"Perfect."
After reviewing the latest check-in reward, Leon immediately retrieved Bast's Collar from his system space.
It looked like a black ring made of something between leather and silk. The design resembled a typical SM-style choker—minus the chain. White lace trimmed the top and bottom edges.
At first glance, it looked less like a divine artifact…
And more like something from a very specific boutique.
"…Whatever."
"I'm not the one wearing it."
With a grin, Leon grabbed the collar.
His consciousness plunged back into Bast's spiritual domain.
[Notification: Entered Bast's Spiritual Domain.]
[Notification: You are not in Shadow Stealth mode. Bast has detected your presence.]
The world shifted.
Dense black-violet mist swallowed his vision again. Visibility: less than 2.5 meters.
Leon was just about to activate Observation Haki—
"ROAR!"
A furious, embarrassed beastly roar exploded in his face.
A colossal shadow—roughly the size of a freight truck—materialized before him.
Before he could react—
He was sent flying.
The impact felt disturbingly familiar.
For a split second, he thought he was about to transmigrate again.
Fortunately, the hit hadn't broken his defense.
He stabilized midair.
Wait.
"System… did I just get slower?"
Because no matter how fast she was, he shouldn't have been completely unable to react.
[…]
The system lagged briefly.
[Notification: Within Bast's spiritual domain, your five senses are significantly suppressed.]
[Notification: In darkness, Bast's attributes increase to 200% of baseline. Agility greatly enhanced. One foot stepping into a higher divine tier.]
"So I have to beat her on her home field?"
"Feels like a boss fight."
Leon clicked his tongue.
Observation Haki was active—
But even his enhanced perception barely extended beyond ten meters.
That only gave him reaction time.
Not advantage.
Because Bast—
Was a speed-type deity.
"You insolent mortal!"
Her voice—mature, powerful, undeniably feminine—echoed from the panther-shaped form.
She vanished.
Then reappeared mid-stride, claws flashing.
RIP—
Leon dodged backward—
Too slow.
Three sharp lines tore across his face.
He blinked.
…She actually broke his defense.
Her claws were sharper than her headbutt.
He wiped the blood from his cheek with his tongue.
The wound regenerated instantly.
"Spicy."
"I like it."
He lunged again.
But the battle rhythm had reversed.
He was used to stat-checking opponents.
Now?
He was the one being kited.
Whenever he barely managed to land a hit—
She would disengage beyond ten meters.
Fully regenerate.
Reset.
A tank with infinite durability versus an assassin with extreme mobility and auto-heal.
This fight could last until the end of time.
"Enough!"
"You think I'm some overweight house cat?!"
Leon snapped.
Conqueror's Haki erupted outward—
Freezing Bast for a split second.
That was all he needed.
He activated The Fool – 100% Final Power Amplification.
His facial wounds vanished.
His IQ dropped to zero.
His body obeyed only the final command issued by his mind.
He blinked—
And appeared directly in front of Bast.
With full force—
He grabbed and vigorously scratched beneath her chin.
Then—
Raised a very provocative middle finger.
Smirked.
His eyes went vacant.
Thought process: terminated.
"…You—"
BOOM—
[Notification: You have been expelled from Bast's spiritual domain by the enraged Panther Goddess.]
Leon examined himself in the mirror.
One clear footprint on each cheek.
Perfect symmetry.
He nodded.
"Now that's balance."
He snapped a few commemorative photos before letting the marks fade.
Until he experienced a qualitative leap in strength—
He would not be returning.
Absolutely not.
Hela's wolf Fenrir might represent maxed-out offense.
But Bast?
She was pure agility.
Her speed alone wasn't unmanageable.
It was the ghost-like footwork layered on top—
That made 1 + 1 greater than 3.
He could barely touch her.
And that was the truly frustrating part.
Just one grab—
What harm would that do?
"Thirty days east of the river, thirty days west."
He would reclaim this loss.
With interest.
J.A.R.V.I.S. patched in.
"Master Leon…"
Leon smirked.
"Oh?"
"My brother finally changed his mind?"
"Perfect timing."
"I'm in the mood."
He ended the call.
Walked over to Arcee—currently in spiritual standby.
Pressed and held her activation switch.
Moments later—
He was manually riding Motorcycle Mode Arcee toward Stark Tower.
After all—
What's the point of a new ride if you don't show it off?
Leon drives.
Leon enjoys driving.
Leon will keep driving.
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