"From now on, Kingpin," Max said, his voice calm, "you work for me. You don't breathe unless I allow it. You don't move unless I permit it. You don't even think unless I let you."
Kingpin shuddered.
"Yes…" he croaked. "Understood."
Max took a slow step back, then turned his gaze toward Rosaria, the mutant who had been watching the entire exchange with narrowed eyes.
Max's lips curled into a smirk.
"Now, then," he said. "Let's talk about you."
Rosaria nodded as she gestured for Max to sit across from her.
"My name is Rosaria Marie. I'm 29 years old, and I enjoy cooking and singing."
Max stared at her, unimpressed. "Stop. This isn't an interview. What is your ability?"
Rosaria exhaled, leaning back slightly. "It's… I call it the Mist of Delusion. I can create various types of mist—some poisonous, some that induce sleep, and even fatal ones."
Max raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. Interesting. And this mist, is it only poison-based?"
She shook her head. "At first, yes. I could only create harmless water mist. But after trying to imitate the scent-based poisons used by the Hand assassins, I discovered I could manipulate the composition of my mist. That's how I developed my more dangerous variants."
Max studied her. She was strong—far stronger than most mutants he had encountered so far. But her true value wasn't just her power; it was her potential.
"You're not a mutant who was born with a complete ability," Max noted. "You're someone who can evolve through understanding."
Rosaria nodded. "That's what I believe. My powers grow when I study and replicate things."
Max leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "So tell me, why were you with Fisk?"
Rosaria hesitated.
"I owed him a debt," she admitted. "He funded my research when no one else would. In return, I worked for him. But I was never truly loyal."
Max smirked. "Good. Because Fisk works for me now. And so do you."
Rosaria's eyes widened slightly before she let out a dry chuckle. "Is that how it is?"
Max simply smiled. "It is. Now, let's discuss how you'll be useful to me."
Rosaria exhaled slowly, her green eyes locking onto Max's.
"And if I refuse?" she asked, testing the waters.
Max didn't react immediately. Instead, he casually reached into his pocket, pulled out a coin, and flicked it into the air. The instant it reached its peak, it stopped—suspended mid-air. Then, without warning, it shot forward with terrifying speed, piercing straight through the wall behind Rosaria.
She flinched. Not out of fear, but out of sheer awe at the level of control he had over such a simple motion.
"You misunderstand," Max said, his tone casual but absolute. "You don't have a choice. You're already mine. The only thing you get to decide is how useful you want to be."
Rosaria sighed and leaned back against the plush leather sofa. "And if I say I'm willing?"
Max smirked. "Then you'll be rewarded. Wealth, resources, protection—whatever you need. You'll no longer be just some pawn of Fisk's. You'll be part of something greater."
Rosaria tilted her head, intrigued. "And what exactly are you planning?"
Max leaned forward, his voice lowering slightly. "The world is bigger than you think, Rosaria. The Hand, Fisk, even S.H.I.E.L.D… they're nothing compared to what's coming. Mutants, enhanced humans, gods walking among men—it's only going to get crazier. And I intend to be on top when it does."
She studied him for a long moment before a slow smirk formed on her lips. "Alright. I'll play along. But I'm no lackey—I expect a seat at the table."
Max chuckled. "Good. Because I don't need lackeys. I need people who can think. Now, first things first..."
He stood up, glancing toward the massive window overlooking the city.
"Tell me everything you know about the underground mutant scene."
Rosaria's smirk widened as she crossed her legs. "Now that is an interesting topic."
"You see, the mutants are hidden, but not really," Rosaria said, leaning forward slightly. "We exist in a way that most people don't acknowledge. Even though we're sitting right in front of them, they don't realize it. But that's intentional."
Max nodded, listening carefully.
"It all started with a man named Professor X. He believes that humans won't accept mutants who use their abilities openly. He's been preaching coexistence, calling mutants 'Gifted' rather than mutants. He claims that if the rest of humanity sees us as dangerous, they'll try to get rid of us. So, his group—what they call the X-Men—tries to keep everything under control."
Max scoffed. "I can see the logic in that, but let's be real. Plenty of hotheaded kids are going to use their powers recklessly—whether for heroics or villainy."
Rosaria smirked. "Exactly. That's why there's another faction, led by a mutant named Magneto. He's beyond extreme. His philosophy is simple: mutants should rule. And his Brotherhood of Mutants only has one rule—eliminate threats to mutantkind."
Max raised an eyebrow. "So, basically, they assassinate anyone who stands in their way?"
Rosaria nodded. "Anyone who opposes mutant superiority, or even just mutants who misuse their powers without Magneto's approval, is dealt with. Meanwhile, the X-Men act like peacekeepers, making sure mutants stay in check but only getting recognition when they play by the human government's rules. It's a never-ending power struggle."
Max crossed his arms. "So, two prideful sides, both convinced they're doing the right thing. And I assume there's a neutral faction?"
Rosaria chuckled. "Of course. There are mutants who just want to live their lives without getting involved in some ideological war. But now, that war is no longer just ideological—it's starting to spill into everything."
Max tilted his head. "Oh?"
Rosaria smirked. "Your game… it's not just ordinary people enjoying it. Mutants are playing it too. Your game allows them to use their powers as if they were using them in reality, letting them vent their frustrations in a way they never could before."
"so, you are saying te are now having war in game?" he asked amused as she nodded " yes, Even I am in a guild called Great Fairy Garden, it is composes of females' only and only Mutant females"
***
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