Chapter 195: Ambush

A large shadow dropped from the canopy. Leo shifted backward, putting distance between himself and the threat.

Atlas lagged behind. The heavy weight crashed down on him, and a massive body wrapped around his torso before he could raise his arms.

Leo drew his katana. The attacker was a gigantic python, its thick body shielded by dark scales that caught the scattered sunlight.

The python tightened its coils, muscles bulging in an attempt to crush its prey. Atlas, however, didn’t look worried. He glanced down at the scales binding his chest.

"Hmm..."

He pushed both arms outward. The python fought back, tightening its grip, which earned a frown from the young man. Atlas just pushed harder. With a harsh crack, the coils gave way. Atlas forced the immense snake apart with bare hands, drawing a startled hiss from the beast.

Pushing off the ground, Atlas shot several meters into the air before realizing how high he had jumped.

"Whoa!"

He stared at the dirt far below, then at his own palms.

"I seem to have become strong."

His tone held genuine surprise; he still wasn’t used to his awakened power. The python offered no time to celebrate. Coiling its lower half beneath a tree, it launched upward with jaws stretched wide, bearing fangs meant to snatch Atlas right out of the sky.

Before it reached him, an overwhelming sense of danger forced the snake to snap its head sideways. Leo was gone. A black distortion rippled through the air beside the python as Leo materialized, sword drawn and face blank.

"Void Edge."

A black gleam coated the steel as Leo brought the weapon down. The blade struck the python’s neck, sending sparks flying. Leo frowned. The attack failed to cut flesh, barely chipping the armored scales.

The monster twisted, abandoning Atlas to focus entirely on Leo. Its tail whipped out. Leo vanished into the void just as the strike swept through empty space, reappearing a safe distance away. The python chased, massive jaws snapping forward. Leo stepped off the center line. Fangs missed his shoulder by inches, and the snake buried its face into the dirt.

Seizing the opening, Leo closed the gap, aiming for the eye. The python jerked its head, reducing the lethal thrust to a harmless scrape against its armor. The snake coiled, sweeping over Leo’s position, but another black distortion carried him away. Reappearing above the beast, Leo drove his weapon down. The blade bounced off the thick hide again. Leo landed lightly, assessing the enemy.

"Hard scales."

The snake lunged. Leo sidestepped, letting the creature’s momentum carry it through a line of trees. Splintered wood rained down as Leo countered, slashing across its flank. The strike left only a shallow groove. The beast was too tough.

Then, large hands clamped onto the python’s tail. The snake halted. Atlas stood behind it, wearing a wide grin.

"Got you."

The python thrashed, trying to break free. Atlas dug his heels into the dirt and pulled.

"HYAAAH!"

He ripped the enormous beast from the ground, swinging it like a whip. The snake smashed into a tree, cracking the trunk in half. Unrelenting, Atlas hurled it the other way, cratering the earth in a burst of dust. He dragged the limp body up and slammed it down once more, shaking the forest floor.

The python lay stunned. Atlas let go of the tail and marched toward the head. The cheerful young man from a moment ago was gone, replaced by something much darker.

"How dare you?" His fists clenched hard enough to turn his knuckles white. "How dare you attack Big Brother Leo?"

Leo watched closely. Something was wrong. Atlas’s irises glowed golden, the pupils narrowing into sharp slits. Small fangs pressed against his lower lip. Leo remembered the warning: Atlas’s transformation wasn’t stable . He couldn’t afford to let the young man lose control.

"Atlas."

The young man didn’t respond. He raised a fist and brought it down on the python’s head, driving the creature’s skull into the dirt. He punched again, and again. The ground splintered under the relentless impacts, but the snake survived, protected by its thick armor. Atlas kept swinging.

"How dare you..."

Another heavy strike.

"...attack..."

The earth groaned.

"...Big Brother!"

The world blurred as Leo stepped through the void, appearing right beside Atlas. The python stirred, its jaws parting for a desperate bite. Leo thrust his katana straight into the exposed eye. The beast roared, thrashing wildly. Leo twisted the hilt, burying the steel deeper.

"Atlas." His voice was calm but firm. "Calm down. Hold it down."

Atlas froze. His golden eyes lingered on the frantic snake until the words finally registered. He blinked. The feral light flickered and faded.

"Big Brother..."

"Hold it."

Atlas nodded. "Okay."

He clamped both hands over the python’s head, pinning it flat. The beast thrashed, slamming its bulk against the dirt, but Atlas held firm. His arms trembled from the sheer effort. As the python writhed, Leo pushed the katana farther into its skull, twisting the edge. The creature convulsed.

"Hold it!" Leo commanded, pulling the blade back an inch before driving it to the hilt.

The snake’s movements weakened. Its tail slapped the ground a few final times before the struggling ceased. The massive body went limp, leaving the forest in complete silence.

A faint glow washed over the dead python. Leo watched as the corpse dissolved into countless particles of light. The shimmering motes drifted upward, swirling above the forest floor while Atlas stared in confusion. The light condensed into three hovering cards, lingering for a brief moment before vanishing as Leo’s belt absorbed them.

Atlas remained frozen, scratching his head in bewilderment.

"Big Brother..."

Leo glanced over.

"Can you teach me how to do that magic?"

Leo was speechless.

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Author’s Note

Sorry for not uploading Chapters as frequently as usual.

I’ve been sick recently and wasn’t feeling well enough to write consistently. I really appreciate everyone who has continued reading and supporting the novel despite the irregular updates.

I’m feeling better now and will do my best to get back to a more consistent upload schedule.

Thank you for your patience and support.