I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

24 – #5 The Lion King of the Valley (4)

The roar of the Lion King signaled the beginning of the battle. However, facing the Lion King, whom even an ordinary human couldn’t match, Isaac swung his fist as if it were a matter of course. Yes, that’s all it was.

A rugged fist that lacked the essence of technique. It might seem insufficient to those who had trained in martial arts all their lives. Nevertheless, it was strong. Overwhelming strength that had no need for techniques.

But even that strength, unlike the initial carelessness, couldn’t push back the Lion King, who had gathered his resolve. The Lion King, firmly planting his legs on the ground like a mountain, couldn’t suppress his laughter.

‘Yes, just like back then!’

This vibrating fist to the core, the consciousness that seemed to fly away at any moment, nothing was different from back then. For the Lion King, it was an irreplaceable memory with anything.

‘However, the answer revealed itself.’

It wasn’t as if the Lion King merely looked back on memories. No, that wasn’t the case. While enduring Isaac’s attack head-on, he instinctively read the opponent’s openings.

“Hah!!”

He solidified his determination, raising both arms like a shield. The legs, like a mountain, that had been holding firm finally moved. It was as if he had directly charged with a guard like a wild boar.

“Ugh…?!”

Isaac’s body lost balance, shaken by an unimaginable force. An unstoppable special attack that didn’t even care about pain. It was truly an absurd shock, as if a mountain was crashing into him.

And the Lion King wasn’t foolish enough to miss the opportunity he had seized. He swung down the raised fist like a cudgel. However, Isaac was not one to be easily taken down.

‘Did he twist his body and dodge it in that time?!’

He aimed precisely for the head, as if intending to smash it with one blow. However, in that brief opening, Isaac twisted his body. Thanks to that, he avoided a direct hit to the head. Instead, he exposed his shoulder, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Do not think that you’ve won everything.”

“?!”

The Lion King instinctively guarded his opposite shoulder. He believed that his powerful blow would surely have destroyed it. But it turned out to be a mistake.

Isaac retaliated, moving the shoulder that had withstood the full force. Surprised by the immediate counterattack, the Lion King’s reaction was delayed. His fist swung like a whip, landing a direct hit on the Lion King’s chin.

Excellent. Absolutely excellent.

This guy is the real deal!

The situation was objectively unfavorable. Even though Isaac managed to move his shoulder despite receiving the full force, the Lion King still felt the lingering effects of the blow to his chin.

But unknowingly, the Lion King’s lips curled up in satisfaction. A struggle that felt so exhilarating after a long time, igniting a fiery passion in the Lion King’s chest.

“I haven’t felt this thrill in 60 years.”

It’s different for someone who is born that way. Humans were merely beings that lived short lives in the eyes of the Lion King. Yet here was a human, daring to oppose him with just his fists.

How much effort has he put into this?

What burden is he carrying?

Unable to contain these thoughts, the Lion King clenched his fist instead of giving an answer. There was no need for further conversation. Their fists simultaneously struck each other’s faces. A relentless battle without barriers.

Blood flowed from Isaac’s mouth for the first time. He was feeling the pain to that extent. However, Isaac did not retreat. On the contrary, he swung his fists with overwhelming force to overpower the Lion King.

The Lion King didn’t back down either. Giving up defense, he endured the attacks with his entire body and struck back at Isaac with his fists. Countless unseen blows clashed against each other.

“Ugh?!”

The onslaught that seemed never-ending was brought down by the Lion King. He firmly grabbed Isaac’s shoulders and thrust his knees into him. Unable to withstand such force, Isaac left the ground.

“No, rather he used my strength to break free!”

His defense had no power just now. He held on tightly and continued to strike with his knees until the end. Yet somehow, he used my own strength to break free. Truly a leap of faith.

“I have been longing for a warrior like you to come!!”

From the moment they failed to protect her until now. He desired someone like this human, who resembled her. The Lion King, unable to hide his joy, leaped towards Isaac floating in the sky.

In mid-air, there was no foothold, so it should be easy to subdue him. That was his judgment, but it turned out to be a miscalculation. Isaac, who swiftly approached like an arrow, once again leaped using the Lion King as a foothold.

Regaining his stance in a short time, Isaac and the Lion King traded blows in mid-air. Defense reached the pinnacle of futility in this level of fight. It had no meaning from the beginning.

Penetrating even the formidable defense, they exchanged impacts. Eventually, the Lion King would lose his strength and fall back, ending up defeated. Who would desire such a trivial outcome?

“There’s no way this will be the end!!”

Even after the aerial battle had concluded and they landed back on the ground, the exchange of blows continued. The ground split as fists collided, and the wind raised by the kicks echoed through the sky.

Their fight was truly a calamity. Joy blossomed on the Lion King’s lips. It was not only the pleasure of battle after a long time but also a sense of relief that they could be liberated.

Despite staggering from the impact, the Lion King forced his body to move. The momentum of the Lion King charging relentlessly showed no sign of wavering, at least not until Isaac spoke.

“You’re thinking of dying.”

As if pouring water over fire, the fervent flames of determination were extinguished in an instant. The Lion King felt a pang in his heart. He had revealed the sincerity he had concealed until now.

“How did you know?”

“I told you. Men communicate with their fists.”

“…”

“Through our exchanges, I felt it clearly, Lion King.”

The Lion King fell silent. He couldn’t say anything. It seemed as if he had hoped for someone to understand, but when the situation actually arose, he found himself speechless. Quite a pitiful irony.

“Are you pitying me?”

“Yeah.”

“Foolish. I am the Lion King who has slaughtered countless humans until now. But you, another human like me…”

“If you were truly a monster who enjoyed slaughter, the humans in the Nemea Fortress would have been exterminated long ago.”

Their fight had the power to change even the terrain. Isaac argued that a Lion King with such strength couldn’t conquer a mere fortress. The result wouldn’t change.

“I’ve already taken numerous lives with these hands. I have no intention of turning away from that guilt. I will bear it all.”

“Even with your life?”

The Lion King nodded heavily. He would not avoid, he would not hide. Whether he desired it or not, he would bear all the sins and face death at the hands of a hero.

The momentarily shaken resolve solidified once again. Isaac, sensing this, also remained silent. Eventually, the Lion King and Isaac clashed once more. A relentless battle that left no room for respite.

They struck.

It swept like the wind.

He didn’t evade. He took it all.

An endless, inconclusive battle.

No sign of their momentum breaking.

Instead, it burned even brighter.

Legs wavered.

Nevertheless, he gritted his teeth and counterattacked.

“It doesn’t cease. It can’t rest.

It assesses. It shatters.

It counterattacks. It delves deep.

It sweeps away. It breaks.

A relentless fight with no ground given.

The struggle that seemed endless finally showed signs of conclusion. In a sight blurred between sweat and blood, it was Isaac who first displayed weariness. Blood trickled from his lips.

Has he reached his limit?

No, not at all.

It’s not something like that.

He adjusted his stance. An unmatched ruggedness, distant from any martial art. Yet, just by clenching his fist, the heavens began to tremble. The Lion King instinctively understood the intention.

Wholeheartedly,

With all one’s might,

The meaning was crystal clear.

Let’s see the end of this fight.

The Lion King willingly joined him. He felt gratitude towards Isaac, even. To end it so magnificently. Brimming with exhilaration and joy, the Lion King sincerely said, “Thank you, hero.”

Oddly, he reminisced about the past. Meeting her, like a miracle, sixty years ago. Could he ever meet her again? No, impossible. My end is in hell.

“If there’s any lingering regret, it’s just that I wished to see her one more time.”

But the Lion King soon shook his head, brushing away regrets. Any further sentiment was meaningless. All that remained was witnessing the end of this fight. Yes, the monster must die by the hero’s hand.

Let go of any remaining regrets,

Any endless remorse,

Just for this moment.

Pour all your strength into it.