[Location: Black Maw – Core Throne Room]
The throne room was silent.
Obsidian pillars. Glowing veins of crimson mana. The pulsing core hovered behind Leo like a second heart—calm but dangerous.
Across from him, Kaska stood ready.
No words.
Just that electric pause before a storm.
Leo rose from the throne.
"No dungeon beasts. No traps."
"You wanted me?"
"Here I am."
Kaska's grip on her froststeel spear tightened.
"Then I'll kill you clean."
And she moved.
Kaska's body blurred—a ghost in motion.
Leo stepped aside as her spear slashed through his afterimage, striking the ground and shattering the stone.
She pivoted mid-swing, throwing a dagger from her cloak.
Leo caught it with two fingers—then crushed it like paper.
"Good reflexes."
"Try harder."
With a flex of his hand, crimson tendrils erupted from the floor.
Kaska spun, slicing through them mid-flight.
"Don't show me tricks."
"Show me power."
Leo didn't blink.
"As you wish."
He raised his hand—and the air screamed.
A wave of gravity magic slammed into Kaska like a mountain dropped from the sky.
The chamber groaned.
Stone cracked.
She dropped to one knee, breath caught—but she planted her spear into the floor and stood back up.
Leo's expression stayed unreadable.
"You adapted quickly."
"Most would have died by now."
Kaska's eyes narrowed.
"You're holding back."
"Why?"
Leo stepped forward.
His voice was soft—but heavy.
"Because I want to know something before I kill you."
"Do you serve a god?"
Kaska didn't answer right away.
Instead, she walked slowly, circling him. Warily. Calculating.
Then:
"I serve myself."
"But a god once gave me the power to end monsters like you."
Leo tilted his head.
"So you're a weapon."
"Not a person."
Kaska's tone sharpened.
"I chose this path."
"Unlike you—who were given power and chose blood."
Leo's voice dropped.
"I was reborn into this."
"I didn't get to choose what I became."
"But I choose what I protect."
"And if that makes me a monster…"
His body glowed—gold and red entwined.
"Then I'll be the worst one they've ever seen."
Kaska removed her veil.
Beneath it: a glowing mark—like frostfire etched into her skin, across her left cheek.
"Divine Gate: Open."
The air snapped.
Her aura surged—white and silver flames spiraling around her.
Leo's eyes glinted.
"Core Lock: Disengaged."
The dungeon itself reacted—red energy flooding in, turning the chamber into a storm of power.
They moved.
At the same time.
CLASH
The spear met Leo's clawed hand.
Shockwaves shattered the walls.
Leo spun, tail arcing—Kaska dodged, cutting through it with a reverse spin.
She stabbed—
He caught the shaft—broke it—
She summoned a second from thin air.
Their power wasn't just force.
It was rhythm.
Memory.
Conviction.
And they matched.
Blow for blow.
Minutes passed.
Neither had landed a decisive hit.
Their auras burned.
Breath heaved.
But eyes locked.
Kaska pulled back slightly, eyes narrowing.
"You could have killed me twice."
"Why didn't you?"
Leo's hand lowered. His aura dimmed slightly.
"Because you didn't come to kill."
"You came to see."
She was silent for a moment. Then:
"Maybe I did."
"I've hunted monsters for twenty years."
"But none ever spoke like you."
Leo gestured toward the core.
"What do you see?"
Kaska looked.
And for a long moment… didn't answer.
Finally:
"I don't know."
"But I don't see something that deserves to die."
Leo blinked. Slowly.
Then chuckled once—low and dry.
"Then what happens now, hunter?"
Kaska sheathed her weapon.
"I'll report you dead."
Leo raised a brow.
"Just like that?"
"You'll lie for me?"
"I'll lie for a lot less," she said.
Then: "But there's a cost."
"The next time a god sends someone stronger, they won't hesitate like I did."
"And if you fall into madness—if you lose yourself—"
She pointed to her own heart.
"I'll feel it."
"And I will come back."
Leo nodded.
"Fair."
"One more thing."
He extended his hand.
Kaska looked at it, hesitated—
Then took it.
"We're even," she said.
"For now."
Myra stepped into the room moments after Kaska vanished through the dungeon gate.
"You let her go."
Leo nodded.
"She reminded me of who I used to be."
"Sharp. Cold. Controlled."
"But with a piece of her still untouched."
Myra tilted her head.
"You think you've lost that part of yourself?"
Leo looked at the core.
"I know I have."
"But maybe…"
He touched his chest.
"…maybe there's still enough left to be something more."