Five months had passed.
Leo's hands and legs were still not fully healed.
The fractures had fused, but the pain remained—deep, stubborn, constant. Thick bandages wrapped his arms and legs as he sat on the hospital bed, staring at nothing.
The doctor stood beside him, uneasy.
Doctor:
"You're not ready. Removing these bandages now will slow recovery."
Leo raised his eyes.
Cold. Calm. Unshaken.
Leo:
"Remove them."
The doctor hesitated.
Chen Wei stepped forward immediately.
Chen Wei:
"Are you insane?! Your bones aren't even fully stable yet. Heal properly first!"
Leo didn't answer.
Yuna walked closer, her voice firm but trembling.
Yuna:
"If Lily saw you like this… she'd be completely broken."
Leo's fingers tightened.
Yuna:
"Even if not for yourself—live for her.
Don't forget… you still have to take revenge.
For her. For your father."
Silence filled the room.
Leo closed his eyes.
Leo:
"…Fine."
He slowly moved into a meditation pose on the bed.
The air changed instantly.
A golden aura erupted from his body—intertwined with crimson fire.
The bandages soaked with old blood began to lift into the air.
The blood floated around Leo, circling him, forming a perfect oval shape—like an egg.
Chen Wei and Yuna stepped back in shock.
The aura intensified.
Crack.
The blood-egg shattered.
Leo stood.
His body was completely transformed.
Half of his hair had turned golden, shining softly like sunlight.
The other half burned deep red, like living fire.
From his head, small demon horns had emerged—subtle, restrained, controlled.
His presence felt heavy.
Not violent.
Not wild.
But absolute.
Leo:
"…Alright. Let's go."
Lily's Room
Machines surrounded her bed.
Wires connected her fragile body to life itself.
Leo entered quietly.
He stood beside her, eyes filled with pain he refused to show anyone else.
Leo (softly):
"This happened because of me."
His voice cracked.
Leo:
"Why didn't you tell me… that you were pregnant?"
He clenched his jaw.
Leo:
"If I knew… I would never have let you enter that tournament."
He gently held her hand.
The IV needle trembled slightly as his fingers touched hers.
Leo:
"I promise… I won't lose again."
He turned and walked out.
Departure
Chen Wei:
"Alright. Let's go."
Yuna nodded.
Yuna:
"I'll stay here for a week.
Someone has to take care of Lily."
She smiled weakly.
Yuna:
"We're family, right?"
Leo nodded silently.
On the Plane
Leo sat by the window, restless, staring at the clouds.
Chen Wei glanced at him.
Chen Wei:
"After coming out of that… egg thing—
why do you only have small horns?"
Leo replied flatly.
Leo:
"I don't know."
There was no emotion in his voice.
No anger. No sorrow.
Just focus.
Arrival — Kathmandu, Nepal
The plane landed.
As they stepped outside, prayer flags fluttered in the wind.
The air carried the scent of incense and earth.
Temples stood proudly against the mountains.
The sky felt closer here.
Yuna's eyes sparkled.
Yuna:
"It's… beautiful."
Chen Wei smirked.
Chen Wei:
"Welcome to Nepal.
By the way—here we don't worship peacocks."
Yuna blinked.
Chen Wei:
"We worship crows."
She grabbed his ear instantly.
Yuna:
"What did you just say?! 'Sister'?!
Am I not your girlfriend anymore?"
Chen Wei yelped in pain.
Leo watched them.
For the first time in months—
He smiled. Just a little.
Leo:
"Come on. Let's go."
As he walked forward, memories flooded his mind.
Lily laughing.
Childhood games.
Quiet moments.
Promises made without words.
He carried all of it with him.
And he kept walking.
Chapter 38 Ends