Ransom

-As the clash raged on between Dazai and Mard Geer, the air grew heavier with each exchange–sparks flying from every strike-

-Mard Geer sneered, his voice laced with disdain-

Mard Geer : "So… two brats cutting my men down like flies. Hmph. No matter. I'll handle you myself. You really think you can best a Seven Star? Oh… you're the one who killed Jester. That weakling. But he served his purpose—keeping the forest grunts busy while we took the Dragon Queen. Too bad we couldn't use her. Tch… what a waste—"

-Before he could finish, Dazai blurred forward-

『CRACK』

-Dazai's boot slammed into Mard Geer's ribs–bone snapping like dry twigs. The force launched him sideways, but before he hit the ground, Dazai's hand traced through the air–fingers glowing faintly as they brushed key points across Mard Geer's body: his legs, arms, and spine-

-A half-second later— a THUD sound would be heard-

-Mard Geer collapsed, limbs twitching, eyes wide with shock. He couldn't move.Dazai stepped onto his head, grinding his heel into his skull like putting out a cigarette-

Dazai: "Seven Star? Man… Jester fought harder than you. You're an insult to that rank."

-He crouched down, voice low and cold-

Dazai: "I shut down your mana points. Arms, legs, spine. You're not getting back up. What happens when your body's mana network is forced into overdrive? Explodes, right? Common knowledge. But… with the right technique, it doesn't blow up—it simply shuts you down like a broken doll. Instinct Vertigo. A Family technique"

-He leaned in, eyes gleaming-

Dazai: "How did I master it? Used your men as lab rats. Fun times."

-He tilted his head, smirking-

Dazai: "But this is just the surface. Your friends already moved deeper into the temple, right? Inner depths? Guess we'll be paying them a visit."

-Without waiting for a reply, Dazai hoisted Akatsuki onto his shoulder-

-Maleficent,swooped in from the shadows.

Dazai leapt into the air, grabbing hold of her talons-

-Mid-flight, he pulled his pistol free-

Dazai: "Sweetheart… sing for me."

-He aimed at the ground below and pulled the trigger-

『BOOM』

-The chamber would erupted.Flames licked the stone, shockwaves rupturing the floor,dust swallowed the air as bodies plunge into the abbys below, screams fading into darkness. Dazai twirled his pistol while smirking-

Dazai: "Best damn gun I ever had."

-He looked up at Maleficent-

Dazai: "Drop us."

-Maleficent hesitated-

Maleficent: "But isn't he—"

-Akatsuki stirred, groaning-

Akatsuki: "Just drop us already."

-With a roll of her eyes, Maleficent released them-

-Akatsuki twisted mid-air, landing with a backflip, while Dazai simply dove headfirst—arms out like a man embracing the fall—before landing smoothly beside his friend-

Dazai: "Maleficent, stay put. We'll be back."

-Akatsuki wiped his face, grinning-

Akatsuki: "That look on your face… You've got a plan. Same damn face when you landed that billion-dollar deal back home."

-Dazai chuckled as they walked forward, the pulsating heart of the forest revealing itself–an ancient core, wrapped in green veins, radiating raw mana. But amidst its beauty, an unsettling presence stirred in the shadows-

-Bodies from above continued to rain down–most were dead, but a few clung to life, pretending to be corpses-

-Akatsuki cracked his knuckles before stomping on Mard Geer's face-

Akatsuki: "Alright, fossil. That necklace better be here… or I'll skin you alive and feed you to yourself."

He paused, eyes narrowing.

Akatsuki: "Dazai… Something's moving. And it's not one of these corpses."

-Dazai's eyes sharpened. He channeled mana into his vision—his irises glowing faintly.

And then… she emerged.From the shadows stepped a woman of haunting beauty-

-Her skin was pale with a subtle shimmer, faint scales tracing up her arms like delicate armor. Her long, flowing hair was a deep violet—cascading down her back like silk. Her eyes were gold—piercing, serpentine—but layered with an ancient sorrow. Her curves were sharp yet elegant, and the dim mana glow bathed her in a goddess-like aura. Every step she took was both graceful and dangerous-

But what stood out most was the weight of her gaze.The curse-

???: "Those who enter this sacred ground… turn to stone upon gazing at me."

-Dazai watched as the scattered bodies of their enemies began petrifying into statues. Yet… he stood unaffected-

-The woman's confident mask faltered—just for a second.Her eyes met Dazai's-

-He stepped forward slowly, raising a hand to her chin-

Dazai: "Medusa… right?"

-Her eyes widened-

Dazai: "I know your story. I studied myths back home. Always thought your tale was twisted… unjust. The gods used you. Athena cursed you–robbed you of everything. And here you are, still their prisoner."

-His voice softened-

Dazai: "You must be tired… Lonely. Watching everyone you meet turn to stone. Must've felt like hell, right?"

-For a moment, her eyes flickered with rage—but beneath it… sorrow-

-Dazai's thumb gently traced along her jaw-

Dazai: "I get it. I hate the gods too. Athena especially."

-His voice dropped lower-

Dazai: "But I don't see a monster when I look at you. I see someone… breathtaking."

-His smirk returned-

Dazai: "How about this? You help me—become my ally—and I'll find a way to lift your curse. No more stone. No more loneliness."

-The chamber fell silent. Medusa stared at him, her expression unreadable—anger, sadness, and something else… hope-

-Akatsuki laughed in the background, dragging Mard Geer by his collar-

Akatsuki: "Still the same businessman… making deals with everyone, even monsters."

-He slammed Mard Geer into the ground-

Akatsuki: "Now… Necklace. Where is it?"

-The ground trembled faintly beneath them—something ancient stirred deeper below.But Dazai's eyes never left Medusa's-

Dazai : "What do you say… Beautiful?"