CHAPTER 34: VERGE OF DEATH

Hiroshi, his consciousness fading as his mana drained away, forced out a trembling voice.

"Le... Leon, defeat them..."

He tried to stand, but his legs buckled under him, shaking uncontrollably.

"Hiroshi... don’t push yourself..." Kami whispered, her voice weak but steady as she knelt beside him. "I believe in Leon... He’ll defeat that monster." She placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm his trembling.

Alexia stood silently, her sharp eyes watching the battle.

Unlike the others, her immense mana reserves kept her from collapsing, but even she could feel the unnatural pressure crawling under her skin. She knew if she made a wrong move, she could lose her footing at any moment — and if that happened, they’d have no hope left.

"Mam, I’m going to help him," Lucas said, lifting his sword, determination burning in his eyes.

"You can," Alexia replied coldly, her icy gaze cutting through him,

"—if you want to die."

---

The scene shifted.

Everything went dark.

A single spotlight fell onto a small, fluttering leaf in the center of an empty stage.

"Hai! Hai! Everyone, your Softleaf-Sensei is back!"

The leaf jumped up excitedly under the light.

"Today’s question is—why did Alexia say that?"

Softleaf smirked, placing a tiny hand thoughtfully under his chin.

"I know you’re curious! So let me explain."

"A human is made of two forces — mana and life force. Both are crucial, but life force is even more important and powerful. However, there must be a balance between a person’s mana and their life force. If that balance is broken, the body collapses and dies.

This rule doesn’t apply to Leon, though—because he has no mana."

Softleaf spun dramatically, his little voice echoing in the dark.

"So Alexia said that because Lucas’s mana is already being drained by the mana-sucking weapon. His mana is losing stability.

If he fights, his stamina will drop even faster. That will make it even easier for the weapon to suck out the remaining mana.

And when his mana runs out—his life force will become unstable, and boom! His entire body will explode."

Softleaf paused, looking somber.

"In the current state they’re in... even if they don’t fight, they’ll still die eventually, just slower. Each one will have different emotional and physical breakdowns before their body gives out."

Softleaf waved sadly at the audience.

"Scary, right? So don’t lose your balance, humans~!"

The spotlight dimmed, and the stage faded to black.

---

Lucas lowered his sword and stepped back, frustration tight in his chest.

Ren, who had been watching both the battle and the exchange between Alexia and Lucas, clenched his fists.

So that’s it... we can’t do anything. We’re just supposed to watch Leon fight—and watch ourselves die?

"I can’t accept that," Ren muttered under his breath. "I have to help him. Even if my mana’s draining away... even if my body’s giving out... I’m still standing on the same ground as Leon. I won’t just stand here."

His legs shook violently, but his will didn’t falter.

Ren pushed forward, step by step, moving toward Leon and Minus 1.

As he passed others, Alexia’s voice cut through the heavy air.

"Where do you think you’re going, kid?"

Ren glanced at her, his expression steady.

"What else? I’m going to help Leon."

Alexia narrowed her eyes. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? In the state you’re in, you’ll die in no time."

"I don’t care," Ren said, his voice firm. "I just want to be useful."

Alexia said nothing, only staring at him in silence.

Kami, her voice soft but urgent, spoke up.

"But... why? Why are you trying so hard to prove yourself? You don’t need to prove your worth to anyone."

Ren scratched the back of his head, a nervous smile tugging at his lips.

"It’s not about proving anything," he said.

"I just... I just can’t let all the pressure fall on Leon. Because..." he hesitated, then looked away,

"he’s... the only one who ever really understood me."

Alexia’s eyes widened slightly at his words.

Kami opened her mouth to say something, but Alexia raised her hand, silently signaling her to stay quiet.

Ren slowly continued walking toward the battlefield, every step heavy but unwavering.

On the frontlines, Leon was struggling against Minus 1.

He swung his sword, but every cut was useless — the enemy’s body regenerated almost instantly.

"Swordsman Art: Hack and Slash!"

Leon roared, unleashing a flurry of strikes that tore into Minus 1 from every angle.

But even as deep gashes opened across Minus 1’s body, they sealed themselves back in an instant.

Damn it. It’s not enough. I need to use another technique... but I don’t know many.

Leon’s focus slipped for a second.

Minus 1 moved in — fast and silent.

Shit, I got distracted!

Before Leon could react, a brutal punch landed squarely on his face.

The impact sent him flying across the lab like a ragdoll.

He crashed into the shattered remains of a massive test tube — the jagged glass tearing into his body.

Shards ripped through his flesh; some lodged deep inside, blood spilling onto the broken floor.

"Uhuhahaha! That piece of shit got defeated so easily!" Plus 1 howled with laughter, holding his sides.

"How weak," Minus 1 muttered coldly.

"Tch."

Leon slowly pushed himself up, shards of glass falling from his body.

Blood blurred his vision, soaking his face and pooling at his feet.

"Still standing? Uhuhahaha! The level of foolishness this guy possesses is unbearably funny!" Plus 1 pointed at Leon, laughing so hard his voice echoed through the shattered lab.

Leon wiped the blood from his eyes, breathing heavily.

"I..." he choked, coughing up more blood onto the ground.

"I...? What are you trying to say, huh?" Plus 1 sneered. "If you’re trying to say ’I’m sorry,’ then it’s way too late."

He leaned forward, grinning through his featureless face.

"You’re gonna die here, idiot! Uhuhahaha!"

Leon stared at Plus 1, blood dripping from his mouth.

"I... I have a dream," he rasped. "To make it come true... I need to stand..."

He coughed out more blood, barely holding himself upright.

"I need to stand... no matter how many times I fall."

His voice, though broken, carried strength.

For someone to stand at the top... they must first fall to the deepest depths.

I will... lose, lose, lose, lose...

Lose, lose, win, lose...

Lose, win, lose, win...

Win, win, lose, win...

And at the very end...

I will — win, win, win, and only win.

Leon’s body swayed. His vision faded into black at the edges. He almost collapsed but forced himself back up with sheer will.

Plus 1, staring at him with a deadpan expression, scoffed,

"Says the guy who’s about to die anyway."

Leon charged at Minus 1, his movements sluggish, his speed no longer the force it once was.

His sword swung, but it was too slow, too predictable. Minus 1 easily dodged, his eyes narrowing as he watched Leon’s attempt.

Is he mocking me? Minus 1 thought, his anger rising.

"Don’t mock me, you MOTHERFUCKER!"

With a roar, Minus 1 lunged forward, his fist crashing into Leon’s jaw with brutal force.

The impact sent Leon flying, his body slamming into the wall.

Before he could even hit the ground, Minus 1 grabbed him, lifting him with ease.

A series of punishing punches rained down on Leon’s face — each blow louder and more vicious than the last.

Crack.

Leon’s skull shattered under the force.

Minus 1 ripped out his eye with one cruel motion.

His jaw was torn off next, a sickening snap echoing in the room.

With a savage grip, Minus 1 held Leon’s arm and twisted — snapping it clean in half.

With a brutal throw, he sent Leon’s broken body crashing across the floor like a ragdoll.

Leon slowly slumped against the wall, his body broken, blood pooling beneath him.

Minus 1 grinned, forming a ball of mana in his hand, the energy swirling violently.

"Now die. Don’t even think of mocking me in another life."

It’s already my other life, idiot.

Leon’s mind screamed, but his body refused to obey.

His legs wouldn’t move. His vision blurred. He could only watch helplessly.

Minus 1 poured all his mana into the attack, a twisted smile spreading across his face.

---

From the sidelines, Hiroshi’s eyes widened in terror, his voice cracking as he shouted,

"President! Please, please save Leon!"

Kami, on the verge of tears, murmured, "Please... please save him... he’s suffered so much..."

Alexia stood motionless, watching the brutal assault on Leon with gritted teeth. The violence, the sheer savagery, was unbearable to witness.

Her fists clenched, shaking with a mix of rage and determination.

Even if I die in this attack, I will kill that bastard.

She closed her eyes and focused, breathing in deeply, steadying her resolve.

Her sword shifted in her grip, a strange stance forming, one that was unfamiliar to anyone watching.

Around her, a strange aura began to gather — a vibrant, fiery blend of red and yellow energy.

The pressure radiating off her was so intense, it shattered the ground beneath her.

Her hair began to float, shifting colors in sync with the power building within her.

---

Minus 1, his eyes wild with victory, hurled the full force of his mana at Leon.

"Die!!"

---

At the very moment the blast was about to strike Leon, a voice rang out,

"Swordsman Art: Divine Cutt—"

But before Alexia could complete the move...

The blast collided with Leon... or so it seemed.

"REENNN!!" Hiroshi and Kami screamed in unison.