*Boom!*

The explosion echoed through the air, sending white sand flying. It blanketed everything within a twenty-meter radius, reducing visibility to almost nothing.

Elaruk shielded himself from the swirling sand with his arm.

Moments later, the dust began to settle, and he could finally see what had happened.

"Leon?" His eyes widened in disbelief.

In front of him, Leon stood proudly, and the towering figure of Merzen was nowhere to be seen.

Leon glanced over his shoulder and gave a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay, Chieftain. Leave the monster to me."

Elaruk swallowed hard and slowly rose to his feet. He was about to speak, but a familiar voice cut in from behind.

"Father!"

Before he could react, Jasmine ran up and threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.

Relief surged through Elaruk. Moments ago, fear had gripped him—he hadn't seen Jasmine and had worried she might have been injured or attacked by Merzen.

Thankfully, those fears hadn't come true. He felt himself relax, if only slightly.

"Jasmine," he said softly, eyes still fixed on Leon's broad back. "Is Leon really as ordinary as you say?"

He had asked her that question before, and her answer had always been firm: "He's just an ordinary person who got stranded here by accident."

That was why Elaruk hadn't been too cautious with Leon, allowing him to stay among them.

Just moments ago, he had watched Leon repel Merzen—a display of strength no ordinary man should possess.

Jasmine pulled away from her father's embrace, wiping the tears from her eyes.

She looked at Leon, who stood in front of them, then replied with the same uncertainty, "I don't know either, Father. Back then, I truly believed he was just an ordinary person. He mostly stayed in his room and only went out for brief walks."

Throughout her time with Leon, she had never once questioned his true identity. And Leon had never told her anything directly.

Catch the formatted version at M|V|LEM_PYR.

Still, from his appearance and the way he carried himself, she had always sensed that he wasn't just an ordinary man—he might even be someone of high status.

Elaruk fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

"Alright. No problem," he said gently. "Judging by his strength... it looks like he might be able to help us."

*Boom!*

In an instant, Merzen burst out from the sand and slammed down hard, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Its eyes, filled with fury and hatred, locked onto Leon as it growled, "Human, who are you? I have no business with you!"

Leon's true power remained concealed, but Merzen could still feel it—an overwhelming and dangerous presence.

It held back, unwilling to attack recklessly.

"You don't need to know who I am," Leon said coldly, his eyes sharp and unwavering. "This tribe is under my protection. If you cause trouble, don't blame me for being merciless."

"Arrogant!" Merzen roared.

The thunderous roar echoed in all directions, splintering four coconut trees standing twenty meters away.

"Ugh!" Jasmine and Elaruk quickly covered their ears, but it did little to muffle the deafening noise.

Their heads throbbed violently, and fresh blood began to trickle from their noses and ears.

Leon didn't stand idly by. He raised his hand, and in an instant, a pair of golden dragon wings—formed from pure dragon energy—unfolded and shielded them.

Gradually, the pain subsided, and they were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Jasmine looked up, eyes wide with amazement as she stared at the massive, glowing wings.

"What are those... wings?" she murmured.

"They're the wings of a dragon!" Elaruk exclaimed.

"Dragon?" Jasmine covered her mouth with her hand. "Aren't dragons just myths, Father?"

Elaruk paused, then took a deep breath before answering, "They're considered myths because no one sees them anymore. But they did exist—our ancestors saw them with their own eyes. Over the centuries, the stories faded into legend. Honestly, we've lived so far from the outside world, it's no wonder we know so little."

He gazed out at the vast ocean stretching endlessly before them.

Jasmine said nothing. Her face showed a mix of confusion and sorrow.

"You two, go now! I'll take care of this monster!"

Leon's voice rang out, snapping them back to reality.

Elaruk didn't hesitate. "Yes, Leon. We'll leave everything to you!"

He grabbed Jasmine's hand and quickly led her away.

As they fled, Jasmine looked back, her eyes filled with worry. She wanted to say something... but the words never came.

Once they were gone, Leon finally let himself relax. A grin spread across his face as he looked at Merzen with anticipation.

"Alright… Let's begin!"

*Whoosh!*

Leon vanished in an instant, reappearing right above his opponent. With his fists clenched tight, he slammed them down onto the golden shell.

*Bang!*

The powerful blow didn't break the shell, but it shook violently under the force.

"Damn, that's tough!" Leon muttered, slightly surprised.

"Damn you, human!" Merzen roared, twisting its body and slashing at Leon's abdomen with razor-sharp claws.

The strike came fast—but to Leon, it felt almost slow.

*Buzz!*

A dragon's ribcage formed around him in an instant, shielding his body. The claw slammed into it, hurling Leon fifteen meters backward—but not a scratch was left on him.

He twisted mid-air and landed softly on the sand without making a sound. But before two seconds had passed, Merzen charged at him at incredible speed, jaws wide open.

Its razor-sharp teeth glinted menacingly—if they landed, Leon would be torn to pieces.

*Whoosh!*

Leon leapt into the air, narrowly dodging the attack. Then, spinning midair, he delivered a powerful horizontal kick straight into the center of Merzen's shell.

*Boom!*

The impact, charged with holy power, didn't shatter the shell—but a small crack formed where his foot had struck.

*Roar!*

Merzen let out a furious roar, its movements growing wilder and more erratic by the second.

Although Merzen was considered an intelligence-type monster, its raw strength was relatively weak.

Even if it went up against the Sea Dragon Emperor Leon had once conquered, Merzen would be utterly defeated.

Its only real advantage was its incredibly tough and durable shell.

But to Leon, that meant nothing—because there was nothing the Holy Sword of Zenith couldn't cut through.

*Wuzzh...*

He extended his right hand, and the Holy Sword of Zenith materialized in his grasp.

"Hero Technique..." He raised the sword high, a cold smile on his face.

"Divine Slash!"

*Whoosh!*

As he swung the blade downward, a slash of holy power burst forth, striking Merzen with pinpoint precision.

*Boom!*