Date: Unspecified

Time: Unspecified

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

Cloud Turtles love to bask in the sun, as it supports the white fungus growing on the outer surface of their shells, helping them regulate the temperature within the shell more efficiently. This fungus cannot grow anywhere else but on a Cloud Turtle’s shell, and is therefore called Cloud Turtle Rock, as the flakes that fall off resemble small chips of stone.

This fungus was highly hallucinogenic, protecting Cloud Turtles from predators foolish enough to tamper with their shells. It was said to be so potent that a victim would lose all sense of direction—even if you were standing on their right, they would believe you were far far left. It also protects the shell from being infested by other parasites.

Just like every other Cloud Turtle, Peyote, who had now morphed into one, liked to bask in the sun. He didn’t know where the fungus came from or how it had grown overnight, but the moment he became a Cloud Turtle, the Cloud Turtle Rock fungus began spreading across his shell. Unbeknownst to him, it had already covered it entirely.

However, he also discovered a faint connection to the fungi on his back. It allowed him to sense what was happening above his shell naturally without having to rely on his intent sense, not to mention it felt more comfortable within the shell. Realizing just how handy it was, Peyote didn’t bother with it and let it grow freely.

Peyote, who had been enjoying his time as a Cloud Turtle, above the bloodstrom clouds, suddenly snapped his eyes open as the fungi warned him of an enormous surge of destructive energy hurtling down from above. His first instinct was to dash forward and escape, but remembering the city below, he forced himself to stay and take the hit—despite knowing it could prove deadly.

However, he had no intention of going down without a fight. He invoked the Cloud Turtle’s innate skill, Cloud Glacier. Soon, the surrounding bloodstorm clouds began to gather around his shell, layering over it like snowflakes forming a glacier, one layer at a time. However, unlike a true glacier, its massive bulk remained concealed above the clouds. Usually, this mass would be gray, but due to the bloodstorm clouds, it had taken on the color of blood. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Soon, a beam of concentrated plasma, nearly a hundred yards wide, tore down from above, striking the cloud glacier with a searing roar. Its blue light pierced the layered mass, burning everything in its path, as the air itself trembled from the impact.

It only halted upon striking the Cloud Turtle’s shell—and even then, only for a moment. Soon after, a thunderous roar of pain rang out, echoing across the sky and sending a chill through everyone in the city, followed by a sharp, ’Motherfucker,’ in the dark tongue of the Cacteye tribe.

Having burned through the cloud glacier, the plasma beam was now slowly eating its way through a layer of fungus. Through his connection to it, Peyote felt every inch of it dying. Each searing pulse... were simply unbearable. Otherwise, a battle-hardened devil like him would never have cried out over a few burn marks.

In his rage, Peyote wanted to revert to his original form and use his illusion materialization skill to give whoever was behind the attack a taste of their own medicine, but he held back knowing that his master cared more about the city than him. If he were to mess up now, gaining the trust and favor of his master would become ten times harder.

Having burned through the layer of fungus, the plasma beam struck the Cloud Turtle’s shell and finally stalled. Peyote let out a breath of relief, brief as it was, before his gaze fell on two Card Apprentices hovering before him. He recognized one of them as she asked, "What do you think? Is she strong?"

Peyote shot her an impatient look and grumbled, "Yes! Now will you help me out?" He knew the Cloud Turtle’s shell was strong, but it had its limits, and his shell was about to reach them.

"Grandauntie, are you sure he’s a devil stronger than Wyatt? If it were Wyatt, he would have handled an attack of this scale with ease," Anna said, unconvinced by the hype surrounding Peyote.

"Little girl, I’m constrained by my surroundings and this form. Otherwise, I would have dealt with the attack myself instead of begging you for help," Peyote snapped, enraged that the Card Apprentices were debating his strength instead of helping him.

"Little girl? If I were you, I’d be more polite to her." Corey appeared beside Anna and the Field Marshal, riding atop Lil’ Baem’s head, and reminded Peyote. In this world, apart from his master, only she might lend him a hand, others would be just as happy to see him die. "She’s one of Wyatt’s three fiancées. That makes her your mistress."

Hearing this, the Cloud Turtle stared at Anna in genuine shock. Meanwhile, Anna shot Corey a sharp look, clearly displeased that she dared to show up after what had happened earlier. Then she turned back to Peyote, who now looked visibly panicked, and said, "Relax, grandauntie, please."

At Anna’s request, the Field Marshal dashed into the sky, heading straight for the source of the plasma beam. Meanwhile, Anna turned to Corey and asked, "Aren’t you bold?"

"I have to be. I’m Wyatt’s Enforcer."

"Some enforcer... running off with your tail between your legs."

Corey stared at Anna in rage but didn’t dare start anything, knowing that neither she nor Lil’ Baem was a match for her.

Anna then turned her gaze to Peyote, who had reverted to his original form after the plasma beam ceased, and remarked, "My, you’re an ugly one."

Peyote responded with a polite bow, mimicking the humans he had watched in the city. Meanwhile, Corey snapped, "Hey, maybe you’re the ugly one to him."