At the cliffs outside the forbidden zone, Lucia and Rose were still there.
Lucia had clearly been waiting anxiously despite trying to hide it. The moment she saw Max walking out alive, her eyes widened before relief washed across her face.
"You finally came back," she said, quickly stepping forward. "Do you know how long you were inside?"
Max smiled faintly.
"Long enough to gain something worthwhile."
Rose, standing slightly behind Lucia, studied him carefully.
The moment her gaze settled on him, her expression subtly changed.
She could sense it. The Max who had entered Dragon Death Valley and the Max who had returned were not the same.
His aura was deeper and so was his presence.
Even standing still, he carried a pressure that hinted at terrifying growth.
Rose narrowed her eyes. "You found something in there."
Max glanced at her and smiled. "You could say that."
Lucia looked between them, then crossed her arms.
