Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 350

Chapter 350: EX 350. The Crucible
In the heart of a vast cavern, a shadow stirred. The ground trembled softly as a massive dragon, with scales blacker than midnight, lifted its head from its slumber. For a moment, silence ruled the chamber—then the stillness shattered.

A deafening wail tore through the cave.

“KAAAHHHH!”

The sound rolled out like thunder, shaking the stone pillars and sending flocks of bats fleeing into the air.

Outside, two lesser dragons—currently in their humanoid forms—snapped to attention, their senses flaring in alarm. Without hesitation, they bolted inside.

When they reached the inner chamber, what they saw rooted them in place.

The dragon was gone, replaced by a tall man with jet-black hair and skin pale as moonlight.

Power clung to him even in his weakened state. His name alone commanded reverence across the world: Ignatius Sol Tarhim, Lord of the Void,

an SSS-rank trial taker—and father to Elizabeth.

Ignatius knelt on one knee, his hand pressed tightly against his temple, his breath uneven.

The pain that gripped him wasn’t physical, it was searing, ethereal, something clawing at the edge of his soul.

One of the lesser dragons hesitated before stepping forward, concern etched across his face.

“My Lord—”

“Who,” Ignatius hissed through clenched teeth, “permitted you to enter?”

The dragon froze, his blood running cold.

The weight of Ignatius’s authority hit like gravity itself.

Beside him, the second guard dropped to one knee, trembling.

Neither dared to breathe too loudly. Ignatius was not known for mercy, not even toward his kin.

His laws were absolute: strength first, weakness last.

The silence stretched, suffocating—until, against all expectation, Ignatius exhaled sharply and spoke again.

“Leave.”

Both lesser dragons blinked, stunned. They didn’t wait for him to change his mind. In an instant, they turned and sprinted for the cave entrance, their hearts pounding, silently thanking the stars they were still alive.

Inside, Ignatius remained motionless. Slowly, the pain began to fade, leaving behind a dull ache deep within his skull.

His body relaxed slightly as fragments of memory drifted across his mind and a voice echoed through the haze of his thoughts.

“Men who don’t deserve to be fathers shouldn’t be spreading their seeds around.”

Ignatius’s eyes snapped open. His expression contemplative.

“Scumbag… huh?” he muttered under his breath, a faint, humorless chuckle slipping out.

Then, all at once, his strength left him. His body swayed, and before he could steady himself, the mighty Dragon Lord of the Void collapsed to the cold cavern floor—unconscious, his mind swallowed by the lingering echo of Leon Kael’s voice.

****

High above the endless skies of Pandora, two figures soared between drifting clouds, Leon and Elizabeth, cutting across the wind like streaks of light.

Leon’s power surrounded them, forming a thin veil that kept the currents from tearing at their clothes.

Elizabeth’s hair danced behind her in the rush of air, the faint glow of her aura shimmering against the soft gold of the sun.

For a while, there was only the sound of the wind and the whisper of aura rippling through Leon’s barrier.

Then Leon’s eyes shifted slightly, his thoughts turning inward.

‘I’m surprised you haven’t said anything for a while now,’ he said mentally, his tone half teasing. ‘Not that I’m complaining, though.’

A low, irritated click answered him.

‘Tch.’

Leon almost laughed.

‘Still sulking, huh?’

Silence. Originus, the Primordial Dragon sealed within him, offered nothing more. Leon shook his head in amusement before chuckling under his breath.

Elizabeth, gliding beside him, turned at the sound. Her amber eyes studied him curiously as the clouds drifted behind her like white curtains.

“What’s funny?” she asked, her voice raised slightly over the wind.

Leon met her gaze and smiled.

“Don’t mind me. It’s the old man in my head—seems he’s a bit upset.”

“…”

Elizabeth blinked, then sighed softly.

She didn’t know whether to be worried or amused.

Her gaze lingered on him a little longer before she finally asked,

“Leo, are you okay?”

For a second, Leon’s concentration slipped. The protective aura around them flickered, and they dipped briefly before he caught himself.

“Lizzie, it’s not what you think,” he said quickly, his tone calm but reassuring.

He went on to explain, how the emperor had gifted him a strange ore, how that ore had become the Void Blade, and how, through that weapon, the Primordial Dragon Originus had become fused to his soul.

By the time he finished, Elizabeth was quiet, processing it all. Then she turned back toward the horizon, a small smirk touching her lips.

“So it’s the usual, then.”

Leon smiled faintly.

“I guess you could say that.”

The clouds parted ahead, revealing a breathtaking view, a sprawl of emerald islands scattered across an endless sapphire sea. Sunlight reflected off the waves like shattered glass.

“We’re here,” Leon said, his tone softer now, almost reverent.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she took in the sight. “It’s beautiful.”

Leon’s gaze followed hers, his chest tightening with quiet pride.

“It sure is.”

He leaned forward slightly, his aura flaring as his speed surged. The wind roared past them as they descended toward one of the largest islands in the archipelago—a grand expanse of forests, mountains, and white stone arenas.

Their destination: Zootopya, the major island of the Beast Archipelago and the site of the upcoming tournament.

****

Leon and Elizabeth descended through the clouds, their figures cutting through the cool sea breeze until their boots met solid ground.

They landed in the heart of a dense forest, the scent of salt and wildflowers heavy in the air.

The canopy above them trembled from the wind of their arrival, scattering rays of sunlight through the leaves.

Leon straightened first, brushing the dust from his coat before glancing at Elizabeth.

She smoothed out her dress and adjusted the ribbon at her collar, her movements graceful and deliberate. When she looked up, Leon nodded once.

“Let’s go.”

They stepped through the trees, the forest thinning until light spilled open before them, revealing a city alive with noise and color.

The streets were overflowing with life.

Beastmen of all shapes and tribes filled the avenues, their tails and ears twitching as they haggled at stalls or shouted greetings across the market square.

Between them walked humans, elves, and even a few dragons in human form, the exiled ones who had refused to bow to the Dragon Lord or had fled the mountain after the clash between Leon and Eragon.

The air was thick with mana and anticipation. Posters of the tournament fluttered from wooden poles and stone walls. Weapons gleamed in open markets. The clang of blacksmiths’ hammers echoed from the forges, blending with the chatter of wandering adventurers and the cries of vendors selling charms and beast relics.

The tournament of the Beast Islands had drawn them all—warriors seeking power, mages chasing fame, and wanderers hoping for fortune. Some came to earn a place in the campaign that would soon decide the fate of Pandora.

Others came for the rewards, treasures said to be forged from the bones of divine beasts.

But most came for one reason, glory.

Leon said nothing as he took Elizabeth’s hand, guiding her through the bustling crowd.

Heads turned as they passed, the aura around them unmistakably calm yet heavy, commanding respect without a word.

Elizabeth stayed close, her gaze sweeping across the hybrid city in quiet awe.

Ahead, the skyline opened to reveal a massive structure dominating the horizon, a coliseum carved from white stone and ancient coral, its sheer walls etched with symbols of fire, storm, and claw.

The roar of the crowd inside already thundered faintly through the streets.

Leon’s gaze lifted to it, his expression unreadable.

“The Crucible,” he said softly.

Elizabeth followed his gaze, her fingers tightening slightly around his hand.

And together, they walked toward the grand arena where the next storm would begin.