Max nodded as he listened to her and said, "It's good, at least my game is working as I intended."
"What do you mean?" Rosaria asked, even Kingpin was wondering what he meant.
"Well, I made it so that even common people can experience the feeling of being powerful."
"Yes, and it's amazing! I can say that it feels like I'm using my powers in real life."
"With the class system you made, I was able to create a class that mirrors my mutant ability—it's called Mist Mage," she said, smiling. "I never would have thought I could freely use my powers this way," she added.
She stood up and continued, "You gave people like us, who were cooped up and felt restricted, the freedom to live our lives—even if it's in a virtual world, we can live freely. Thank you."
Max simply nodded.
"I knew there might come a day when either the common people revolt, saying they can't live with powerful individuals, or the gifted people get fed up with this situation. So, I made it this way—so that even if it's not 100% effective, it can at least reduce the chances of such conflict by 50%," Max said.
He knew that ending the divide completely was just a pipe dream, but at the very least, he could help reduce it to some extent.
Rosaria nodded, understanding Max's reasoning. "Even if it's not perfect, giving people an outlet where they can experience power or live without fear… it's better than nothing," she said.
Kingpin, who had been silently listening, finally spoke. "Hmph. A world where the strong and weak can coexist without tearing each other apart… Sounds like a fool's dream." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
Max smirked. "I don't expect it to be perfect, but I believe in giving people a choice. Some will abuse it, sure, but many just want to live their lives without being judged for their power or lack of it."
Rosaria smiled, her eyes shining with appreciation. "It's more than that, Max. You're giving people like us something we never had before—freedom."
Max looked at her for a moment before exhaling. "I just hope it works out the way I intended."
Kingpin chuckled darkly. "Hope is good. But be prepared—because if it doesn't, you'll be the one everyone blames."
Max's expression didn't waver. He had already accepted that possibility. Even if the world rejected his vision, he would still push forward.
"Since I'm already working for you, here," Kingpin said as he tossed a file toward Max.
Max caught it and opened it, reading through the contents. "What is this?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Why would I dare assist you without getting something in return?" Kingpin smirked. "It wasn't me—it was them."
Max exhaled sharply. "Hah… so Magneto doesn't like that I'm giving mutants a different way to use their powers?" He flipped through the file, his expression darkening. "It was Magneto who ordered the hit on me?"
"Yes," Kingpin confirmed. "He thinks you're stopping him from gathering more mutants for his cause. So, he sent someone after you, hoping to eliminate the problem before it spreads."
Max clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Wow… and here I thought I'd finally get some peace. Guess I was being naive."
Shaking his head, he gave an order through his communicator. "Rize, hunt down Magneto's assassin and inform him—I don't take kindly to people trying to kill me."
Kingpin chuckled, watching Max with an amused expression. "You think a simple warning will stop Magneto? He's a stubborn old man who won't back down just because you sent his assassin packing."
Max sighed, closing the file with a snap. "I know. But I'm not planning to just warn him—I need to make a statement."
Rosaria frowned. "You're not thinking of starting a war, are you?"
Max shook his head. "War? A war is between two parties of equal strength. This is just a massacre," he said mockingly.
Both Kingpin and Rosaria felt a sudden chill as an overwhelming aura of death leaked from Max, making them momentarily uneasy.
"But yeah, I'm not planning on killing him—just giving him a warning about who he shouldn't mess with. Killing him would only rile up the mutant followers he has," Max said casually.
Kingpin chuckled, shaking his head. "A warning, huh? You do realize Magneto isn't the type to be intimidated, right?"
Max smirked. "That depends on how the warning is delivered." His eyes gleamed with confidence. "If I just beat up some of his men, sure, he'll brush it off. But if I break his plans right in front of him? If I show him that I can take away what he values without even trying? That'll make him think twice."
Rosaria crossed her arms. "And what exactly do you have in mind?"
Max leaned back, tapping his fingers on the table. "Magneto wants to unite mutants under his rule, right? He thrives on making them believe that the world is against them, that they need him to survive."
"So you will…?" Kingpin began, but Max finished his sentence for him.
"Yes, I will beat him nearly to death in front of his people, and then his people too and then will just leave after leaving them on the brink of death. It will be a message," Max said with a smile.
The look in his eyes wasn't just one of confidence—it was something far more chilling. In that moment, to those watching, he didn't seem like a mere man but something closer to a devil.
"Anyway, I'm leaving. See you guys," Max said as he formed a portal and stepped through, arriving in his room where Lumia was waiting.
"Hey! Did you go off doing something fun without me?" she pouted, crossing her arms.
Max tilted his head with a smirk. "No, just some pesky annoyances that needed to be dealt with," he said casually.
Lumia narrowed her eyes at him, stepping closer. "You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Why would I?" Max said as he plopped onto his bed. "What are you doing here anyway?" he asked as he looked at her.
"I want to go on another adventure," Lumia said eagerly.
"Huh?" Max muttered, raising an eyebrow.
She pouted. "I want to go and gain new experiences, find something that can help me grow."
***
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