The Leader Appears
A slow clap echoed from the shadows.
"Well now… that was something."
A man stepped into the firelight—clean armor, composed posture, and a confidence too polished for a mere bandit.
Renn turned, daggers still in hand.
The man gave a slight bow.
"Leon," he said smoothly. "Captain of the Mountain Lion Squadron of the Kingdom of Aurelia."
Renn's eyes narrowed, but he didn't attack. Leon noticed and smiled.
"You're on your way to the Kingdom, aren't you?" Leon continued casually, stepping closer but keeping his distance. "For the Trial."
Renn said nothing.
Leon chuckled lightly. "No need to hide it. I've seen your kind before. Lost, confused… chasing something you don't understand."
A pause.
"But you're strong."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Stronger than most candidates I've encountered."
Renn's grip on his daggers tightened just a fraction.
"…What do you want?"
Leon raised both hands slightly—non-threatening.
"Relax. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't be talking."
He began to circle slowly, voice calm, persuasive.
"The Trial of Selection isn't what you think it is. It's not about fairness… or glory."
A step closer.
"It's about survival. And survival favors those who prepare."
Renn watched him carefully.
"And you're offering help?" he asked coldly.
Leon smiled.
"I'm offering guidance."
Leon gestured toward the fallen camp.
"These men? Disposable. Tools. I used them to filter out the weak before they even reached the Trial."
His eyes locked onto Renn.
"And you passed."
A pause.
"Join me."
Silence.
"I can get you into the Kingdom without delays. Give you information others won't have. Ensure you don't die in the first phase like the rest."
His voice lowered slightly.
"You don't even know what you're walking into."
Renn didn't respond immediately. Leon took that as interest.
I've seen the Trial before," he continued. "Seen people vanish without a trace. Seen strong ones break."
A faint smirk.
"But with me… you won't be alone."
For a moment, Renn was quiet. The wind shifted through the camp. Fire crackled. And something in Leon's words lingered.
"…You talk too much," Renn said.
Leon blinked once. Then laughed.
"Careful. Pride gets people killed."
Renn's eyes didn't waver.
"No."
A step forward.
"Lies do."
The air shifted. Leon's smile faded—just slightly.
"…So you noticed."
Renn didn't answer. Leon exhaled, dropping the act.
"Shame," he muttered. "You would have made things easier." His posture changed. Sharper. Deadlier.
"No matter," he said. "You're still worth something."
Leon moved first—fast and precise. But Renn was already moving. Steel clashed. Their fight was intense.
Leon struck with skill and experience, his blade cutting through the air with controlled aggression. But Renn was unreadable. Every movement was efficient. Every strike exact. No wasted effort. No hesitation.
"…What are you?"
Leon muttered, struggling to keep up. Renn didn't answer.
In the next moment, a single clean motion. Everything ended.
Leon froze. His weapon slipped.
"…I see…" he whispered.
Then he fell.