Solflare: The Painter's Secret Chapter 23: Beg on Your Knees and Rot in Shame

Leon scread as he realized it was Vera who had pierced his skull with her fingernails. "What the fuck do you want, Vera!"

Leon shouted, but in return, Vera just grinned and slamd the door so hard it shook the walls and rippled down the weak plaster.

’Who was she talking about? Was it Jade he was talking about, or was it Tiger?’ Leon thought as he struggled and fully sat straight.

But as he tried to stand on his legs, he fell so hard he cursed under his breath. "Fuck!"

Then, slowly, he used his arms as pillars and used them to help himself up onto the chair once again. Even after failing three attempts, Leon still tried to stand on his legs again.

This ti, he was able to do so, but had to lean on a table before he was able to stand straight. "Why did she say I should send her father’s greetings to my dead father?"

Leon frowned as he murmured under his breath. His eyes stayed at the door through which Vera had exited, waiting for her to co and give him the answer he was looking for.

Yet no one ca through, and no answer ca; only the silent air that flowed through the room continued.

Then, as he fully regained his strength and control of his own bones, he moved forward, one step at a ti, and moved to the wall.

He pressed his head to the surface and whispered: "I can’t let Tiger win. No matter the level he is, I have to fight him till the last mont. Even if I have to crack all my bones to fight him. I will."

A chi sound erupted, causing Leon to move from the wall’s angle to the door.

There, his ears picked up noises that seed to be coming from the space behind the door. Every word or statent he heard had his na either at the beginning or at the end.

But he stayed there, gently pressing his ears to the door’s surface and listening to the words.

"Are you sure he won’t die instantly?"

"Why are you asking this question at this mont? Why do you think that good-for-nothing brat has a chance against ?"

"I’m just asking to be sure, since he was able to survive all four fights he had to fight. But wait, why was his fifth fight skipped?"

"I don’t know, but it’s good they skipped it. Whatever the case, I don’t care. All I want now is just to fight him, kill him, and tear out his skin like I did to your friend."

"That girl was never my friend; I just wanted to use her. But since she’s out of the scene, it’s even good for to move on with Zoe and try my tricks on her as well."

"Don’t you dare try any tricks on her! If I see you doing it, I don’t mind we’ve had sothing before. I will just wipe you out!"

"Do you think you’re the only one who has undergone your third awakening under the Tier 2 evolution? Don’t you dare do anything stupid."

"So, are you trying to challenge ?"

"Nah, I’m just letting you know you aren’t the only one who has strong power and is capable of doing sothing massive."

Leon pulled his ears from the door, tilted his head toward the door behind him, and stared there as if he had heard sothing approaching.

The mont he placed his ears back to the door, he heard footsteps approaching the door he was standing behind.

Slowly and swiftly, he walked to the stiffened foamy chair and sat down, pretending to be thinking of sothing.

Then, slowly, a chi sound erupted as sothing pulled the door from the inside. Slowly, Tiger walked in, staring at Leon like trash.

"Leon Storm. I want to ask you sothing; hope you’re not bothered?" Tiger’s voice echoed, followed by a short laugh.

"Why don’t you beg here so I can plead with the proctors to cancel this death sentence you’re bringing upon yourself?"

Tiger grinned as his lips stopped moving.

Leon stared at him, not flinching, not answering, and not moving, just letting the air respond for him.

After a while, the room rose back to life as Leon began to speak. "Even if I’m to walk into the deepest pit of hell, I will walk through with a raised head and a broad chest."

Leon paused and clenched his fist.

"I will struggle on my feet, rather than begging on my knees, and later die and rot in sha!"

The mont Leon’s voice faded, Tiger stood there, staring at him with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Leon could see the density of confusion etched in Tiger’s eyes, but couldn’t respond to him.

Then, Tiger brushed his right hand over his face and smiled. But in the smile, Leon saw a face he hadn’t seen or even heard of anyone seeing before.

"I love the courage you’re having. But let’s see how you show it at the platform. Your graveyard!"

Tiger grinned after speaking, lowered his head, and shook it.

Slowly, Tiger gripped the door so hard that after he opened it and left, the handle had his palm imprinted on it.

Leon softened his clenched fist and shook his hand to pull away the pain he felt in his palm.

Then, slowly, he moved his palm to his eye angle, but was shocked at what he had done to himself. Staring at the blood seeping out of his skin, Leon brushed his palms on his trousers, hoping to clean the blood.

Just as he brushed it for the third ti, he felt a sharp, electrified pain strike his thigh. "Ahh, fuck!"

Leon shook his fist rapidly, trying to make the pain vanish. After thirty minutes of waiting, he heard his na ntioned by the proctors.

As he opened the door and raised his eyes, he saw Malphas being dragged by two blue-clothed people—similar to the ones he had seen while they exited the Shattered Land.