"I want a life and death battle here," Max said calmly, his voice carrying across the crowd without strain.
"A life and death battle?" Mike stammered, the arrogance that had ridden him into the platform wobbling like a poorly balanced flag.
Max's lips curled into a cold smile as he stepped closer until the heat of his presence brushed Mike. "Did you forget the time you sneaked on me with the intention to kill?" he asked. "If you had met anyone else in my place they would have been maimed or turned to dust. Do not ask for a friendly duel when your hands have already tasted murder. You wanted to take my life, so the only fitting answer is a life and death battle."
Mike's jaw tightened and color drained from his face as the truth of Max's words dug into him. He had come here to prove himself, to parade his new heights at the peak of the Divine Rank, and he had not expected the challenge to be the last thing he would ever do.
