Heavy Armor Knight.
It was the "Earl Rozen" that the magistrate had called hospitable!
Leo was seeing this Earl monster for the first time and couldn't help but size him up.
"Don't look into his eyes!!"
Hales hurriedly reminded her.
But it was already too late.
Under the dim, blood-colored light, the Heavy Armor Knight's eyes were like two small black holes, involuntarily drawing Leo's gaze.
The moment her eyes met his, a muffled groan escaped her lips. Her delicate body swayed slightly—she almost fell.
A sudden, unknown impact struck her mind, causing a strong wave of negative influence.
Fortunately, Leo's mental fortitude was much stronger than that of Hales and the others, allowing her to withstand it.
The negative effects only manifested as dizziness, irritability, and nausea—still unpleasant, but not debilitating.
Leo gritted her teeth and endured it.
Then, she felt a surge of shock.
This monster…
Was actually this powerful?
Just looking at him once had caused a mental impact?
She suddenly recalled her father's warnings at home.
Some creatures in the Spirit Realm had the power of the "unseeable."
If a person's willpower wasn't strong enough, even a single glance could trigger overwhelming negative emotions.
Mild cases resulted in losing combat effectiveness. Severe cases led to madness—turning people into monsters who no longer recognized friend from foe.
Her father had solemnly warned her: If you ever encounter such an entity, don't hesitate—run.
Escape immediately.
Yet now, such a creature was appearing on the very first level of the Spirit Realm?
This was far beyond what she had expected.
No wonder Joe Root and the others lost their fighting spirit upon seeing the Earl…
How were they supposed to fight something they couldn't even look at?
Leo clenched her jaw, unwilling to accept defeat.
She raised her head again, this time prepared.
The result?
She fared a little better.
But still—under the gaze of the Heavy Armor Knight, she could tell that she wasn't at full strength.
At best, she could use 70% of her combat power.
Hales and the others had crumbled after just one encounter.
Could 70% of her strength change anything?
She doubted it.
Which meant—
They were in grave danger.
Her pale face turned even paler.
"How could there be such a monster in the first level of the Spirit Realm?"
Leo muttered to herself.
This wasn't just a miscalculation—
It was beyond anything she had anticipated.
Hales, grim-faced, spoke again:
"Leo, thank you for trying to save us."
He dared not look at the Earl, but his voice carried a firm determination.
"I'll buy you time. You must run!"
To Leo's surprise, even Joe Root, who had been utterly terrified before, spoke up.
"Yeah! Leo, these monsters seem to fear your fire. You're the only one among us who has a chance to escape. I'll help buy you some time…"
His expression turned serious.
"If you do make it out, can I ask you for a favor?"
Leo hesitated.
"What is it?"
She had previously looked down on Joe Root for his cowardice.
But now?
Her impression of him was changing.
"If you make it out alive, please… tell my father that I forgive him…"
Leo froze.
Before she could respond, one of their teammates reminded him:
"Brother Root, this is an amnesia Spirit Realm. Even if Sister Leo escapes, she'll forget everything!"
Joe Root stiffened.
A moment later, he burst into tears.
At that moment—
The sound of horses' hooves suddenly stopped.
Leo looked up.
The Heavy Armor Knight had arrived—
Less than fifty meters away.
Joe Root's crying stopped instantly.
His face was once again filled with despair and terror.
The other teammates?
They backed away, trembling.
Not one of them dared to look at the Earl.
The only person standing firm was Leo.
A flicker of fire appeared in her hand.
Her expression was resolute.
She was ready to fight to the end.
The Heavy Armor Knight took notice.
He dismounted.
The horse he rode was no ordinary steed.
It was unnaturally tall, heavily armored, and had no skin—only raw, red flesh.
A monster, just like its master.
Along the way, all the strange creatures in its path had lowered their heads—prostrating in submission.
His presence commanded absolute dominance.
Then, he moved again—
Stopping only twenty meters away from Leo.
His gaze fell on her.
Then, he spoke.
"Kneel!"
His voice echoed like a shockwave.
Joe Root, Hales, and the others collapsed instantly.
It felt like they had been struck by lightning.
Leo staggered, but—
She remained standing.
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
Her face was cold.
But she would not kneel.
At that moment, she noticed Ben hiding in the crowd.
She pretended not to see him.
She couldn't let him expose himself—
Not now.
The monster before her was simply too powerful.
The Heavy Armor Knight seemed enraged by her defiance.
He reached for the short spear at his waist—
And threw it.
"Whoosh!"
The spear cut through the air like a bullet.
It tore through the void—
And arrived before Leo in an instant.
Her eyes widened.
The power behind that attack—
It was beyond anything she had ever encountered.
Forget dodging.
She couldn't even react.
She knew—
She was going to die.
Then—
Bang!
A loud, sharp sound rang out.
The short spear stopped mid-air—
Less than a meter from her chest.
A strong hand had caught it.
Then—
A tall figure stepped forward.
"Leo, well done!"
The man smiled at her.
Then, he turned toward the monster.
"This little thing is interesting," he said.
"You're not his opponent. So from here on out—"
His expression turned sharp.
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