Scott and the old man locked gazes, neither speaking nor shifting. Scott’s question lingered in the air, tension brewing in the silence.

  He remained patient, reclining in his chair as he idly stuffed his mouth with the dissolvable refreshments. Seconds piled up before the old man finally shifted. He coughed lightly and groaned, avoiding Scott’s gaze.

  “I can’t answer that,” he said at last, his voice meaningful.

  Scott’s brows lifted. He opened his mouth, but the old man continued, cutting him off.

  “It’s as useless as asking anyone else about that matter. You won’t receive any satisfactory answers—I assure you.”

  Scott drummed his fingers lazily against the polished surface of the table, his thoughts wandering.

  Why do I get the feeling he’s trying to tell me something? he mused, unsettled by the old man’s evasiveness.

  “So, I can explore this space—not your territory specifically—on my own in search of them, yes?” Scott probed.

  The old man didn’t dodge the question, but his response was as blunt as ever. “I can’t, and won’t, answer that.”

  Scott nodded with a faint smile. “Understood,” he replied as he rose to his feet.

  With a wave of his right hand, the refreshments vanished into his inventory.

  “Leaving?” the old man asked, still seated.

  “Yeah,” Scott said dryly, stretching his arms. “Nothing much to do here. I might as well go back.”

  “I’m surprised you don’t seem disappointed—”

  A laugh cut him off.

  Scott shook his head, failing to stifle his amusement. “Why should I be disappointed when I had no expectations to begin with?” he shot back with a smile.

  The old man opened his mouth, but no words came.

  Scott continued, letting his gaze wander across the picturesque field. “I don’t know what gave you people the impression that I’d be desperate—or that I’d give two fucks about partnering with any of you. First off, I know I’m no genius, but none of you can offer me the strength I need to slay the gods.”

  He yawned casually, as if the weight of his words meant nothing.

  “Secondly, although I don’t know the specifics, I’m aware there’s a chance my own weapon might develop an ego over time. Even then, I doubt that alone will be enough to slay a god.”

  The old man had tensed visibly but said nothing.

  Scott chuckled again. “What’s most amusing is how often I’m reminded that you egos would rather destroy your own consciousness than being forced to serve.”

  The old man shuddered. Something about Scott’s smile twisted the air with an ominous premonition.

  “You know what?” Scott said lightly, still smiling. “Now that I’m labeled condemned… what’s genuinely stopping me from erasing all of you from existence?”

  His voice echoed, sharp and clear. The air thickened.

  “I think I’d enjoy that.”

  The old man stood suddenly, face pale. “Don’t say—”

  “Sit down,” Scott said.

  His voice rolled like thunder. The lush field vanished. In its place loomed a realm of horror. Nightmarish entities, too twisted and malformed to describe, gathered around them. They stared at the old man, barely restraining themselves from leaping at the ego.

  Above, a massive burning moon lit the void. And scattered across the infinite darkness were countless all-seeing eyes, glimmering like stars in the abyss.

  The old man dropped back into his chair. He gasped, taking deep, heavy breaths. His arms trembled uncontrollably.

  Then the horrors vanished. The field returned.

  “Relax,” Scott said softly. “Look at me.”

  The old man hesitated, then slowly raised his head.

  “You and I both know the kind of enemies that are after me. And for some reason, they keep increasing,” Scott said, voice level as he surveyed the region before returning his gaze to the old man.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “If the egos want to join the party, they’re welcome. But know this—I’ve run out of mercy.”

  His voice grew colder. “I don’t know—or care—who issued the order. But anything or anyone that crosses my path will be annihilated. That much, I assure you.”

  He stepped forward, towering over the seated ego. “I’ll see myself out. But I’ll be visiting again soon.”

  Scott reached down and tapped the old man on the shoulder. “Until then, take care.”

  Without waiting for a response, he began retracing his steps through the serene space.

  His reaction earlier… there’s probably a gag order on the condemned too, Scott thought as he walked. Could they have a special place for them? Or worse… have they already been devoured?

  He sighed, letting the questions swirl.

  He recalled the old man saying that killing and other nefarious activities weren’t allowed within the misty space. Still, he couldn’t say for certain if the rule applied to egos who had been deemed condemned.

  What does an ego even have to do to become condemned?

  The question lingered momentarily within his mind, but he quickly discarded the thought. He had no intention of mulling over things that were out of his control—or provided no direct benefit.

  To stop further problems from brewing, I think I should start subjugating those egos as soon as possible, Scott thought.

  He instinctively recalled the former ego of the Chains of the Abyss, and a crooked smile tugged at his lips.

  Who would have thought that he’d hate me that much? Scott chuckled, shaking his head.

  He didn’t care how the egos perceived him, but he found it amusing that the teenage-looking ego despised him so thoroughly.

  Maybe I should start with him, Scott mused, his smirk widening at the thought. He still remembered the day he’d retrieved the chains from White Hell.

  As Scott’s thoughts drifted, the serenity of his surroundings suddenly blurred. The tranquil, lush region gave way to an endless expanse plagued by gray mist.

  “I’m back… huh?” Scott halted his steps, frowning.

  His head swiveled side to side, eyes narrowed. Someone… no, a lot of people are watching me, Scott mused, scanning the ever-shifting mist.

  Being constantly observed by infinite eyes in eternal darkness had refined his senses—he could tell when he was being watched. The gazes came from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

  Are they trying to intimidate me or something? Scott chuckled and took another step forward.

  At that moment, a sharp echo—like a leaky faucet endlessly dripping—pierced the silence.

  Scott stopped again. The gazes remained, but their number was dwindling. With each rhythmic drip, more of them vanished.

  Within seconds, only a few faint gazes lingered in the gray.

  What the hell was that all about? Scott wondered.

  Then came the rhythmic, familiar clanking of hammer and anvil.

  Scott turned toward the sound. I almost forgot about that guy. Since the egos aren’t bothering with me anymore, no point lingering here.

  He advanced through the mist. It coiled around him with ethereal tendrils but couldn’t restrict his movement. Scott prowled the swirling gray, the sound of hammering guiding him through the emptiness. Still, nothing appeared—only mist and echoes.

  Eventually, a familiar figure came into view.

  “You’re quite the handful,” the blacksmith’s voice rumbled.

  The hulking figure didn’t bother looking up from his work, continuing to strike the glowing ore on the anvil.

  “It hasn’t even been a day by worldly standards. How’d you manage to get yourself condemned that quick?”

  Scott chuckled softly. “What can I say? I have a real talent for pissing people off. It’s practically a gift.”

  The blacksmith paused, raising his gaze to meet Scott’s.

  “What do you plan to do now?” he asked.

  “The only thing I can,” Scott replied dryly.

  “Which is?” the blacksmith asked with a frown. “I don’t enjoy these games.”

  “You, of all people, should know,” Scott said meaningfully, his expression unchanging.

  The blacksmith scoffed and shook his head. “Unfortunately for you, most of them have already descended. You should’ve felt it earlier,” he added with a faint smile. “The ones left behind aren’t interested in targeting you.”

  Scott’s brow creased. He glanced back toward the swirling mist.

  So that’s what I felt earlier...

  He chuckled, his thoughts drifting again.

  I can’t believe they ran so fast. That little son of a bitch must’ve given them a heads-up. Doesn’t matter, though. Running changes nothing. They’ll just become another name on the long list of people I need to deal with.

  Turning back to the blacksmith, Scott spoke up. “Quick question, where can I find the—”

  “Don’t bother,” the blacksmith interrupted, moving toward the displayed ores. “You won’t find them, no matter how hard you try. If you’re lucky, one might approach you. Whether that’s a blessing or a curse… I’ll let you decide.”

  He motioned toward the case and changed the subject. “Feel free to pick any ore you like. Do you have a specific design, attachments, or accessories in mind? It’d be easier for both of us if you mentioned them now.”

  Scott studied the divine ores briefly before turning back to the blacksmith.

  “You’re the expert. I’ll let you decide,” he said with a smile.

  The blacksmith grinned. “Good,” he said with a nod. He reached for a lilac-hued ore, radiant with hazy light. “An ego can still be added until the final moments. If you miss that window, you’ll just have to wait for one to manifest naturally—who knows how long that’ll take. Understood?”

  Scott nodded gently without speaking. The blacksmith, too, remained silent. Scott watched him decisively select several ores before returning to the anvil.

  The blacksmith cast a brief glance at him. “From this moment on, you won’t be able to see beyond the mist. I’ll let you know when it’s nearing the final stages,” he said.

  Before Scott could respond, a thick misty veil descended over the blacksmith and his workspace. Then came thunderous echoes—like stars shattering across the void. A low, persistent hum followed, swelling in intensity with each explosive strike.

  I don’t even want to know what’s going on over there, Scott thought, eyes lingering on the opaque barrier.

  Judging by what he said, it’s likely those gazes I felt earlier belonged either to the egos who aren’t interested in me... or the condemned ones. But what exactly do I have to do to make them approach me? Scott pondered quietly, gaze drifting toward the swirling mist.

  He looked back at the barrier and sighed. All I can do now is wait. I wonder how long I’ve been gone? He took a deep breath, pushing the thought away. It doesn’t matter. I just hope the others are safe—wherever they are. They only need to hold on a little longer…