Just as Cedric was trying to make sense of where Max had gone, Ifrit arrived at his location.
Ifrit also caught sight of the vines and frowned. "This wasn't here when you summoned me."
Cedric nodded. "I agree but I don't really care about it. Right now, I just want to figure out where that bastard ran off to."
Ifrit pondered for a moment while staring at the vines. "Isn't it obvious?"
Cedric shook his head. "Are you trying to say that my brother is in there?... Does that even make any sense?"
"With a Sage, a lot of things don't make sense. Their control over laws makes them a pain to handle." Ifrit explained but Cedric remained unconvinced.
"So what law do you think would allow Mac to shrink himself to fit in there?"
Ifrit shrugged. "Space, Reality?... I will only be at ease after we check it."
Cedric pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine then, do what you must."
Getting a go-ahead, Ifrit pointed a finger at the vines after which they suddenly caught fire. A few seconds later and the vines were completely burnt to reveal… a frog?
"Huh, where did this guy come from?" Cedric put up a brow while Ifrit remained silent. He seemed to be in deep thought as his 'brows' furrowed slightly at the sight of the frog.
Ribbit
The frog at first glance was completely normal. It was an adult green frog with purple markings on it. It blinked its eyes as it stared blankly at Cedric, the latter looking back at it with a curious gaze.
Carried away, Cedric put out a finger and made to poke the frog. Just then, Ifrit had a sudden realization as he clicked his fingers.
"Of course."
At this point, Cedric had already poked the frog's nose as he turned his neck slightly. "Did you find him?"
Ifrit was about to respond when he saw that Cedric's finger was on the frog. "Get away from that thing!"
Cedric tried to speak but did not get a chance to do so.
The frog suddenly opened its mouth and its tongue shot out, wrapping around Cedric firmly, leaving the latter stunned for a moment.
"Shit!" Ifrit rushed to grab him but alas, he was a tad bit slow.
The frog dragged Cedric into its mouth and before everyone present, swallowed him whole before releasing a burp.
Ifrit went wide-eyed as he saw this. "Let him go!" He roared in anger as he made to attack the frog.
Just then, The ground underneath Ifrit made a resounding crack as web-like lines appeared. In the next second, the earth exploded, followed by the emergence of Max.
"You..." Ifrit could not say more as he felt a heavy fist connect with his flaming jaw. This attack forced him to shut up while also sending him flying upward.
For a moment, Ifrit was dazed.
The next moment, he regained himself just in time to see Max catch up to him with a smile on his face.
"I'm not done yet…. Raging Kick!" Max exclaimed as he put up his right leg and brought it down with enough force to split a boulder.
Ifrit cursed inwardly. "Isn't this bastard scared of getting burned from touching me so casually!"
He deftly moved out of the way, dodging Max's follow-up attack by a hair's breadth. Immediately, he moved away, keeping his distance from Max while eyeing him carefully.
"Tch." Clicking his tongue, Max regretted not finishing his combo attack. Alas, a Lord rank dimensional being was not to be looked down on in the first place.
With a sigh he descended to the ground and made a superhero landing, executing it superbly.
Standing tall, Max crossed his arms as he addressed Ifrit that was still currently appraising him from above. "Are you planning on staring at me from up there all day or are you going to come down here let's fight."
Ifrit remained silent for a few seconds more inquiring. "What relationship do you have with Sage Regard?"
Max put up a brow. "What's it to you?"
"He is the only one that managed to contract with Golden Clover, the land of the frogs. Looking at that frog behind you, I can guess you also have relations with those disgusting vermin."
Just then, Gibby, the frog spoke. "Oi, who you calling a vermin?"
Ifrit glared at him causing the latter to look away. A Servant rank talking trash in front of a Lord rank was like a lone ant arguing with a dog, the difference was just too big to ignore.
"You are talking about irrelevant things. Cut it with the small talk and let's fight." Max said, waving his hand to signify that he wouldn't be answering Ifrit's question.
Amused by Max's calm expression as he stood before him, Ifrit smiled. "Fine then, I can always ask you as I slowly torture your soul."
Max was about to retort but the latter was gone. His eyes went wide with shock as Flow of Peril screamed for him to evade.
He deftly moved out of the way in time to dodge Ifrit's flaming fist that came down like a meteor by a hairsbreadth.
Boom
Max was sent flying by the shockwave as Ifrit's fist collided with the ground. Of course, Gibby was not left out as he was also sent flying.
"You can read the danger in the atmosphere… a good skill, that is only if you can match the speed of your opponent and clearly… you are somewhat lacking in our exchange, young Sage." Ifrit said as he pulled his arm back and stared at Max with a cold glint in his eyes.
Max knitted his brows as he suddenly got the same feeling he had while fighting with a certain Shadow Wolf not too long ago.
It was the feeling of meeting a natural enemy with the latter already prepared to kill should the opportunity arise.
Max wondered. "Why does it feel like most dimensional creatures, after finding out I'm a Sage, start giving off that vibe? It's weird. I need to ask Mentor."
Just then, Ifrit moved once again.
This time, Max was prepared as he jumped out of the way again, of course, he was still unable to evade the shockwave that followed.
"Do you only know how to jump around like a monkey?... I thought you pulled Cedric away to face me one-on-one but now you just seem to be buying time…" Ifrit trailed off as he had a sudden realization.
Max smirked as he saw the change of expression on Ifrit's flaming visage. "And here I was hoping that you would be too caught up in your feelings for me… I guess I've been caught out."