Chapter 16: Section of Slavery

Leo navigated the shadowy expanse of Thraldom Bloc, a dismal realm where the tormented souls of Caduceus intertwined with the towering figures of enslaved giants, all under the tyrannical rule of Christoffel. Among the seven Warlords, Christoffel Kurogane was infamous for his savagery, reigning over Thraldom Bloc with a ruthless grip, preying upon the defenseless—commoners and the destitute alike. He was an imposing presence, his muscular build draped in a long white polo shirt beneath a weathered leather vest, complemented by khaki trousers. A tan cowboy hat, adorned with crossbones, sat atop his head, while tan leather gloves encased his hands, and a golden ring sparkled on his finger. His sideburns framed a face dominated by piercing golden eyes that seemed to penetrate the very souls of those who dared to meet his gaze. Towering at an astonishing 8'6", he wielded the dreaded Chain Chain Fruit, a power that allowed him to conjure chains from his palms, ensnaring his victims from afar. His bounty was a staggering 534,592,000.

As Leo beheld Christoffel, a wave of fury surged within him; the Warlord was mercilessly wielding his chains like a whip, subjugating the peasants, including the giants and the Gelid Reaver. Among the captives, Leo's gaze fell upon Nora Tachibana, the quiet yet deadly navigator whose childhood was steeped in historical television shows, igniting her fervor for navigation and archaeology. Christoffel's intentions toward her were far from honorable, driven by lust rather than any semblance of respect.

Also caught in the Warlord's grasp was Izna Brontoly, a 492-year-old swordsmith, the very artisan enhancing Christoffel's chains. A brief confrontation erupted between Leo and Christoffel, culminating in Leo's triumph, during which he seized the final shard of the Mirage Orb. The pieces clicked together flawlessly, restoring the Mirage Orb to its former brilliance. With Brontoly's aid, Leo equipped the orb, and after a few tense moments, he awakened in his second form, known as Foxxerber, the ferocious incarnation.

With Brontoly's guidance, Leo harnessed the orb's energy, and after a few heart-stopping moments, he transformed into his second form, Foxxerber, a fierce embodiment of power.

Now joined by Nora, Leo embarked on a mission to free every enslaved soul within the Thraldom Bloc, including those he had met in the Hao Coliseum. The giants celebrated, their joyous movements causing the ground to shake and the waves to crash in delight. They entered the Core, expressing their gratitude to Leo. It was there that he met Kong, a colossal figure towering at 7 feet 5 inches, who sought to join his cause. With a simple nod, Leo welcomed both Kong and his companion into their growing alliance, and together they charted their path back to the Core.

At last, Leo reunited with Rius and Kanji, introducing them to Nora and Kong. As they departed from the Ahmtaire Kingdom Archipelago, they exchanged heartfelt farewells, hands raised in a final wave. They boarded their ship alongside the Giants, embarking on their journey to Roguetown.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Gelid Reaver was making his escape, wielding his Cryokinesis with skill and determination.