Max's gaze sharpened as he looked toward the settling rubble. From within the cracked wall and dust, Silus emerged slowly, his expression twisted in irritation but far from afraid.
Max's eyes immediately focused on the area where his sword had landed—it was glowing with a thick, transparent greenish hue, like a condensed shell of light. A protective aura. No, it was more than that. Something deeper. Something ancient.
'What is that… some kind of defensive skill?' Max narrowed his eyes, his thoughts racing.
"You think a sneak attack would work on me?" Silus spat, brushing the dust from his shoulders with theatrical ease, his confidence unfazed.
Then, without any dramatic motion or flourish, a transformation spread across his body. A shimmering green armor materialized from thin air, layering itself tightly around him.
