The Eighth Shadow moved first.
Its massive greatsword came down with terrifying force. There was no hesitation in the swing, no testing strike, and no attempt to measure Max's defense. The shadow attacked as though it had already decided that the only purpose of this battle was to crush whatever stood in front of it.
Max raised Dragonheart, and the Emotion Severing Path was already active.
The instant the two swords met, the whole arena erupted.
Boom!
A violent shockwave tore across the battlefield. The black stone beneath Max's feet cracked outward in every direction while waves of sword pressure rolled through the arena like a storm.
Max's expression didn't change, and the Eighth Shadow didn't pause either.
The moment the first clash ended, it twisted the greatsword and swept it horizontally toward Max's waist. The weapon was enormous, yet in the shadow's hands it didn't move like something heavy. It moved like an extension of its body, almost like a limb.
