"How strong is he?" Max asked, slowly drawing his sword, its familiar weight grounding him as a flicker of tension coiled through his muscles.
"While alive, he was as strong as a Divine Rank expert of this world," came the reply, unhurried and emotionless.
"Divine Rank?!" Max's voice cracked in disbelief, his eyes widening as his heartbeat instantly quickened. That single phrase hit him like a thunderclap.
Divine Rank was not just a title—it was the summit, the legendary peak of strength in planet Acaris. Individuals at that level were revered as gods in mortal flesh, capable of splitting mountains with a breath and erasing cities with a flick of their hand.
Max had heard tales, myths even, about Divine Rank beings—but never had he imagined he would face one, even in this kind of trial. The very idea was staggering.
