The morning arrived like an accusation. Sunlight sliced through the narrow window of the torture room, painting dust motes in gold. Leo stood on the cold stone, shoulders squared, expression hard as flint.
Today is the day I've been waiting for, she thought, jaw tight as she watched the light.
CLANG.
The iron door opened. Leo[Pride] stepped in, arms folded, eyes like chipped glass.
"So my both arms failed to find the truth?" he asked, voice low and dangerous.
"Of course they did," Leo replied, turning to face him. She kept her voice steady, but the tremor in her fingers betrayed her.
"You should be ashamed to call yourself boss," she said, sharp as a blade.
Leo[Pride] narrowed his eyes. "What makes you say that?"
"I already told you— I am Leo Julius Eros. I'm from the Greed timeline. I was punished for my greed. This is who I am now." Her words were calm, but fear pooled behind them like rainclouds.
Leo[Pride] let out a mirthless chuckle and turned away. "You spun a fine tale."
"This isn't a joke!! You are too foolish Leo!" she snapped.
"Hmph. Yes, I am a fool?" he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Then, blade-quick, he faced her again. "If you're truly me, then prove it. Defeat me."
The words hit her like a thrown stone. "Defeat you?" Her voice trembled; sweat prickled at her temples.
"Oh? Scared?" he taunted.
"Shut up!" Leo snapped back, fury flaring. "I will fight you—and I will win!"
Panic threaded her thoughts.
"He's too strong. In that body… it'll be insane."
Her hands clenched until her nails bit into her palms.
"Then it's decided,"
Leo[Pride] said coldly.
"Wear proper armor. Be ready to die, bitch."
With that, he left, the echo of his boots swallowing the room.
Left alone, Leo pressed her back to the wall and breathed raggedly, trying to steady the whirlwind in her chest. "
Why is Battler hiding this? He knows I'm Leo… so why keep silent?"
The question gnawed at her as she paced the small space.
A guard's voice broke the haze. "Hey, woman—the boss ordered us to take you."
"To where?" she asked, curiosity cutting through the fear.
"To the practice room. You can choose your armor there."
Leo's heart hammered. So the boss is serious. She would not lose. Fury sharpened into resolve; her eyes glittered like a promise. "I can't lose this."
"Understood." The guard moved nearer, cold fingers clinking as they unlocked the chains and slipped the iron collar free from her neck. "Now follow me."
Leo nodded once, stiff and ready. She followed him out, each step measured, every muscle wound-tight with the single, burning thought: I won't fail this time.
The practice room was dim, lit only by two swinging fire bulbs. Rows of swords, axes, and various weapons lined the walls. Armor and outfits for both men and women were neatly arranged, polished but waiting for their wielder.
So this is the gang's practice room… Leo thought, eyes scanning every corner.
"Choose whatever you need," the demon guard said, then silently turned and left.
Leo walked over to the armor racks, fingers brushing against steel and leather. I need armor that will protect me… something strong enough to withstand him.
Meanwhile, in the Mafia room, Leo[Pride] stood by the window, staring out at the world beyond. Behind him, Battler and Elizabeth watched silently.
"Um… sorry, my boss, but that woman is already so weak. How is she supposed to beat you?" Elizabeth's voice trembled, her eyes flashing red with panic.
"Hehe… this is the boss' will. I have no comment," Battler said calmly, watching her fume.
"Yes, I agree, but… it feels like a waste of time," Elizabeth added.
"Waste or not, you'll know soon enough," Leo[Pride] said, voice smooth, almost cold. Then he turned, eyes narrowing, sharp as blades.
"Battler."
"Yes, my boss?" Battler replied, bowing slightly in respect.
"You're always calm, always perfect in your planning. I… admire that," Leo[Pride] said with a smirk.
"It's an honor to hear, sir. I'll always do my best," Battler said, swearing quietly.
Elizabeth clenched her teeth, annoyed at the exchange.
"But you know more than I thought, Battler," Leo[Pride] added, gaze piercing.
"I…" Battler faltered slightly, caught off-guard by the praise.
"Leave now. Tell the brown-haired girl that in one hour, the battle begins," Leo[Pride] commanded.
"Yes, my boss," they said in unison, and both turned to leave.
"Show me your true self," Leo[Pride] muttered under his breath, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Fine. Perfect, Leo thought, her chest swelling with determination.
She donned a white tunic-style armor with sleek black outlines, a black strap system connecting the shoulder guards across her chest. A flowing white cape trailed behind her, while one black glove covered her left hand. Her waist belt held twin swords, and black leggings seamlessly blended into her boots.
Well… well. You have taste, Miss Leo, Battler teased from near the door, his voice playful.
"Huh?! You—stop calling me 'Miss'!" she snapped, cheeks burning with annoyance.
"Haha, sure, sure," he chuckled. "But listen—the battle with your boss starts in one hour."
"One hour?" Leo muttered, eyes narrowing. Too short… She exhaled deeply, closing her eyes, then reopened them with renewed focus.
"Fine. Give me time to prepare," she said firmly.
"Ohh~? So you really think you can beat the boss in that form?" Battler teased, rolling his eyes.
"I know… but I can't lose. This is my chance!" she shouted, fists clenching.
"I see… you truly are Leo. Confidence alone proves it," Battler said, eyes closed in quiet respect.
"But one thing— I won't help you. If you lose… I might save your life," he added, opening his eyes, sharp and calculating.
"What do you mean? What will my Pride version do if I lose?" Leo asked, tension creeping into her voice.
"Hehe… maybe he'll kill you," Battler said, eyes glinting wickedly.
Leo's heart skipped. She forced a nervous smile. "Don't scare me like that! I'll find a way."
"You can't, Miss Leo," Battler replied, turning and leaving the room with a faint smirk.
What does he really want from me? That guy is impossible to read… she thought, gripping her twin swords on her left side.
No matter what, she decided, I have to defeat my Pride version. Her eyes were sharp, her body tense, her mind steeled for the coming storm.
Leo sat alone in the practice room, hands trembling against her knees. Her face was pale, breath uneven.
The time… it's about to come.
She stood, forcing her legs to move just as the door creaked open.
"Hey. The battle begins now. Follow me to the grounds," rumbled a massive demon guard.
Finally… Leo narrowed her eyes, pushing the fear down.
"Okay," she said, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest.
She followed.
The corridor opened into a hall where countless gang members lined the walls, their gazes cold and merciless. Their whispers crawled into her ears like venom.
"Is that the girl who's gonna fight the Boss?"
"Look at her, she's too weak."
"Hah! The boss will crush her in seconds."
Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her teeth ground together.
Tch… damn you people. I'll show you. I'll prove who I truly am.
At last, they stopped before a massive iron door. Beyond it lay the battlefield.
"This is as far as I go. From here, you enter alone," the guard said.
"I see. Okay then."
Leo stepped forward, and the door groaned open.
The sky stretched above—dark, storm-choked, only faint beams of sunlight breaking through the clouds. The arena was vast, ringed by a golden barrier, and every seat around it overflowed with gang members roaring like spectators at a blood sport.
Woah… there are so many… it feels like a stage.
And then—
Across the battlefield, Leo[Pride] emerged. His footsteps echoed, calm yet heavy, eyes locked on Leo with a sharp, merciless gaze. Behind him trailed Battler and Elizabeth, shadows at his back.
Leo's grip on her dual swords trembled. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
The mafia crowd erupted.
"BOSS LEO! BOSS LEO!"
Leo[Pride] stopped a short distance away. He raised a hand, signaling.
"Yes, Boss," Battler and Elizabeth said in unison, before stepping out to the edge of the barrier, leaving the field to the two Leos.
"Well… that armor suits you," Leo[Pride] said with a smirk.
"Shut up! Because of you, I was tortured! No one has ever broken me like this!" Leo shouted, rage dripping from her voice as she raised her swords.
"You deserved it. So I gave it to you." His words were as cold as steel. He stepped closer. "Now let my people see… whether you are truly Leo, or just a fraud."
"Damn you… what am I even here for?!" Leo roared, pulling her twin blades free.
She sprinted forward, screaming. "AGHHHH!!!"
Her body launched into the air, swords flashing as she slashed down at him.
"Too slow."
Leo[Pride] moved like lightning, tilting aside. Her strike carved only wind.
Shit! He dodged it!! Panic clawed her insides as her boots hit the dirt.
In that instant, Leo[Pride] spun—his body a perfect 360°, his leg a scythe of death.
BAM!
"GAAAHH!!"
The kick slammed into her chest, sending shockwaves through her body. She flew like a ragdoll, crashing into the golden barrier.
BAM!
"AGHHHHH!!" Blood sprayed from her mouth as she collapsed to the ground, trembling and broken.
The crowd went berserk.
"BOSS LEO! BOSS LEO!!"
Their chant thundered like war drums.
Battler watched silently, fingers resting on his chin, his face unreadable.
Elizabeth scoffed, eyes burning with contempt. "Tch. I knew it. That woman is worthless."