The air had gone completely still.
Not even the leaves were moving anymore. The sound of the massive tree falling had spread far enough to alert the entire village.
And now… they were here.
One by one, people from Chief's village arrived and quickly formed a circle around Leo.
Within seconds, he was completely surrounded.
There was no gap. No escape.
Leo slowly turned his head, observing his surroundings. Every direction he looked—there were people. Armed. Alert. Angry.
Their eyes said everything.
They wanted him dead.
One young man stepped forward from the crowd, pointing directly at Leo.
"Chief," he said loudly, his voice filled with anger, "just give me permission. I'll kill this kid right now… and hang his body in the middle of the village."
The moment he said that, the crowd behind him started shouting.
"Kill him!""He shouldn't be alive!""End him right here!"
The noise kept rising.
Some people picked up stones. Others tightened their grip on their weapons.
Leo didn't react.
He just stood there, holding his katana firmly, his eyes calm but focused.
Then—
Chief raised his hand.
Slowly, the noise began to fade.
Within a few seconds, the entire area went quiet again.
Chief stepped forward, his presence alone enough to control everyone.
In a deep, steady voice, he said,"No."
The single word stopped everything.
He looked directly at Leo.
"This boy surprised me," Chief continued. "He cut that massive tree… with a few slice of his katana."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then confusion spread across the crowd.
The same young man frowned and said,"We thought… that was your strength, Chief."
Chief didn't deny it, but he didn't explain either.
Instead, he took another step forward.
"And he challenged me."
The tone of his voice changed slightly.
"So I will kill him myself."
He glanced at the villagers.
"All of you… just watch."
The crowd erupted again.
This time louder than before.
They stepped back slightly, creating space for the fight, but still kept Leo completely surrounded.
Leo looked around once more.
No way out.
Every path blocked.
He exhaled slowly, then looked back at Chief.
"When are you going to start?" he asked calmly.
Chief didn't answer.
He simply pulled out his weapon.
It was a long spear, heavier than normal, with multiple sharp spikes along its sides. It looked brutal, designed not just to pierce—but to tear.
A faint, dangerous smile appeared on Chief's face.
Then he moved.
Fast.
Without any warning, he attacked.
Leo reacted instantly, raising his katana and blocking the strike.
The force behind the attack pushed him back slightly, his feet sliding against the ground.
Before Leo could fully reset—
Chief followed up with an elbow strike aimed directly at his face.
Leo managed to dodge at the last second.
But that tiny moment of distraction was enough.
Chief disappeared from his front—
And appeared behind him.
THUD!
A powerful kick landed on Leo's back.
The impact sent him flying forward. He hit the ground and slid several meters before stopping.
For a moment, the crowd cheered loudly.
Chief stood where he was and said,"You wanted to fight in the open. What happened now?"
Leo slowly pushed himself up.
He didn't reply.
He just tightened his grip on his sword again.
Chief attacked again.
This time from above.
Leo raised his katana and blocked the strike, but the impact made his arms tense.
Without stopping, Chief began spinning his spear rapidly.
The weapon moved in wide arcs, coming at Leo from different angles.
Leo focused completely on defense.
Step by step, he dodged each strike.
Left. Right. Back.
The spear kept coming.
Fast. Precise. Relentless.
Chief tried to move around him again, aiming to get behind him.
But Leo had started reading his movement.
The moment Chief shifted position—
Leo turned sharply and threw a punch.
It connected.
A clean hit to the face.
The sound echoed.
Chief stepped back.
Blood slowly ran from his nose.
The cheering stopped instantly.
Silence.
"That's not possible…" someone whispered."Chief… got hit?"
Others stared in disbelief.
"He's the strongest… how can a kid do that?"
This time, both of them moved forward together.
Their weapons clashed.
Metal struck again and again.
Neither of them held back.
Each attack was met with a block or a dodge.
Chief aimed for precise, efficient strikes.
Leo focused on timing and movement.
After several exchanges, Leo stepped back slightly, catching his breath.
Under his breath, he muttered,"His experience… is too high."
Chief noticed.
"What happened?" he said. "Already tired?"
Leo looked up and replied,"Not yet."
Then he moved again.
Chief suddenly lowered his stance and aimed his spear at Leo's legs.
Leo reacted instantly and jumped.
In mid-air, he used the shaft of the spear as support and pushed himself forward.
Then—
He kicked Chief.
The impact pushed Chief slightly off balance.
Leo didn't stop there.
He followed up with multiple punches, landing quick hits before Chief could fully recover.
Chief's footing became unstable.
Leo took advantage of it again.
He dropped low and swept Chief's legs.
Chief fell.
The ground shook slightly as he hit it.
The entire village went silent again.
No one could believe what they were seeing.
Chief slowly stood up.
This time, his expression had completely changed.
No smile.
Only anger.
"You've made a mockery of me… in front of my village," he said.
His voice was colder now.
"I'll give you a very painful death."
Leo gave a faint smile.
"You can try."
That was enough.
Chief released his aura.
A strong pressure spread through the area.
Even the villagers stepped back slightly.
The energy around him wrapped around his spear, coating it.
Leo watched carefully.
Then—
He released his own aura.
It was different. Darker. Heavier.
Far away, Nyra, Alex, and Kio felt it.
Nyra clenched her fist slightly.
Leo, don't do anything reckless.
Both of them started moving.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
Then—
They charged at each other.
Leo jumped forward.
Chief rushed straight toward him, spear pointed ahead.
Leo swung his katana toward Chief's shoulder
The strike was fast—
But Chief blocked it using his long spear.
The impact was strong.
Leo clicked his tongue. "Tch."
In the same instant—
Chief pushed forward and drove the spear into Leo's shoulder.
The blade pierced through.
Blood started flowing immediately.
The crowd reacted with loud shouts.
But Leo didn't scream.
Not even for a second.
He stepped back, pulling himself free.
His breathing got heavier.
But his eyes—
Were still steady.
Without wasting time—
Leo rushed forward again.
With full strength.
And in one clean motion—
His katana cut across Chief's shoulder.
Blood spread across Chief's arm.
For the first time—
Both of them were injured.
And still standing.
Facing each other.
Ready to continue.