Throughout my recollection, Earth 99 remained an isolated yet habitable planet. Approximately 250 years ago, the elders of this realm received a petition from all other realms in the universe. Though the content of the petition remained shrouded in secrecy, it was revealed that the venerable elders of this planet ultimately rejected its entreaties.
Allow me to introduce myself: my name is ETHAN CALDWELL, a simple news reporter living in this community. There is nothing particularly extraordinary about me, but I take pride in my role as a conduit of information, ensuring the public stays informed on important matters.
Back in the days when the treaty was rejected, an intriguing opportunity arose for news reporters like me: the privilege to journey beyond our homeland while others remained confined. This unique chance became my driving force to pursue a career in reporting. As news reporters, we held the key to travel anywhere, anytime, for our mission was to furnish vital information to the public. This freedom was not merely a post-treaty development; it had always been an integral part of our profession.
In the grip of captivity, I feel compelled to share my harrowing journey, a story that began with an innocuous curiosity as a news reporter. Little did I know that my quest for truth would lead me down a treacherous path.
As I journeyed towards EVERMORE—the mystical realm of gods—excitement and nerves mingled within me. While it wasn't a conventional city but an entire realm, its size seemed reminiscent of a grand metropolis. Only a select few, including high-ranking officials, were allowed access, which made me feel honored to have received a temporary license in place of my boss, who hesitated to go.
I couldn't pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, despite my initial doubts about a newcomer like me being chosen for such a significant task. Determined to explore diverse places, I embraced the chance to step into EVERMORE's enigmatic world
As soon as I set foot on Evermore, a wave of nervous excitement washed over me. It was my first time stepping onto a realm so distant from Earth 99. While I had journeyed to numerous smaller realms before, this was an entirely new and awe-inspiring experience.
Eager to prepare myself for this foreign land, I made my way to a small counter just ahead of the entrance. There, I exchanged my homeland's currency for that of Evermore, taking my friend's advice to heart.
Upon arrival, I approached the exchange counter, where an elderly gentleman awaited. A fleeting thought crossed my mind—would he handle my currency accurately? Pushing the notion aside, I handed over my money for conversion. The old man then requested that I sign a document related to the transaction, which I did without a second thought.
Yet, when I looked up to address him again, he had vanished without a trace, leaving me bewildered. The counter that had stood moments ago had disappeared entirely, except for the table on which the papers I signed lay abandoned. My heart skipped a beat as an unsettling realization dawned upon me.
Never could I have imagined that even in Evermore, a realm of gods, deceit could rear its head. I had lost everything—my entire wealth—leaving me feeling disheartened as I contemplated how my week-long stay in this extraordinary realm would unfold with such a disheartening start.
Currency had always played a crucial role in the realms I had visited before, and losing all my money left me feeling utterly despondent. My spirit sank, and a sense of hopelessness washed over me. However, amidst my despair, my gaze fell upon a young man standing near the entrance. An impish thought crossed my mind, and with a momentary lapse of judgment, I decided to take drastic action—I resolved to steal the money from his back pocket, where his wallet lay conspicuously.
As I cautiously approached him, my heart pounded in my chest. The temptation to alleviate my current predicament overshadowed my better judgment. Swiftly and silently, I retrieved his wallet without raising any suspicion.
Just as I thought I had succeeded in my reckless act, a sudden cry rang out from a distance, "PETRIFICATION!!!!" The startling exclamation echoed through the air, freezing me in place.
"Petrification? As in the movies?" I thought, my mind momentarily conjuring images of fantastical tales. However, as I took a closer look at the man I had stolen money from, a sense of unease washed over me. He stood before me, still as a statue, his form draped in a magnificent, glossy robe that seemed to emit an ethereal aura. The sight was both mesmerizing and unsettling—his presence commanding attention amidst the bustling realm.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, I decided to make a discreet exit. But before I could take a step, a sudden commotion erupted around me. In the blink of an eye, a group of people appeared and surrounded me. Their swift and coordinated movements left me no chance to escape as darkness engulfed my senses, and everything went black.
As consciousness slowly returned, my surroundings remained shrouded in haze for a fleeting moment, before gradually revealing the grim reality. Startled, I found myself confined behind forbidding bars, my heart sinking as I grappled with the reason behind my imprisonment. The dimly lit room exuded an eerie ambiance—dark, yet strangely devoid of the usual terror that accompanies such places. The chilling atmosphere seemed meticulously crafted to unsettle the mind, gradually eroding one's mental fortitude—a torture more insidious than physical pain.
In this realm of gods, I had never anticipated the existence of such a malevolent chamber—a place designed to break spirits and shred sanity. Helpless and shackled to the wall, escape was an impossible notion for a mere mortal like me. Every second spent in this suffocating enclosure seemed interminable, the weight of solitude pressing upon me like an impenetrable darkness.
Then, at long last, a towering figure loomed before me, but my vision was obscured, leaving only a vague outline of his imposing presence. He addressed the enigma that brought me here—a "Petrification case." His words sent a jolt of disbelief through my veins. Petrification? Me? It couldn't be true! Yet, the unfolding revelation left me paralyzed with fear, as the puzzle pieces fell into place.
It dawned on me that the man I had stolen from at the entrance of Evermore had suffered the very fate he had warned me about. I had unwittingly fallen into a well-orchestrated trap—a classic, old trick played with masterful cunning. Regret gnawed at me as I grappled with the consequences of my actions.
"Hey, why you spacing out?" The jumbo-sized man's voice sliced through the suffocating silence, demanding my attention. "This is the last time I'll ask..." He paused, a moment of tense anticipation hanging in the air. Then, with a menacing tone, he uttered, "FIGHT OR DEATH?"