That was Eggy's first clear thought after stabilizing inside Chu Feng's spirit space.
Too weak.
Too reckless.
Too stubborn.
And yet—
…too gentle.
She floated quietly within the spirit world, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded, watching Chu Feng sit outside under the cold night sky. His breathing was uneven. His body was tired. His soul carried bruises deeper than his skin.
"…Idiot," she muttered.
She could feel everything now.
Every sneer aimed at him.
Every humiliation swallowed down.
Every time he stood back up when he should have broken.
Eggy clenched her fists.
She hated that feeling.
That tight pressure in her chest whenever someone's killing intent brushed too close to him.
Mine.
The thought came naturally—and irritated her.
"…Don't misunderstand," she told herself sharply. "I didn't choose him because I like him."
She glanced at Chu Feng again.
He was rubbing his hands together, trying to warm them.
"…I chose him," she said quietly, "…because idiots like him die too easily."
Still.
When his heartbeat slowed in sleep, she drifted closer—hovering near his chest, listening.
Thump.
Thump.
Alive.
Good.
"…Sleep properly," she muttered. "If you die, I'll never forgive you."
She turned away, cheeks faintly warm.
"Lightning and a Queen's Temper"
The forest path was narrow.
Chu Feng moved carefully, wooden spear held tight in his grip. This was a simple mission—hunt a low-grade spirit beast, nothing more.
At least… that's what the elders said.
A low growl rolled through the trees.
Chu Feng froze.
From the shadows emerged a Spirit Wolf, its body streaked with pale blue markings, eyes sharp with feral intelligence.
Rank Two.
Stronger than expected.
Chu Feng's breath tightened.
"I can handle this," he whispered.
Inside his spirit world, Eggy's eyes snapped open.
"…No you can't."
Chu Feng flinched.
"What?"
"…You're tense," she snapped. "And your stance is wrong. You'll get bitten in three moves."
The wolf lunged.
Chu Feng barely blocked, the impact sending him skidding backward. Pain shot through his arms.
"Eggy—!"
"…I'm here," she said sharply. "Stop panicking."
Her presence surged.
Not overwhelming.
Focused.
A World Spirit Gate shimmered faintly behind Chu Feng—unstable, imperfect.
Eggy stepped through.
Her small form hovered beside him, eyes blazing.
"…Listen carefully," she said coldly. "You attack. I suppress."
The wolf lunged again—
Eggy raised her hand.
Spirit chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around the beast's legs, slowing it just enough.
"Now!" she shouted.
Lightning flickered.
Chu Feng roared and thrust forward, spear crackling as it pierced the wolf's shoulder.
The beast howled, thrashing wildly.
A claw swiped toward Chu Feng's neck—
Eggy appeared instantly in front of him.
BOOM!
A shockwave of spirit power blasted the claw aside.
"…I said," she snarled, eyes burning, "…this one is MINE."
The wolf collapsed moments later, spirit energy dispersing into the air.
Chu Feng fell to his knees, gasping.
Eggy hovered over him, chest rising rapidly—then crossed her arms.
"…Idiot," she said. "…you almost got yourself killed."
Chu Feng laughed weakly.
"But… we won."
Eggy turned away.
"…Of course we did."
She glanced back at him, voice quieter.
"…Next time, trust me faster."
Chu Feng nodded.
"I will."
"When Queens Sense Queens"
Far away.
In a place untouched by forests, sects, or mortal struggles—
The Spirit Queen stirred.
Her sealed consciousness rippled, like deep water disturbed by a falling star.
"…Hm?"
She paused.
Something new had appeared.
Not near.
Not visible.
But… familiar.
A young presence.
Arrogant.
Sharp.
Protective.
A spirit.
No—
A World Spirit Queen seed.
"…Interesting," the Spirit Queen murmured.
She followed the resonance faintly, brushing against distant lightning, against an unrefined but stubborn soul.
"…So you chose a lightning child," she said softly.
Her awareness sharpened.
Eggy's emotions echoed faintly across the void—jealousy, irritation, fierce attachment.
The Spirit Queen smiled slowly.
"…Young," she judged. "…but proud."
A pause.
"…Protect him well," she whispered—not as an order, but as acknowledgment.
The seal tightened again.
The Spirit Queen settled back into stillness.
"…Grow quickly," she murmured. "…This world does not forgive the weak."
Somewhere under the same sky—
Eggy sneezed.
"…Huh?" she muttered suspiciously. "…Did someone just look at me?"
Chu Feng blinked.
"Look at you how?"
"…Nothing!" she snapped. "Focus on healing!"
But for the first time—
Two queens had brushed awareness.
And fate had quietly smiled.