“Give it up, boy,” shouted Samuel from above. “A shield slime is one of the easiest monsters to kill in the tower. If you can’t manage to kill it here and now, you won’t ever be able to make it in the tower.”

Max shook his head.

Screw that guy.

He ignored the man and renewed his punches at the shield slime.

One of these swings was going to break through the slime’s shield and he’d show that jerk above what he was made of.

The man continued to taunt Max even as he ignored him and focused on the shield slime.

Amidst all of the punches and pain, Max started to think of a new idea.

It was a risky move.

But it was all he had left.

16

Max stopped punching the slime.

He looked up at Samuel Archer, smugly watching him.

“If you don’t think I can win,” said Max. “If you think I should give up. Come down here and say it to my face.”

The man smirked. “Gladly.”

Samuel jumped off the balcony and landed on the arena floor with ease and grace.

Such was the power of a high ranked and trained climber, thought Max. He won’t see what I’m about to do coming.

“Young man,” said Samuel Archer, addressing him. “You will not win this—”

“I’LL KILL YOU!”

Max screamed with all of his might and rushed at Samuel Archer with a raised fist.

* * *

Sakura’s shoulders tensed in shock as Max rushed towards Samuel.

What is the idiot thinking?

Max was going to get himself killed. Samuel was one of the highest ranked climbers in Zestiris. He could kill Max with ease.

The boy rushed towards the high ranked climber.

Samuel merely smirked.

This was bad, thought Sakura. Samuel wanted this to happen. This was why he was taunting him. He was going to use this whole set-up as a reason to hurt or even kill Max.

She needed to step in and stop this.

* * *

Samuel Archer smirked at the dumb kid rushing towards him.

This boy was making it easier than he had planned.

He could kill the boy right now, if he wanted. Or severely wound him so he’d never climb or fight again.

Climber law backed him up on this. It was a severe offence to attack another climber outside of a controlled and organized match.

“You dare to attack me, foolish boy,” yelled Samuel at the approaching attacker.

He pulled a blue stone from his overcoat and pressed down on it.

Lightning swirled around the man’s arm and fists.

He raised his arm and swung his fist so that it would directly clash with Max’s.

The foolish boy, smirked Samuel. With my lightning stone plus my higher strength stat, you’re about to die, and I won’t even be punished for it.

The two fists clashed.

THUD!

Samuel blinked.

The boy stood in front of him.