Back inside the arena, Rakan slowly lowered his fists, and his bronze aura began to settle. Max watched him calmly and made no move to attack.
Rakan drew a deep breath, and then he laughed once. The laugh was not loud, and it was not arrogant. It was a rough sound woven from helplessness, admiration, and a warrior's honest acceptance.
"I lose."
The words carried across the stage, and the entire Divine Realm fell silent once more. Rakan Thorne, the first Warlord of the War God Palace, had just admitted defeat in a battle of pure body strength.
Max lowered his hand. "You are strong," he said calmly.
Rakan looked at him and shook his head. "Not strong enough."
Max did not mock him.
Rakan stared down at his trembling fists and smiled bitterly. "I opened three limits of the War God Body, and I still could not move a single finger. If this had been a fight to the death, you would have crushed me the moment you brought out that dragon power."
