The First Dragon God-Chapter 66: Face Off (II)

A murmur spread through the crowd, low and uneasy, like distant thunder rumbling before a storm.

Some faces were filled with anticipation, eager to see what would happen next, while others reflected fear, their eyes darting between Leo and Ryan.

The room filled with tension, thick and oppressive, pressing down on everyone present. The air itself seemed to vibrate, as though it too was holding its breath.

All eyes fixed on the two figures at the center of it all—Leo and Ryan.

For the survivors standing behind Ryan, Leo’s words had struck a nerve. His insults had landed with precision, cutting through their pride like a blade.

As adults, they had never been spoken to in such a way. The sting of Leo’s words lingered, gnawing at their self-worth.

They knew, deep down, that Leo was right. Grewishka had told them as much—that it was Leo and Ves who allowed them to stay in the residential complex, giving them shelter and protection.

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But pride was a stubborn thing.

Admitting their mistake would mean acknowledging their own weakness. It was easier to cling to their resentment, to justify their rebellion by convincing themselves that Leo was too young to lead.

They wanted nothing more than to charge at Leo, to wipe that smirk off his face. But the sight of that dark and menacing black sword in his hand, made them hesitate.

Fear rooted them in place, and they decided it was better to let Ryan handle it.

Ryan stood at the center of it all, taking in the shifting emotions of the crowd. He could see the doubt in their eyes, the growing uncertainty that threatened to derail everything he had worked hard for.

He scoffed inwardly. Imbeciles.

But his thoughts quickly turned back to Leo—the boy who had challenged him so brazenly.

The insult of the challenge replayed in Ryan’s mind, grating against his pride like sandpaper on raw flesh. His fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles whitening with suppressed rage.

Ryan took a step forward, his movements slow and deliberate. He stood directly in front of Leo, their faces almost touching. The air between them was electric, charged with unspoken threats.

He tilted his head slightly, a cold smile curling at the corners of his lips.

"Let me tell you something, kid," Ryan murmured, his voice low and dripping with malice. "I understand you feel strong right now. You fought that boar and won. You think you’re invincible. But I’m telling you—if you push ahead with this duel, you will lose."

His words were laced with cold malevolence, each syllable a dagger aimed at Leo’s confidence. The tone was enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone listening.

But Leo… Leo smiled.

He lowered his head slightly, leaning in until his mouth was close to Ryan’s ear. His voice, when he spoke, was even colder—a whisper that cut through the tension like a blade.

"Bring it on, imp."

Ryan’s entire body tensed. His jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth ached. His face twitched involuntarily, his composed mask slipping for a brief moment.

That single word had pierced through his defenses, igniting a fire of rage and humiliation.

For the first time, Ryan dropped the act.

He took a step back, his expression twisting into something dark and sinister. The faint smirk he had worn was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating stare.

"You know," Ryan began, his voice calm but laced with venom, "I really liked you, Leo. I thought that maybe… just maybe… we could be brothers. I thought that if I handled things the right way, if I took control gently, we could work together. Become partners."

He chuckled softly, though there was no humor in the sound.

"But I see now that you’re just like the rest. Arrogant. Blind. A fool drunk on a drop of power."

Ryan’s gaze sharpened, boring into Leo with cold intensity.

"You think you’re strong because of a few fights? Because you have a little power You’re nothing but a child playing dress-up. And you know what happens to children who don’t know their place?"

Ryan took another step back, stretching his arms wide, his smile returning, but this time, it was twisted and dark.

"They get punished."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. The air grew heavier, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight. The shadows seemed to lengthen, creeping across the floor toward Ryan as if drawn to him.

Ryan’s gaze flicked to the crowd, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement.

"Let me show you," he continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Let me give you a taste of what true power looks like. Let me show you why I’m the only one who can lead this group."

He turned back to Leo, his expression devoid of emotion.

"Leo," he said softly, "let me give you a test of my power."

The next moment, the air erupted with sound.

Screeches and roars filled the air, deafening and unnatural. The walls of building seemed to tremble as the monstrous noises echoed through the building.

The survivors flinched, some covering their ears, others stepping back, their face pale from fear. Their hearts raced, the animalistic sounds sending chills down their spines.

The screeches grew louder, more frenzied, as if a horde of creatures was just outside, waiting to descend upon them.

Ryan’s smile widened as he basked in the fear spreading through the room.

"Do you hear that?" he whispered, his voice cutting through the noise like a scalpel. "That’s the sound of power. That’s the sound of monsters answering my call."

He took a step forward, his eyes locked on Leo.

"You will lose. And when you do, this group will see that I’m the only one who can keep them safe."

The screeches and roars intensified, shaking the very foundation of the building. The tension reached a breaking point, the room teetering on the edge of chaos.

But Leo didn’t flinch.

He stood tall, his gaze steady, his expression calm.

"Is that all?" Leo asked, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.

Ryan’s smile faltered, the slightest hint of doubt flickering in his eyes. He quickly regained his composure as he smiled.

"I see. You’re confident, huh? Then, show me how you will survive this," he said, pointing to the entrance of the building.

Everyone followed his finger. Their eyes widened in horror as blood drained from their faces, as they staggered backward.

Then, suddenly, a scream pierced the air.

"Ahhh!"