The Poison Winged Butterfly Queen, classified as an A-rank dangerous species, would normally have been no more than a brief distraction for Leon. It was the kind of task he could finish in the time it took to sip a cup of tea.

But since Mevis had insisted that taking the beast down too easily might affect Noa's evaluation, Leon reluctantly held back and worked in sync with her.

As they approached, the Butterfly Queen, sensing intruders, emerged from its nest. Its massive, shimmering wings unfurled, sending out a thick cloud of toxic purple mist as it let out a …