Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger-Chapter 104: EX . Sparthon

The question hung in the air of the private training room, but beneath the quiet intensity, the weight of Nikko’s words from the medical room that day echoed in Leon’s mind.

"We suspect a skirmish will break out soon... and Leon, you’ll be one of their primary targets."

She hadn’t sugar-coated it.

Originally, Nikko had pleaded with her father, for permission to send Leon back to the capital where he’d be safe, at least for now. But his response was as cold as it was decisive:

"If he cannot survive this, he is not worthy of my protection."

Nikko had been furious. But Leon? Leon had merely nodded. He wasn’t one to run from a challenge, especially one he was sure he could conquer.

That’s why they were here.

Leon wasn’t training just to stay sharp, he was preparing to break past his current limit. His goal? Rank up.

Thanks to Nikko’s presence, he no longer lacked the credits needed to purchase high-grade arts. In fact, he’d already done that, acquiring several advanced combat arts and techniques required to forge his own personal Art. The last piece left was an Evo Point.

And for that?

He needed Nikko.

As for the squads, Leon had con.... I mean, made a deal with, Leon had already given them their credits from the strongholds he cleared, including Derrick’s squad and the other squads their agreed upon shares. For those who received nothing, it wouldn’t matter soon; the strongholds were about to become irrelevant once the skirmish began.

***

"All I need from you," Leon said finally answering Nikko’s question, "is to go all out during our sparring session. I’m talking hard enough to send me straight back to the clinic."

Nikko blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness. "...What is that supposed to help with?"

Leon’s grin widened.

"Don’t worry. You’ll see... once I accomplish it."

There was a beat of silence. Nikko studied him, sensing that usual unwavering confidence flickering behind his sapphire eyes.

Nikko raised an eyebrow as she noticed Leon watching her, his gaze focused, like he was calculating every movement, like he was ready to devour the challenge she represented.

There was something about that look, the confident, sharp, and almost predatory expression, made her face heat up unexpectedly.

’Why does it feel like I’m about to be used?’ she thought, biting back a grin.

’And why... do I like it?’

Then, with a subtle shrug and an amused sigh, she replied:

"Alright, but don’t come crying to me afterward if you break a few ribs."

Leon rotated his shoulders and said without missing a beat,

"Don’t worry. I won’t."

There were two reasons behind Leon’s insane request.

First, stat optimization. Since his permanent stat gains scaled with the stress level when he distributed his attack points, fighting Nikko, a Supreme S-rank, was practically guaranteed to push him to his limits. The more stressed he got, the higher the multiplier effect. In essence, the closer he was to death, the more valuable his growth would become.

Second, Evo Points.

Ever since gaining his first Evo Point, acquiring another had become a challenge and a game of probability. His current multiplier was x60, meaning he wouldn’t gain another Evo Point unless his Critical hit or exceeded that value.

So, Leon’s plan was simple: spar nonstop until he got it. It was a hard-headed way of doing things, but that was what Leon excelled the most at. And the torture he was about to put himself through? he silently called it "The Sparthon."

Nikko rolled her wrists, her golden eyes gleaming faintly.

"You ready?" freewebnσvel.cøm

Leon pulled his sword from his inventory, the weapon humming lightly in the air as he took his stance.

"Born ready."

"Good," Nikko said.

The next moment she vanished.

And then,

BAM!

A meteor of a punch connected directly with Leon’s face, sending him hurtling backward like a ragdoll. He slammed into the reinforced wall of the arena with a brutal thud, cracking it with the sheer force of impact.

Nikko’s eyes widened.

"Leon?!"

She sprinted toward the cratered wall in a blur, genuine panic blooming on her face.

But then there was movement.

As Leon peeled himself from the indentation, face bloodied, a tooth slightly loose, and his breathing ragged. And yet... he smiled.

"I feel just fine," he wheezed. "Let’s continue."

Nikko stared.

"Did I hit you too hard?"

He chuckled, spitting blood to the side.

"Nope. You hit me just right."

Despite her reluctance, Leon’s determined stare and borderline unhinged persistence convinced her.

"He’s crazy," she thought, readying her stance again.

"But maybe that’s what makes him terrifying."

Just then, in the corner of Leon’s vision, a translucent notification pulsed into existence:

[Stress Threshold Reached – Multiplier Effect: X2 Activated]

Leon smirked to himself.

As Nikko charged at him a little slower this time as their spar began.

****

The training room shook under the constant thrum of impact. Nikko Yakomoto stood calm and composed in the center of the arena, her long black hair barely swaying despite the force of her movements. Before her, Leon charged with gritted teeth, sword in hand, battle-worn and barely staying on his feet.

And yet, he came anyway.

WHAM!

Nikko’s palm collided with the flat of Leon’s sword, knocking it off course just in time for her knee to slam into his gut. Leon was launched back like a missile, slamming into the far wall hard enough to leave cracks.

She sighed.

"That’s the fifth wall today."

Leon groaned, pulling himself out of the crater, wiping blood from his lip, and, against all better judgment, he charged again.

"Again? Seriously?"

Nikko didn’t want to keep going, not really. But she saw the look in his eyes. That relentless obsession. That need to push beyond himself, even as his body cried out for rest. It was terrifying. Because it reminded her too much of them, her family, the Yakomoto bloodline, the ones who chased power like it was oxygen.

And yet...

"If it’s what he wants... then I’ll help him with everything I’ve got."

Nikko was woman-handling him.

There was no better way to describe it.

Even while holding back, no talent, no skills, pulling her blows, slowing her movements, Leon could barely keep up. He was being tossed around like a ragdoll. Blow after blow landed: fists to his jaw, knees to his ribs, a spinning kick to the side of his head. His sword arm trembled with fatigue, and his vision blurred at the edges.

"What a monster..." Nikko thought as her punch met his blade again, the impact ringing out like steel drums.

Leon tried to parry, but Nikko slipped past his guard with practiced ease, planting her fist in his ribs and sending him flying yet again. He crashed into a heap, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

And still... he stood up.

Nikko exhaled sharply, her eyes narrowing.

"He’s getting stronger. Not just adjusting, he’s actually growing stronger the more we fight."

It was unnerving. At one point, she had forced them to pause just to get him healing treatment. He was shaking and could barely form full sentences, and yet he insisted they continue before he’d even fully healed.

Now, he wasn’t fighting with technique, he was fighting on instinct and Raw will.

Leon dashed forward again, his movements ragged but fast. His eyes were locked on her throat, his sword arm swinging upward with terrifying speed.

Nikko calmly raised her hand.

"You already tried that,"

But it was a feint.

Leon spun mid-stride, pivoting on his heel and swinging at her exposed side. Nikko’s eyes widened, but even while surprised, she was still fast. Her hand caught the blade just in time.

But then, boom.

The blow pushed her back. Just slightly. Just enough.

"There it is again."

"That sudden spike in power..."

She studied him. He was panting, hunched, his clothes drenched in sweat and blood. But in his eyes burned focus,.and disappointment.

"Tch... only x40," he muttered under his breath. "Still not enough..."

He clenched his fists.

"More."

And with that, he charged again.

Nikko smirked softly, her combat instincts reawakening, her heart beating just a little faster.

"So be it, Leon."

They clashed once more, metal shrieking, fists flying, power building.

The sparthon continued.

****

A/N: Thank you for reading.