CHAPTER 54: DEADLY CARD GAME — TIME TWO

The battle began. Every player’s hand slammed down onto the table.

The combined stats of all cards: 50/52. The boss’s stats: 55/55. Chance of victory: 40%.

All cards attacked simultaneously. They surrounded the golem and struck at once. The golem defended, using splash attacks and even shaking the ground.

Goblins, knights, beasts—all gathered with one shared goal: to win.

The strongest attacked first. The sturdy ones shielded the fragile.

And in the end... the players’ team lost.

The golem remained on its last gasp. One single strong card short of victory.

"For their loss, the players’ team is given a mass curse."

BANG!

The room was engulfed in flames.

All players lost 1 HP.

Tension struck Riven and Claude most of all. Their eyes trembled.

"A new phase of battle begins: players may challenge each other to duels as many times as they like until someone loses their last heart."

"W-what?!"

The players were stunned by the announcement.

"So we can, say, challenge Tyrion to a duel twice, even three times?"

"Correct," the woman’s echo replied. "Only one restriction: a person can initiate a duel only once."

This meant four players could all target one person in a single round.

"How horrible..." Lirael whispered, clutching her chest. "I hope our hand changes after the boss fight..."

Soon, the echo added:

"You will play with the same hand until the end of this round. I wish you all luck."

Lirael was left in shock. Her face openly showed fear.

Lirael’s hand:Spirit — 1/1 (×2)Goblin — 2/2 (×2)

Sylas stroked his chin, "In theory we know what possible cards each could have. Only one problem..."

No one remembered who had which cards.

But only Claude gave a sly smile when looking at Lirael. Sylas noticed, but the others did not.

"Since Round Two has begun, I will set aside another card from my hand," Claude raised his hand.

In total he had two set-aside cards. In the active hand — three cards.

"Ahem... If that’s so, Claude... I challenge you again to a duel."

Sylas placed his palm on the table. Claude seemed surprised. His eyes made it clear he had wanted to challenge Lirael.

The girl tried to speak as little as possible so as not to draw attention.

"Alright, Sylas. But I can’t promise my hand is weak this time," Claude smiled.

"I’m not worried about my hand either. Let’s test our luck again!"

DUEL: Sylas vs Claude.

The dice rolled: Claude goes first.

"Sylas, I wanted to ask: why did you decide to attack me again? I know you’re not a foolish player who ignores every detail in another player’s behavior. Did I seem weak to you?"

Claude clearly implied Lirael.

"Hm. Not at all. I am the type who risks against the strong. And among us, Claude — you seemed the strongest to me."

They smirked at each other. But behind Claude’s polite smile was something dark. Sylas felt it — unsettling.

"A worthy answer," said Claude. "In your case, even correct. Among us, you resemble a savior the most."

Savior. Lirael sensed it too. She wondered — did Sylas keep her safe on purpose? Could he have seen her tension?

"But in this game, everyone is equal," added Claude, tossing a card onto the table. "Winning goes to whoever got lucky with the hand."

Knight (3/4) and Tower (4/5).

Sylas tensed. Two strong cards on the table. His hand wasn’t the best, but if he couldn’t clear the board, he would lose.

Sylas played: Wolf (3/2), Golem (2/5), Goblin (2/2).

"Three cards at once?!" Riven gasped.

"It seems Sylas got unlucky with damage cards..." Tyrion protested.

Cards began to clash. Ultimately, the table was completely cleared. Each had one card left in their hand.

The die rolled. Sylas’s turn.

"Claude. What do you remember about your past?"

"Hmm? Practically nothing. Doesn’t matter, though. I’m pretty sure I don’t know you."

Sweat dripped down Sylas’s brow. Only one card in hand. He hesitated.

Knight (3/4) — his last hope. He placed it.

Everyone held their breath — as if they were Sylas.

In the end, Claude drew his last card onto the table.

Tower (4/5).

Sylas lost. His card was outclassed.

"B-but how?" Tyrion thought. "What kind of hand must Claude have had to sed a fourth card aside and still win...?"

Was it supreme luck — or were the cards dealt to players not random at all?

Sylas was down to 1 HP. He sighed and forced a smile.

"Well. The duel’s end only means one thing: everyone knows my cards now. So... Attack me. If you’re confident, duel me. I don’t mind."

The others hesitated. Obviously, you fight someone whose cards are known. No secrets — better odds.

"I’ll fight you," Tyrion said confidently. "Sylas, I challenge you to a duel!"

"Fine. I can’t refuse anyway. Show me everything you’ve got."

Lirael was moved by his behavior. She thought Sylas had done everything to protect her. But why? It’s just a game. Why sacrifice his ego for a stranger girl?

DUEL: Sylas vs Tyrion

It ended with Tyrion winning easily. Sylas had nothing to offer. His cards lacked enough damage to outpace his opponent.

Sylas’s final heart faded.

"Well, it seems that’s it. Claude outplayed me, and Tyrion — you had a good hand too."

"Sorry, Sylas. There was no other choice. But still: it’s just a game. Right?"

"Yeah, maybe you’re right. In the end, as Claude said, there’s only one winner."

Sylas turned to Lirael and smiled:

"You can stop worrying now, Lirael."

"You played well..." she hesitated. "Even though you’re out, I was truly glad to meet you!"

"You know... you reminded me of a girl. Only I don’t remember her. The only thing I remember is that I would protect her at any cost. For some reason, you reminded me... of her. Well, guys, good luck to you all."

Lirael barely held back tears. She was so glad to have met him, and his elimination pained her deeply.

"Yes! And good luck to you too, Sylas," she said with a genuine smile.

When the round ended with his defeat...

BANG!

...

Sylas’s head exploded in front of everyone.

Blood splashed across the table and their faces.

The first few seconds, they couldn’t react. They simply stood smiling until the horror hit them.

Then they turned toward him. Sylas’s dead body sank slowly to the ground.

Fear overwhelmed the players. A girl screamed. The guys gasped. Eyes wide.

"What is this?..."

"No, Sylas!.."

His body collapsed like a discarded toy.

And from that moment—

BANG!

Part of their memories returned to each player.

They remembered who Sylas had been to them.

Shock overshadowed the circle. Lirael sobbed.

Tyrion couldn’t breathe. He had defeated his own brother in a duel and allowed him to die.

The moment of the head exploding replayed in his mind.

"Players. Congratulations to those who have advanced to the next stage. Round Three begins. I hereby declare that this round will be Sudden Death — if a player loses a duel, they lose 2 hearts."

That meant any loss could kill them.

Their new hands were dealt. Lirael could barely look at hers. Every glance at Sylas’s lifeless body shook her stomach.

The smell of blood enveloped the entire circle. Tyrion threw up.

Lirael felt sick.

But soon she saw her hand...

Four Spirit (1/1) cards.