"Kekekeke..." A figure emerged from the shadows—a man clad in gleaming bright red armor, holding a sword that radiated a faint crimson glow. His long hair framed a handsome face that wore a deceptive, almost gentle smile.Behind him, several others stepped out of hiding. Their well-maintained gear and confident stances revealed them to be an experienced and well-equipped party.

    "Did you two just clear the Archmage Dungeon?" the man in red armor asked. His voice carried an air of false politeness.

    Leon glanced at him, analyzing the situation. The leader''s demeanor and appearance seemed refined, but the intent in his eyes was anything but noble. "Yes," Leon replied simply, his tone devoid of concern.

    The red-armored man smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Maximillius Light. I am the son of the leader of the Celestial Light Organization."

    Leon raised an eyebrow. He was familiar with the organization—a renowned group known for its supposed altruism and strict discipline. However, seeing Maximillius''s smug demeanor and the opportunistic gleam in his eyes, Leon couldn''t help but question their reputation.@@@@

    "We were planning to raid that dungeon," Maximillius continued, his tone becoming sharper. "My party waited for over a week, and then you came along and snatched it from us. So, you''ll compensate us now."

    Leon''s expression didn''t waver. "Compensate you? Didn''t you take the quest from the guild board?" he asked while casually twirling the Bright Metal Staff in his hand.

    Maximillius''s eyes narrowed, catching the faint hum of power emanating from the staff. "We didn''t need to," he admitted with a smirk. "It''s common courtesy to pay your respects to stronger groups, especially ones like us. Just leave half your loot, and we''ll let you go."

    A voice from behind Maximillius chimed in, filled with malice. "Boss, why settle for half? Let''s take it all—and the girl too."

    The rest of the group erupted in laughter, their intentions now crystal clear.

    Leon sighed, shaking his head. "You claim to be part of the Celestial Light Organization, right?" he asked.

    "Impossible...!" Maximillius gasped.

    "Oh, it''s very possible," Leon replied, his voice cold. "Let''s end this quickly. You''re not worth my time."

    Roselia stepped forward, her sword drawn and ready. "Don''t bother running. None of you are leaving this forest, Alive."

    Leon and Roselia exchanged a knowing glance. They both understood the gravity of the situation. Being targeted by a high-level organization like the Celestial Light Organization was not something they could simply brush off. Even if they spared Maximillius and his group, it would only invite endless pursuit and harassment. However, killing them now would at least delay those repercussions, buying them valuable time.

    The thought of escaping entirely was unrealistic. The Celestial Light Organization likely had resources to track them, including advanced relics and spells capable of revealing the past within a specific area. Such artifacts could reconstruct their actions, ensuring that any cover-up would eventually come to light. But that was a problem for the future. For now, they needed to eliminate the immediate threat.

    "You guys really came at the perfect time," Leon said with a calm but dangerous smile, holding the Bright Metal Staff. His aura flared as he prepared to test the full potential of his newfound power. After integrating the Legacy of the Golden Magus, he had unlocked spells and abilities that expanded his already formidable repertoire.

    Legacy integration was rare and powerful—so much so that even among the strongest adventurers, very few had access to such capabilities. Unlike classes or fixed affinities, legacies don''t allow unprecedented growth and adaptability. Some legacies came with specific limitations, but Leon''s Golden Magus legacy offered powerful Potential in metal magic, enhancing his affinity for metal magic and granting him dominion over complex Metal constructs.

    He knew Maximillius, as the son of a major organization''s leader, would undoubtedly have top-tier equipment and spells. However, Leon doubted that Maximillius possessed a legacy. Even within such a privileged background, legacies were far too rare and precious to be granted to someone who wasn''t deemed absolutely deserving.

    Maximillius sneered, trying to regain his composure. "You think you can intimidate me? My father has equipped me with the best spells and weapons. You don''t stand a chance."

    Leon smirked and glanced at Roselia. "Let''s test that theory."

    Roselia nodded and stepped forward, her sword gleaming with her battle aura. "You take the leader. I''ll handle the rest," she said calmly, already focusing her energy on the advancing party members.