CHAPTER 53: DEADLY CARD GAME — TIME ONE

"The game you are about to play is called Dungeon Plunderers."

Lirael, Sylas, Tyrion, Riven... and Claude.

A woman’s voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere.

"The rules are simple: you enter a dungeon. Each player is dealt four cards. Before entering, you may set one aside or go in with all four."

At first glance, the game seemed easy.

The deck hovered mid-air, flickering with blue sparks — then dealt four cards to each of them.

"The cards in your hand are your heroes. You will play with them for the entire round."

Lirael’s hand:

Golem — 2(DMG)/5(HP)

Knight — 3/4

Golem — 2/5

Spirit — 1/1

She thought it would be a breeze. Floating above each player’s head were three hearts. A life system. If someone lost a duel, they’d lose a heart.

Sylas was less focused on the game, more on the environment. He tried to catch the air — but it felt like... glass?

Lirael noticed a card corner peek from Tyrion’s hand: King.

"Each hero has unique stats. The weakest is the Spirit. But the strongest card in the game..."

King. 4/6.

"Once inside the dungeon, the exit will remain sealed... Until every player has fought at least once. Good luck."

A sharp silence followed, thick as frost.

"...Wait," Lirael broke it. "How did we even get here?"

"I was just wondering the same," Sylas muttered. "I don’t remember anything before this. Who are you people? We should probably introduce ourselves first."

"I’m Tyrion!" he grinned. "Looking forward to the game!"

"Riven of Riverfall... Nice to meet you all."

"My name’s Lirael," she said shyly. "Please... be gentle with me."

"Of course. I’m Sylas," he nodded. "Judging by our looks, we seem to be around the same age. Even if we’re strangers — I’d like to get to know you all. And now, for the last one..."

"My name is Claude," he smiled — sincerely. He, too, remembered nothing of the past.

"This feels like a tournament," Lirael mused, "but... where are the judges? The audience? It’s all so... off."

"You’re right. I can’t sense any magic here," Sylas added. "It’s too quiet. This place feels... sealed off. A barrier, maybe?"

"Hey Sylas," said Tyrion. "Do we... know each other?"

"Huh? We do look alike. "But I’ve never had a brother."

"Same here. Oh well... let’s begin. Maybe we’ll understand more as the game unfolds."

The Game Begins

A portal shimmered into view. A dungeon formed before their eyes.

Claude held his cards, then spoke up:

"You know... I’ll set one aside."

"Whoa, Claude. Bold move," Sylas raised a brow. "Sure you won’t regret it?"

Claude laughed awkwardly. "I’ve got a solid hand. No point burning through everything at once if I’m allowed to hold one back."

Each player placed a palm over the table. It spun, glowed blue—

ROUND ONE

"Congratulations. Round one has begun. The exit is now sealed.

A voice calls out to you: ’Sacrifice one of your own, and the rest may go free. Refuse... and face me.’

At the end of the corridor, a golem guards the treasure. You may challenge another player to a duel. Or face the boss together."

They hesitated. No one felt confident. Sylas looked worried — he had a weak hand.

"I don’t think we should fight the boss," he said.

"Same here," Lirael agreed. "My cards aren’t great."

"Then there’s no choice..." Sylas sighed. "Claude. I challenge you to a duel."

Claude nodded, calm.

"No hard feelings. I get it. I only have three cards — I’ll give it my best."

DUEL: Sylas vs Claude

Dice spun. Sylas goes first.

He played: Knight (3/4)

...too nervous to play more.

Claude smiled faintly — and responded with:

King (4/6)

Lirael and Riven exchanged glances. Why use the King first? If Claude held it back before, what did he set aside?

The King crushed the Knight and survived.Winning cards stayed on the table.

Sylas began to sweat. How do you beat a King?

Claude’s turn. The King healed.

He played: Wolf (3/2)

Sylas threw down his entire hand:

Goblin (2/2)

Hunter (5/2)

Golem (2/5)

Claude’s wolf died to the Goblin. His King fell to the Hunter and Golem. Only Sylas’s Golem remained.

"Ouch," Claude winced. "Guess I should’ve gone all in too."

Final card auto-played:

Spirit (1/1)

It collided with the Golem and shattered.

Claude lost. One heart gone.

"I underestimated your hand, Sylas. Thought the King would carry me through. Bluff failed," he said, smiling.

"No, Claude — for someone who entered with just three cards, you played great. In any other case, you might’ve beaten me."

"Thank you for your kindness. Alas, we see the outcome before our eyes. In the end, I lost, and that’s what matters most."

Lirael spoke up.

"So... now that the duel’s over, we go to round two?"

The dungeon laughed — deep and cruel.

"Foolish girl. You think one duel ends this?

You are thieves who dared breach a sacred vault. Until one of you dies...

You are not leaving."

Silence fell.

They all wondered: Is dying in this game just... losing? Or something worse?

Three hearts. But what happens if they all go out?

Thoughts muddled. Pressure spiked.

"...In that case," Riven looked down, his voice trembling. "...Lirael, I challenge you."

He wasn’t confident — but felt he had no chance against Tyrion.

Lirael hesitated.

"Alright, Riven. Good luck."

They swallowed.

DUEL! Lirael vs Riven

Riven moved first.He played: Wolf (3/2) and Knight (3/4)

"Well played!" Tyrion praised.

Lirael countered with: Knight and Spirit (1/1)

The knights clashed. The Spirit finished Riven’s Knight. The Wolf struck back — killing Lirael’s Knight but died in the process.

Draw.

Second turn.

Riven moved first again.

He hesitated — but then played:

Goblin (2/2)

Hunter (5/2)

His final shot.

Lirael dropped her last two cards:

Golem (2/5)

Golem (2/5)

Blow for blow — Lirael won the duel.

Riven sighed as a heart dimmed over his head.

"Unlucky... I should’ve thought my moves through better."

"Wait," Sylas interrupted. "There’s five of us. Tyrion didn’t fight. How do we end the round without even pairs?"

The voice returned:

"You are correct. Round One is over. You’ll now receive new hands. Continue playing."

Their cards changed. Lirael nearly gasped — her hand was terrible.

"No way..."

But... if no one challenged her, she could survive the round.

"Guys," Sylas said, "since we’ve all got new cards... why not take down the boss together?"

"Great idea!" Tyrion beamed. "My hand’s amazing. What do you say? Shall we risk it?"

"I’m in," Riven nodded. "My hand’s strong. What about you guys? Confident?"

Claude nodded.

Lirael hesitated... then lied. She hid the bitterness in her voice.

Sylas noticed.

"Alright — let’s fight the boss!"

ROUND TWO

The vault doors opened.

The Treasure Guardian appeared — a massive golem, towering three times their height.

"...That’s enormous," Sylas muttered.

"How are we supposed to beat that thing?"

Player Hearts:

Sylas — 3HP

Claude — 2HP

Lirael — 3HP

Riven — 2HP

Tyrion — 3HP