Leon could see it, the subtle shift in Derrick's face. The flicker of disbelief had dulled, replaced by reluctant acceptance. His lips twitched.
"Got him," Leon thought, the corners of his mouth tugging into a faint, victorious smile.
"But," Leon added aloud, "I won't be clearing them for free."
The words snapped Derrick out of his daze. He blinked, then gave a light snort.
"Yeah… figures. What do you want?"
There wasn't even hesitation in his tone. If Leon said he could clear six strongholds, then let him. Derrick had nothing to lose, there was no rule against another combatant clearing reserved strongholds on someone's behalf. No one had ever tried it, because no one had ever been like Leon. And as the saying goes: where there's no rule, there's no sin
Leon's smile widened.
"Eighty-twenty."
Derrick chuckled.
"That's fair."
But Leon didn't stop there.
"I take eighty… and you keep twenty."
Derrick blinked, then frowned.
"What?"
Leon shrugged, still smiling.
