Fear…
Primal fear… That was what Max felt as he saw the young girl appear in front of him. For some reason he could not fathom, every cell in his body was screaming at him to run away.
But alas, he was unable to move even a single muscle. Was it because of the stifling aura the girl gave off?... Or maybe it was the fact that his body just wouldn't listen to his command?
In any case, he remained in his position.
As he met the lady's gaze, a part of him could not help but admire her otherworldly beauty.
With slit irises, a well-structured nose, and a well-defined jawline.
Her eyes were made even more beautiful by a black eyeliner that was drawn sharply and then black lipstick that made her lips more luscious than is humanly possible.
She also possessed fox ears as well as three tails.
Anyone that saw this strange lady would have to admit… she was a beauty without equal.
Just as Max regained his senses, he could make out the voices of the two old frogs.
"Damn it." They had hoped to get away before the lady came close, who would have thought that their warnings would turn out to be useless.
Unsure of what to say but clearly feeling the dangerous intent the young lady had, the frogs decided to forget the emotions they felt and protect Max.
Opening their mouths, they attempted to attack.
The young girl snorted. "Do you think I will allow you to do as you please?"
Moving her hands, she sent both frogs flying. Max did not see her move but he felt the power behind both strikes.
"Ugh." Without a chance to retaliate, both frogs were knocked unconscious, unable to fight any longer.
Max glanced back. "No!!!... Why did you attack them." He turned back to the young lady, just in time to see her reach out and grab his neck before lifting him off the ground without any chance to struggle.
Max grabbed her wrist and attempted to pull her arm back but try as he may, she would not budge. A part of him could tell that she could snap his neck without even trying, thus he struggled even more.
"You should think about your safety before bothering with those two nosey frogs." The young girl remarked while staring at Max with a disdainful gaze.
"…Ugh… Please stop, you are hurting me." Max struggled to say while gasping for breath.
The young lady narrowed her alluring eyes to study Max for a few seconds before snorting as she shoved him back.
Finally free, Max began to cough while holding his neck, thankful that the young lady was slightly reasonable.
"Get out, I don't want to see you here, ever again." The young girl said as she turned away.
Max called out. "…Wait."
She glanced at him.
Max felt restricted by her terrifying aura, but he still spoke. "Who are you and why are you in my subconscious?"
The girl pursed her lips before revealing a smile so beautiful it would steal the hearts of men. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Please tell me."
The young girl walked over and bent down, placing her fingers on Max's chin, her actions highly provocative.
"You may call me… Kitsune."
"Kitsune… Why are you in my subconscious?" Mac committed her name to memory.
"Because I found myself here." She casually replied, not bothering to explain further.
Max wanted to ask for a breakdown but decided against it, instead asking another question, a very important one nonetheless.
"I came here because this hall was detected to be the reason why I can't use magic… could you perhaps know something?"
The young girl suddenly changed her expression, this caused Max's heart to tighten as he feared that his question might have struck the wrong chord.
Suddenly she burst into laughter. Max was left utterly confused. What was happening right now?
He did not say anything else though, merely waiting for Kitsune to finish while hoping that she would have an answer.
Thankfully, she did but her answer was not as he expected. "So you are looking for the reason you can't use magic despite having top-tier grade magic circuits."
Max nodded.
"It's simple actually… I ate your magic."
Max was rendered speechless. "Huh."
Kitsune placed a finger on her cheek. "More like I still eat it."
A wave of emotions was moving through Max's chest at this point, barely able to control it. "What do you mean you ate my magic!!!"
Kitsune was shocked by his sudden outburst but instead of feeling anger, she was greatly amused. "I needed sustenance and your magic was just too good to ignore, so I took it.
"Don't worry, it was for a good cause. Do you know how many people would beg to serve this queen in such an intimate manner?"
"Fuck that shit, why the hell would you take my magic away!!!... Do you know what I've had to go through because of you?" Max could care less about how dangerous she was at this point, he could barely think straight after all.
Unfortunately, Kitsune seemed to have gotten to the end of her patience. Gripping his throat, she spoke words that would reverberate in Max's mind for years to come.
"A weakling like you does not have the right to speak about what can and cannot happen to him. You should be glad that I don't take your life right at this very moment as I still need your magic for sustenance, but you don't have to worry…
"Once I have had enough, I will put you out of your misery and take your body for my own."
Each word stabbed deep into Max's heart. He stared blankly at Kitsune, various thoughts coming up in his mind, but there was one that took center stage.
"I am weak, but that will not always be the case… Know this now, I will return someday and when I do, I will make you pay for making me go through hell!!!"