Date: Unspecified

Time: Unspecified

Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City

"How about I store him away for you?" I asked Petra, reaching toward the petrified Aero.

Through my Soul Pupils, I could clearly see what had happened. The gases composing Aero’s body had undergone countless chemical reactions under Petra’s influence, crystallizing into minerals, ores, gemstones, and various solid compounds. At first, Aero’s will fiercely resisted the petrification, constantly trying to reverse the petrification and restore the gases to their natural state.

For a while, the struggle had been evenly matched. Then Petra’s ability reached far beyond his gaseous body, his will itself. The moment Aero’s will began to petrify alongside the gases he used to form his body, everything changed.

His resistance collapsed almost instantly. The confidence, arrogance, and annoyance that usually filled his face vanished, replaced by pure terror. For perhaps the first time in countless years, Aero had genuinely feared for his life. Unfortunately for him, he never got the chance to express that fear. Before he could speak, plead, or even properly react, the petrification was complete.

His body froze permanently. What remained no longer resembled a living being. It looked like a statue unearthed from an ancient ruin, carved from countless crystals, minerals, gemstones, and metallic ores fused into the shape of a handsome man.

A geological masterpiece. Or a geological crime scene. I couldn’t help but think that if someone discovered it millions of years later, it would probably make headlines across the world: Ancient Humanoid Statue Found Deep Underground. Researchers Baffled.

"No," Petra replied immediately, swatting away the idea before I could get any closer. "I’m throwing him into the void."

The rejection was so quick that it almost felt reflexive. Her complete lack of trust in me was as impressive as it was insulting. Then she turned toward Seraphine and Veerott.

"You two aren’t allowed to retrieve him from the void either," she warned. "And don’t even think about freeing him from my seal."

"Yes, of course."

"Honestly, that psycho is better off wandering the void." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Seraphine and Veerott agreed without the slightest hesitation. The speed of their responses was almost comical. Normally, one would expect allies to at least pretend to defend a friend. Neither of them bothered.

Even if Aero hadn’t just tried to murder them, they likely would have supported Petra’s decision anyway.

Aero was simply too unpredictable. Most of the time, he was barely noticeable, existing quietly in the background like the air surrounding everyone. And that was precisely the problem. People tended to forget about him.

Then he would suddenly remember something from ten thousand years ago, get offended by a casual remark, explode half a continent, and act surprised that everyone was upset afterward.

From Seraphine’s and Veerott’s perspectives, Aero being trapped in the void was probably the safest outcome for everyone involved. Including Aero himself.

For once, even Aqualas didn’t argue. She merely looked at the petrified statue and sighed.

Truthfully, she hadn’t specifically arranged for Aero to be her backup. It was simply that, much like the atmosphere itself, Aero was always around.

When she found herself and her friends trapped within the Southern Hope’s curse field and feeling genuinely helpless, she had instinctively called for him. She knew he would answer immediately if the situation involved either her or Petra.

In that regard, Aero had never disappointed her.

"Now that that’s handled, we’ll be on our way," Seraphine said, seizing the opportunity to retreat while everyone was distracted. Her tone was calm, as though a reasonable compromise had just been reached. Acting like she had already forgotten that they were still trapped inside my One Thousand Curse Fields.

I almost laughed. I was genuinely curious to see how she intended to leave with Aqualas and Veerott while surrounded by more than a thousand ruler-class curse fields.

Unfortunately, just then, before Petra or I could respond, Veerott moved with a speed we failed to register.

There was no warning, no killing intent, no energy fluctuation. One moment he was standing beside Seraphine and Aqualas. The next moment, he was in front of me. A powerful arm punched straight through my chest.

Flesh, bone, organs, and defenses were torn apart in an instant. His fist burst out through my back, dripping with blood while tightly gripping my mutated Ego Gem. For a brief moment, the battlefield fell silent.

Then Veerott retreated. Just as quickly as he had attacked, he returned to Seraphine’s and Aqualas’s side, carrying my mutated Ego Gem with him.

Everyone stared. Even Seraphine and Aqualas looked stunned. Clearly, he hadn’t informed them of his plan beforehand.

"Veerott, my hero!" Aqualas was the first to recover. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him and kissed his cheeks repeatedly in excitement.

To her, the battle was already won. Meanwhile, my body continued hovering in the air. A fist-sized hole gaped in my chest. Blood slowly flowed from the wound. Most importantly, the place where my mutated Ego Gem should have been was empty.

Yet despite all of that, I smiled. It wasn’t a forced smile or a pained smile but a genuine smile. As though everything was unfolding exactly as expected.

The sight immediately caused Seraphine’s celebration to falter. A flicker of unease crossed her eyes.

Still, she accepted the mutated Ego Gem Veerott handed her. The moment it rested in her palm, her confidence rapidly returned. The cautious negotiator vanished. In her place stood the same smug and self-assured woman I had met the first time.

The woman who had confidently issued threats and demands while believing she held all the cards. Holding my mutated Ego Gem up for everyone to see, she looked directly at me and declared, "Now, if you don’t want me to crush your mutated Ego Gem, recall your curse field and surrender."

Her smile widened. To anyone watching, the outcome appeared obvious. She held the key to my life and death. At least, that was what she believed.