"No need to thank me," Max said, waving off Rose's gratitude as though swatting away an insect. His tone was light but his words carried weight. "The Mountain Gods Valley and the Thunder Monarch Hall are birds of a feather. They deserve what's coming to them. Eliminating a two-star member of the Mountain Gods Valley will only be a good thing for my Great Ruler Empire."
Gayle blinked, as though taken aback by Max's casual admission of killing a prominent member of one of the seven overlord forces, but quickly composed himself and cleared his throat. "I wonder… where are you planning to go next, Brother Max?" he asked, cautiously respectful, a trace of curiosity edging his voice.
Max shook his head slowly, his expression thoughtful yet distant as he looked off into the deeper shadows of the trees. "I don't have a fixed place to go," he replied calmly. "I came to the Hundred Battles Region to gain experience—and perhaps find a few opportunities worth grabbing."
