Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 346

Chapter 346: EX 346. Elizabeth & Blessing
The moment Leon spoke, the chamber quaked.

A wave of radiant energy burst outward from Elizabeth, shaking the air itself.

Leon instinctively raised an arm to shield his eyes from the flare.

When the light dimmed, Elizabeth stirred.

Her lashes fluttered open, revealing eyes that gleamed with renewed life.

For a brief second, confusion flashed across her face as she took in her surroundings, but the moment her gaze found Leon, it melted into something softer.

A smile curved her lips, warm and unguarded.

She whispered something so faint even Leon’s divine senses couldn’t catch it. Curious, he leaned closer.

“Hmm? What did you say—”

Before he could finish, her hands shot forward, gripping his collar and pulling him down with surprising strength.

Leon stumbled, caught off guard, as she dragged him onto the bed.

“Wha—wait, Liz—”

Leon found himself caught between Elizabeth’s arms, the warmth of her mana wrapping around him like the echo of everything he’d just fought to protect.

The soulscape, the confrontation, the weight of divine pressure, all of it slipped away.

What remained was simple, quiet, and real.

He had rescued his first love. And now, for the first time in what felt like forever, he could finally breathe.

****

Leon lay back against the soft bedding, his chest bare.

Elizabeth rested quietly on him, her cheek pressed to his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

For a moment, neither spoke only the lingering scent of what had occured in the chamber filled the silence.

He couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“I can’t believe you still had the energy for that,” he muttered, brushing a strand of her black hair from her face.

In his mind, Originus’s voice grumbled in outrage, “Boy, you have no decorum whatsoever!”

Leon’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

He had already sealed the dragon’s sensory link long before things turned intimate.

‘You sound jealous,’ he thought back dryly.

For once, the ancient being went silent—completely at a loss for words.

Leon couldn’t help but smirk wider at that small victory.

Beside him, Elizabeth stirred. Her fingers traced lightly across his chest before her voice came out in a soft murmur.

“I didn’t notice it at first… but you look different from before.”

Leon blinked. Then it hit him. Ever since becoming a Void Spawn, his body had subtly changed, his skin carried a pale undertone that shimmered faintly under light, his eyes darker, sharper, almost reflecting the abyss itself. To him, he looked normal.

But to others, he looked… otherworldly.

He chuckled quietly and patted her head.

“Why is it only now you’re noticing?”

Elizabeth’s face flushed.

She buried herself deeper into his chest as she murmured,

“I knew it was you just by your presence. It’s just… now I’m actually seeing you.”

Leon couldn’t help but laugh softly, a wide grin tugging at his lips.

They stayed that way for a while, wrapped in the warmth of each other’s presence, until Elizabeth finally broke the silence.

“What about that man?”

Leon’s expression hardened for a second. He didn’t need to ask who she meant. With a flick of his hand, a shimmer of light appeared, and from his inventory, a severed head rolled gently onto the floor.

Elizabeth’s breath caught, but when she recognized the face, her shock eased into quiet acceptance.

“You… killed him,” she said softly.

Leon nodded, his tone calm.

“I did.”

Then a hint of mischief returned to his eyes.

“I’ve got his whole body stored. You can turn him into one of your undead if you want.”

Elizabeth blinked, stunned.

“You’re going to give me his corpse?”

Leon shrugged casually.

“Why not? You’re A-rank now, and with three aligned cores, you should be able to handle it.”

Her lips parted, caught between surprise and gratitude. Slowly, she sat up and wrapped her arms around him, pressing close.

“I won’t forget this,” she whispered.

“Thank you.”

Leon smiled, his hand sliding along her back as he felt the warmth of her body against his. “Anything for you, dear.”

****

Leon had taken his time explaining everything to Elizabeth.

But when he finally told her that he’d reached S-rank, she froze mid-breath, her amber eyes widening.

“…You’re what?”

Leon only gave a small, sheepish grin, scratching the back of his neck.

“I’m now S-rank.”

For a moment, Elizabeth looked like she was about to question how that was possible, then simply sighed and shook her head.

“Figures. Nothing you do ever makes sense anyway.”

He laughed at that, and she couldn’t help but smile, because it was true. Power seemed to gravitate toward Leon as if the universe itself had chosen him.

After cleaning up and dressing, they left the chamber together.

Leon wore a long black robe lined with white, his silver clasp glinting faintly in the light. Elizabeth, beside him, wore a sleek black dress that flowed with each step.

Their matching attire made them look like twin shadows walking through the corridor’s quiet glow.

As they walked, Elizabeth glanced at him. “What about Nikki?”

Leon smiled faintly, his eyes carrying a distant gleam.

“We’ll meet her soon,” he said, offering no further explanation.

Before she could ask more, voices echoed down the hall.

Ahead, three figures came into view—Adrian, Eden, and Blessing, walking together.

Adrian seemed to be showing the two around, his usual composed air softening as he talked. The moment their eyes caught sight of Elizabeth, all three froze.

“Elizabeth?!”

Eden and Adrian broke into a sprint before Leon could even blink. They nearly tackled her to the floor, wrapping her in a chaotic embrace. Elizabeth let out a small laugh, caught between surprise and affection,

while Leon stood a few steps behind, arms crossed with an unmistakable jealous glint in his eyes.

Still, he said nothing.

Adrian finally stepped, his tone steady but warm. “It’s good to see you awake. With you back, the squad’s almost complete.”

Eden nodded in agreement.

“Yeah. All that’s left is getting the Supreme Heir, and we can finally clear this trial and leave.”

Adrian gave a slight nod.

Elizabeth smiled at their enthusiasm.

“You’ve all gotten stronger. I can feel it.”

But as she said that, both Adrian and Eden felt the immense pressure radiating off her. It wasn’t intentional, her newly stabilized cores pulsed with raw A-rank might, but it still pressed against them like the weight of a mountain.

Both men exchanged glances, shoulders sagging slightly in defeat, thinking the same thing. ‘They’re both monsters.’

Just then, Blessing stepped forward. Her expression changed from surprise to something reverent.

She lowered her head and clasped her hands respectfully before Leon.

“I greet the Ancestor.”

The hall went silent.

Elizabeth blinked, her brows furrowing as she turned toward Blessing.

“Ancestor?”