The stadium was finally silent.
Dust still floated in the air. Broken stone, cracked ground, shaking hearts — everything stood as proof of what had just happened. The tournament was over… but for Leo, the real battle had only begun.
Leo walked fast through the empty street outside the arena. His fists were clenched. His breathing was controlled — too controlled.
Behind him, Chen Wei suddenly stopped.
Chen Wei (bitter smile):
"You know something, Leo… I'm just your shadow."
Leo stopped walking.
Leo:
"What are you talking about?"
Chen Wei's hands trembled.
Chen Wei (low voice):
"When your dad died… I wasn't there.
I couldn't protect you.
I couldn't help you."
Leo's chest tightened.
Chen Wei (shouting partly in pain):
"I'm a stain in the name of 'best friend'!"
That was it.
Leo (angrily):
"Enough! Even now you're blaming yourself?!
You were the only one who stood with me when the whole world turned its back!"
Chen Wei looked away.
Chen Wei:
"I stood there… but I was useless."
Silence exploded between them.
Then Chen Wei turned his back.
Chen Wei:
"I'm going home.
You can go to Korea… or back to Nepal.
The next tournament is in one and a half months. Don't forget."
Leo (cold voice):
"I never forget.
If you're leaving — then go."
Chen Wei walked away without turning back.
Chen Wei's House
The door opened.
Mother:
"Where is Leo? Didn't he come with you?"
Chen Wei:
"No. We fought."
His mother's face changed instantly.
Mother (shouting):
"What did you do?!
You know he has no parents!
His mother was my closest friend!"
Chen Wei snapped.
Chen Wei:
"I don't care anymore, Mom!
I saw everything in the stadium!
I'm nothing! I can't do anything!"
He ran straight into his room and slammed the door.
Darkness.
Silence.
Defeat.
Chen Wei (whispering):
"I qualified for the next tournament…
but I won't even go."
Suddenly — a deep voice echoed inside him.
Water Dragon Spirit:
"Then why do you fight?"
Chen Wei's eyes widened.
Spirit:
"Train your body. Train your soul.
Become worthy of my power."
The voice turned cold.
Spirit:
"Leo unlocked only 1% because his body couldn't endure more.
If you truly want to surpass him — then break yourself."
Chen Wei clenched his fists.
Something changed inside him — a sharp, burning pride.
He walked downstairs.
Chen Wei:
"Mom… I'm going to the mountains to train for one and a half months.
Book my ticket to Korea.
I'll go to the tournament directly from there."
Leo — Walking Alone in China
Leo walked through the empty streets of China.
The tournament was over — but his heart still felt unfinished.
Leo (thinking):
"What he said… hurts.
But… maybe it wasn't entirely wrong."
He stopped walking.
"…I'll go home. Just for one week."
At His Father's Grave
Wind moved through the grass.
Leo stood silently in front of his father's grave.
Leo (soft, broken voice):
"I'm sorry, Dad…
I couldn't stop the Dark Dragon Spirit…
I couldn't stop Kaito Jin's warrior either."
His inner spirit responded.
Leo's Spirit:
"Since you're already here…
you won't leave until you reach 50%."
Leo's eyes closed.
The pressure of power surrounded him.
Korea — First Appearance of the Female Lead (Lily)
Far away in Korea…
A girl stood alone at the crowded airport gate.
She had long silver-blonde hair tied in a loose side ponytail,
sharp confident eyes with a soft glow,
and wore a black cropped jacket over a white hoodie,
tight jeans, and combat boots — calm, cool, dangerous.
This was Lily.
Lily (smiling slightly):
"Looks like I arrived first…"
She took out a photo from her pocket.
Leo's face was on it.
Lily (soft voice):
"Where are you…
I've been waiting so long to meet you."
A memory echoed in her mind — her mother's voice.
Past Memory:
"No matter what happens… never leave his side."
Lily held the photo tightly.
Lily:
"I promise."
Her inner beast awakened.
Phoenix Beast:
"You came early for a promise?
What if you lose the tournament?"
Lily smirked confidently.
Lily:
"I won't lose.
And if my future husband wins…
there's no greater happiness than that."
The Phoenix flame flickered softly behind her.
Leo – Final Resolve
Lightning crackl
ed around Leo's body as his power surged.
He slowly sat down in meditation.
Leo:
"This power… not now.
I'll unlock it in the tournament."
His eyes opened.
Burning with resolve.
Leo (strong voice):
"Korea… I'm coming."