Finally, Mongul added one more thing.
"You need only fight when I require it."
Jason remained silent and unmoved, quietly tightening his grip on the alien Kinetic Gun he had seized.
Seeing this, Shazam immediately caught on and took over the conversation, deliberately buying time.
Shane had repeatedly reminded him that when the situation was unclear and an opponent's strength was unknown, buying time was always the top priority.
He looked at Mongul with feigned curiosity and spoke loudly.
"That sounds nice and all, but I don't believe you're that strong!"
Mongul looked at Shazam and pointed at Dual Lantern beside him.
His meaning was obvious.
You can't even beat him, kid, and you have the nerve to question me?
Shazam's expression stiffened, but he quickly started shouting again.
"He's clearly being mind-controlled! That's why he obeys you! You only control your subordinates through underhanded tricks. Your actual strength probably isn't worth mentioning!" Those bold, offensive words brimmed with doubt and provocation toward the War God of the Mongolian Star.
Beside him, Jason's heart lurched. He instinctively tensed every muscle, ready to fight his way out.
He fully expected Shazam's outrageous words to enrage Mongul and bring down a storm of attacks.
But the expected fury never came.
Mongul merely stood in silence for a few seconds, his deep, white-glowing eyes calm and devoid of anger.
Then he raised a hand and gave a light wave to the Mongolian Star guards around them, who had grown agitated at Shazam's words.
Every guard instantly stopped and retreated, clearing an open battlefield and leaving the space entirely to the two of them.
Then Mongul slowly brought forward the other arm he had kept behind his back, holding both clenched fists before him.
"How would you like to compete?"
A gleam of success