Two figures emerged from the woods near the glowing grove. They looked young, not much older than Max himself. For a moment, none of them moved. Then recognition flashed across one of their faces.
"Max?" one of the young men said in shock.
"Scott, Josh, I didn't expect to see you two here. It's really fate, isn't it?" Max said with a calm smile, his tone casual, as if they were just old friends reuniting.
But the glint in his eyes was cold—ruthless. Standing in the heart of this burning volcanic world, Max looked anything but merciful.
The two young men—Scott from Mountain Gods Valley and Josh from Thunder Monarch Hall—froze the moment they heard his voice. For a heartbeat, they hesitated, their faces going pale as fear crept into their eyes.
