Chapter 592: Max's secret treasure

Chapter 592: Max’s secret treasure

Max was stunned as he listened to Silus’s words. The casual arrogance with which Silus demanded they hand over all their treasures was so blatant, it almost felt surreal. He had said it out loud, right in front of them—as if it was perfectly normal to extort warriors who had risked life and limb in this mysterious citadel.

‘Is that the reason why the guardians came into the Citadel this time?’ Max thought to himself, a cold laugh echoing silently in his heart. ‘To use us as treasure scavengers while they sit back and reap the rewards?’

He kept his face neutral but sent a voice transmission to Klaus. “Listen to Silus for now,” Max said in a low, firm tone within Klaus’s mind. “He clearly knows more about the citadel than any of us at the moment. We can’t afford to make enemies with someone like him yet.”

Klaus’s response came a moment later, his tone calm but contemplative. “True. The last few times I was inside the citadel, we never made it this far. This place—these halls, these mirrors, even the structure of the maze in the first stage—it’s all new. Far more complex than before. Almost as if the citadel had evolved after the final key.”

He paused briefly, then added, “But Silus… he found his way out of the maze before anyone else. And now, without hesitation, he’s talking about treasures hidden in the mirrors and paintings like he already knew about them. That means he has prior knowledge—perhaps from the guardians or from old records not even we’ve seen. This guy… he knows too much.”

Max gave the faintest of nods as he replied through the transmission, “Yeah, so let’s play along. Let him think he’s in control. For now.”

As Silus began walking deeper into the strange, surreal hall where paintings shifted when you blinked and mirrors occasionally reflected things that weren’t there, Max and Klaus followed without protest.

But beneath their composed exteriors, their minds were racing—because if Silus truly held knowledge of the Citadel’s secrets, then the second stage wasn’t just a treasure hunt. It was a battlefield of information, deception, and survival.

They soon came to a stop. Beneath their feet was a big rune etched on the ground.

Silus narrowed his eyes as silence lingered in the air, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “Do you have any problem with my conditions?” he asked, clearly noting the hesitance after he’d demanded all the treasures.

Max gave a lazy shrug, his expression indifferent. “If I get rewarded then so be it. It’s not like these treasures can help me break into the Master Realm anyway.” His tone was calm, almost dismissive, as though he’d already weighed the cost and didn’t find it worth resisting.

Klaus followed up with a composed nod. “I agree. I just want something that helps me get stronger.” His voice lacked emotion, firm and straightforward.

But Nortan—he hesitated. It was written all over his face, the reluctance, the inner conflict, the battle between pride and fear. Yet, seeing that Max and Klaus had already accepted, he forced himself to nod, swallowing down his doubts. “Alright,” he said slowly, “I’ll give you all the treasures I obtain.”

Silus smiled, satisfied with the outcome. “Good. Now, spread out and explore the hall. Return to this spot once you’re done.”

With that, the group began to scatter. Max was about to turn away when Silus called out. “Hey, white-haired guy. What’s your name?”

Max turned back, a brow slightly raised. “Max Morgan,” he answered simply.

Silus repeated the name under his breath, his mind digging through memories, trying to place it within the Drake Family, but found nothing. His gaze sharpened.

“Give me the treasure you used to increase your strength from the 8th level of Seeker Rank to the peak of Expert Rank,” he demanded, his tone suddenly heavier. “I know you couldn’t have reached that level on your own. That kind of leap is impossible unless you’re some Heaven Grade genius—and that’s not likely. So cut the act. Hand over the treasure you used to get that strong.”

Max stood still for a moment, his back half-turned as he froze in place at Silus’ demand.

The atmosphere in the hall—which had already been uneasy—turned razor sharp in an instant.

The bright white walls filled with surreal mirrors and ancient paintings seemed to dim slightly, as if the Citadel itself sensed tension rising.

Max slowly turned around to face Silus, his white hair gently brushing against his shoulder as his crimson-pink eyes locked onto the young master from the Xuan Family.

Klaus narrowed his eyes. Even Nortan tensed.

“I asked you something,” Silus said again, more sharply this time, his voice still carrying that casual superiority, but there was a hint of curiosity too. “Don’t make me repeat it.”

Max gave a small chuckle, not mocking, but filled with something cold and ancient—like steel scraping over ice. “I can’t give that you,” he said, his voice low and calm, but unmistakably dangerous. “Because I never use a treasure to increase my battle strength.”

Silus frowned. “Then how the hell—”

“It’s a secret,” Max cut him off and made up some words but also in a way that looked like he was lying. “I-I’ve bled for every step. Trained, fought, crawled through deaths countless times. If you’re trying to say I don’t deserve my strength, then say it directly.”

He took a step closer, and for the briefest moment, there was a subtle pressure leaking from him—not enough to alarm anyone nearby, but enough to cause the surrounding mirrors to crack faintly at the edges.

Klaus gave a subtle grin and looked away, pretending to examine a nearby mural. He wasn’t about to interrupt.

Silus didn’t flinch, but his expression turned thoughtful. “You expect me to believe that someone not from the Middle Domain, who isn’t a Heaven Grade genius, just happened to grow strong enough to kill Monarch’s Commandments at your age?” He tilted his head. “That doesn’t make sense.”

“Maybe your world is too small,” Max replied, his voice sharper this time, eyes narrowing just slightly. “You think you’ve seen all kinds of talents just because you were born in the Middle Domain? You think everyone outside your Four God Nation is trash?” He smirked. “Then let’s make this easy. You want the truth? I’m someone who will reach the top—whether you understand how or not.” He spouted whatever nonsense that came to his head.

Silus stared at Max for a moment longer, then surprisingly smiled. Not mockingly this time, but intrigued. “Max Morgan, huh…” he murmured. “You’re interesting.”

He turned around with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Fine. Keep your little secret. But if I find out later you’re hiding something that could benefit the guardians…” His voice lowered, but carried clearly through the glowing hall, “I’ll take it from you myself.”

Max didn’t respond. He just turned around and walked away without another word, his footsteps echoing through the hall of distorted reflections and painted illusions.

Nortan watched silently, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Even he didn’t know what Max was hiding, but whatever it was—it was definitely not something anyone should pry into lightly.

A moment later, both Klaus and Nortan also went away. Only Silus’ remained there standing with a thoughtful expression.

“He definitely has a treasure that could increase his strength.” Silus muttered his eyes gleaming with dangerous light. “If I could obtain it, then…”

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!