The other three monsters reacted instantly.

The lion-headed monster hurled its spear like a javelin. It whistled through the air, leaving behind a crimson streak.

"Raging Inferno’s Wings." The moment Leon spoke, the twin daggers shot out from the system panel and slammed into the spear.

Claaannng!

A sharp metallic clang echoed across the battlefield as the spear was knocked off course and sent flying into the distance. It slammed into a nearby building, reducing it to dust and rubble in an instant. Yet its momentum didn’t fade. It continued hurtling forward before crashing into the ground.

BOOOOOOOM!

The earth trembled violently as a massive crater erupted from the impact.

At the same time, the ram-headed monster swung its massive double axe. A crescent-shaped arc of purple energy burst from the blade and tore through the air toward Leon.

Wherever the arc passed, space itself distorted.

Even from a distance, Leon could feel the terrifying destructive force contained within it. Anything caught in its path would be erased as though it had never existed.

"Frost Monarch’s Blade."

A white flash shot out of the system panel before the sword appeared in Leon’s right hand. His fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt. He raised the blade, its tip pointing toward the sky. The polished edge gleamed brilliantly, reflecting the heavens above.

The purple arc was almost there, ready to strike Leon.

Leon tightened his grip.

Then...

Whoosh!

The Frost Monarch’s Blade descended like divine judgment.

The purple arc collided head-on with the white blade.

Clang!

The impact sent a wave of numbness through Leon’s entire right arm.

But in the very next instant...

Crack!

The arc shattered like fragile glass. The impact still sent Leon skidding back more than 100 metres.

Meanwhile, the fish-like monster was already charging toward him. It had no intention of giving him time to breathe.

"Ice Layer." The moment Leon chanted, a smooth layer of ice coated his left fist.

He leaned forward, facing toward the fish monster.

Crack!

The ground beneath his left foot shattered.

Whoosh! Leon shot forward like a bullet. The distance between him and the monster disappeared in an instant.

The monster swung its massive tail.

But before it could strike... Leon stepped closer. His left fist shot forward like lightning.

Thwack!

The punch landed squarely on the monster’s abdomen. Its skin caved inward under the impact, its entire body bending forward.

Then...

Whoosh!

The monster was blasted away like a cannonball.

The ram-like monster and the lion-headed monster charged at Leon simultaneously. The lion-headed monster drove its shield forward.

Leon twisted at the waist and narrowly slipped past the attack. Although the strike missed him, the sheer force behind it created a violent shockwave that surged forward like an invisible punch.

BOOOOOOM!

A nearby building exploded apart, crumbling into countless fragments.

Before the lion-headed monster could react, Leon’s fist shot upward.

BAM!

Crack!

The sound of shattering bones echoed through the battlefield as the monster’s feet left the ground. Its massive body was launched high into the air.

Just then...

A purple flash.

The ram-like monster swung its twin axes with terrifying speed.

Leon ducked at the very last moment. The razor-sharp blades skimmed past his head, slicing off a few strands of his hair.

The Frost Monarch’s Blade flashed, leaving a streak of white light behind it.

Schlk!

A deep horizontal slash opened across the ram monster’s torso. Thick green, pus-like blood burst from the wound.

Enraged, the monster immediately swung its axes again.

Leon wanted to block and counterattack.

But at that very moment, the lion-headed monster charged back into the battle. This time, it threw a punch, its stone-like fist tearing through the air.

Leon weaved between the axe strike and raised his left hand.

"Ice Shield." Countless white particles condensed instantly, forming a solid barrier of ice.

BOOM!

The lion-headed monster’s fist slammed into the shield.

Craaaack! The ice barrier shattered instantly.

But that was exactly what Leon wanted. The moment the shield broke, he thrust the Frost Monarch’s Blade forward.

Schlk!

The sword pierced straight through the lion-headed monster’s chest. Without waiting to see the aftermath, Leon yanked the blade free and retreated.

Whoooosh!

Another purple flash.

Just as Leon had expected.

Clang!

A burst of white sparks erupted as the Frost Monarch’s Blade intercepted the ram monster’s double-bladed axe.

The monster had no time to react.

BAM!

Leon’s knee drove deep into its stomach.

"Blarghhh!"

The ram-like monster coughed up a mouthful of green blood. In that split second, the Frost Monarch’s Blade flashed once more.

The monster froze.

Then...

Its head slowly slid from its neck before crashing onto the ground with a heavy thud.

Two of the five Disaster-Class monsters had fallen.

Leon slowly turned around. The remaining three were standing in the distance. The crab-like monster, the twin serpent-like fish monster, and the shark-headed monster silently stared back at him. All their veins were bulged. They had expected an easy win. Yet two of them had already fallen.

"I actually killed two Disaster-Class monsters." Leon’s heart pounded violently against his chest. His body was exhausted, yet his mind felt strangely refreshed. It was as though the battle had only just begun, as if he could continue fighting without ever stopping.

Time and time again, he had narrowly evaded attacks that should have claimed his life. Yet not once did fear take root in his heart. Instead, everything felt... natural. Every movement, every dodge, every counterattack flowed exactly as he had envisioned. He didn’t feel like he was barely escaping death.

Just as Leon was about to step forward, Noira’s voice echoed inside his mind.

"Master, you are relying too much on technique and combat skills. Your cultivation realm is now at the peak of the Grandmaster Realm. The ninth level. These monsters are only at the fifth or sixth level of the Grandmaster Realm. You should unleash your true strength. Your raw power alone is enough to terrify them."

"Hmm?" Leon’s eyes narrowed.

"I’m... not using my full strength?"

"No, Master."