With the vibration of the mystic wolf's howl still resonating through the cavernous expanse of the dungeon, Leo felt a surge of victory coursing through him like wildfire.
The arrow from the archer, followed closely by the blinding strike of the light cannon, had struck true, and the wolf was now teetering on the edge of defeat—a fact he could almost taste in the air.
As the wolf staggered, its innate ability Mystic Glow shattered in the wake of its injury, the once-majestic aura fading into a mere shadow of its former self.
Leo watched keenly, knowing that pain had forced the creature into a vulnerable state, making it susceptible to the retaliation he had been preparing.
The moment had arrived, and he was not one to waste an opportunity so ripe with potential.
"Now!" Leo shouted, charging forward with purpose and precision, his movements fluid and calculated like a predator closing in on its prey.
The wolf, wracked with pain and disoriented by the distractions surrounding it, was unable to mount a proper defense.
Leo's heart thundered in his chest as he closed the distance, determination igniting the fire within him.
With his body propelled by newfound strength, Leo activated Moonfall Blade, the weapon technique glowing as he aimed directly at the wolf's left eye, hoping to exploit its distraction.
The attack landed magnificently, piercing the wolf's defense with a strike fueled by rage and ambition.
With a howl of agony, the beast recoiled, and Leo seized the moment without hesitation.
Eyes widening with adrenaline-fueled ferocity, he followed up with a swift and precise strike to the wolf's abdomen using Crimson Pulse Art, channeling his energy into a single, devastating blow that would seal its fate.
The wolf collapsed, defeated and motionless—a once-majestic creature brought low by cunning and power.
Leo stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving with the exhilaration of victory.
As the shadows danced along the floor of the dungeon, an ethereal glow began to emanate from the mystic wolf's lifeless body, illuminating the cavern with an otherworldly light.
Two shimmering items began to rise from the wolf's remains, floating slowly toward Leo as if drawn by an irresistible force.
His excitement surged as he recognized the forms taking shape before him: the Mystic Dagger and the innate ability Mystic Glow.
"Finally!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing in the now-silent chamber as he reached out, accepting the innate glow first.
The sensation was overwhelming—a surge of energy flooded through him as he absorbed the memories entwined with the ability.
He nearly gasped as he understood its effects all too well.
With this power, he could make himself invincible for a significant period, a precious moment in battles to come.
Though the cooldown time stretched out a full day, Leo's mind buzzed with visions of how he could further upgrade this gift, making it even more formidable than it already was.
With a sense of accomplishment, he grasped the Mystic Dagger next, the weapon humming softly in his palm as it seemed to resonate with his aura, melding his essence into its very fabric.
He tucked it away in his system space, recognizing the potential it held—this artifact would become vital in the battles yet to come.
"Shadow Force, collect the remains of the mystic wolf!" he commanded, his voice slicing through the stillness of the dungeon, waking his comrades from their intense focus.
He remembered hearing tell of how monster meat was prized for its nourishing properties in their world; it held the potential to boost strength, speed, and overall vitality.
If they were fortunate, he could even extract hidden abilities from the creature's remains—the possibilities were tantalizing and tantalizingly real.
In the future, Leo recalled, Alex had gained rife opportunities from a previously defeated eighth-level peak realm monster.
That indelible memory flared in his mind, invigorating his resolve.
Alex's bold ambition had led his rival to rapid enhancements in strength and speed, making it apparent just how dangerous his path could become.
Leo refused to allow Alex continued supremacy; instead, he would ensure that he claimed every advantage that the cosmos allowed.
As his Shadow Force members began to dissect the wolf's remains, a sudden chime sounded in Leo's mind—a system notification that sent sparks of excitement dancing through his consciousness.
[Congratulations to the host for stealing the protagonist's opportunity. Rewarded with 10,000 points!]
A bright grin flashed across Leo's face, lighting it up with elation.
Today has been a bountiful harvest, he thought, exhilarated by the fruits of his labor.
With resources harvested and power claimed, he felt as if the matrix of fate itself had turned in his favor, pulling the threads of destiny toward his hand.
Meanwhile, in a stark contrast to Leo's triumph, Alex sat in his home, spiraling into self-satisfaction at an entirely different pace.
He reveled in the soothing warmth enveloping him, anticipation radiating from his core—it seemed as though his egg would hatch soon, bringing with it the promise of power and potential that he could wield to trample his rivals, particularly Leo.
"Soon, I'll be unstoppable!" he declared with fervent fervor, gleefully contemplating the glory that awaited him.
The visions danced in his mind, vivid and inviting—he could already picture Sophia's and Selena's faces, submission emblazoned across them as they bowed before him, their admiration for his strength wrapping around him like a silken sheet.
But then, without warning, an unexpected sensation rippled through his body, a sudden twist of dread haunting him as a mouthful of crimson liquid expelled itself from his lips.
"What?" Alex gasped, utterly bewildered, confusion clouding his mind.
He clutched at his chest, feeling a monumental shift as the shadow of something precious slipped away.
Instinctively, he understood.
Something had been stripped from him—an ephemeral strength or opportunity now lost with the wind.
He knew only one person could have caused this calamity—it had to be Leo, the very rival who haunted his every victory.
Anguish churned in Alex's gut like a storm cloud.
His laughter faded, replaced by the bitterness of betrayal and lethargy, a sense of helplessness settling like a cloak over his shoulders.
"Is everything alright?" one of the shadow force members assigned to monitor Alex's well-being inquired, his voice edged with genuine concern.
They had often witnessed Alex's antics, but such a reaction was unusual, particularly given his current buoyancy.
"It must be the master doing this," the other member shrugged, indifferent to Alex's plight.
"This idiot deserves it for being so overconfident."
A shared glance between them communicated their long-standing frustration with Alex's behavior, and it was difficult not to revel in the poetic justice that had been served.
The shadow force members remained vigilant, observing the downward spiral of Alex's predicament with detached amusement.
They exchanged knowing nods—the master had surely succeeded in claiming another victory, and in the unfolding shadows of fate, Alex would once again be reminded of his limitations.
With his mind clouded by confusion and desperation, Alex leaned against the wall for support, feeling the world tilt precariously around him.
First, the egg, and now this! he thought bitterly, his heart filling with dread.
The taste of iron lingered on his lips—a grim reminder of fleeting power that had almost been grasped but was now slipping away like sand through fingers.
For the first time, doubt seeped into his mind.
What if Leo had become more formidable?
The thought wrapped itself around his conscience like a vice, squeezing out the confidence he had so easily clung to moments prior.
As the shadows in the room deepened and twisted like serpents coiling around him, Alex's affirmations of grandeur felt flimsy, and the certainty of his impending triumphs began to unravel.
Back within the lush embrace of the Mystic Dungeon, Leo reveled in the thrill of victory, a far cry from Alex's spiraling uncertainty.
He had crossed the threshold of challenge and emerged triumphant, claiming not just the benefits of his success but also turning the tides of fate in his direction.
He knew that every ounce of preparation and every strategic attack had borne fruit—there would be no rival that could anchor him down for long.
With renewed resolve, Leo directed his Shadow Force members to tend to the mystic wolf's remains, and with each passing moment, the excitement of what lay ahead spurred him onward.
He understood now that this was a world where every opportunity counted, and in a reality woven with fierce competition, his tenacity would ensure that none could easily usurp his newfound power.
Utilizing the quiet that followed his achievement, Leo formulated plans for his future—visions of training with the Mystic Dagger, unlocking the full potential of Mystic Glow, and outmaneuvering every challenger in his path.
With firm conviction, he smiled, knowing that he stood on the precipice of greatness, ready to embrace all that awaited him.
As the vision of Alex's floundering figure lingered in his thoughts, Leo's resolve hardened.
Let this be a lesson, he told himself, savoring the sweet taste of impending triumph as he moved deeper into the threads of destiny, pulling the strands of power closer until they wove together in the tapestry of his ambition.
[End of Chapter 59]
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