Round Two: Draw

After sorting her hand, Tidris glanced back and forth between her cards and Ray’s resources.

Judging by the current board state, she held neither clear advantage nor disadvantage—far from being cornered.

Though Ray still had two 1/1 Imps on the field, Tidris’s mana cap and health points were both higher.

Yet the shift in Ray’s dueling style left Tidelys uneasy.

"I summon [Demonbane Warrior]."

Tidris called forth her trusted old partner.

The winged-helmeted warrior raised his halberd to his chest the moment he appeared, eyes locked warily on the two Imps.

Even if the [Demonbane Warrior]’s effect wouldn’t trigger this time, its solid 4/6 stats were reliable.

Ray didn’t play a card right away. Instead, he sneered, "Hey now… you haven’t been standing still since the last duel, have you?"

"I don’t know if I’ve stood still," Tidris replied, her gaze steady on him, "but you’re a completely different person from before."

The old Ray crushed opponents with high-impact spells on every card. Now he relied on synergistic combos—his deck had become a cohesive system.

And coincidentally, every card revolved around sinister themes: demons, sacrifices. A chilling suspicion stirred in Tidris’s mind.

"Surprised? You have yourselves to thank for this!"

Unlike his rare emotional slips before, Ray now seemed mercurial—as if his demonic minions were twisting his mood.

"The inspiration for this next card reportedly came from your shopkeeper’s duel in the Royal Capital."

"And you… will be its very first opponent."

He pinched a card between two fingers and slowly drew it from his hand.

Tidris’s expression shifted abruptly.

"[Demonbane Warrior], attack—now!"

Ray flung the card out with a maniacal laugh.

"Too late! Open, [Gate of Purgatory]!"

[Gate of Purgatory ★★★★★ (Five-Star) Grade C]

"Spell card: Sacrifice one minion to summon a 5/5 Hellhound."

No sooner had he spoken than hellfire erupted, swallowing the struggling Imp whole.

Once only ashes remained, a four-legged creature with sharp horns leaped from the flames.

Seeing the spell activate, Tidris immediately halted the [Demonbane Warrior].

She hadn’t forgotten the other Imp lurking nearby.

5+1 damage would wipe out her warrior in one hit—but she lacked just enough to take down the Hellhound too.

Perhaps regaining control, Ray’s tone evened out. "Hesitating? Not attacking anymore?"

Tidris studied the hound.

No special effect. Merely average stats for a five-star. Cost a minion to summon.

By any measure, it sounded weak.

But Tidelys noticed—it was summoned via spell.

Meaning, like Simon’s Red Dragon, it consumed no mana capacity.

A reckless attack would cost her the trade.

She needed a way to eliminate it… without losing the [Demonbane Warrior].

Just as she pondered, Ray’s next words shattered her focus.

"Take your time. If you’re still using the same old tactics… stay here and wait for your shopkeeper to rescue you."

Tidris’s face turned icy cold as she glared at him.

...

Second floor of the card shop.

Simon stretched with a yawn.

"Finally… done!"

He gazed contentedly at the two neatly arranged cards on the table.

He’d spent two days designing the formula, dissolved materials into five portions with universal solvent—certain of success.

Yet triumph only came with the final portion.

(Admittedly, greed played a part: crafting two Grade-B cards at once.)

Still—no failure meant success.

"Time to log the material effects…"

Mid-thought, moonlight spilled into the room.

"Meow~"

"Bread?"

Simon stood up, startled.

The kitten had somehow pushed the window open and now sat on the sill, licking its paws.

He stepped closer, gently scratching under its chin.

"Why visit my room so late?"

The kitten purred softly, then turned away, leaped down, and tugged his pant leg with its teeth.

"What’s wrong? Why keep biting my leg?" Simon asked, peering down.

"Mew~"

Once she had his attention, the kitten released him and dashed toward the door.

Just as Simon braced for a crash—the cat sprang, hooked the handle with practiced paws, swung its body, and yanked the door open.

Whoa… has this cat become a spirit?

Simon stared dumbfounded as the kitten tumbled from the knob.

It stepped outside, glanced back, and meowed again. Understanding dawned.

"You want me to follow you?"

"Meow."

The kitten bounded down the stairs. Simon snatched the still-damp new cards and hurried after.

He burst out the shop door—then heard a familiar voice.

"Shopkeeper Simon… night run?"

He turned. The trio still huddled around their poker game.

"Uh… urgent matter. Good night, everyone."

Normally he’d tease their card-obsessed antics, but now he just nodded and chased the kitten toward the hill.

Behind him, the three played on in silence, eyes tracking his retreating figure.

After the round ended, Carn forced a smile. "Brother Hope… I’m feeling sleepy too. Call it a night?"

Hope, seemingly oblivious, patted his shoulder. "Stayed up late again? All-nighters wreck your health."

Carn bowed gratefully. "Thanks for caring, Brother Hope. I’ll sleep right after."

"Then wrap it up. Health first."

At "wrap it up," the three rose in unison and headed to their shops.

A hesitant customer saw Hope reenter and reached out. "Boss, I wanted to buy—"

"Closed! Come back tomorrow!" Hope waved and shut the door.

Customer: ?

Going to bed at eight? Seriously practicing wellness now?