Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 348

Chapter 348: EX 348. True Trial
Eden hesitated, then answered,

‘He’s probably just busy. The captain’s mind works differently… that’s all.’

Before Blessing could respond, they reached a massive set of golden doors.

Two guards stood watch, their armor gleaming under the radiant glow of the hall’s floating lights. The moment they saw Leon, both men straightened, then lowered their heads in deep respect.

“Lord Leon,” one of them said as the doors swung open on their own, guided by invisible energy.

Even among the elite, Leon’s power was undeniable.

A Divine Stage expert, with non in the entire pandora able to stand on equal ground with him.

The chamber beyond was vast and ornate, one of the many meeting halls within the Imperial Palace.

The marble floor reflected the banners of the empire that hung from the ceiling, while a round obsidian table dominated the center of the room.

Each member of Unit 1 took their seat—Adrian to Leon’s left, Elizabeth to his right, Eden opposite him, and Blessing hovering near the table’s edge, her small wings folding neatly behind her.

Leon placed both hands on the table, his expression steady as his eyes met each of theirs in turn.

“Alright,” he said finally, voice deep and clear. “Let the meeting begin.”

****

Leon’s gaze swept across the faces gathered around the obsidian table.

His expression was calm, but his eyes, which where sharp and cold like tempered steel—betrayed the weight of what he was about to say. With a slow motion of his hand, the air around the hall shimmered faintly.

A translucent barrier rippled to life, sealing them in with an invisible hum.

It wasn’t that he distrusted the Emperor; Leon simply understood that what they were about to discuss wasn’t meant for royal ears.

“I would’ve preferred for Nikki and Racheal to be here,” Leon said at last, his voice cutting through the silence, “but I’ll have to tell them separately.”

That single sentence was enough to change the atmosphere.

Adrian straightened in his chair, Elizabeth’s posture stiffened, and even Eden’s calm demeanor shifted slightly.

They all knew what that tone meant, whatever Leon was about to share, it wasn’t casual talk.

“You’re all aware of the details of our trial,” Leon began. It wasn’t really a question, but they nodded anyway.

The mission had been clear from the start: find the source of the corruption and destroy it.

That was the directive written into their Trial.

Leon’s fingers drummed lightly against the table. “The campaign against the Hallow was meant to be a step toward that goal,” he continued. “A preparation phase to give us the strength to complete the task.”

So far, it was everything they already knew. But there was something in Leon’s tone that made the air feel heavier.

He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze settling on Elizabeth before moving to Adrian and Eden.

“But there’s something more,” he said quietly. “A hidden meaning behind our trial’s description.”

Eden leaned forward slightly, his brows knitting together. Adrian exchanged a glance with Elizabeth, who now seemed deep in thought, her fingers brushing absently across the table’s surface.

Leon’s next words fell like stones into still water.

“Finding the source and destroying the corruption,” he said, “is just the face value of the trial itself. What we are actually meant to do… is find a way to coexist with the corruption.”

The room froze.

Adrian and Eden both stared at him, disbelief written plainly across their faces. Blessing’s wings twitched midair, the faint hum of her energy faltering for a heartbeat.

Elizabeth was the first to exhale, a flicker of understanding crossing her face, like puzzle pieces falling into place.

She had sensed a deeper meaning to the trial after seeing Leon and Blessing in sync with corruption. The strange harmony between corruption and creation they shared made her think:

‘If we are meant to destroy corruption, what about Leon and his descendant?’

****

Leon leaned back slightly in his seat, his expression thoughtful as the flickering light from the crystalline sconces cast long shadows across the room.

The air was still thick from his earlier revelation, but he didn’t rush to fill the silence.

His gaze moved over his squad.

He finally spoke, his tone quieter this time, almost reflective.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” he began.

“Ever since I became what I am now—a Void Spawn.”

The words hung in the air like a confession.

Leon’s eyes lowered briefly, the faint blue glow behind them dimming.

“If our mission really was to destroy corruption,” he said,

“then wouldn’t that mean destroying myself? That would make the entire trial meaningless. Or worse, a cruel joke.” he continued.

“But I realized there were things in Pandora that didn’t add up.”

He raised one finger.

“First—the Mutants. Beings tainted by corruption but still alive. At first glance, they look like abominations, but I’m starting to think they were… experiments. Early results of coexistence gone wrong. They’re the missing link between The trial races and the demons.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened slightly, the realization dawning. Leon caught the look and nodded faintly.

“Yes. Demons didn’t just appear, they evolved from corrupted beings. I don’t know how Pandora connects to the real world, but it’s clear now that the corruption here mirrors the demons that exist outside. The Mutants and Cluster Guardians both show that attempt at harmony between two forces.”

“But harmony wasn’t achieved only domination.”

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, fingers laced together.

“One side overwhelmed the other. And when corruption wins, you get demons. When purity wins, you get stagnation. Both are failures.”

“The second reason is the second talent I awakened: my Overlord Talent—[Mark].” Elizabeth, Adrian, and Eden were shocked by this, not understanding what Leon meant by “Overlord Talent” or “second talent,” but they still allowed him to continue.

“When I ascended to the Divine Stage, its true function became clear. It wasn’t just a tool for battle it was an anchor. A way to maintain equilibrium between myself and the corruption that powers me.”

That drew silence again.

“And the third reason… is Blessing. Her existence prove coexistence isn’t just unique to me, but It’s possible for others as well.”

He looked up, his tone turning firm again.

“So destroying corruption wasn’t meant literally. Our real goal isn’t to erase it, it’s to understand it, balance it.”

Leon’s voice deepened as he said the final words, each one deliberate.

“Light can’t exist without darkness. There has to be balance.”

A faint, knowing smile crossed his face.

“And that,” he said quietly, “is what our trial truly demands.”