When Max spoke the word Superhuman , the room fell into a thoughtful silence.
Most of the group tilted their heads slightly, uncertain of what he meant. Were they talking about people from comic books , those who could fly, shoot lasers, or bend steel with their bare hands? Or was Max referring to something else entirely , something real, something dangerous?
For Joe and Stephen, it sounded absurd. For Na, who stood quietly behind Max, it was a term she hadn’t heard before. But for Wolf, that single word struck deeper than it did for anyone else.
His eyes widened slightly. Memories resurfaced , whispered conversations between higher-ranking gangs, the kind of rumors people never spoke too loudly about. Back then, he had thought it was nonsense, wild talk made to scare smaller groups like theirs. But after meeting someone like Jett , who had crushed them all single-handedly , Wolf wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.
If there were people even stronger than Jett, what else could they be but Superhuman ?
"I’ve heard of them," a voice said suddenly.
Everyone turned to look. It wasn’t Wolf, nor Aron, nor Na.
It was Darno.
He stood there calmly, his hands tucked in his pockets, as if what he’d said wasn’t surprising at all.
Max raised an eyebrow. "I’m surprised you know that term , and I’m guessing you’re using it in the true sense, not the comic-book kind," he said.
Darno gave a small nod.
"Considering you once told me you had a teacher," Max continued, "someone who taught you your fighting style... I’m guessing that teacher of yours , he’s one of them, isn’t he?"
Darno’s expression didn’t change, but the faint tension in his shoulders was answer enough. He didn’t speak again, simply nodding once more.
He wasn’t supposed to talk about his teacher , not to anyone. The man’s name, his location, even the techniques he had passed down were secrets Darno was meant to carry alone.
Still, there was a reason he had come here today.
"The reason I’m here," Darno said after a moment, "is because I wanted to ask for time off. I plan to go search for my teacher. If I can find him again, I’ll get stronger. And if that happens... then something like what happened with Jett won’t ever happen again."
Max studied him carefully. For someone who had started off on such shaky terms, Darno had proven himself loyal , maybe even more loyal than he realized.
He’s not from the underworld, Max thought. He doesn’t understand how valuable his skills are out there. If he did, he could name his price and disappear overnight.
It was strange. Someone like Darno could have been working for powerful syndicates, yet here he was , in the Fortis Group, choosing to fight for them.
"You can go," Max said finally. "But before you do, stay for a moment. What I’m about to say might benefit you , and everyone here."
That immediately caught their attention.
Max stood from his chair, his hands resting lightly on the desk as he looked at the Rangers one by one , Stephen, Joe, Wolf, Darno, and even Aron.
"In this world," he began, "there are people known as Superhumans. These are individuals strong enough to take down entire gangs or organizations by themselves."
His words hung heavy in the air.
"I’m sure that’s how most of you felt when facing Jett," Max said. "You saw what it was like to stand against something far beyond human strength. But understand this , Superhumans don’t have powers like in movies. They don’t fly, turn invisible, or shoot lightning from their hands."
He started pacing slowly, his voice steady but intense.
"They’re called Superhuman because certain parts of their bodies are enhanced beyond natural limits. Some are incredibly strong. Others have insane endurance, faster reflexes, or even unnatural healing abilities. There are a few whose brains function far beyond what a normal person can comprehend."
"These people," Max continued, "exist in places most never see. Some sit quietly in positions of power , politicians, tycoons, warlords , while others hide from the world entirely, living peacefully so they don’t destroy what’s around them."
He stopped and turned toward the group, his gaze sharp.
"I’m sure some of you have wondered how I got stronger so quickly , how I managed to push myself far beyond what’s normal."
They exchanged glances, and Wolf nodded slightly. They had wondered. Max had always been strong, but at times, he had shown sudden bursts of strength that defied reason. It wasn’t normal.
Max smirked faintly. "Not long ago, I went looking for one of these Superhumans myself. I thought they could teach me , show me how to become like them. But what I learned wasn’t what I expected."
He spread his hands lightly, his tone calm. "As you can see... I’m not exactly Superhuman."
Joe crossed his arms. "So what happened?"
Max’s eyes narrowed, his tone quiet but deliberate. "I learned that it’s not about bloodlines or secret formulas. It’s about something deeper. A kind of contract you make with yourself , a Vow."
That caught everyone’s attention. Even Aron looked up now.
"A Vow? " Stephen repeated.
Max nodded. "A Vow is a binding force , a commitment that connects your strength directly to your resolve. It’s a promise between your will and your body. The stronger your conviction, the more power you can draw from it. But there’s risk , the Vow takes from you as much as it gives. It has rules, and if you break them... you’ll pay a price."
He went on to explain everything , the concept of the Vow, its link to strength, how it had changed him, and what it meant to live under one.
As they listened, the room grew still.
It sounded almost mythical, but the seriousness in Max’s tone made it impossible to dismiss.
When he finished, Max crossed his arms. "The important thing," he said, "is never to let anyone know what your Vow is. If they find out, they can exploit it , use it against you. Keep it hidden. Make it your own."
He looked at each of them in turn, his expression firm.
"So, I give you all permission," Max said finally. "Find your Vows. Go out there, get stronger , for yourselves, and for the Billion Bloodline Group."