“…Ninety-eight. Ninety-nine. One hundred.”
Leon is now doing push-ups, his body is really sweaty and veins are popping on his forehead.
Even after all this his voice remained calm, but as soon he completed the final push-up, his arms gave out and his body dropped to the ground with a dull sound.
*Thud*
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
*Huff… Huff… Huff…*
The stone floor beneath him was warm, yet as soon as his sweat body hitted it… the floor felt cold— but ignoring all this Leon’s mind focused elsewhere.
’Every time I push my body like this… my muscles tear apart, and then heal almost instantly because of the Pain Recovery skill. Efficient, yes… but it’s flawed.’
He rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling of the dungeon chamber.
’The muscles break and rebuild too quickly. Meaning there’s no time for natural muscle growth.
Although I’ll get stronger—but I’ll never look stronger. No mass. No popping muscle veins. I’ll always look like this and that’s good.
I don’t want to look muscular either,’
He sat up slowly, wiped the sweat from his brow, and pulled his shirt over his head.
’but one of the biggest and worse flaw of this skill is that… I still get tired and I still feel the muscle breaking pain but it’s not painful enough to give me a stack, what a stupid thing.
The pain goes away as soon as I stop, but the exhaustion stays. I should’ve thought more before making that this skill.’ Leon thought with a serious expression.
Standing now, he exhaled deeply and muttered, “Take me out of the dungeon.”
A faint shimmer enveloped him—and in the next instant, he vanished.
—
Outside the Dungeon,
*Swish*
Leon reappeared at the dungeon’s entrance. Snow covered the ground in a thick white sheet. Trees were blanketed in frost, and heavy dark clouds loomed overhead, dimming the already pale morning light.
It felt more like night as he stared at the sky.
Leon started walking toward the forest’s edge when a distant voice pierced the still air.
“Mr. Leon! Mr. Leon!”
Leon turned, spotting a young man sprinting through the snow, shouting his name and he was none other than Kai himself.
’Why is this motherfucker shouting my name so loudly ?’ Leon thought with a serious expression.
Kai stumbled to a halt in front of him, breathing heavily but grinning wide.
“I’m here! Phew… I came from the other direction so that no one can find the dungeon’s location.” he said, catching his breath.
Leon frowned. “Never shout like that again. You’ll draw attention to the dungeon automatically you idiot. And next time, check your surroundings—twice. Make sure no one’s followed you, because if you run with a purpose people will follow you.
Just act normal while entering the forest.”
“I-I’m sorry… I understand, I will do all that next time.” Kai stammered, bowing his head.
“Good.” Leon replied with a neutral expression.
” So, what do you want me to make today ?” he asked with an excited expression.
“Wooden beads.” Leon replied with a smile.
“…Beads ?” Kai blinked, confused. “Out of wood ?”
Leon held his fingers apart to show the size. “I want them this small.”
“Okay… But, How many do you want ?” Kai asked.
“Make as many as you can.” Leon replied.
“Can I make a Royal Design bed for you after that ? I always wanted to make one, Please.” Kai asked as he looked at Leon with a hopeful expression.
“Sure… Do whatever you want but I want at least a hundred beads made by the end of the day.” Leon replied with a neutral expression.
“Ah… Don’t worry about that. The beads will be ready in just one hour.” Kai replied with a neutral expression.
“Okay.” Leon spoke as he glanced back at the dungeon. “Dungeon Entrance is covered in snow. Come with me—I’ll take you to the first floor.”
“Y-Yes, sir!” Kai replied as he immediately started walking behind Leon.
—
Once Kai was safely inside the dungeon, Leon exited the forest and began his walk toward the kingdom.
As he walked along the snowy path, the rhythmic creaking of wheels broke through the silence. A wagon came to a stop beside him.
“Oi! Kid! Need a ride to the kingdom ? Only one copper.” the driver called.
Leon paused for a second and looked at the driver. “Sure.”
He climbed into the back of the wagon, where two girls sat wrapped in thick layers of clothing, their bodies visibly shivering.
Leon eyed them briefly, then closed his eyes.
’They’re freezing, but I barely feel it anymore. Adaptive Body is best… After using it for so long, my body’s adjusted to cold environments—even without the skill being active I can take care of cold.’ He thought with a faint smirk as he leaned against the wooden frame.
—
*Screech*
The wagon came to a sudden halt.
“We’re here. One copper each. Pay up,” the driver grumbled, moving toward the back—only to witness the two girls leap down from the front and bolt.
“H-Hey! You little—! Get back here!” he roared, taking off after them.
But the girls moved fast—far too fast for a normal thief. Within seconds, they disappeared into the crowd.
Leon hopped down silently, brushing the snow from his coat.
’Scammers, huh ? Unexpected in this world. But well anything can happen.’ Leon thought with a smile.
The driver turned back, scowling. “Hey, you—don’t even think about running, I swear I’ll—”
Clink.
Three copper coins hit the ground at his feet.
“Enjoy,” Leon said, walking past him without breaking stride.
The driver stared, baffled.
’Why did he pay for them ?’
—
The kingdom was bustling. Markets were packed, people wrapped in thick scarves and coats.
Most of them were standing in front of the cloth shops in order to buy blankets and other clothes for winter.
Leon weaved through the crowd with ease.
Eventually, he arrived at Noble Street. The guards at the gate recognized him and gave a simple nod, no questions asked.
Unlike the rest of the city, Noble Street was pristine—snow-free, clean, and lined with elegance.
’These guys really spend some money on cleaning huh ?’ Leon thought with a neutral expression.
“Leon! Hey, Leon!”
A familiar voice rang out from behind. Leon turned to see Adeline rushing toward him, with a young boy running besides her.
“Hello, Adeline,” he greeted with a small smile.
“This is my brother, Jester. He’s been dying to meet the man who saved his life.” Adeline spoke as she placed her hand over jester’s shoulder.
The boy stepped forward nervously, his eyes wide. “Hello, Big Brother Leon… I-I wanted to thank you. And… I want to be like you when I grow up!”
Leon rested a hand gently on the boy’s shoulder.
“You’re too skinny, Jester. Eat more. Grow stronger.”
“I-I will,” the boy said, his voice trembling.
Leon glanced at Adeline. “He’s scared.”
She nodded quietly. “You’re the first person he’s spoken to in five years. Since… everything you know.”
“I see.”
“Are you going to the mansion?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Heh. Early bird like me. Very good.”
Leon smirked faintly. ’Early bird ? If she knew what I was doing last night… she’d probably never sleep again.’
—
They reached the mansion and entered through the back gate.
As soon as they entered inside, Leon looked at Adeline. “Adeline. I need a word. Alone.”
“Of course.” She looked over at Jester. “Jester, go wait in the kitchen, alright? I’ll be back soon.”
“You promise ?” Jester asked with a scared expression.
“I promise.” Adeline replied with a smile.
“Okay…” He hesitated, then turned around and walked off.
“Follow me.” Leon spoke as he began heading up the stairs.
“I thought you wanted a private place to talk ?” Adeline asked with a confused expression.
“We’re going to Justin’s room.”
She blinked. “You were in there last night too… Is everything okay ?”
“Get in,” Leon said, as he holded the door open.
“But what if Master Justin comes back—”
“Just get in, Adeline. We don’t have time.” Leon replied with a neutral expression.
She entered the room cautiously—but her eyes widened when she saw Justin sitting on the bed, legs crossed, eyes closed in deep focus.
“Justin, you can open your eyes,” Leon said as he walked upto the couch and sat down.
Justin exhaled slowly, his eyes snapping open. “The mana… it’s flowing perfectly. I’ve been doing it all night, just like you taught me. It feels incredible. Should I start using spells now?”
Adeline quickly bowed. “M-Master Justin… I didn’t know you were here.”
Justin blinked. “Adeline? Wait—why are you—”
“I brought her,” Leon said flatly.
“…She knows?”
“Yes. You both know now—Reina and her brother were elf spies. But they are gone for good.”
Adeline and Justin exchanged a stunned look.
“You knew!?” Justin asked.
“Y-Yes, sir,” Adeline replied, bowing deeply.
“No time for that,” Leon cut in. “Adeline, listen carefully. Justin will be the next head of the Weaver family. As the head maid, your job is to support him—no matter what.”
“But how can that be ? There are Sir Jamie and—”
“I’ll take care of his brothers. You focus on your part. If you can’t… I’ll have to replace-”
“I-I’ll do it! Don’t replace anything.” Adeline said quickly.
Leon nodded. “Good. Now… Tell me everything you both know about Emilia Weaver.”