Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 360

Chapter 360: EX 360. Salem Meat
Statues stood throughout the garden, each one carved with great care.

Beast men of various clans, frozen mid-stride, mid-roar, mid-battle. Some looked solemn, some proud, some wild and free.

Leon let out a low breath, eyes narrowing with interest.

“So this is your personal island.”

Francis slowed slightly so Leon could walk beside him.

“Welcome to my abode,” the Beast Chief said, his tone carrying a quiet pride. He stepped forward onto the vine-woven path that led to the palace entrance.

The others followed in a loose line behind him. Nikko was taking everything in with wide, curious eyes.

Elizabeth observed more calmly, though even she couldn’t hide the way her gaze lingered on several statues.

Malachi stared around with his mouth half open, looking like he’d stepped into a legendary tale.

Leon walked last, hands behind his back, watching the wild palace with a faint, thoughtful interest as they moved deeper into Francis’s domain.

****

The moment they stepped into the palace, Leon felt the air change.

The place carried its own gravity, a mix of polished stone, warm torchlight and the scent of something rich drifting from the covered trays set along the long table.

Servants lined the walls, each one poised, each one beautiful in a way that made Originus mutter in his mind with a dry tone,

‘The chief has interesting tastes.’

Leon didn’t comment. He simply walked, eyes moving from the painted murals of ancient hunts to the curved archways carved with scenes of beast-kin legends.

Every servant dipped their head as the group passed, and Leon noticed how Nikko kept her posture straight, almost proud, as if returning to a familiar world.

Elizabeth walked quietly beside him, taking in everything with a careful eye. Malachi, meanwhile, looked uninterested by the beauty.

Francis pushed open the final pair of doors with a casual sweep of primal energy.

The hall beyond was wide enough to host a battle, yet a single long table dominated the center. Francis gestured toward it.

“It’s better to talk over a feast,” he said, already taking his place at the head.

Leon didn’t argue.

He took the seat offered, Nikko settling on his left, Elizabeth on his right. Malachi didn’t bother with a chair; he pressed his back to the wall.

His eyes were glued to the large, covered dishes like a starving hunter.

Servants moved in without a sound, lifting the covers with smooth, synchronized motions.

The smell hit them first, it was thick, savory and almost intoxicating.

Smoke, spice and something wild.

The platters were piled high with cuts of meat so large they looked carved from ancient beasts. Leon wasn’t surprised that Francis saw nothing excessive about it. But when Nikko’s pupils widened and Malachi actually drooled, he raised an eyebrow.

Originus answered before he even asked.

‘It’s the meat,’ the dragon said. ‘Their instincts are reacting.’

Leon tapped a knuckle against the table.

“Chief,” he said, “what meat is this?”

Francis’s smile showed a hint of pride.

“Salem meat,” he replied. “I brought it out just for the occasion.”

****

Leon hadn’t expected such a dish but he hid his surprise well enough, keeping his expression calm as he reached for the knife and fork.

Across the table, Francis watched him with an almost childish anticipation, elbows resting loosely on the carved armrests, eyes fixed on Leon’s plate.

Leon cut into the meat.

The texture gave with a soft resistance, juice clinging to the fork. He brought the piece to his mouth, chewed once, then swallowed.

His eyes widened before he could stop it.

“This is some fine meat,” he said, voice low but honest.

Francis burst into a grin, laughter rolling through the hall.

“I was sure you’d enjoy it, Leon.”

Nikko didn’t even wait for further confirmation. The moment she heard Leon’s reaction, she attacked her own portion, devouring it with sharp focus.

Elizabeth followed more politely, though the quiet spark of enjoyment in her eyes was unmistakable.

Against the wall, Malachi nearly drooled through the whole exchange.

Thankfully, a servant appeared at the right moment and placed a plate in his hands. He accepted it with the reverence of a starving pilgrim and dug in immediately.

Salem meat might have been a delicacy for anyone, but it was obvious who appreciated it the most.

The primal energy users at the table, Francis, Nikko, and Malachi had practically emptied half the feast by themselves, each bite stirring something instinctive and satisfied.

When the plates were finally cleared and the restless warmth of the meal settled into the room, Leon turned his gaze toward Francis.

“So, Chief,” Leon said, leaning back in his seat, “what did you need help with?”

****

In truth, the chief hadn’t needed Leon’s presence for anything urgent.

He’d simply wanted a stronger bond with him, which was why he had gone as far as bringing out Salem meat, a delicacy he rarely touched himself.

But that didn’t mean he had nothing to discuss.

He leaned back in his seat and finally said, his voice steady,

“There’s an island at the edge of the archipelago that’s been plagued by a cluster for a long time. It’s not a major territory, but it serves as a trading hub for the beast islands. The corruption has been eating away at our domain’s economy.”

He paused for a breath, expression tightening slightly.

“It’s sealed, but it would be better if we removed the problem entirely.”

Leon nodded.

“I don’t see an issue there. After eating meat that good, I feel like stretching a little.”

Francis smiled at that, pleased.

“Since that’s the case, we can go now.”

He rose from his seat and walked out of the hall. Leon stood as well, followed by Nikko, Elizabeth, and Malachi.

A moment later, after a short while, they found themselves soaring above an isolated island, suspended over the sea like a forgotten stone.

Below them, a faint glow clung to the land’s surface, a sealing array, placed long ago to keep the corruption contained.

Francis exhaled.

“Hopefully, after the Hallow Campaign, everything will return to normal.”

Leon nodded once.

In the next moment, Void Blade materialized in his right hand, the dark metal humming with power.

Seeing that, Francis lifted a hand and slowly released the seal.

The effect was immediate.

A wave of corruption burst upward from the island, crashing against the sky like a stormfront. The guardian of the cluster tore free from the ground, soaring toward them with its twisted legion rushing behind it.

Nikko’s breath caught. Elizabeth tensed. Even Malachi fell silent.

Leon didn’t spare the creature a second glance.

Cracks began forming along Void Blade’s edge, spider-webbing through the weapon’s surface as if reality itself were giving way.

His voice cut through the rising roar, cold, sharp, and final.

“Formless.”