Location: Myriad Realms, Lil. Red Storm, Seed World, Main Section
"Alright, alright, it's starting to tickle! Are you using soul energy?" Wyatt teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Corey raised an eyebrow and smirked. "You sure you want me to use soul energy?" she asked, her tone half serious, half playful,
Wyatt puffed out his chest, standing tall like he was ready for battle. "Don't underestimate me. I have the thickest skin you've ever seen," he declared proudly, bracing to take Corey's punch head-on. After completing basic combat training, he had gained a better understanding of his hybrid Viltronian defense. Unless Corey used some special martial arts, it would be difficult for her to break through it in her current realm.
Corey let out a soft laugh, throwing her hands up in surrender. "I believe you," she said with a smile. Then, with a hint of hesitation, she asked, "But about the Hourglass Relic... Are you still planning to give it to Susan?"
Wyatt's expression softened. "I've been saving both the True Relics-the hourglass and the chain tying it to the Worldhog's back-for Susan from the start. Yes, I'm petty, but I could never wrong my the people that put their trust in me." Ilis voice became quieter, more serious. "I was joking around, but seeing you take the bait, I went overboard. I'm sorry." He exhaled deeply, feeling a strange closeness to Corey now. "However," he added, "I recently started thinking the Hourglass Relic would be best suited for Clown Mask. Don't worry. If I'm willing to give such a powerful relic to my parents' killer, imagine what I'd be willing to do for Susan and the people who trust me. Honestly, it hurts seeing how little you think of me."
Wyatt kept one secret to himself-Park had helped him trick Corey. To his surprise, Park stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Corey," she began, her voice steady, "I knew what Wyatt was doing, and I helped him. I believed the Hourglass was better suited for Clown Mask than Susan, and I couldn't wait to see if I was right. I betrayed your trust but believe when I say this you'll are a great Demon Merchant and a true friend. Don't doubt yourself. I hope you'll forgive me. If you don't want to see me, I understand. I'll go reflect in the darkest corner of the Title Demon Core."
Corey's eyes softened, and she shook her head. "I knew you were up to something when you tried to hide that part of your memory from me," she admitted. "But I knew you'd never hurt me, so I trusted you. And I was right-you never meant me any harm. Park, when I said I think of you as my elder sister, I meant it. Without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. I'm really grateful for you being there for me every time I needed you."
Park tried to deflect with humor, waving a hand dismissively. "Well, I'm stuck with you, so I have no choice-" But seeing Corey's frown, she quickly backtracked. "Too soon? Sorry, I'll go reflect in the darkest corner of our Title Demon Core-"
"That, right there!" Corey exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. "How are you guys able to casually say such things and joke around? How am I supposed to know if you're serious or just messing with me?" Her voice trembled with exasperation, but when she noticed Wyatt and Park's jaws hanging open in astonishment to her words, she fell silent, her eyes darting between them, puzzled, 'Did I say something wrong? It was too confusing to tell.'
Wyatt was the first to recover, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Alright, no more jokes," he said with a serious tone, though the corner of his mouth twitched as if still holding back a grin. "You guys go ahead and buy Demon Emperor-level demonic taming medicinal pills from the inter-realm network. I need Corey to not only get accustomed to her darkness but to fully assimilate with it." He paused, his expression darkening. "The trait I'm planning to give you will require your full focus. There's a chance that Agony might try to take over your body."
Corey blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "Agony? Who?" she asked, tilting her head.
Wyatt sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The Undead Devil," he clarified. "The sentient undead puppet refined from Corey Park's corpse. Her name is Agony. How could you guys forget about her? In a way, she is you." His voice carried disbelief as he stared at them, incredulous. "And here I was, patiently waiting for you both to decide what to do with her. Like a fool."
Park shifted uncomfortably, crossing her arms over her chest. "How could we forget?" she muttered, her gaze distant. "We've heard about her maybe once or twice, and we've never even met her. I, for one, don't want to remember her." Her voice softened, laced with pain. "For... numerous reasons." As the remnant ego of Corey Park, she clearly didn't enjoy recalling what had become of her corpse after death.
Corey frowned, chewing her bottom lip. "It just slipped my mind," she admitted, shrugging.
"Anyway," she continued, narrowing her eyes, "how could she try to take over my body if I'm just acquiring a trait? Isn't she locked away somewhere in this Seed World?" Wyatt exhaled slowly, his expression softening into a knowing smile. "I plan to use her Undead Flame of Agony Title Demon Core as an ingredient when helping you acquire the trait," he said carefully.
The forest went still, and both Corey and Park narrowed their eyes at him, disbelief clear in their expressions.
"Wait, what?" Corey finally said, her voice cold.
Park's arms tightened over her chest as her brow furrowed. "You decided... what?"
Wyatt raised his hands in defense, offering a small, apologetic smile. "You guys were taking forever to decide what to do with her," he explained. "So, I decided to use her to help Corey grow stronger."