Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger - Chapter 389

Chapter 389: EX 389. Overlord Takes Action
Leon stood at the edge of the force domain, eyes locked on the now, completed lunatic.

The creature’s body radiated power, its chains glinting like sharpened onyx under the distorted light.

But despite the monstrous sight, Leon’s expression wasn’t fear or awe, it was irritation. Deep, simmering irritation.

He couldn’t explain why at first, but that thing’s voice, that smug tone when it spoke to Nikko, clawed at his nerves.

And that was dangerous.

Leon wasn’t perfect, he knew that better than anyone. He had his strengths: discipline, directness, loyalty to those who mattered.

But he also had his vices. He was quick to anger. If something or someone crossed a line, he wouldn’t hesitate to burn that bridge and everything standing on it.

Then there was his pride. Leon had built his power from the ground up, one relentless effort after another.

[Attack] had amplified his growth, yes, but it hadn’t handed him everything. It hadn’t sweated for him, bled for him, or endured the sleepless nights of training.

That was all him. So, of course, he took pride in what he’d become, sometimes too much.

His confidence wasn’t just armor; it was a flaw disguised as faith.

And now, his temper and ego weren’t alone.

The third flaw, the one even he despised most, was stirring: jealousy.

Especially when it came to the women who’d chosen to stand by him. The lunatic’s mocking tone had brushed against that nerve, and Leon’s patience fractured like glass.

He stepped forward, crossing through the shimmering barrier of the force domain.

The air thickened around him as he came to stand beside Nikko.

The Supreme Heir turned her sharp gaze toward him, her aura still faintly rippling with primal energy.

“Is there an issue?” she asked, her voice steady but pleased by his presence.

Leon smiled, it was a calm, dangerous kind of smile.

“None at all.” His tone was light, but his eyes burned with intent. He turned toward the lunatic. “You’ve done splendidly,” he said to Nikko, resting a hand on her head.

The soft fur that covered it now felt oddly warm beneath his touch.

“But why don’t you sit this one out? I want to teach this fool some manners.”

For a moment, Nikko just stared at him, reading the look in his eyes.

Then, with a faint exhale, her energy began to fade, the storm of primal force settling.

“Fine,” she said quietly. “But you owe me one.”

Leon grinned.

“Deal.”

Nikko pulled a long coat from her inventory, wrapping it around herself, the remnants of her battle had left her bare.

She lifted off the ground and drifted toward the others.

Racheal met her halfway with a teasing smirk. “Hope you had fun.”

Nikko returned the smile, voice calm.

“I did.” She paused mid-air, her tone shifting slightly.

“Actually, I wanted to tell you something earlier, but the fight came first.”

Racheal arched a brow.

“Yeah? What’s that?”

Nikko’s smile deepened.

“You play scissors way too often, it’s quite alarming.”

She didn’t say another word, simply turned her gaze back toward Leon and the lunatic.

Racheal blinked, confused, until realization struck her like a slap.

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

‘F-freaking weirdo,’ she thought, fighting the rising heat in her face.

She quickly looked back toward the battlefield, trying to shake the thought away.

Down below, Leon rolled his shoulders once, his aura rippling to life.

His expression hardened as he stared down the lunatic.

But the creature’s attention drifted lazily upward, following Nikko as she rose toward the force domain, as if Leon weren’t even standing there.

A cold breath slid past his lips.

“So you’re underestimating me,” Leon said quietly.

The lunatic finally turned its head. Its new, cleaner features twisted into something like irritation or boredom.

“You’re not crazy enough,” it answered.

Originus burst into laughter inside Leon’s mind, the sound booming like thunder. ‘Hahahahahahaha! that’s a first’

Leon’s smile surfaced, but it wasn’t warm.

It was a faint, icy curve of his lips that never touched his eyes.

“And why, would you say that?”

“Corruption flows through you far too smoothly,” the lunatic replied, leaning forward slightly. “Someone who is truly crazy would reject it. They would distort it, break it. But you… accept it. Control it. That means you’re sane.”

Leon shrugged once.

“Oh. Well, if that’s the case, I’m glad I’m not crazy.”

His voice dropped, colder.

“But is that really your excuse for not taking me seriously?”

The lunatic let out a long, weary exhale.

“It’s because you cannot win. I negate everything. That female was the only one able to resist my ability.”

Leon didn’t move. Didn’t blink. He just listened.

“At first I was confused,” the lunatic continued. “Until I realized why. She was chosen. Destined to join us. Only someone with that level of resistance can serve Our Lord.” Its tone flattened as its red eyes dimmed into narrow slits.

“But you… you’re not even her rank. And yet you stand before me. I don’t know how you bewitched her, but once I’m done with you, she can finally take her rightful place.”

A silence so cold and heavy suddenly fell.

Leon stared at him for a beat, an unreadable stillness in his face.

“You really are crazy.”

Void Blade materialized in his hand, the obsidian metal humming like a heartbeat.

Leon swung his wrist once, letting the blade settle comfortably in his grip.

“Let’s see, if you’re not just all talk.”

The lunatic cracked its neck as it strode toward him, chain blades dragging across the stone and scraping sparks into the air.

“I despise insects like you.”

Leon said nothing.

He stepped forward as well, each stride deliberate.

The blades extending from the lunatic’s wrists rattled as its chains tightened.

“Time to give you a wake-up call.”

It raised the blade on its left limb high over Leon’s head.

“Don’t move,” the lunatic whispered.

“I’ll make this quick.”

The blade fell, fast enough to split the air.

And before it reached Leon—

—before the cold edge could even brush against his hair—

The lunatic’s body ruptured.

BOOM!

A violent burst of black, corrupted mist exploded outward, swallowing its entire form in a single implosion.

Chains clattered to the ground. The blade never touched Leon.

The creature didn’t even have time to scream.

One moment it was whole.

The next, it was nothing more than swirling, hissing corruption dissolving into the void.

****

-Authors Note-

​I’ll be busy later today, so I released the chapter early.

On a side note, I really appreciate your feedbacks! What I find interesting might not be what you find interesting, so I need to find a balance. Your feedback helps a lot!