Chapter 76: Bold Declaration
Alice gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide with shock at Max's audacious words. Beside her, Nash and Erica exchanged incredulous glances, struggling to process what they had just heard.
Max's tone was sharp, unapologetic, and utterly humiliating.
No one had anticipated such a brazen insult directed at the Blade Family, one of the most powerful and feared families in the East Region.
To call them "dogs and bitches" wasn't just bold—it bordered on suicidal arrogance.
Allen's smile vanished upon hearing Max's words, replaced by a cold and indifferent expression. "So, it's true that you are quite arrogant—just as my sister had mentioned about you."
Max shrugged. "A bitch and a dog came from the same family, so it doesn't matter, does it?" He sneered, glancing at Allen and Elena.
Allen smiled as if he didn't care about Max's words. "You're good, but it doesn't really matter to me what an ant says. Just remember my words."
As he said that, he began to leave with Elena and his group, but Max wouldn't let them leave so easily.
"Dogs and bitches, tell Killian that I challenge him to a battle!" Max shouted, his voice reaching far and wide. "Tell him to prepare with everything the Blade Family has to offer, or else I, Max Morgan, won't go easy on him in our battle."
Allen paused upon hearing Max's declaration, but he didn't stop and disappeared from Max's sight.
Max chuckled afterward. "What a shameless family the Blade family is!"
Alice sighed in relief once the Blades left. She had been on edge ever since Max had abused them with his words.
"You really are crazy," Nash said from the side, his expression full of shock.
Max shrugged. "What can I do? They are just so hateful."
Nash shook his head. "But you shouldn't have challenged Killian. He's very strong—too strong for a level 10 Novice Rank. There are even rumors that he could fight with Apprentice Rank hunters with his current strength."
He added, "While I know you're also very strong—heck, insanely strong—your level is just too low to challenge Killian."
Max smirked. "How about this? If I win against Killian, then you can forget about the purple lantern, but if I lose, you can have the purple lantern."
Nash's eyes narrowed at Max's words, but he shook his head. "The Lantern of Purple Death is the property of the Lionheart Guild. We will take it from you one way or another."
Max shrugged. "All the best to you and your guild then." He said, holding Alice's hand and leaving.
Nash sighed as he watched them leave and turned to Erica. "This guy is nuts. I can't handle him."
"Then I guess another mission failed," Erica said, smiling.
Nash's shoulders dropped as he shook his head in defeat. "Let's go back."
---
"Don't you fear the Blade family?" Alice asked, her tone curious as they were leaving the core region. "You said such bad things to them."
Max turned to Alice, his expression unusually serious. His eyes locked onto hers, and his tone carried the weight of conviction. "Alice, listen to me carefully," he began. "Never let fear control you. The moment you fear someone, you plant a seed of doubt in yourself—a seed that grows and festers until it becomes a wall you can't break through."
He continued, "And when the time comes to stand against them, you'll already be defeated—not because they're stronger, but because you let fear decide the outcome before the fight even began. That fear is the real enemy, Alice. Don't let it take root. Don't let it define you."
His words hung in the air, striking a chord that left Alice momentarily speechless. She hadn't expected Max's thought process to be so deep.
Max laughed wryly, seeing her expression. "These are the words my father said to me before he was gone."
Alice nodded as if she understood.
She then changed the subject. "You are ranked 17th on the Novice Rankings. I don't think Killian would accept your challenge."
Max sighed upon hearing her. "What can I do? Once in the rankings, I can only increase my rank further by defeating those who are higher than me. But I can't seem to find them in the Battle Realm."
He added, "But I have a way to make Killian accept my challenge."
"What way?" Alice asked curiously.
"Let's head back to my cube," Max said, smiling as they headed towards his cube, talking with each other.
---
As usual, a very large crowd surrounded Max's cube, waiting for him to show up.
"They never rest, do they?" Max chuckled as he arrived with Alice.
Soon, someone noticed him, and only a moment later, the entire crowd turned their eyes to Max. Their faces flushed with fascination, some with greed. Even after he entered the top 20 rankings, there were still many who wanted to defeat him and steal his fame and ranking, just because they thought Max's strength was still at level 6.
"Max, will you fight the others in the rankings?"
"Who will you fight next?"
"Will you live stream your battles?"
Questions were thrown at Max as soon as he showed up, asking about his next battles and such.
"About that," Max said, his expression solemn. "I have an announcement to make for my next battle."
"What is it?"
"Tell us."
"Announce it, Max."
The crowd stirred immediately, attracted by Max's words. They became heavily curious about what his announcement would be.
Max smiled and headed toward his cube. The crowd parted ways for him as he strode forward. The people in the crowd tapped their holowatches, ready to record whatever Max was about to announce.
Arriving before his cube, Max turned to face the crowd, a confident smirk playing on his lips. His gaze swept over the gathered hunters, his voice calm yet laced with an undeniable edge of determination.
"It's time to shake the very foundation of the Battle Realm," he declared, letting the suspense hang in the air for a moment. The crowd leaned in, eager to hear what he had to say next. Enjoy new chapters from empire
"I, Max Morgan, challenge Killian Blade—the so-called number one ranked hunter in the Novice Rankings." His tone sharpened, each word cutting through the murmurs of the audience. "But this isn't just any challenge, Killian. I'm not here for a friendly duel. I challenge you because I believe you're unworthy of your rank. From the depths of my soul, I disdain you and everything you represent."
The crowd erupted in a mix of gasps and whispers. They couldn't believe Max would say such words.
"If you have even a shred of pride as a member of the Blade Family," Max continued, his voice rising, "then you'll accept my challenge. Fight me here, in the Battle Realm, and prove your worth. Let the world see whether you truly deserve the title you flaunt."
He paused, then added with a sly grin, "And to ensure absolute fairness, I propose the battle be live-streamed to every channel in the Battle Realm. Let everyone witness the truth—my true strength, and your inevitable defeat."
The crowd exploded into an uproar, the audacity of Max's words leaving them stunned and exhilarated. The challenge had been issued, and all eyes now turned to see if Killian Blade would dare to accept.