Miracle Card Shop: All My Cards Can Be Actualize

Daniel fell silent, contemplating for a moment before speaking, sorting through the possible reasons.

"Um... Maybe because I wasn't thorough enough and didn't think to install some kind of protective measure in case anyone tried to take my clothes off without permission? Hmm... come to think of it, I should have designed a shield generator that would activate to prevent anyone from touching me…"

"No… not that at all," Envy interrupted, her voice firm.

Daniel paused, frowning as he thought more deeply. There had to be something he missed. Was it because he hadn't planned for a scenario where some random admirer would try to kidnap him? Or because he didn't have a contingency in case of another mana blip? That might be it.

Yes, the mana blip. He'd read about it in the report Albert had given him at the office. The phenomenon was alarming, and it might be time to accelerate the development of a purely technological branch that wouldn't rely so heavily on mana-based tech.

But then again… normal tech can't withstand an EMP shockwave. What if someone launched an EMP bomb in the middle of the island? The result would be disastrous. He'd need to find a way to create EMP resistance and perhaps back up mana sources in case of another blip.

Sigh.

Envy let out an exasperated sigh, watching Daniel's distant, contemplative look. It was clear his mind had gone in a completely different direction, missing a simple fact.

"Danny, I don't know where your thoughts are taking you, but there's only one simple reason I'm angry with you." Envy pointed to the cell phone lying on the table—Daniel's phone.

"You forgot to take your phone with you, leaving me worried. If you'd had it with you, we might not even be having this conversation right now. We could have tracked your phone and come to find you!"

Daniel was stunned. He didn't know what to say. This simple detail had completely slipped his mind—no, he hadn't even considered it for a moment.

Seeing her beloved so stunned, Envy knew exactly what he was thinking. She continued, "For god's sake, Danny, is it so hard to understand that we were worried sick about you? The reason I'm angry isn't just jealousy…"

"Are you sure?" Koyuki interjected, looking at Envy with skepticism.

Envy shot a glare at Koyuki, who smiled cheekily back at her. With a sigh, Envy continued, slightly frustrated by Koyuki's boldness.

"Yes, maybe I'm a bit jealous, but that's not the main point!" Envy steered the conversation back. "The main point, Danny, is that you seem obsessed with making contingency plans for every scenario—which is a good thing, of course. But from my perspective, it feels like you don't trust us, and that hurts. Can't you rely on us a little more?

This time, you forgot your phone, and we had no way to contact or locate you! It's fortunate this was just some random woman, but what if next time it's an enemy?" She paused, her gaze fixed on him.

"Danny… can't you trust us to help you?" Greed spoke up. "Are you afraid that if something can get the better of you, it could also take us down? If that's the case, then you're underestimating us! We have the most powerful witch on Earth, a miko who controls more than half of the Calamity God's soul shards, an archangel from biblical lore, the legendary Amazonian queen, and me—the wealthiest woman on Earth. Do you really think we can't handle your problems?" Greed challenged him.

"Hey! What about me?" Pride cut in, clearly irritated that she'd been left out.

"And a gremlin. A powerful one," Greed added with a smirk.

"You!" Pride raised a fist to smack Greed, but Penthesilea, sitting nearby, stopped her.

Hearing all of this, Daniel didn't know how to respond. He let out a tired sigh and an apology.

"I'm sorry. I forgot my phone this time and left no way for you all to track me. It wasn't that I don't trust you—I just genuinely forgot. I promise this will be the first and last time." He offered a sheepish, apologetic smile.

"Fine, We'll believe you." Said Envy.

After that, Daniel was invited back to the living room, while Envy went into the kitchen to quickly prepare dinner for everyone. Once they'd finished eating, the group settled down to chat, as this was a rare gathering of the witches. The conversation eventually shifted to Daniel, who was minding his own business on a nearby sofa, sipping tea.

"But honestly, Envy, don't you think it's strange?" Koyuki started.

"What's strange?" Envy asked.

"Danny. Even though he's handsome, wealthy, and totally in the strike range of every gold-digging woman out there, he's never been the type to seek attention. Like, when those paparazzi snapped a picture of him just chilling with that Aryan guy while eating ramen, he didn't even bother dealing with them. Doesn't that seem odd?" Koyuki explained, giving Envy something to think about.

"Yeah, when you put it that way, it really is strange. I mean, it's not impossible—Daniel can act like a bit of an airhead nerd when he has something on his mind."

"Hey!" Daniel protested, but Envy didn't let up.

"But letting go of a paparazzo who took his picture without permission? That's another matter. Sure, it could depend on his mindset at that moment. If something occupied him, like a new invention or prototype, or if he was just relaxing and didn't sense any malicious intent, he might have let the paparazzo go. But even that seems far-fetched," Envy analyzed.

"Um… aren't you going to ask for my take on this?" Daniel chimed in, trying to join the conversation.

"Be quiet, Danny. We haven't asked you yet," Koyuki admonished him, then continued. "So, Envy, do you think someone put a curse on Daniel? Maybe a bad-luck curse or some kind of jinx he isn't aware of?"

Envy thought for a moment and then nodded. "Yes, that's possible. All these incidents with Danny could just look like bad luck stacking up. But such repeated 'coincidences' don't typically happen without a cause. And… if that's the case, do you know what this might mean?" she asked, turning to Koyuki.

Koyuki shook her head.

"It would mean that someone powerful or subtle enough to place a curse on Daniel without his knowledge. And that curse is strong enough to pierce through the many layers of protection enchantments he has on himself, which work around the clock. This kind of curse could be powerful enough to affect fate itself, entangling Daniel's destiny with the larger fate of the world," Envy paused, a hint of concern in her voice.

"This whole idea seems absurd if it were actually happening," she concluded.

"You're right; it sounds ridiculous," Koyuki agreed.

"But you've given me an idea," Envy said thoughtfully. "Maybe it's not as far-fetched as it seems—there might be a form of magic, or some specific approach, this mysterious person used to break through Daniel's protective enchantments." Envy walked to the middle of the living room, clearing the space by moving the table and other items to create a large area for a magic circle.

She then brought out a set of ritual items from her bedroom and began drawing a magic circle for the ritual, which would reveal if Daniel was cursed or affected by a jinx or fate-altering magic.

Focusing on the magic circle, Envy set up several protective measures in case it was indeed a curse. This way, she could handle any backlash and send it right back to the caster, letting them taste their own medicine.

An hour later, she had finished setting up her magic circle.

"Danny, could you sit in this circle?" Envy asked.

"Okay," Daniel replied, stepping toward the circle.

"Watch where you step. Don't smudge the lines—I'd rather not spend another hour fixing them," Envy instructed.

"Yes, mom…" Daniel replied cheekily, earning a mixed expression from Envy, part playful, part forewarning that she'd remember his remark.

Daniel obediently sat in the middle of the circle where Envy designated then waited.

After ensuring everything was in place, Envy began the ritual by casting several protective spells linked to the magic circle. She started reciting an incantation in an ancient tongue—part Greek, part Hebrew, with traces of Latin similar to what the ancient Romans once spoke.

A translucent blue bubble began to form, its color quickly marred by streaks of red and black. As Envy scrutinized the changing hues, she cast another spell, causing a series of abyssal symbols to form in the air above her hand.

"So… it's you, huh? Asmodeus," Envy said with a bloodthirsty smile. This dipshit of a Hell Lord dared to mess with her beloved and mess with her family. It seemed that until she beat the living hell out of this Lord of the Underworld, she wouldn't get a good night's sleep.

"I'll be back, Danny. Just stay inside that bubble and don't come out," Envy instructed, then cast another spell. Her outfit transformed into her battle attire, a sleek suit of leather armor crafted from the hide of an archfiend.