With close combat, Leon was at a clear disadvantage.
He allowed Simon to strike freely—barely dodging each blow with Selphy's assistance.
Still, the fight was nothing like anything he had experienced before.
Simon landed a clean cut on Leon's arm.
"What's with that long blade?"
Simon mocked, easily sidestepping Leon's swing.
"Looks fancy, but useless. Just hand it over already!"
As Leon overcommitted on a strike, Simon moved to the side and slammed his foot hard into Leon's left side.
The kick sent him stumbling. Pain shot through his body.
Right now, Simon wasn't even fighting seriously—he was toying with Leon, smirking as he landed blow after blow.
"Leon, I would suggest we maintain some distance and come up with a proper strategy to strike him,"
Selphy advised calmly through telepathy.
"Shut up!!"
Leon shouted in frustration, whipping his head to the side.
His eyes burned—not just with fury, but with bitter shame.
He was weak. And he hated it.
Selphy blinked, taken aback by his reaction. It wasn't like him to lash out like that.
Meanwhile, Simon watched curiously, his expression shifting from amusement to slight confusion.
Leon had just turned his head and yelled—at no one.
"…The hell?"
Simon muttered, tightening his grip on the knife.
From where he stood, it looked like Leon was talking to himself—ranting, arguing with thin air.
Unbeknownst to Simon, Selphy was right there, hovering beside Leon—silent to all but her chosen Wielder.
Then, without a word, Leon turned his gaze toward Simon. His brow furrowed, face cold and unreadable.
With a sudden motion, he tossed the golden blade aside—it clattered loudly across the broken floor.
He clenched his fists and raised them, stepping into a tight combat stance.
"Come and fight me with your bare hands… if you've got the guts."
Simon blinked in disbelief.
This kid had barely scratched him with a weapon—and now he wanted to go hand-to-hand?
Simon let out a mocking laugh, shaking his head.
"Are you serious, kiddo? Thought you had more sense. I was expecting more from you."
Still grinning, he bent down slowly, making a show of dropping both his pistol and knife to the ground with a clink.
"Alright, then. Let's see what you've got."
Nearby, Selphy hovered, her expression tight with concern. She couldn't understand what Leon was thinking—he hadn't told her anything about this sudden change in tactics.
"Leon… I must advise retreat. A hand-to-hand match with someone like him—you'll lose."
But Leon didn't flinch.
He didn't answer.
He just stood there, fists raised, eyes locked on Simon like a beast ready to pounce.
"Come at me anytime!"
Simon stood casually, arms loose at his sides, his posture relaxed—like Leon wasn't even worth taking seriously.
Leon gritted his teeth and lunged forward, his left fist swinging straight toward Simon's face.
Simon leaned back with ease, dodging the strike. In the same motion, he slammed a fist into Leon's gut, knocking the wind out of him, then followed with a brutal right hook to Leon's cheek.
Leon's head snapped sideways from the force.
"Oops,"
Simon chuckled, shaking his hand as if loosening it up.
"Think I cracked a few of your teeth."
Blood spilled from Leon's mouth as he dropped to one knee. A couple of teeth clinked against the cracked floor, crimson pooling around them. His stomach throbbed. His left cheek burned and swelled rapidly. He was barely staying upright.
Simon scoffed and turned away, casually walking toward where Leon had thrown the blade.
"If you'd just handed it over, none of this would've happened," He muttered.
As he reached the spot where the golden blade had landed, he paused.
It was gone.
"What the—?"
He turned his head, just in time to hear rapid footsteps closing in behind him.
Leon.
He was already charging.
Simon whipped around and threw a punch, but Leon ducked low under it, twisting his body, then launched his right fist straight into Simon's chest with everything he had.
Simon staggered back slightly, surprised—not by the force, but by the fact he hadn't seen it coming.
Still, he smirked.
"What, that's it? That the best you've got, slum rat?"
But something was wrong.
"Selphy!!" Leon shouted, his voice sharp and sudden.
Simon flinched. His eyes darted toward Leon , confused. Leon's right fist was still pressed against his chest. For a moment, everything stood still.
Then, in a blink—
A golden light erupted from Leon's wrist.
Simon's eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, before he could even process what was happening, a gleaming blade burst forth from Leon's wristband—piercing straight through Simon's chest.
The blade had returned.
Blood sprayed from the wound, warm and violent. Simon gasped, staggering backward as crimson poured from his lips. His strength failed him. His arms dropped to his sides.
Even Selphy hovered in stunned silence, her expression frozen.
"…He knew," she whispered, realization dawning.
Leon's grip tightened around the hilt, his gaze cold.
The truth was simple: the bond between Seraphim and Wielder could never be severed—not unless the Wielder died. That's why Leon had thrown the blade earlier.
Now, Simon lay crumpled on the floor—lifeless.
Leon stood over him, his breath ragged. Slowly, he pulled the blade free with a slick, wet sound, then gave it a sharp swing to flick off the blood clinging to the edge.
"That was amazing, Leon!"
Selphy's voice rang out with a bright, cheerful tone, hovering beside him with a proud smile.
But before Leon could even take a breath—
[BANG!!!!]
A gunshot tore through the corridor.
"LEON!!"
Selphy screamed as she tried to shift Leon and dodge one of the bullets, but it was too late.
The bullet struck his right thigh with brutal precision.
"ARGHH!!"
Leon howled in pain, collapsing to one knee. His hand immediately clutched the bleeding wound as he scrambled toward the nearest wall, dragging himself into cover behind the corridor's edge.
"SIMON!!"
A furious voice lit up the battle area.
It was Rex—who had just arrived at the scene after waiting so long for Simon to return.And now, with his rifle aimed and rage burning in his eyes, Rex saw how Leon had killed Simon with an unusual weapon.