leo) paid him no attention...
The moment the axe came close—
(Leo) froze (Gork)'s entire arm!!!
And with a single strike—
He shattered the frozen limb...
Another lightning attack slammed (Gork) to the ground, leaving him nearly dead at (No. 4)'s feet...
(Leo) carried (Raym) and placed him safely beside (Vail) and (Zak).
(No. 4) looked around and finally understood.
"You were all… useless fools."
He lifted (Gork)'s enormous body—
And absorbed him as well.
His appearance changed.His danger intensified.
Yet that horrifying smile never left his face.
He raised his poisoned dagger and chain toward (Leo).
"Come, strong one…You'll be the reason I rise to the highest ranks!"
(Leo) laughed confidently, then asked:
"Before I end you…Would you tell me your name???"
(No. 4) was taken aback...
"What?!?Are you blind?!?My name is written right there—I am Number Four!!!"
(Leo) laughed again, his voice colder this time...
"I don't mean your title.I want the name of the scum before me…To see if it's even worth remembering..."
(No. 4) froze...
He did not answer.
He lowered his head and whispered:
"…My name is Number Four!?!."