Hearing this, Max finally understood. He would not be alone in the den of the Devouring Ants. He would not be fighting against the swarm only for himself. There would be others—geniuses from countless worlds, representatives of other giant dwarven villages—each of them striving for the same thing, each of them desperate to claim the Holy Nectar, each of them willing to kill to ensure their victory.
Max's expression grew darker with the realization. The Holy Nectar was the key to opening the Seven Divine Veins, and because of that, every single genius who entered the den would give their all. There would be no half measures. Failure would mean losing the path forever, and none of them could afford that.
"Are Nina and Evan part of this?" Max asked with genuine curiosity.
