Leon’s eyes swept across the battlefield.

The opponents weren’t strong. Not against the three S-Class hunters. They were at the peak of power. Any single one of them was capable of destroying an entire city on their own.

But what was the use when you couldn’t even see your enemy? What if they could redirect your own attacks back at you? Or command you to obey their every word?

The opponents were crafty.

"Which one should I take out next?" Leon muttered. "The one who can use stealth was the most dangerous. Now that he’s taken care of, the one who can force others to obey should be the most troublesome."

His eyes landed on Charlie.

Leon leaned forward and moved, like a lion charging toward its prey.

Charlie watched Leon rapidly close the distance between them. ’This one is both talented and troublesome. But if you think you can take me down, then you’re wrong. Don’t be sad, though.’ Charlie grinned. ’It’s the last mistake you’re ever going to make.’

Leon was already upon him. He drew his sword to the left and unleashed a slash.

Whoosh!

The tip of the blade cut through the air, steam trailing behind it.

But just as it was about to touch Charlie’s throat...

"Stop." Charlie spoke calmly.

There was no rush in his voice. No fear in his eyes. Only absolute confidence. As if he believed everyone and everything would bow before his will.

And it did.

Leon’s sword stopped. It was as though his entire body had frozen. He gritted his teeth and tried to force the blade forward, but it didn’t move even a centimeter. Much less an inch.

Charlie walked forward and placed a hand on Leon’s shoulder as if he were about to console him.

"Do you know why talented people die before they should?" Charlie asked. "Because they overestimate themselves and—"

He never got to finish.

Whoosh!

A powerful gust of wind swept past. And with that, something dangerous. Something unstoppable that he couldn’t even see. But he had clearly felt it. That sharp and burning sensation was hard to miss, even though it was only for a brief moment.

Charlie froze, his eyes widening. Slowly, he looked down at his chest.

There was a hole. Not large, but more than enough to kill a man without the slightest doubt.

At first, there was only the hole. Then blood began to gush out, slowly soaking his clothes. It was as if even the blood had forgotten to flow because of how fast the attack had been.

"H... how?" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

That was the only word Charlie managed to utter before his body collapsed onto the ground.

Leon could move again. So could Oliver.

’Just as I thought. It can stop me from moving, but not from thinking.’ Leon cracked his neck slightly to the side.

"What just happened? How did he die? Who killed him?" Oliver asked, finally breaking free after so long.

Leon didn’t answer. He didn’t have time. Instead, he turned toward Bravo.

’This one. He was definitely behind that hallucination zone. He’s troublesome for others. But...’ A smile spread across Leon’s face.

"I wouldn’t have used this, but now isn’t the time to worry about secrecy."

He started walking forward.

"Frost Blade."

The Frost Blade appeared once more. The moment it did, a chilling sensation spread immediately.

Leon grabbed it gracefully, his fingers wrapping around the hilt slowly. And then, he leaned forward before shooting toward Bravo. The ground cracked slightly where his left foot was just now.

Foxtrot tried to act. He raised his hand, ready to release his insects. But Oliver appeared before him and grabbed his wrist, twisting his arm to the side. "Not so fast."

Foxtrot winced in pain and thrust his left hand toward Oliver. The moment his palm touched Oliver’s chest, insects began pouring out, ready to invade his body.

Foxtrot’s lips curled into a wicked smile. "If you want to die first, be my guest." He was so sure he had already won. But then... The smile faded.

The insects were trying to enter Oliver’s body. But his skin had already started transforming. It turned golden. His frame grew larger.

Before Foxtrot could react, Oliver threw an uppercut.

Crack!

The fist slammed into Foxtrot’s chin.

The moment it did, the bones shattered instantly. Foxtrot’s feet left the ground as his body was hurled away due to the impact.

Before he could even get back up, Oliver leaped into the air and came crashing down onto his chest.

Baam!

Foxtrot doubled over once. Then went completely still.

Dead.

Meanwhile, Leon appeared before Bravo, ready to unleash another slash.

The white blade flashed.

But before it could reach him, a spatial rift appeared.

The front portion of the blade vanished inside it.

Instantly...

Schlk!

The Frost Blade slashed across Leon’s back.

"ARGHHHHHH!" Leon screamed in pain. He turned toward the right, where Delta was standing.

Then...

The twisted expression on his face turned into a smile.

"Got you."

The moment those words left Leon’s mouth, something whistled through the air.

Delta was still standing confidently, as if the entire battle rested at his fingertips. As if nothing could possibly threaten him.

But suddenly...

A huge hole appeared in his forehead. Blood sprayed out instantly. Delta’s lips parted, but no words came out. His body collapsed backward.

Everyone froze.

Not just Bravo, who was now the only assassin left standing.

Even the hunters froze. The A-Class hunters.

Oliver. Archie. All of them.

It was as if this was their first time witnessing an awakened fight.

Archie had already broken free from the effects of the insects after Foxtrot died.

Leon looked at Bravo. Then took a step forward.

Bravo immediately took one step back. "D-Don’t... don’t come near me." His voice trembled.

Fear had finally taken root in his heart. Until now, the assassins had seemed invincible. As though they didn’t know fear. As though they had never experienced loss.

But now...

That confidence was gone.