For several seconds, neither side yielded.
A shockwave slipped through the gaps.
Lothar was forced back several meters, his bare feet digging deep into the ground before he finally stabilized himself.
Both of them halted and maintained distance with a rugged breath. Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by a distant roar of a beast.
Garnak rolled his shoulders once and exhaled slowly.
"That was impressive." He said sincerely, then his expression hardened as he continued. "I'm going all out now."
The ground beneath him trembled as he finally utilized his physique (Earthbound Titan Physique — S Rank), mana surged outward like a rising tide.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
Stone erupted from Garnak's skin, layers of compacted earth bursting forth and wrapping around his limbs, torso, and shoulders. Ancient runes flickered across the forming armor as it fully encased his body.
The pressure doubled instantly.
Garnak took a single step forward.
Boom!
