Birth of a Monster Slayer
The night sky darkened as the colossal Cataclysm-Class Beast rose higher, its dozens of glowing eyes focusing on Leon and Selene.
Each breath it released distorted the air like a furnace blast.
Selene's voice trembled, though not with fear—
But with the thrill of witnessing a monster awaken.
"Leon… this thing erased three cities in my world," she whispered.
"And you're planning to fight it alone?"
Leon cracked his neck.
"I'm not planning—
I'm doing."
The beast released a bone-rattling roar.
Windows across the dead city shattered instantly.
Selene stepped forward.
"You're strong, but this monster is on a different scale. Even I couldn't defeat it alone."
Leon smirked.
"That's why I'll eat it."
Selene blinked.
"…Pardon?"
Leon raised his hand.
Black flames surged from his palm like a violent, hungry vortex.
"The Devourer Core wants its flesh."
---
The Monster Attacks
Without warning the beast swung its arm—an entire building-sized limb—straight at them.
Leon grabbed Selene's waist and launched backward.
The ground where they stood exploded, leaving a crater 20 meters deep.
Selene raised an eyebrow at his hand still on her waist.
"You could've dodged without touching me."
Leon let go immediately.
"Reflex."
Selene smirked.
"I didn't say I disliked it."
But the flirtation stopped as the monster's roar shook the sky again.
Leon's eyes sharpened.
"System—scan it."
> [Scanning…]
[Cataclysm-Class Titan Beast — Threat Level: SSS+]
[Weakness: Core hidden behind the center eye.]
[Warning: The creature regenerates rapidly.]
Leon nodded.
"Good. Then it's simple."
Selene raised an eyebrow.
"You are going to target the core?"
"No."
Leon summoned black fire into both hands.
"I'm going to break everything until the core shows itself."
Selene shivered.
"That… is definitely more your style."
---
Leon Charges
Leon propelled himself upward with such force that the street cracked beneath him.
The monster swung again.
Leon met the attack head-on.
The impact sent out a shockwave that destroyed half a block.
Selene watched, expression turning serious.
"That power… it's rising. Constantly."
Leon landed on the monster's arm, sprinting across it like a highway.
The beast tried to shake him off—but Leon stabbed both arms into its flesh, releasing black devouring flames.
The monster screamed as the flames spread through its veins.
Selene's eyes widened.
"He's… burning it from the inside?"
---
Selene Joins the Battle
The Titan Beast swatted Leon away with its other massive hand.
Leon crashed through two buildings.
Selene's body blurred—
She teleported, catching him mid-air.
She held him tightly against her, smirking.
"If you want to be reckless, at least let me catch you."
Leon pushed away and landed on his feet.
"Focus."
Selene sighed.
"You're no fun."
But then her aura erupted—
Crimson tendrils spiraled around her like blooming roses of blood.
"I will hold the beast still."
She grinned darkly.
"You tear it apart."
Leon nodded once.
"And Selene—"
She turned.
"Don't die."
Selene froze for a moment.
Her expression softened.
"…I won't."
Then she dashed forward.
---
Demon Queen's Full Power
Selene's crimson aura exploded outward, forming a massive sigil beneath her feet.
Moonblood Domain — Queen's Grasp
Hundreds of tendrils shot upward, wrapping around the Titan Beast's legs and waist.
The monster roared and struggled, shaking buildings apart—
But it couldn't move.
Selene gritted her teeth as blood dripped from her nose.
"Hurry—Leon…!"
Leon didn't hesitate.
He leaped upward again, devourer flames coating his entire body.
---
Leon's Rebirth Power Awakens
As Leon charged toward the beast's chest, the system triggered:
> [Hidden Ability Awakening]
[Rebirth Trait: Limit Breaker — Activated]
[All stats temporarily exceed physical limits.]
Leon felt his bones groan, muscles tear, then instantly heal stronger than before.
His vision sharpened.
The world slowed.
Everything—each breath, each vibration in the air—became perfectly clear.
Leon roared as he punched his fist into the monster's chest.
The impact sent a shockwave so powerful it turned the clouds above them into swirling spirals.
A giant hole opened in the Titan Beast's chest—
And inside, the core shined with sickly green light.
Leon grinned.
"Got you."
---
The Killing Blow
The monster screamed, its tendrils tearing free from Selene's grasp.
Leon didn't let it escape.
He thrust both arms toward the exposed core.
"Devour—
Everything."
A massive black vortex exploded from his body.
The entire upper half of the Titan Beast was sucked in, collapsing into dust the moment it touched the devourer flames.
Selene stared in shock.
"That's… impossible…"
The monster shrieked one last time—
Then collapsed like a falling mountain, shaking the world.
Silence followed.
Then:
> [Cataclysm-Class Beast Eliminated]
[Reward: Titan Core x1]
[Reward: +10,000 Stat Points]
[Reward: Skill — Titan Overdrive Unlocked]
Leon exhaled slowly.
Selene floated toward him, landing softly by his side.
"You… really did it," she whispered.
Leon shrugged.
"You said to prove I'm worthy of loyalty."
Selene blushed—actually blushed.
"I think I underestimated how terrifying you are."
Leon smirked.
"I get that a lot."
---
A New Danger Arrives
But before Selene could respond—
Boom.
Something huge landed behind them.
A tall figure in metallic armor stepped forward, red eyes glowing beneath the visor.
Selene's expression turned ice-cold.
"No… not now."
Leon looked at her.
"You know him?"
"That's not a 'him'..."
Her voice trembled.
"…that's a member of the Apex Hunters."
Leon narrowed his eyes.
"And who are they?"
Selene swallowed.
"Those who kill everything stronger than them."
The armored figure pointed its greatsword at Leon's throat.
"Target located," it said in a mechanical voice.
"Execute the Reborn."
Leon's eyes went dead cold.
"Try it."
Story continue