Chapter 282: Come. (2/2)

'Is this where I'll die?'

Leonel had this same thought for the third time in his life.

The first was when the sacrificial virgin of the Mayan Tomb had her hands wrapped around his neck. The second was during his battle with Lamorak who had eyes on him even now. And the third was now…

The first time, he accepted death. It was a shame that still rested on his shoulders, one he still had yet to face himself.

The second time he was unwilling, but to this day, he still had no real idea how he managed to survive. To take credit for such a thing was beneath him. Ultimately… he had just been lucky.

And now this third time? Would he fail himself again? Was that the choice he wanted to make?

Leonel's slipping grip on his bow tightened.

He was unwilling.

Leonel suddenly raised his head up and shouted. The sound he made wasn't as coherent as words nor as powerful as a roar. It was as though he was venting something within his chest, pushing it out from himself until it had nothing to do with him any longer.

The sudden noise in an otherwise deathly silent atmosphere left many stunned. By the time Leonel had closed his mouth once more and leveled his gaze to meet those around him, the deathly calm of his gaze had returned.

Persistence.

He didn't feel ashamed for having felt fear, but he most definitely would had he allowed it to rule him.

A halo of bronze shone atop Leonel's head. However, at this moment, it felt as though the violet hue was several levels more powerful than it had been in the past. Even without the rest of Leonel's Runes activated, his eyes became a deep violet, his hair fluttering wildly beneath his stabilized aura.

At that moment, an oppressive might gushed from Leonel's body. His focus reached unprecedented levels and his will stood tall and firm. Though he didn't realize it then, the chains of his black spear began to clang wildly as though it too was standing beneath the mighty winds of his aura.

When his mind had calmed, he felt like a fool. This wasn't a battle to the death nor did he have to kill all of these people before him.

Even if they all wanted to kill him, so what? All he had to do was take down nine more… As long as nine of them died beneath his hand or the hand of others, he would survive.

Leonel pulled an arrow from his quiver, his aura steadily climbing with each moment of silence.

He could still feel the pressure weighing down on his shoulders. How could he not? These were all existences he would have to go all out to battle even if it was just one on one, let alone when there were so many.

However, to the current him, the amount of pressure no longer mattered. His arrow would be the blade that cut through it all.

He didn't need to breathe a word. His demeanor said it all.

Come.