Leo's eyes snapped open.
For a moment, everything felt unnaturally still. The jungle—usually alive with sound—had gone quiet. That silence alone was enough to send a chill down his spine.
Then he realized why.
They were surrounded.
Dozens of armed men stood in a wide circle around them, their sharp weapons catching faint rays of sunlight that filtered through the dense canopy above. The air felt heavy, suffocating.
No way out.
A figure stepped forward from the crowd.
He was tall—easily the tallest among them. His skin was dark, his physique powerful, and his presence… overwhelming. His cold eyes scanned them like a predator studying prey.
"What are you doing in my jungle?" he asked, his deep voice calm but threatening.
No one answered at first.
Leo stepped forward, steady despite the tension.
"We're just passing through," he said.
The man's gaze hardened.
"Passing through?" he repeated slowly. "Then why did you attack my wolves?"
A brief silence.
Leo didn't reply.
The man let out a low breath.
"I cannot ignore that."
He raised his hand slightly.
"Capture them."
Two men rushed at Leo.
But before they could even touch him—
THUD! THUD!
Leo's fists moved like lightning. Both men collapsed instantly.
Without hesitation, Leo turned and ran.
"Stop him!" voices shouted behind him.
Branches whipped against his face as he sprinted through the jungle. His heartbeat thundered in his ears.
Then he saw it.
His katana—lying on the ground.
Without slowing down, he grabbed it and kept running.
"Nyra! I'll come back for you!" he shouted.
The ground ahead suddenly disappeared.
A massive waterfall.
No time to think.
Leo jumped.
For a split second, the world went silent—the wind rushing past him, the roaring water below, his own breath caught in his chest.
Then—
CRASH!
He vanished into the raging river.
Back at the clearing, the tall man watched without emotion.
"Let him go," he said. "He's dead."
One of his men hesitated.
"But, Chief… he said he would come back."
A faint smirk appeared on the Chief's face.
"No matter how strong he becomes… he's still just a child."
He turned away.
"And even if he survives… this jungle will finish him."
His eyes shifted toward Nyra, Alex, and Kio.
"Take them to the village."
The village felt like a nightmare.
Dark wooden huts, burning torches, and people watching them with cold, hungry eyes. Smoke filled the air, carrying a strange, unsettling smell.
As the Chief entered, silence fell.
He pointed at the three of them.
"Tonight's meal… will be these three."
The words hit like a hammer.
Kio's voice trembled."W-We're… going to be eaten…"
They were thrown into a heavy iron cage.
Alex grabbed the bars desperately."Let us go! We didn't mean any harm!"
No response.
The Chief slowly walked toward them.
"I will let you go…" he said.
For a brief moment—hope.
Then he smiled.
"…after I decide whether you taste good."
That hope shattered instantly.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping into something darker.
"When I kill you… I will peel your skin off… with my own hands."
Nyra's fists clenched tightly.
"…and I will do it right in front of your friends."
Kio froze, unable to even speak.
"And after that," the Chief continued calmly, "I will do the same to them."
Alex tried to stay strong, but fear was written all over his face.
"And your heads…" the Chief added, "will become decorations in my village."
He stepped back.
The three of them trembled in silence.
Far away, near the river—
Leo dragged himself out of the water.
His body ached, every muscle screaming in pain.
As he stood up, a sharp pain shot through his leg.
He looked down.
A deep cut.
Blood was flowing rapidly.
"Tch…"
He tore a piece of his shirt and wrapped it tightly around the wound.
For a moment, he just stood there, breathing heavily.
His mind raced.
"What should I do…?"
Time passed.
The jungle grew quieter.
Then slowly… his expression changed.
His eyes hardened.
"I don't have time to think."
"I'll attack."
Without another second of hesitation, he started running.
After a while, he reached the place where they were attacked earlier.
Empty.
No one was there.
No signs.
Just silence.
Then he noticed something.
Footprints.
Leo crouched down, examining them carefully.
"They went this way…"
He stood up and followed.
Focusing his aura into his legs, he pushed forward.
His speed increased instantly.
The ground blurred beneath him.
After some time, he noticed smoke rising in the distance.
He slowed down.
Carefully, he moved closer.
And then he saw it.
A large village.
Guarded.
Dangerous.
He looked down.
The footprints ended there.
"They're inside…"
His jaw tightened.
From a distance, he spotted them—
Nyra. Alex. Kio.
Locked inside cages.
Guards everywhere.
Leo clenched his fists.
"I'll wait."
"Night will be my chance."
Inside the cage—
Kio whispered,"Do you think Leo ran away…?"
Alex shook his head firmly."No. He wouldn't."
Nyra looked toward the darkening sky.
"I know him… he'll come."
Suddenly—
Tap!
A small stone hit her head.
"Ow—!"
She looked up.
Leo.
Hidden.
Watching.
Apologizing silently with folded hands.
Nyra glared at him and turned away.
Leo sighed and waited.
Night fell.
Darkness covered the village.
Leo moved.
Silent.
Precise.
One guard—
THUD.
Another—
THUD.
Both unconscious.
He reached the cage.
"I'm here," he whispered.
Relief spread across Alex and Kio's faces.
But Nyra crossed her arms.
"Just get me out first… then we'll talk."
Leo scratched his head."Sorry…"
He grabbed the iron bars and pulled with all his strength.
They didn't move.
Not even a little.
Nyra spoke seriously now.
"You need the key. The Chief has it."
Leo nodded.
"Wait for me."
Behind the cage stood a massive tree.
Leo climbed it swiftly.
Higher.
Higher.
Until he reached the top.
From there, he scanned the entire village.
Then he saw it.
A structure built into a tree.
"That's him…"
Leo jumped down silently and moved toward it.
Guards stood outside.
In seconds—
THUD. THUD.
They were down.
Leo stepped inside.
The room was quiet.
And there—
On a wooden table—
The key.
Leo walked forward slowly.
Each step careful.
His hand reached out—
Just inches away—
Suddenly—
A powerful grip seized his neck.
Before he could react—
BOOM!
He was slammed into the wall.
Pain shot through his body.
A deep voice echoed behind him—
"You defeated my men…"
Leo struggled to breathe.
"…so now you'll face me."
Leo slowly lifted his eyes.
The Chief stood there.
This time—
There was no calm.
Only killing intent.
"I'll kill you myself."