[Instance: Chiba Academy · Medical Room]
When Kiana and Sakura hurried back, the medical room before them had already changed drastically.
The original maze had vanished; this was now just an incredibly ordinary medical room.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, Kiana immediately understood that Leo had fallen into the monsters' trap, her beautiful blue eyes filled with anxiety.
"Did we still arrive too late?"
A trace of unwillingness flashed through her eyes, but Sakura was not as panicked as Kiana. After all—
"What? You lost contact with him... and that secret art of his might not necessarily be able to save him?"
When she learned of Leo's condition from Kiana, she naturally became anxious too!
After all, the premise for her remaining calm just now was that Leo could still be saved, but now—
"Now... we can only believe in him."
Although she said this, a look of determination also appeared in Kiana's eyes.
"Let's go find someone first!"
Realizing that what her side lacked most right now was intelligence, she naturally thought of Bronya.
"...Mhm."
After forcing herself to calm down, Sakura said, "He won't die that easily!"
Having fought alongside Leo, she could see the determination and... madness in that man!
[Temporary Instance: ???]
"If I didn't guess wrong..."
Watching Leo's corpse lying on the ground turn into gold powder once again, and then reappear at the spot where the opponent first showed up, the Dense-Eyed Monster laughed strangely: "This is your last life, right?"
As a technical personnel, although its memory had also undergone severe alienation, its most basic wisdom remained. It could naturally guess through the daily changes in the [Honkai Domain] that Leo possessed three chances at [Resurrection].
The reason it was a guess was, firstly, it wasn't sure if Leo had any trump cards kept in reserve. Secondly, last time, they used the Kiana [soul fragments] they held to attempt to control Kiana.
At that time, it was precisely because they judged that Leo's [Resurrection] count was depleted that they dared to attempt capturing Kiana.
But in terms of results, Leo still came... clearly, he shouldn't have had any [Resurrections] left!
Precisely because of this, it wasn't sure if Leo still had a trump card.
More critically—
"You don't need to bluff anymore."
Reforming his body, Leo smiled: "If you really want to know if I can still [Resurrect], just kill me one more time."
"If the current you... can still do it!"
While speaking, he once again charged towards the Dense-Eyed Monster fearlessly, courting death.
He didn't want to give the opponent time to rest, so every time he [Resurrected], he immediately drew his blade and slashed.
Of course, he wasn't being recklessly mad. Through [Tiny Miracle], he confirmed that the opponent's strength had indeed weakened.
—He refused to believe that dense red light from the opponent was just a basic attack!
Having unleashed two Ultimates in a row, this Dense-Eyed Monster's skills should be on cooldown!
Moreover, an Ultimate of that magnitude must have consumed a significant amount of its energy.
Precisely because of this, Leo dared to launch an offense.
Furthermore, he didn't think his previous two lives were useless...
The eyes on the opponent's body had definitely decreased, it was just that the exposed eyes must still appear dense!
However—
"You dodged!"
A bloodthirsty, crazy smile hooked up the corners of his mouth. He slashed horizontally again, knocking the Dense-Eyed Monster to the ground.
Admittedly, in terms of absolute strength, the opponent was definitely above him.
But the opponent was clearly really a researcher; it was not good at combat, and had even less experience in life-and-death battles.
Therefore, this gave him an opportunity to exploit!
"Y-You..."
Facing the fact that it was bisected by Leo again, the Dense-Eyed Monster wasn't particularly terrified. It was just momentarily unsure whether Leo could actually [Resurrect] or not...
...If he couldn't [Resurrect], would he dare to fight so hard?
So, had he actually been hiding his clumsiness all along?
"Don't think too much during battle!"
Seeing a glint of contemplation appearing in the Dense-Eyed Monster's eyes, Leo had already finished accumulating power. The sharp blade radiating a cold chill danced at this moment, carrying [purple thunder], poised to shatter the darkness!
One could see a terrifying bolt of [purple thunder] descending from the void, continuously striking the Dense-Eyed Monster's body.
"Phew..."
And after releasing such a big move, even Leo couldn't help but lean on his long sword to gasp for breath.
It wasn't that he wanted to rest, nor that he didn't want to follow up with a killing blow.
Rather, after this strike, his entire person completely entered a cooldown state; he had to rest a moment before he could continue moving.
Otherwise, aside from wanting to land a killing blow, he wanted even more to destroy the nutrient solution tank imprisoning the maiden.
Without a doubt, that thing was actually his greatest threat!
And just as he caught his breath and prepared to deliver the final blow, the Dense-Eyed Monster's voice came again.
"Indeed..."
Sitting up from the ground again, only this time, it could hardly be described as "dense" anymore.
Whether on its face or on its exposed skin, its eyes had obviously decreased... its white lab coat had been shattered by Leo's thunder!
Only, even so, the eyes on its body were still numerous.
"One should only think about combat during combat. Thank you for teaching me."
"In terms of actual combat, that is indeed our shortcoming."
"And as respect for your teaching, I should get a little serious too."
After speaking, its whole body began to undergo drastic changes, as if a monster hiding inside its body was trying to break out.
However, such drastic changes were ultimately limited to its body. Thus, in the end, its body merely became somewhat taller and larger, and those originally chaotic eyes on its body finally merged into one, turning into a single eye as large as a human face.
"What is this, a Cyclops?"
Looking at the monster before him with only one eye remaining, Leo couldn't help but narrow his eyes with a grave expression.
The aura radiating from the opponent's body once again became terrifying, countless times more dangerous than before.
But... when enemies meet on a narrow road, the brave one wins!
Since he only had one life left on his side, he could not afford to admit defeat even more.
Since ancient times, compromise has never earned any respect!
"Speaking of mythological archetypes, I am indeed based on the Cyclops."
Whether it was to stall for time to charge up, or because the Eye Monster felt Leo was already a turtle in a jar, it actually replied to Leo's words.
"God is our goal!"
"Still trying to recruit me?"
Also charging up slightly, Leo didn't believe that at this point, the opponent would still have such naive and laughable thoughts.
"Of course not."
Shaking its head very frankly, the Eye Monster spoke directly: "It's just rare to find someone who can understand our lofty goals; I couldn't help but want to share."
"What a pity, you, this rare confidant, are about to die immediately."
As it spoke, tears actually flowed from that gigantic single eye.
And as this giant teardrop hit the ground, it rushed towards Leo at a speed that made it impossible to see clearly.
"Hah!"
Gathering his full power, although Leo also couldn't see the opponent's figure clearly, his charged strike slashed directly towards the front.
Of course, he wasn't betting that the opponent would foolishly attack frontally; he was betting that the opponent would guard the nutrient solution tank.
His true target of attack was the nutrient solution tank trapping the maiden!
It had to be said, there was an element of gambling in this, as he wasn't sure if what the Eye Monster said about this maiden being just a defective product was true.
But the fact that the opponent deliberately stalled for time and consistently blocked in front of the nutrient solution tank exposed that the opponent actually still cared about that maiden.
Therefore, now—
"Are you not afraid of killing that maiden?"
The Eye Monster, forced to use both hands to hard-block Leo's strike, couldn't help but let out a voice of anger turning into embarrassment. It absolutely hadn't expected Leo to be so decisive.
At this moment, although its hands were still intact, they had been cut by Leo so deeply that bone was visible, and the skin was also scorched black by that violent [purple thunder].
"Aren't you here to save her?"
"Have you never heard of Russian-style rescue?"
Seeing that the Eye Monster indeed cared about the maiden, Leo couldn't help but laugh: "Since the hostage isn't easy to save, then I'll just avenge the hostage."
"Then you should slit your own throat and ascend to heaven!"
Revealing an angry look, the Eye Monster understood its vital point was exposed.
"No... it's you who forced me to eliminate her, so killing you counts as avenging her."
Readjusting his breath, this time Leo was going to attack actively!
"So, how about you just stretch out your neck and let me chop it?"
While speaking, he slashed down towards... the nutrient solution tank behind the Eye Monster!
Destruction is much simpler than protection!
"You!"
Facing Leo's attack which lacked martial virtue, the Eye Monster was naturally flustered and exasperated, but it really had no way to deal with Leo. It could only block in front of the nutrient solution tank again.
But this time, its eye showed its power.
One could see terrifying red light gathering in its eye, looking as if it intended to shoot right through Leo.
Unfortunately, because it only had one eye, its attack became easier to dodge instead!
"I finally understand now..."
With a sideways movement, Leo dodged that terrifying red light cannon. Even though the Eye Monster immediately attempted to track him, his long sword slashed upward at the joint of the Eye Monster's leg, causing the Eye Monster to stumble.
"What do you understand?"
Seeing Leo hesitating to speak, the Eye Monster couldn't help but ask.
"Of course I can't tell you!"
The smile at the corners of his mouth became increasingly joyous, and the long sword in Leo's hand was wielded with increasing vigor. If not for the amazing defensive power of the Eye Monster in its Cyclops form, he would have chopped the opponent into eight pieces long ago.
Of course, he wasn't intentionally being a Riddler, but he had confirmed that these monsters truly didn't have any combat experience.
Even, they likely still retained a rotten, strict hierarchical relationship.
Precisely because of this, he didn't encounter a situation where a Demon King blocked the door.
—These incompetent fools merely stole power, but didn't know how to use it at all, and dared not fight even more!
It was precisely because they delegated everything to their lackeys that he was given an opportunity.
And just like Zhao Kuangyin stripping military power with a cup of wine, these big shots knew deeply that such terrifying power couldn't be given to people with true strength, which was why the enemies he encountered were so unbearable.
Otherwise, if he had encountered even one who truly knew how to fight, then he currently... would have run away long ago!
With [Tiny Miracle], he could determine the enemy's intensity.
Precisely because [Tiny Miracle] didn't go directly into cooldown, he dared to step into the enemy's trap.
Bravery is certainly worthy of praise, but mindless bravery should be spurned!
Judging by the current situation, his risk-taking had ushered in a rich return.
With so much intelligence, his [capture] later would be even more handy.
Of course, the premise of all this was that he could get out alive.
"Hurry up and die!"
The Eye Monster's physical constitution in the one-eyed form was certainly powerful, but conversely, it could no longer trade lives with Leo. After all, regarding the point that having only one eye meant it had only one life, it hadn't lied.
But to say its transformation was a mistake wasn't right either. After all, if it didn't turn into this, it simply couldn't stop Leo's attacks on the nutrient solution tank.
Moreover, because its Ultimate had entered cooldown, it meant that in its normal state, it could only be hacked by Leo to consume its lives.
Precisely because of this, one couldn't say its decision was wrong; one could only say it chose the wrong opponent.
When it consumed Leo down to one life, it should have been prepared for Leo's insane counterattack!
"Why didn't you attack me while I was attacking the nutrient solution tank?"
Seeing the Eye Monster had entered a state of impotent rage, Leo's smile naturally became even more brilliant.
"Let me guess... the big shot you are guarding has reached the most critical step?"
"Precisely because of this, you didn't dare let me land an attack?"
In fact, his fighting style of placing himself in dead ground to fight for life was gambling on the fact that the Eye Monster's side had also reached a critical moment and dared not attack him.
Otherwise, if the Eye Monster simply didn't defend the nutrient solution tank, Leo's few lives wouldn't be enough for the Eye Monster to beat.
The opponent really was foolish!
"You!"
Seeing Leo guess correctly again, the Eye Monster was even more anxious.
However, just as Leo said, the big shot of its faction had entered a critical moment; it just needed to hold on for a while longer.
It was just that Leo clearly knew this too, and his attacks were crazy to the point of disregarding his life. Several times, it was to the extent that the Eye Monster could have killed him just by switching from defense to offense.
But... it couldn't afford to gamble!
If Leo had any backup plan, its attack would be a joke.
And seeing Leo attack so recklessly, it was even more certain that Leo had a backup move... Surely no one would really disregard their life, right?
Years of living ignobly had made it forget the glory of being human. Or perhaps, when it chose this path, it was no longer human.
Precisely because of this, it inevitably couldn't imagine an existence like Leo who disregarded his life.
This was the reason for its... defeat!
"If one defends for too long, one is bound to lose... do you not understand this principle?"
A maniacal smile appeared on his handsome face. At this moment, Leo also long since ceased to care about his own life or death; in his eyes, there was only the craving for the destruction of the nutrient solution tank.
—As long as, as long as I can destroy that... I win!
Conversely, if he couldn't destroy the nutrient solution tank, then even if he killed the Eye Monster before him, it wouldn't have any meaning.
After all, a monster of that level, even without combat experience, relied solely on numerical values sufficient to crush him.
After all, the current him was also an arrow at the end of its flight.
"Don't think about shaking me!"
Understanding that Leo was attacking its mind, the Eye Monster forced itself to calm down.
But as it continuously used the Cyclops' power, its thinking was inevitably affected.
Precisely because of this, it actually didn't want to use this form.
But everything has a price. When it chose to activate this form, its already scarce rationality was also constantly evaporating.
And now, wanting to truly calm down was already an impossible matter.
After all, the bestiality buried in its heart wasn't that easy to control.
This was the price it had to pay to obtain such powerful strength!
So right now, it had a look on its face like it wouldn't be shaken, but in reality, its heart was already panicking wildly.
If it missed even one of Leo's movements, the nutrient solution tank behind it would suffer irreparable damage.
At this moment, it hated itself incomparably for choosing itself as the battlefield.
However, to speak truly, this was a solution born of having no other choice.
After all, factions were numerous among them monsters, and the power of their lineage was actually relatively weak. If not for possessing the technology to possess humans, they would have been swallowed up long ago.
Just as said before, after they became monsters, it was difficult for them to control the bestiality in their hearts.
Therefore, the more powerful the existence, the more thoroughly they were beast-ified, only able to maintain the most basic rationality.
So originally there were numerous factions, but now instead only a few branches remained, and they even had to guard against each other.
Otherwise, if they could still cooperate like in the past, there would be absolutely no room for Leo to develop.
And now, it was only one step away from success. As long as it proved to the monsters of other factions that the ability of their lineage was valuable, then their status could rise with the tide.
It was just that before this, it also had to guard against monsters of other factions stealing their skills...
...Or even seizing it by force!
Precisely because of this, it had to choose the battlefield here.
—Damn it! Clearly just a weak human, why is he so strong?
Originally, when seeing Leo with its own eyes, it rejoiced that the enemy's strength was so weak.
But now, it naturally couldn't laugh anymore!
Only opposite him, Leo began to laugh wildly—
"Ha, hahahahahaha..."
The long sword in his hand danced into afterimages. Leo let out a wild laugh like a villain.
The current him seemed maniacal; that handsome face also became distorted and flamboyant at this moment.
There was no helping it; facing a punching bag that only took beatings passively, if he didn't laugh, he would really get depression.
And—
"You can't stop me!"
[Honkai energy] surged madly within his body. He no longer cared about the terrible floods after this battle.
Now, he only wanted to completely crush the Eye Monster before him, and then thoroughly destroy that nutrient solution tank.
One slash, one slash, and another slash!
The Eye Monster already had no good flesh left on its entire body.
However—
The maiden in the nutrient solution tank suddenly opened her eyes!
________________________________________
Get rewarded for helping with our community goals!
🎯 Reward for all: +1 bonus chapter at 50 Powerstones.
🚀 Tier Reward: Help us reach 20 members for +5 chapters on all stories!
👻 Join the crew by searching Ms. Medusa on (P). You know the spot! 😉