《Hidden Class: Card Slinger》 Prologue Deckard rounded the corner and threw a quick glance over his shoulder. Griff was still on his tail. Deckard¡¯s mind raced, thinking of an escape. His house wasn''t anywhere near here. He¡¯d take the shortcut through the alley and make it to the mall. The guards there wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to him. At least, that was the hope. As soon as Deckard turned the corner, out of Griff¡¯s line of sight, he sprinted. Leaving the main road and the safety of a crowd to cut through a dark alley didn''t feel like the most brilliant move, but Deckard didn¡¯t hesitate. It was his best shot. He burst into the alley, where the dim light barely reached, casting long, eerie shadows against the graffiti-streaked walls. The only sounds were of his feet splashing in the puddles and his heart drumming in his ears. The air smelled of damp concrete and decay. He was almost there. A sharp pain exploded in Deckard¡¯s stomach and knocked the wind out of him. Blinking away tears and gasping for air, he looked up to see Tank grinning down at him, arms crossed and legs planted like tree trunks. Should¡¯ve known, Deckard thought grimly. Before he could get to his feet, Griff arrived, grinning as he hauled Deckard up by his collar and slammed him against the rough brick wall. ¡°Cough it up, Dexie.¡± ¡°What are you talking about, Griff?¡± Deckard rasped. ¡°The rare card! The one worth 100 credits.¡± 100?! Was that how much Pete said Trampling Stampede was worth?! What a sore loser. No wonder these two had come chasing after him. ¡°Even if I had something like that, do you think after all these years being bullied that I''d be dumb enough to carry something that valuable?¡± Deckard shot back, trying to keep his voice steady despite the pain. ¡°Search his bag, Tank,¡± Griff ordered. Tank grunted and grabbed Deckard¡¯s bag, roughly flipping it upside down. Books and papers spilled out, scattering across the dirty alley floor. Deckard grinned to himself despite the fear gnawing at him. He never carried his cards on days when his mom couldn¡¯t pick him up from school. He never wore glasses on those days either, opting for contacts instead. Habits gained from a lifetime of being bullied. Let them search; they¡¯d find nothing, and he¡¯d have pristine glasses to wear tomorrow. ¡°There¡¯s nothing here,¡± Tank growled as he rifled through the contents. ¡°No way!¡± Griff said, his hands moving quickly to pat down Deckard¡¯s jacket pockets. ¡°Where is that stupid card?¡± ¡°I told you already,¡± Deckard said slowly, enunciating every word. ¡°I. Don¡¯t. Have. It.¡± A sharp whistle blew, grating the ears and echoing off the walls of the alley. ¡°You two! Stop right there!¡± Two people approached, running. One of them was a kid their age, taller than Griff and Tank, and the other was an older man in a blue uniform. ¡°Over there, officer! Those are the two that were talking about bombing the city hall! Quick!¡± the younger voice said. ¡°Where on earth did Andy find a cop?¡± Tank said, baffled. ¡°Shut up and run, Tank!¡± Griff barked, taking off without a second glance. Tank hesitated only for a moment before bolting after his friend. As the officer gave chase, his belly jiggling with every step, Deckard did the quick math. With those two jerks being on the athletics team and the officer¡­ well, not, it was obvious they¡¯d get away. But for now, at least, he was safe. Andy jogged over and knelt to help Deckard gather his scattered belongings. ¡°Those jerks! I thought they¡¯d stopped bugging you.¡± ¡°Yeah, that was before Pete started running his mouth about the epic card I pulled last week. Now they see me as if I were a bank or something.¡± ¡°How did Pete even find out about your Trampling Stampede?¡± Deckard smirked. ¡°I challenged him for his Invisible Shield.¡± Andy chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You took the card to school? And bet Pete? Maybe you did deserve a couple of those punches.¡± ¡°Well worth it. You should¡¯ve seen that weasel¡¯s face when I took his precious card.¡± The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Finally, they finished stuffing everything into Deckard''s bag and started walking out of the alley. ¡°How did you know they were after me?¡± Deckard asked. ¡°I spotted them trailing you. It didn¡¯t seem right, so I figured I¡¯d follow.¡± ¡°What about the policeman?¡± Andy laughed. ¡°I found him writing traffic tickets down the street.¡± ¡°You lucky duck,¡± Deckard grinned, but something about Andy¡¯s expression made him pause. ¡°Why are you so smug today? It¡¯s not just because you played the hero,¡± Deckard said, narrowing his eyes. Andy¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve saved me from bullies before, but something¡¯s different today. What¡¯s going on?¡± Andy looked around, checking to make sure they were alone, and then slowly reached into his pocket. ¡°Check it out, Dex.¡± Deckard¡¯s heart skipped a beat as Andy pulled out a card. His hands trembled as he took it from Andy, the weight of it almost too much to bear. ¡°No¡­ It can¡¯t be,¡± he whispered, his voice shaking. Andy shrugged, failing to hide his smug grin. ¡°Got it yesterday. I was waiting for the right time to tell you.¡± Deckard turned the card over in his hand, revealing the intricate holographic animation of the legendary Tiger Warrior. An armored tiger with glowing red eyes stood majestically, its claws digging into the ground as if ready to pounce. The tiger¡¯s fur shimmered with gold, and every muscle seemed alive as it prepared to strike. On the back, the Nova Cardia logo gleamed. For a moment, all Deckard could do was stare. Envy gnawed at him, but it was drowned out by a genuine thrill for his friend. ¡°I think you¡¯re the first person in school to get a legendary card,¡± he finally said, handing the card back with a grin. ¡°Too bad it won¡¯t make me more popular with girls,¡± Andy joked, though Deckard could hear the false modesty. Plenty of girls already liked Andy, and both of them knew it. Deckard shook his head, smiling. ¡°I¡¯d trade places with you in a heartbeat if I could get a card like that¡ªeven if it meant all the girls in school would hate me. Imagine having it for the school tournament! You¡¯re going to win it, no question.¡± ¡°Unless I don¡¯t draw it,¡± Andy replied, a flicker of worry passing through his eyes. ¡°Hmm, I suppose you¡¯re right. Even the best card in the world is useless if it¡¯s at the bottom of the deck.¡± Andy paused, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Wait a minute¡­ I just thought of something.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°The reward for winning the tournament is a full box, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, so?¡± ¡°Fifty packs, Dex. Fifty!¡± ¡°I know how many packs are in a box, Andy.¡± ¡°Instead of entering the tournament separately, maybe we should combine our best cards and build an unbeatable deck. We¡¯d dominate the whole school with my Tiger Warrior and your Trampling Stampede. That way, even if one of us doesn¡¯t draw the Tiger Warrior, we still have a good chance of winning. Then we can split the packs between us. What do you think?¡± Deckard¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°That''s genius!¡± For a moment, the two friends walked in silence, imagining how great it would be to have 25 extra packs of cards. With Deckard''s allowance, he could only buy one pack a week, and that was only because Andy¡¯s dad gave him the friends-and-family discount. They stepped out of the dark alley and back onto the busy streets. Deckard''s mind was settled. ¡°Let''s do this, Andy. Can you come over to my house? I¡¯ll give you all my cards, or if you¡¯re willing to wait until Wednesday, my mom will take me and pick me up from school. It should be safe to bring the cards then.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Andy shook his head with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m not the one who¡¯s going to play.¡± ¡°What?¡± Andy held out the legendary card to him again. ¡°You¡¯re the one who''ll play and get us that box.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re the one who drew it. You should be the one playing,¡± Deckard protested. ¡°I might have the strongest card, but you¡¯re the better player, Dex. You¡¯ve always been better at building decks.¡± Deckard hesitated, glancing in the direction Griff and Tank had fled, doubt gnawing at him. ¡°If those two realize I have a legendary card, I¡¯ll be dead meat.¡± Andy slapped him on the back, making Deckard stagger slightly. ¡°Quit the nonsense. I¡¯ve got your back.¡± Deckard chuckled despite himself. It was true¡ªsince they¡¯d become friends last year, bullies had mostly left him alone. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m in.¡± ¡°Great! Start thinking about the best possible deck we can assemble with our cards. I''m already late to help my dad at the store, but I¡¯ll come over tonight with my other cards, and we can do some mock battles.¡± ¡°Oh, man! We¡¯re going to be invincible!¡± Andy chuckled, fist-bumping him. ¡°What are you talking about, dude? We already are.¡± As Andy left, Deckard watched him go. He couldn¡¯t wait to get home and start building the ultimate deck. His mind was already racing with ideas, different combinations, and strategies. Clutching the legendary card close to his chest, he broke into a run, eager to prepare their game plan. * After hours of trying different combinations, Deckard narrowed it down to three possible decks. He knew most of Andy''s cards by heart, but it was different to write a decklist and actually play with it. Andy would bring his collection of cards over at any moment, and they could test the decks out. He couldn¡¯t wait to show his ideas to his friend. The sound of the phone ringing barely registered as Deckard focused on the legendary Tiger Warrior card, admiring its artwork. There was a knock at the door. ¡°Come in,¡± Deckard called, still focused on the card. His mother entered, her eyes red and swollen. Deckard jolted upright, alarmed by her expression. ¡°Mom, are you okay? What¡¯s wrong?¡± She didn¡¯t respond immediately, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. Deckard¡¯s stomach twisted into a painful knot. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°Honey¡­ I¡­¡± Her voice broke, and she took a deep breath. ¡°Andy was on his way to his father''s store, and a truck¡­ it lost control. He¡­ there was nothing the doctors could do.¡± The world froze. Deckard¡¯s mind refused to process the words. ¡°No. He¡¯s coming over. We¡¯re going to play cards.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, honey. Andy is gone.¡± The sentence stunned Deckard. Andy died while he was on his way to his dad''s store. That was after they talked. The Tiger Warrior fell from Deckard¡¯s hand, landing on the floor face up. Tears clouded Deckard¡¯s vision as he looked down. The legendary card lay on the floor, its once vibrant glow dimming under the weight of a loss no deck could ever replace. Ch. 1 - Server Shutdown Sixteen Years Later... Cards flew across the room. Swish! The four of hearts arced through the air in a graceful U-shaped curve, dipping near the floor before lifting just enough to narrowly miss the target. Swish! The three of hearts flew in a straight line and barely landed in the box. Deckard didn¡¯t react. He knew he wouldn¡¯t beat his old record, even if he managed to get every remaining card into the box. By now, he was just practicing trick shots, trying to keep his hands busy while his mind wandered. As he prepared to throw the next card, a notification popped up on his computer screen. Match found! "Finally! They really need to work on these queue times. It¡¯s getting worse every day." Deckard cracked his neck, settling into his chair as his opponent''s tag appeared on the screen. Murky. He recognized this player. The last time they¡¯d faced off, he¡¯d played a Navy Aggro deck. I¡¯ll need Black Hole or Make it Rain to survive the first salvo, Deckard thought. But who knows? He might switch things up this time. Five cards appeared on the screen. Deckard¡¯s eyes lingered on the Tiger Warrior. It wasn¡¯t an ideal card to draw in the opening hand, but as usual, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to mulligan it. He chose three other cards to shuffle back into the deck and received three new ones in return. Among them were Marble Statue and Stasis¡ªperfect for defense. The screen flickered. Error! Deckard''s heart sank as the game froze. "Not this again. How am I supposed to prepare for Worlds like this?" he muttered, frustration rising. He forced the program to shut down and rebooted it. But by the time he reconnected, a gut-wrenching message awaited him. Connection timed out. You¡¯ve lost the game. Deckard pushed away from the desk, his frustration boiling over. The bugs, the long queues¡ªit was all becoming unbearable. He closed the game and opened his browser, navigating to the official homepage. Maybe there was an announcement about server issues. As the page loaded, a warning message appeared. Dear Nova Cardia players, It¡¯s been a beautiful 17 years together. We want to thank all of you for supporting us for so long and playing our game. Despite our best efforts to keep the game interesting, the player base has decreased tremendously, and we¡¯re being forced to pull the plug on our game. Deckard froze, reading the rest of the message in a daze. His heart sank with each word. The game was shutting down. Seventeen years¡­ over 6,000 cards, he thought numbly. I knew every single one. And now, it¡¯s all just¡­ gone? He removed his glasses, rubbing his temples as a headache began to form. The world felt like it was collapsing around him. Nova Cardia had been more than just a game; it had been his life, his connection to Andy, his escape. And now, it was slipping through his fingers. He stood up and walked over to his trophy cabinet. Inside were reminders of his victories¡ªtwo World Championships, countless smaller tournament wins. But what did it all mean now? How was he going to pay for his mom¡¯s medical expenses? Find a regular job? Move on to another card game? The thought filled him with dread. He¡¯d resisted it for so long, even as the signs that Nova Cardia was on its last legs became impossible to ignore. He¡¯d devoted half his life to this game, to keeping Andy¡¯s memory alive through it. Moving on felt like betraying that. Deckard picked up the cards from the floor, shuffling them with a series of intricate flourishes. He sat behind his desk and placed two cards against each other at an angle, needing something¡ªanything¡ªto help him think. Worlds is definitely canceled, he thought bitterly. I¡¯ve only got enough saved up to last me six months. He glanced at his desk drawer. I could sell my physical collection of Nova Cardia cards. That might buy me a few more months. Maybe. He cautiously placed a card over the small pyramid he¡¯d made, only to watch the entire structure collapse. Sighing, he started building it again. Maybe he could start over with another game. But what game? Nova Cardia had been the last true card battler in the professional scene. The only other option was that new game that had taken the world by storm three years ago: AstroTerra. It had a card mini-game called Terralore that had been growing in popularity. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Deckard had never liked that the card aspect of AstroTerra was considered a ¡®mini-game.¡¯ It felt insulting for someone who made a living out of card games. But he couldn¡¯t deny its success. He had a working knowledge of the rules, and he¡¯d heard old rivals who had switched to Terralore singing its praises. He opened his email. As a card battler world champion, he¡¯d received multiple offers from Nexus. The last one came two weeks ago. Dear Mr. Deckard Haymond, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Jennifer, and I am reaching out to you on behalf of Nexus Co. We have been following your remarkable career in Nova Cardia with great admiration and respect. Your achievements have left a significant mark on the card gaming community. As you may be aware, Nexus Co. has recently launched a new and exciting game called AstroTerra, which features a highly acclaimed card mini-game known as Terralore. Terralore has quickly become a favorite among top card players worldwide, and it has been celebrated for its innovative mechanics and strategic depth. In recognition of your impressive track record as a former Nova Cardia world champion and to introduce you to this new realm of card gaming, we would like to extend a special invitation for you to experience AstroTerra and Terralore firsthand. We are offering you a complimentary capsule and a one-year subscription to the game. In exchange, we would be thrilled if you could share your thoughts and experiences with your audience on social media. Your insights would be invaluable as we continue to build and enhance the Terralore experience. Please let us know if you are interested in this opportunity, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need additional information. We look forward to the possibility of you joining the AstroTerra community and sharing your perspective on this exciting new game. Best regards, Jennifer Marks, Nexus Co. The offer had no expiration date. Even though he disliked streaming and wasn¡¯t particularly active online, Deckard didn¡¯t mind their request to post about the switch to AstroTerra on social media. Andy had always been the one good with people, while Deckard had always preferred staying in the shadows. No initial investment. One more point in favor of trying the game, Deckard thought. He navigated to Nexus¡¯ website and checked the Terralore events. A year and a half after launch, they¡¯d held their first world championship with a prize of 10,000 credits. The second series had a prize pool of 20,000. He then went online and looked for posts about Terralore tournaments. Several announcements of smaller tournaments appeared in the window. The prize pools varied between something as low as fifty credits to several thousand. It was a good sign of the game¡¯s vitality. He turned off the screen and returned to his house of cards. It¡¯s growing, too. Another good sign. It was logical to switch to the new popular game. Deckard knew that. But Nova Cardia had been his and Andy¡¯s game. Leaving it behind felt like losing his friend all over again. He glanced at the picture of the two of them on his desk, a pang of grief twisting in his chest. He missed Andy. Even after all these years, no one else had ever come close to understanding him the way Andy had. With Andy, everything had been simple and easy. It was a good decision, the most logical one. He kept building the castle of cards until a perfect, fragile structure sat on his desk. It was nearly completed. Only the final level was missing. He left it unfinished and reached for his phone. There was one last thing he needed to do before he was sure. He went to his contact list and looked for Savvy¡¯s contact information. ¡°Well, well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure?¡± Savvy¡¯s features were slightly different from what Deckard was used to. His nose was shorter, his hair longer, and his eyes¡¯ colors were wrong. His outfit was something straight out of a fantasy setting. He was taking the call from within AstroTerra. Deckard just smiled at the man on the screen. ¡°Hello, Savvy. It¡¯s been a long time.¡± ¡°Finals of three years ago. I¡¯ve heard that you won the last two series. Congratulations. You seem to have had a good run without me around.¡± The dig stung, but Deckard didn¡¯t bite. ¡°Have you heard about Nova Cardia?¡± There was a trace of sadness on Savvy¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s the end of an era. Not that it was hard to anticipate.¡± Finally, Savvy seemed to connect the dots. ¡°Oh. I see. You have finally decided to join AstroTerra?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like I have much choice.¡± ¡°You could always switch to a strategy game.¡± ¡°You know I won¡¯t do that.¡± Savvy chuckled, an amused gleam in his eye. ¡°You¡¯ve always been stubborn. It¡¯s why you lost more often than you won against me. So, what do you want to know?¡± ¡°What do you think of Terralore? How does it compare to Nova Cardia?¡± Savvy¡¯s smile faded. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll do well in the game.¡± Deckard¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°This game is different. It¡¯s not just about cards.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ready to learn.¡± Savvy sighed, his expression bored. ¡°You¡¯re only good at what you¡¯re good at, Deckard. You¡¯ve always been predictable, sticking to what you know. You kept that Tiger Warrior card in your deck for years because you were too sentimental to let go. If you come to AstroTerra with all that sentimentality, you won¡¯t go far. They are two very different games.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see. I¡¯ll see you at the world championships, Savvy.¡± Savvy just chuckled. ¡°Hmph. Right. See you, Dex.¡± The call ended, leaving Deckard alone in the silence of his room. He stared at the screen, Savvy¡¯s words echoing in his mind. That wasn¡¯t what he had expected to hear from his old rival. His impassive look slowly turned into an excited grin. Talking to him had reignited Deckard¡¯s competitive spirit. Deckard turned back to the castle of cards. The final level remained unfinished. He picked up the last few cards and, with precise movements, completed the structure. For a moment, he admired it, a delicate, beautiful thing built from his past, his memories, and his hopes. Then, with a sudden, sharp motion, he swiped his hand through it, sending the cards flying across the room. The destruction was sudden, satisfying¡ªa release of all the frustration, the grief, and the anger that had been building within him. After the anger and frustration came emptiness. Deckard opened the drawer where he kept his most prized possessions. There was his late father¡¯s watch and a card featuring a fearsome tiger, laminated in plastic. He stared at the card for several minutes, like he had done countless times before. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Andy,¡± Deckard whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve kept playing our game as long as I could. But I have my mom to think about now.¡± He felt the edges of the Tiger Warrior card, a sad smile tugging at his lips. ¡°I wish you and I could try this new game together.¡± AstroTerra was his only option. It was the only game with championships offering enough money to sustain him as a professional gamer. He couldn¡¯t keep playing Nova Cardia, Andy¡¯s game. But he would keep playing this new card game and give it his all. Maybe that was enough to honor his friend¡¯s memory. Even though it pained him, it was time to bid Nova Cardia goodbye. Deckard quickly put together a response to the email. Dear Ms. Jennifer, I appreciate your kind invitation. I would like to take you up on this offer. Below, you¡¯ll find my address. I¡¯ll also post about my experience on my social media. Sincerely, Deckard H. After the email was sent, Deckard cleaned his glasses. He picked up all the cards scattered on his desk and put the Tiger Warrior back in the drawer. ¡°I¡¯ll make you proud, Andy.¡± Ch. 2 - AstroTerra Ding-dong! The bell rang earlier than Deckard expected. When he opened the door, two technicians in work uniforms stood there, holding a sleek, metallic object between them. Behind them, a woman in a business suit, her hair tied back in a ponytail, offered a professional smile. ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Haymond,¡± she greeted. ¡°Jennifer from Nexus Co. We¡¯re here to set up your new gaming pod.¡± Deckard felt his cheeks redden. He hadn''t expected the rep from Nexus to be so pretty and to be his age, to boot. He cleared his throat and stepped aside. ¡°Come on in,¡± Deckard replied, still surprised by their speed. He¡¯d only sent the email a few hours ago. As the three people stepped inside, Deckard felt a knot tighten in his stomach. He wasn''t used to having people over¡ªnot since Andy. ¡°Where would you like us to put the pod, sir?¡± one of the technicians asked. ¡°Uh¡­ give me a moment.¡± Deckard glanced around his apartment. He¡¯d been so engrossed in reading about Terralore that he hadn¡¯t considered where the pod would go. After a moment¡¯s deliberation, he pointed to a corner. ¡°Over there should work.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± The technician scanned the room, then suggested, ¡°We can install the pod in a vertical configuration to save space.¡± ¡°Please do,¡± Deckard agreed without hesitation. As the technicians set to work, positioning the pod in the corner, Deckard''s excitement dimmed. The glossy, futuristic machine clashed with the modest surroundings of his small living room, making the space feel even smaller. He noticed Jennifer discreetly glancing around, her expression neutral but her eyes betraying a hint of surprise. Deckard imagined her thoughts: Is this really the apartment of a former world champion? He couldn¡¯t blame her. A better place was out of reach; the second-place prize money wasn¡¯t enough to afford anything more. Years of falling just short of Savvy in the finals had taken their toll, not just on his reputation but on his financial stability. Even after Savvy retired, the prize pool had shrunk, another sign that Nova Cardia was fading. With his mother¡¯s medical bills piling up, this cramped apartment was all he could manage. As Jennifer finished surveying the room, she joined Deckard in watching the technicians work. ¡°We at Nexus were thrilled when we received your email, Mr. Haymond. You¡¯re quite a name in the card gaming world.¡± ¡°Please, just call me Deckard,¡± he replied, waving off the compliment. ¡°Deckard, then. Are you familiar with how the pod works?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve used one before, but I¡¯ve never owned one.¡± ¡°This model is top-of-the-line. It offers full immersion with sensory feedback¡ªtaste, smell, touch. It¡¯s designed to make the game world feel as real as possible.¡± Jennifer¡¯s pitch was smooth, professional¡ªundoubtedly polished through countless presentations. Deckard nodded, half-listening. He knew she was hoping he¡¯d promote the product online. ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°The pod is preloaded with nutrient solutions that will sustain you for up to a month. You can sleep inside the game; it will keep you nourished and prevent muscle atrophy. There¡¯s even a cleansing feature to keep you fresh. We¡¯ve included a discount coupon for refills.¡± Deckard mentally noted the details, though he suspected he¡¯d remember only half of it. He wasn¡¯t planning to stay inside for a whole month, after all. Jennifer¡¯s attention shifted to his trophy cabinet. ¡°Are these your trophies?¡± Deckard followed her gaze, smiling uneasily. ¡°Yes, they are.¡± The cabinet was filled with silvery and golden cups, colorful ribbons, and plaques. The sight of them was bittersweet; it still felt surreal that he was leaving Nova Cardia behind. ¡°This will look great on the company¡¯s website. How about a photo with your trophies?¡± Jennifer suggested, already pulling out her phone. Reluctantly, Deckard posed beside the cabinet, offering a smile that felt more like a grimace. ¡°There we go,¡± Jennifer said, satisfied with the shot. ¡°I¡¯ll tag you in the post.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°We¡¯re all set,¡± one of the technicians called out. Jennifer turned back to Deckard. ¡°Just a reminder: as per the agreement, please make a weekly post about your experience. It will help more fans discover our incredible game. Enjoy AstroTerra, Mr. Haymond!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Deckard replied, a bit too eager to see them out. He closed the door behind his visitors, relieved to have the apartment to himself again. He approached the pod, now standing ready in the corner. As he neared, the machine hummed softly and the door slid open, revealing a space lined with a soft, purple gel-like material. ¡°No point in delaying this,¡± he muttered to himself. Deckard stepped inside cautiously. The gel conformed to his body, enveloping him in a sensation of weightlessness. The pod¡¯s interior lights dimmed as the lid was sealed with a soft hiss. The boundaries between reality and the virtual world began dissolving, and the outside world faded away. * Deckard found himself suspended in a void of darkness. The sudden disorientation hit like a wave, his mind struggling to reconcile the stark contrast between his apartment''s familiar comfort and the void''s unsettling emptiness. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. System Calibrating: 17%, 29%... He hadn¡¯t used a gaming pod in years, not since the technology first emerged. He preferred the tactile feedback of his keyboard and the feel of the cards in his hands. Gaming while sleeping never appealed to him¡ªhe liked his dreams. In them, he could still see his dad and Andy. The calibration progressed quickly, adjusting his biometrics to ensure his in-game movements mirrored reality. Calibration complete. The inky blackness around him began to illuminate, bright points of light gradually coming into focus. Stars, he realized. For a few moments, nothing else happened. Deckard attempted to look around, twisting his view in all directions. Then, beneath him, a beautiful blue and green sphere appeared amidst the dark void: Earth. A loud, booming voice reverberated through the emptiness as soon as he saw his home planet. "Welcome... to AstroTerra." A meteor suddenly streaked across the sky above him. It was ugly, alien, and massive, barreling toward Earth at an alarming speed. Planetary defenses activated in response, and energy blasts lit up the void as they targeted the meteor. The explosions as the barrage struck the massive rock were so realistic that Deckard felt the force reverberate through him. Despite the bombardment of energy beams and cannon shots, the meteor continued on its path, seemingly unstoppable. The onslaught intensified until, finally, the meteor began to crack and shatter into smaller fragments. The smaller meteorites rained down on the planet¡¯s atmosphere, turning into fiery streaks that showered the Earth. ¡°This was the day that fire rained down from heaven,¡± said a calm voice beside him. Deckard turned in surprise to find a blonde woman standing next to him, gazing at the scene with an air of distant melancholy. She was as tall as he was, with an ethereal presence that made it seem like she could see everything happening on Earth in vivid detail. Weirdly, she kind of reminded him of the Nexus rep who had just been to his apartment. ¡°The fire changed everything,¡± she continued. ¡°First, we discovered that none of our technology worked as well as it used to. Our cities¡¯ defense shields, jets, tanks, computers, satellites, submarines... all became obsolete and worthless. Our robots, once our loyal servants, went rogue and turned on us. Then, the sightings began¡ªalien monsters, strange creatures. Reports of war and burning cities followed. The animals, once mute, began to speak, some developing extraordinary mutations. We hoped they would help us defend our world, but we had mistreated them for too long. They refused to assist us. Finally, in our darkest hour, our potential awakened.¡± Deckard suddenly felt a lurch in his stomach as the ground dropped away beneath him, sending him hurtling toward the planet¡¯s surface at impossible speed. Despite the gut-wrenching sensation, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the sheer realism of the virtual reality. It was breathtaking. ¡°Our children began to exhibit incredible abilities,¡± the woman¡¯s voice continued as images flashed before him¡ªhumans performing extraordinary feats. ¡°Superhuman strength. Unbelievable speed. Telekinesis. Energy manipulation.¡± Deckard had always been into card games but still knew how MMORPGs worked. This was probably an introduction to the game¡¯s various classes. First, he saw a towering man clad in metal armor wielding a massive hammer, smashing a robot to pieces¡ªa warrior, undoubtedly. Next, a figure appeared and disappeared rapidly, slashing through a robot¡¯s arm with a blade¡ªlikely a rogue or thief class. A woman then caused rocks to levitate before hurling them with force against a machine, tearing it apart¡ªperhaps a caster class. Finally, another figure was shown healing allies and creating energy shields¡ªa support or healer, most likely. ¡°The rock that fell from space¡­ we now call it Astro. It changed us. It changed everything. We later learned that the rock was made of congealed reality itself. When it fractured upon impact, the very fabric of creation splintered, and now the world is divided. Perhaps, one day, we can reunite reality and bring peace to our planet.¡± ¡°Welcome to AstroTerra,¡± the blonde woman said, her gaze fixed on him. ¡°In this time of great loneliness and uncertainty, we thank you for your willingness to fight for humanity¡¯s survival. Please ask any questions you may have. I will do my best to answer them,¡± she prompted. There was only one thing that Deckard truly cared about right now. ¡°Tell me about Terralore.¡± ¡°Terralore is a card game that is very popular in the world of AstroTerra,¡± she explained, her voice softening as if sharing a secret. ¡°The cards hold remnants of a lost technology.¡± ¡°Lost technology? What kind of technology?¡± Deckard asked. ¡°No one knows for sure.¡± Deckard stared silently at her for a long moment, processing her words. There was lore hidden here. He took mental notes, planning to dig deeper once he was more familiar with this world. ¡°Where can I find new cards?¡± ¡°There are many ways. You can buy them, steal them from other players, hunt animals and creatures that occasionally drop them, or complete quests that reward you with cards.¡± ¡°How many cards are there?¡± he asked, seeking to verify what he¡¯d read online. ¡°No one knows for sure. New ones are discovered every week.¡± Deckard bit his lip, the uncertainty gnawing at him. A card game where the whole card base wasn¡¯t public knowledge? That was unheard of in his experience. Nova Cardia released the complete list of cards with each new expansion. The game had always been about mastering every card and every strategy. But the possibility of facing unknown cards in a tournament was unsettling. ¡°Okay. What about classes? How many are there?¡± ¡°There are four basic ones: warrior, rogue, esper, and medic. Each can branch out into different specializations. Legend says there might be hidden or unique classes if you search hard enough.¡± ¡°Any hidden or unique classes related to cards or Terralore?¡± Deckard pressed. The NPC again shrugged. ¡°No idea.¡± ¡°Do I have to choose my class now?¡± ¡°No. You can only choose a class at level 10. In theory, you could play the entire game without choosing a class, too, if that¡¯s your preference.¡± ¡°Okay, thank you.¡± ¡°Will that be all? Any further questions?¡± she asked, her tone polite and patient. Deckard thought for a moment but then shook his head. He had learned enough for now. The rest, he would discover on his own. ¡°I will send you on your way, then. Enjoy AstroTerra.¡± The world around Deckard shifted again, the stars and space fading away as he was transported back to the dark void. Earth once again floated in the distance, a serene, blue-green orb in the vastness of space. A series of windows popped up in front of him. Please select your character¡¯s name. ¡°Deckard.¡± Please choose your race. Three options materialized before him: Human, Lizardman, Skyling. The Lizardmen were tall, muscular hybrids, somewhere between a man and a crocodile, while the Skylings had elongated noses, almost beak-like, giving them a bird-like appearance. Deckard opted to keep things simple and chose the human race. Please choose your physical features. Deckard selected the randomize option, and the system presented him with a character model that wasn¡¯t too far off from his real appearance. The avatar¡¯s height was average, his face slightly altered, and his eyes a striking shade of blue. The most significant difference was the absence of his usual glasses, but he didn¡¯t mind that. A character window appeared beside his avatar, detailing his current stats and equipment. CHARACTER INFORMATION Name: Deckard Race: Human Level: 0 (0/100) Affinity: [Empty] Alignment: Neutral Relationships: [Empty] Titles: [Empty] STATS Hp: 105 Ep: 105 Weight: [Light] - (2/30Kg) Running Speed: 100% Strength: 5 Dexterity: 5 Intelligence: 5 Wisdom: 5 EQUIPMENT Right Hand: [Empty] Left Hand: [Empty] Head: [Beginner¡¯s Hat] Top: [Beginner¡¯s Jacket] Gloves: [Empty] Bottom: [Beginner¡¯s Trousers] Shoes: [Beginner¡¯s Shoes] Cape: [Empty] Accessories: [Empty] SKILLS: Stat Bonuses: [Empty] Passive: [Empty] Active: [Empty] Would you like to start your journey at a random starting point? ¡°Yes.¡± The darkness suddenly gave way to a blinding light. As the light faded, his surroundings came into focus. He stood on a serene beach, the gentle surf of waves lapping at the shore. Around him were huts made of wood and the occasional palm tree swaying in the breeze. It was time to start his journey in AstroTerra. Ch. 3 - Noob Deckard surveyed his surroundings. He stood beneath a labyrinth of wooden platforms supported by massive logs driven deep into the sand. These pillars extended beyond the beach, their bases disappearing into the waves that gently brushed against the shore. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the weathered planks above, casting a speckled pattern of light and shadow on the ground. Beyond the platforms'' shade, on the beach, players dressed in simple, tattered clothing like his own were locked in combat, wielding crude wooden swords as they battled peculiar white birds with gray beaks. At first glance, they resembled seagulls, but their behavior was more like ground-bound chickens, scurrying around rather than taking flight. What were those things? The beach stretched wide, with clusters of tall palm trees dotting the landscape. The further inland his gaze traveled, the denser the foliage became until the trees formed a thick, green wall at the horizon. A fleeting shadow passed overhead, accompanied by the creaking of wood. There were people up there. Curiosity piqued, and Deckard looked for a way up. He spotted a player climbing a ladder affixed to one of the pillars. Deciding to follow, he approached, his feet crunching softly against the sand, and began his ascent. As he emerged on top, he saw wooden houses perched atop the pillars, connected by a network of rope bridges and uneven planks. The sea stretched out in the distance, its deep blue contrasting with the sun-bleached wood of the village. Deckard swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat. It had been years since he¡¯d last seen the ocean, let alone visited a beach. His life had become so consumed by work that he had forgotten what it felt like to have the sea breeze on his skin. For the first time, he found one point in which AstroTerra surpassed Nova Cardia. The village was small and mostly quiet. Here and there, the odd player moved purposefully across the platforms, easily navigating the swaying planks. They looked so sure of themselves, so confident. Deckard scanned the area and finally spotted someone who looked just as lost as he felt. He sighed in relief¡ªhe wasn''t the only noob in the village. Deckard had played card games all his life, but this was his first experience with an MMORPG. He was a pro and a noob all at once. He hadn¡¯t come into AstroTerra unprepared, though. He knew the basics. From what he''d read online, exploration was vital. He would be spending a lot of time in this village. Taking a deep breath, he began looking around. He crossed the planks and spotted a village NPC¡ªan older woman with deeply tanned skin and age lines etched into her face. She wore a loose, flowery shirt and a vibrant sarong wrapped around her waist, her feet bare against the wooden planks. A large flower, bright red against her graying hair, was tucked behind her ear. She hummed softly as she deftly worked a fishing net with her hands. Deckard cleared his throat. It was time to do something he never did in card games: cozy up to NPCs. The theory was simple¡ªmake friends with NPCs to unlock quests and gain valuable information. But why did it feel so awkward to get the conversation started? He was a thirty-year-old man with over ten years of professional gaming experience. This wasn¡¯t even a real person, yet he had to force himself to speak up. ¡°H-Hello, madam,¡± he stammered. Litia, the Net Mender Lvl. 25 ???? Some information about the NPC popped up, surprising Deckard. It only revealed very basic information, though. The woman kept humming, not acknowledging him. Deckard tried again, this time using the NPC¡¯s name and speaking more confidently. ¡°Hello, Ms. Litia!¡± Still no reaction. Deckard frowned. He¡¯d read that NPCs in AstroTerra were known for being unfriendly, but experiencing it firsthand was another matter. He scratched his chin in thought. Deckard hesitated for a moment, scanning the NPC¡¯s face. Something told him this interaction wasn¡¯t as simple as it seemed. This could be one of those situations he¡¯d read about where an NPC only reacted if he found the right opening line. ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked, trying to sound casual. The woman finally paused, glancing at him with dark, weathered eyes. ¡°Fix da net, yah. Many holes, big job.¡± ¡°Can I help you with anything?¡± he ventured. She chuckled softly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. ¡°You no know net, foreigner. You no help. But tank you, tank you.¡± ¡°I can learn. You said yourself. It¡¯s a big job,¡± Deckard tried, but the lady went back to ignoring him. Deckard just stood there for a few moments. Once he realized he wouldn¡¯t get anything from this old lady, he walked away, feeling a tightness in his chest. It was a disheartening first try. He was a world champion, for crying out loud¡ªbut right now, he felt like an awkward novice. In Nova Cardia, his interaction with others was minimal. He only had to worry about the odd interview or mingling with other players at events. But then, people approached him and took the initiative to start a conversation. Even earlier, Deckard had always been in control in his apartment. Whether welcoming the Nexus rep or directing technicians, the conversations flowed on his terms. But here, the script was flipped. He was the one seeking approval, the one struggling to keep up. As someone who¡¯d always been more comfortable behind a deck of cards than in a crowd, this was uncomfortable and went against every instinct he had. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Still, he couldn¡¯t forget what Savvy had said, that taunt lingering in his mind. ¡°It¡¯s not just about cards.¡± ¡°You¡¯re only good at what you¡¯re good at, Deckard.¡± He knew Savvy had likely meant that this game required more than just deckbuilding skills. It demanded a well-rounded set of abilities¡ªsocial skills, adaptability, exploration, and more. And Deckard knew that Savvy didn¡¯t think he had what it took. It wasn¡¯t just about proving Savvy wrong, though that was part of it. It was about proving to himself that he could rise to this new challenge and navigate a world where the rules weren¡¯t as clear-cut as in Nova Cardia. This wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d met a setback in his career, nor would it be his last. He continued his exploration, trying to shake off the disappointment. At the edge of the village, Deckard spotted a man using a long stick to try to knock a coconut from a tree. The man was bald and lean, his skin bronzed by years under the sun. He wore a brightly patterned shirt, unbuttoned to the waist, and a knee-length wrap. The platform he stood on brought him up to half the tree''s height, but the coconut remained just out of reach even with the stick. Jone, the Coconut Lover Lvl. 25 ???? Deckard decided to try talking to him. ¡°H-hello, sir.¡± The man kept waving the stick around, trying to reach the coconut. Clearing his throat, Deckard tried again. ¡°Hello. How are you?¡± The man grunted, not looking at him. ¡°Bah. Leave me ¡®lone, foreigner!¡± Deckard flinched at the brusque response. It stung more than he cared to admit. Maybe this wasn¡¯t the right NPC to make friends with, either. He would just keep trying until he found someone nice. As Deckard turned to continue exploring, he noticed a boy grinning at him from nearby. The kid couldn¡¯t have been older than ten, with wild hair and a mischievous glint in his eye. He carried a long stick over his shoulder. Unlike with NPCs, he couldn¡¯t see his name. ¡°That was just sad to watch,¡± the boy said. Deckard felt his cheeks flush. He¡¯d never been good with kids, and being shown up by one wasn¡¯t doing his confidence any favors. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Nothin¡¯. That NPC only talks to you if you give him coconuts and you say that you love coconuts, too. Maybe it¡¯s because he¡¯s nuts! Get it? Haha.¡± Deckard¡¯s flush deepened, this time from the lameness of the joke. However, the kid did confirm his theory. He did need to find the right words to trigger a quest with this village¡¯s NPC. ¡°Thanks for the hint.¡± ¡°Oh well, step aside and see how a pro does it. Hey! Coconut uncle! I got you a longer stick. Try it now!¡± The NPC¡¯s demeanor transformed instantly. ¡°Oh, my boy! Thank you. Aren¡¯t you kind?¡± A bright blue light enveloped the boy. ¡°Nice! A level up!¡± Deckard watched, feeling a bitter pang of frustration. The kid had solved the puzzle effortlessly, and it was hard not to feel like he was falling short. ¡°Don¡¯t cry now, grandpa.¡± ¡°Grandpa? Are you talking to me, kid?¡± ¡°Yeah. Who else? You look like you¡¯re about to cry.¡± Deckard remained silent despite the pulsing vein in his forehead. ¡°You¡¯re a noob, right?¡± ¡°Sort of,¡± Deckard replied, a bit defensively. ¡°You know there are guides dat explain how to warm up to these NPCs, yah? Want me to share the link for one?¡± ¡°No, thanks.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Deckard¡¯s tone sharpened with impatience. ¡°Because I want to figure things out on my own.¡± ¡°Sheesh. Your funeral. Bye, grumpy grandpa,¡± the boy teased, shaking his head. The boy walked away, leaving Deckard behind. So far, the game wasn¡¯t going well at all. The obnoxious kid didn¡¯t help. Savvy¡¯s words echoed in his mind, gnawing at his confidence. Was it true? Was he only good at what he knew? The doubt was unsettling, but it also sparked a fire within him. He had to prove¡ªnot just to Savvy but to himself¡ªthat he could conquer this new challenge. If a beginner village tripped him up, how could he expect to do well in the game? He wasn¡¯t in a rush. Patience had always been his ally. He would observe, learn, and adapt. Deckard wasn¡¯t ready to admit defeat just because a few NPCs brushed him off. If anything, it only fueled his resolve to figure things out on his own terms. Shaking his head, he continued his exploration. Deckard¡¯s wandering took him to a particularly large house with a sign that dangled in the sea breeze. The faintest lines survived the onslaught of the hot, tropical sun, and it looked like a shell. In the short time he¡¯d seen it, two players had left it, and three had gone in. Deckard entered, finding a shop with wares displayed on makeshift shelves and a counter lined with tinted glass bottles containing liquids of different colors, leaves, and seashells. He¡¯d found a store, he realized. Finally, some direction. He approached the counter, where a middle-aged man stood, dressed in a floral shirt and a matching wrap around his waist. His smile was broad, revealing a row of slightly crooked teeth. Laisenia, the Shopkeeper Lvl. 30 ???? ¡°Good mornin¡¯, sir! Welcome to our place. How can Silver Shell help?¡± Deckard sighed in relief¡ªtalking to an NPC who was a little polite and willing to talk to him was such a breath of fresh air. It was just good customer service, but still¡­ it was something. ¡°Do you sell cards?¡± he asked. ¡°Cards? Oh no, no, no,¡± the shopkeeper replied, shaking his head. ¡°Cards not here. Maybe in big city, yah?¡± Deckard¡¯s hope deflated slightly. ¡°Right¡­¡± ¡°I suggest you grow strong first. No survive da trip through the caves now, no way. But you know what help you get strong?¡± Deckard¡¯s heart skipped a beat, feeling a quest coming up. ¡°W-what?¡± The NPC leaned in, lowering his voice as if revealing a great secret. ¡°Try my wares. Good stuff! Potions that heal you when you hurt. Or fish! Fill you with energy, make you strong.¡± A window appeared, listing several items. Fish, shellfish, herbs, and other such items were for sale. Deckard¡¯s shoulders sank. So much for a quest. It was just a sales pitch! He excused himself and left the shop, taking note of this location. He might have to return here soon. From here, he spotted another similarly-sized building nearby. Unlike the Silver Shell, it had a window through which he could see weapons. He approached it, almost bumping into the same kid that he¡¯d talked to earlier. ¡°Grumpy grandpa,¡± the boy said with a nod. Deckard just ignored the boy, happy to be the ignorer instead of the ignored for once, and stepped in. Boxes filled with helmets, boots, and gloves were lined against the wall. All of them looked like trash bins, given the condition of the items. There were also a few barrels with rusty weapons sticking out, and an NPC sitting behind a desk. It was the first time Deckard saw an NPC that wasn¡¯t dressed like an islander. Instead of a flowery shirt and a wrap, the man wore a long jacket, an odd choice given the tropical climate. This NPC stood out like a sore thumb. He was scribbling furiously on a notepad. Ronan, the Shopkeeper Lvl. 15 ???? Deckard took a deep breath and stepped forward. Maybe this time, he¡¯d succeed. Ch. 4 - Ronan The longer Deckard studied the NPC, the stranger he seemed. It wasn¡¯t just his odd choice of clothing but his entire demeanor. Unlike the other villagers, who were tanned and about Deckard¡¯s height, this man towered over him, even sitting down. His skin was pale, as if he hadn¡¯t seen the sun in years. The most unsettling part was how his high collar shielded his neck and chin from the faint light trickling through the shop window. Was he albino? ¡°Hello, sir. How are you?¡± Deckard asked, his voice polite. ¡°If you want weapons, check the barrels. Armor¡¯s in the bins,¡± the man replied, not even bothering to glance up from the notepad he was hunched over. His voice was dry, devoid of the warmth or friendliness the other shopkeeper had shown. His accent only heightened Deckard¡¯s feeling that he wasn''t a local¡ªperhaps an immigrant? Deckard opened the system window, which had opened automatically. He scrolled through the available items and frowned. Crappy sword. Moldy boots. Dented shield. Rusty dagger. It felt like this NPC was selling discarded junk scavenged from the bottom of the sea. Was this guy even trying? Deckard sighed and kept scrolling. His hope sank further when there were no cards in sight. ¡°Don¡¯t you sell cards here?¡± he asked. The NPC chuckled without looking at him, a dismissive, hollow sound. He wasn¡¯t taking Deckard seriously. Instead, he continued sketching something on the notepad with almost obsessive focus, completely ignoring Deckard¡¯s presence. Deckard craned his neck, trying to see what was so important. The drawing was detailed¡ªa bird with a curved yellow beak, its feathers patchy and thin, and ugly, bloated patches on its belly. The creature looked sickly and diseased, like something out of a nightmare. Yet despite the grotesque appearance, Deckard recognized it. ¡°Aren¡¯t those birds all over the beach?¡± he asked. ¡°Do you mean the seagulls? Yes,¡± the NPC responded, his voice indifferent. Deckard stared at the drawing a little longer. It was good, disturbingly so. There was something almost hypnotic about the level of detail, as though the bird might leap off the page and into reality at any moment. ¡°That¡¯s incredible. You¡¯re very talented,¡± Deckard said, genuinely impressed. The NPC let out a self-deprecating laugh, shaking his head. ¡°Yeah, right.¡± His tone suggested he thought Deckard was either mocking him or thought him clueless about what real talent looked like. Deckard tilted his head. ¡°Why do the local seagulls look like that?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± the NPC asked, finally pausing his sketching to glance at Deckard. ¡°You know¡­ diseased. Their feathers are falling out, and they¡¯re bloated. Shouldn''t they be flying around?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been eating trash long before the Rain of Fire. The radiation just made them more resilient, more twisted. They¡¯re less seagulls now and more vultures after the mutations. Winged rats. But they keep the beaches clean.¡± He shrugged as if the horrifying fact was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. This was the longest conversation Deckard had ever had with an NPC. He could hardly contain his excitement¡ªhe¡¯d triggered something here, a deeper interaction. He wanted to keep it going. ¡°So, why are you drawing them?¡± The man didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he ripped the paper from his notepad, crumpled it into a tight ball, and threw it into a nearby bin. ¡°Argh! Another failure,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°Do I really need to go back to basics again?¡± Deckard gulped, feeling awkward. ¡°I thought it was pretty good,¡± he offered, trying to sound supportive. The NPC looked directly at him for the first time, as if he only now had noticed him. His eyes were sharp, scrutinizing. ¡°You. What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Deckard,¡± he stammered. ¡°Good. Here.¡± The NPC tossed a bucket at him. ¡°Go fetch me a [Common Starfish].¡± Deckard blinked, caught off guard. ¡°S-sure.¡± He barely had time to process the sudden change in tone before a system notification popped up. New quest activated: [Ronan¡¯s Drawings]. Ronan¡¯s Drawings (Common) Description: Ronan is struggling to capture the essence of a seagull. He feels the need to return to simpler subjects to improve his craft. Objectives: Catch a [Common Starfish]. You¡¯ve received a quest item: [Old Bucket]. Deckard stared at the notification for a moment, wide-eyed. His first quest! He had triggered it all by himself. A sense of accomplishment surged through him. After several unproductive interactions with NPCs, it felt good to finally do well. Sure, he still had a long way to go. He knew he wasn¡¯t the most social person in the world. But if that made Savvy taunt him and say that he didn¡¯t have what it takes, he was in for a surprise. Perhaps this game would even prove to be good for him and help him open up a little more. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. After he received the quest, he couldn¡¯t help but think of that 10-year-old brat who had mocked him earlier. Take that, cheeky kid! Who needs guides when you¡¯ve got brains? Eagerly, he opened his inventory and inspected the quest item. Old Bucket (Common) Description: It can hold one small fish without requiring the fisherman profession. The item¡¯s description was interesting, suggesting that he could bypass some of the profession-based limitations of the game. For a brief moment, Deckard wondered if this quest would push him toward becoming a fisherman. But no¡ªhe was here to explore questing, not lock himself into one profession so early. He¡¯d just get the hang of it and see where it led. Scrolling further, he noticed other items he hadn¡¯t even realized he had¡ªa small wooden sword and five loaves of bread. Wooden Sword (Common) Description: A toy, really. Something that kids play with to learn how to fight Effects: +4 attack power. Stale Bread (Consumable) Description: Bread that is a few years old. If you add some water to soften it, it might be easier to chew. Effects: +30 hp. In addition to the two items, he also had 50 coppers to his name. It was enough to buy one piece of garbage from Ronan, but Deckard would pass on that. Instead, He¡¯d save his money to buy cards when the time came, wherever he could buy them. He grinned to himself. After wandering around with no aim, it felt good to have an objective. He equipped the bucket and headed out the door. * Martin flicked through the quest guide. He¡¯d already done most of the mundane tasks¡ª[Fixing the Nets], [Reaching the Coconuts]. Easy. Boring. Child''s play, really. His eyes skimmed over the next quest: [Shopkeeper¡¯s Drawings]. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he checked the rewards. ¡°Ugh, what do I want to become an artist for?¡± he muttered to himself, rolling his eyes. The quest chain promised little more than measly rewards and a profession no self-respecting player would touch. Even if he did want to become one of the worst professions in the game, there were a dozen better ways to go about it. Easier. Faster. Less embarrassing. He swiped past the quest, already forgetting it existed. Movement caught his eye, and Martin¡¯s lips curled into a smirk as he spotted the clueless player he''d met earlier. Grumpy Grandpa was shuffling out of the NPC store, looking all puffed up like he¡¯d just won the lottery. With deliberate slowness, Deckard held a bucket up for Martin to see like it was some kind of trophy. He pointed at the shop and then dusted off his shoulder. The smug look on his face was too much. He actually thought that was impressive. Martin couldn¡¯t help himself. He burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. ¡°What a noob!¡± he snorted, loud enough for Deckard to hear. He didn¡¯t care. Why would he? The old man had no idea how bad he was making himself look. Shaking his head, Martin turned his attention back to the quest guide, leaving Deckard and his bucket behind. Meanwhile, real players like him would be doing real quests. His eyes lit up when he saw the one he wanted¡ªhunting a seagull elite. Now that was more like it. The reward was a new weapon. No boring fetch quests, no ridiculous starfish hunts. Just pure, simple combat. Exactly what a top player like him deserved. He grinned to himself, already imagining the look on everyone¡¯s faces when he got his hands on that weapon. * Deckard descended the ladder, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. It felt good to rub it in that kid¡¯s face. He''d triggered his first quest without needing any shortcuts. Not bad for someone who¡¯d been in the game for less than half an hour. His heart swelled with a tiny sense of triumph. He wandered toward the water¡¯s edge, letting the cool waves lap at his feet, and moved away from the shadowy pier to get a better look. Starfish liked shallow waters, right? It made sense. Just find one and plop it in the bucket. Easy quest. The sunlight helped him see through the clear water, and he waded in until the water reached his knees. That¡¯s when he saw it¡ªa seagull, just like the one in Ronan¡¯s drawing, glaring at him with cold, beady eyes. Its crooked yellow beak twitched as if debating whether Deckard was worth the effort. Diseased Seagull Lvl. 2 Hp: 100 ???? He tensed. Should I fight it? He opened his inventory and equipped the wooden sword, its weight unfamiliar in his hand. He¡¯d been in plenty of fights before, sure, but never as the aggressor. Always the one on the receiving end. How hard could it be? It¡¯s just a seagull. He stepped forward cautiously. The seagull¡¯s shriek pierced the air, startling him, but Deckard steeled himself. You¡¯ve got this. One good hit. He swung the sword down, aiming for the bird¡¯s head. -4 The numbers floated above its health bar. Barely a scratch. Before he could even process the damage, the seagull lunged with a screech, wings flapping wildly. Deckard froze, instinctively flinching. Move! Do something! His body didn¡¯t listen. The bird¡¯s beak jabbed him hard in the side. -8 Pain flared, and Deckard¡¯s breath caught in his throat. It deals double the damage I do! That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s not fair! Panic started to creep in. He tried swinging again, but the sword felt clunky in his hands, his motions slow and awkward. The seagull dodged easily, its next attack already coming. Then, another sharp jab¡ªthis time from behind. -8 A second seagull had joined the fray. Deckard stumbled backward, completely thrown off balance. Where did that one come from?! He was already down 25% of his health. His hands shook, mind racing. He had to make a decision. Fast. Two seagulls advanced, eyes locked on him. His chances didn¡¯t look good. Not good at all. Nope. Nope. Nope. He turned and bolted, heart pounding in his chest. The shrieks followed him, but he didn¡¯t dare look back. Run. Just run. He didn¡¯t stop until he ducked beneath the safety of the pier. The seagulls didn¡¯t follow, thankfully, and he finally allowed himself to breathe. As the adrenaline faded, the sting of humiliation set in. He reviewed the fight in his mind, analyzing every misstep. What a disaster. The frozen hesitation, the clumsy swings¡ªhe¡¯d made every rookie mistake possible. I panicked. I completely panicked. He wandered to the other side of the pier and watched another beginner fighting a seagull. The battle was slow, and every attack was obvious and easy to predict. He couldn¡¯t believe how easy it looked. How had I messed up that badly? Deckard let out a long sigh, his confidence from earlier all but gone. Maybe social skills weren¡¯t really what Savvy had in mind when he had taunted him, but his fighting skills. Savvy, despite being a professional gamer, was also well-built and had a black belt in karate. As for Deckard, he wasn¡¯t just a bad fighter¡ªhe was terrible. His body simply refused to cooperate when it came to physical confrontation. It¡¯s like, after all those years of being a punching bag¡­ nothing¡¯s changed. With a resigned shake, he turned back to the water. He had to find a way around this. In the meantime, he would just tackle the quest. Hopefully, the starfish didn¡¯t fight back. Ch. 5 - Fish Tank Deckard crouched by the shore, plunging his hands into the cool water. His fingers brushed something rough and rigid¡ªa starfish. Bat Starfish (Common) Description: A small, colorful sea star with webbed arms resembling bat wings known for its vibrant hues and varied diet. He was still getting used to the mechanics of the game. Every time he interacted with an NPC or picked up an item, a small window briefly described what he¡¯d found. It was informative and overwhelming. This wasn¡¯t the starfish he was looking for. He let it slip back into the water and fished around some more, eventually finding a smaller one, pale and speckled with faint gray spots. Dozens stuck to the rocks as if clinging to the shore for safety. Common Starfish (Common) Description: A five-armed, slow-moving marine creature with a rough, spiny texture and a central disc, often found in coastal waters. At last, he picked up the right one. The common starfish was delicate, its surface covered in tiny, almost transparent polyps that pulsed rhythmically. Up close, it was like watching a thousand miniature snails creeping along in unison to form the star-shaped creature. Deckard marveled at the tiny, stubby limbs moving in slow, synchronized motions. He couldn''t help but feel a bit of unease at its alien nature, but he dropped it carefully into the bucket filled with seawater. The walk back to Ronan¡¯s shop was a juggling act. Between the sloshing bucket and climbing a rickety ladder near the pier, Deckard struggled not to spill water everywhere. After a brief struggle, he made it back. Ronan, the NPC with the ever-discarded seagull sketches, barely looked up from his latest attempt as Deckard entered. "Hello, Ronan," Deckard called out, raising the bucket with the starfish. Ronan¡¯s head snapped up, eyes wide with sudden interest. "Good, good, good! Give it to me," Ronan said, snatching the bucket from Deckard¡¯s hands. Without another word, the NPC disappeared into a side room Deckard hadn¡¯t noticed before. The room was dimly lit, a faint neon glow coming from the machines and screens on one of the walls. A glass tank in the corner was filled with water, smooth rocks, corals, and swaying aquatic plants. Deckard watched as Ronan carefully poured in the starfish, the creature landing softly on the sandy bottom. Its agonizingly slow movements seemed to fascinate the NPC, who was now framing the starfish between his fingers, studying it from different angles. Deckard waited, unsure what to do as no rewards were popping up yet. Ronan grabbed his notepad and started scribbling furiously. When he finished, he held up the drawing: an incredibly lifelike portrayal of the starfish, down to the smallest detail. The drawing had captured the glistening surface, the rhythmic movements of the polyps, and the eerie, creeping nature of the creature. "Good. This is good," Ronan muttered. A notification appeared in Deckard¡¯s vision. [Ronan''s Drawing] completed Completion rate: B Rewards: 100XP Bonus rewards: 50XP Level up! Completion rate? Is that what dictates the bonus rewards? Ronan thrust the empty bucket back into Deckard¡¯s hands, his eyes still fixed on the tank. ¡°Well done. Now, go get me a [Chocolate Chip Starfish].¡± Deckard blinked, confused. ¡°A what?¡± ¡°A Chocolate Chip Starfish. It looks like a cookie with little brown spots all over it. Hurry before I lose my inspiration!¡± Chain quest activated. You¡¯ve unlocked a new quest: [Ronan¡¯s Drawings II]. Ronan¡¯s Drawings II (Common) Description: Ronan is struggling to capture the essence of a seagull. He feels the need to return to simpler subjects to improve his craft. After drawing a simple starfish, he asks you to capture a different species. Objectives: Catch a [Chocolate-Chip Starfish]. Deckard vaguely remembered that chain quests involved a series of tasks, often becoming progressively harder but more rewarding. With his curiosity piqued, he set off to find this oddly named starfish. The search took longer than expected. After a few minutes of searching the shoreline, Deckard still hadn¡¯t found anything resembling chocolate chips. He waded a little deeper into the water, scanning the seabed for any sign of the creature. Just as he was about to give up, his hand brushed against something firm and ridged. He pulled it up¡ªit was pale yellow with distinctive brown spots dotted across its surface, just like the chocolate chips on a cookie. Chocolate Chip Starfish (Common) Description: A distinctive sea creature with thick, beige arms covered in dark, pointed nodules resembling chocolate chips, giving it a striking, cookie-like appearance. With a triumphant grin, Deckard tossed the new starfish into the bucket and made his way back to the village. Ronan stood waiting as if he had sensed Deckard¡¯s approach. Two players were perusing the items for sale, but Ronan ignored them and again led him to the back room. The players craned their necks, curious to see what was beyond the door, but Ronan slammed it behind him. Something seemed off. Deckard realized that the starfish from earlier had disappeared from the tank. He frowned. ¡°Where did the other starfish go?¡± Ronan, his gaze glued to the new starfish, didn¡¯t bother looking up. ¡°Gone,¡± he said curtly. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Gone? What do you mean, gone?¡± Deckard asked. Ronan shot him a glare. ¡°Hush! I don¡¯t have time for idle chatter.¡± Deckard bit his tongue. He watched as Ronan began his ritual again, framing the starfish, observing its every move, and sketching at lightning speed. Ronan¡¯s drawing was as lifelike as before, capturing even the smallest details of the creature. [Ronan''s Drawing II] completed. Completion rate: B+ Rewards: 200XP Bonus rewards: 120XP Level up! Ronan tossed the bucket back at him. ¡°This time, get me a Royal Starfish,¡± he commanded, eyes never leaving his sketches. You¡¯ve unlocked a new quest: [Ronan¡¯s Drawings III]. Ronan kicked Deckard out of the shop, leaving him wondering outside. Where had the starfish gone? He left for the beach again, wondering whether starfish were edible or if the NPC was doing something else with them. The Royal Starfish was the most beautiful he¡¯d found yet¡ªvibrant purple with long, slender arms and an orange frame that seemed to undulate gracefully in the water. When he brought it back to Ronan, he repeated the same ritual. Deckard resolved not to leave right away. He stood his ground, determined to figure out what was happening to the starfish. As soon as Ronan finished his third sketch, Deckard received his next assignment. [Ronan''s Drawing III] completed. Completion rate: B Rewards: 300XP Bonus rewards: 150XP You¡¯ve unlocked a new quest: [Ronan¡¯s Drawings IV]. It was the first time that Deckard hadn¡¯t leveled up with each quest. Deckard moved to the corner of the room, trying to look as small as possible, hoping to go unnoticed by Ronan. The tall, pale man glanced at him, clearly irritated. ¡°What are you standing there for?¡± Deckard folded his arms. ¡°I just want to know what¡¯s happening to the starfish. Are you eating them or something?¡± Ronan scoffed, his face twisting in disgust. ¡°Eating them? Bah! What a ridiculous notion. Now go before I throw you out!¡± Seeing the NPC¡¯s rising anger, Deckard sighed and left. He decided to snoop a bit, walking around the back of the building. The only window he could find had its blinds drawn, offering no view inside. Given Ronan¡¯s avoidance of sunlight and odd behavior, Deckard couldn¡¯t help but feel something strange was happening. Maybe the starfish were simply being discarded after they were drawn, but Deckard couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that there was more to Ronan¡¯s obsession than met the eye. With a resigned sigh, he set off searching for the next starfish. * Deckard marched toward Ronan¡¯s shop for what felt like the hundredth time. The afternoon had come and gone while he scoured the coastline for starfish, and now the sky was painted orange and pink as the sun dipped toward the horizon. Fishermen were returning to the village, their nets heavy with the day¡¯s catch, while Deckard¡¯s hands were full of... well, starfish. He wasn¡¯t complaining. Despite the tediousness, he¡¯d hit level 4 and received two pieces of equipment from this quest¡ªmodest but useful. Salvaged Shoes (Common) Item description: The shoes are falling apart, burned, and cracked from exposure, but they are still better than walking barefoot. Item Effects: +1 dexterity; +2% running speed when outside of combat. Discarded Gloves (Common) Item description: Disposable gloves, torn and discarded, covering most¡ªbut not all¡ªof your fingers. Item Effects: +1 strength; +1% attack speed. It wasn¡¯t much, but every bit helped. After his disastrous defeat hours earlier, he still hadn¡¯t tried to challenge the seagulls. He¡¯d need every advantage he could get when he tried again. Each time he leveled up, he earned five free stat points, but he left them unassigned for now. The starfish in the bucket was the tenth that Deckard was bringing Ronan. He had no idea what would happen once this chain quest ended. He¡¯d been avoiding the temptation to check guides online, wanting to figure things out for himself. It gave him a small sense of accomplishment¡ªa personal win. What puzzled him was Ronan¡¯s aquarium. After gathering and inspecting countless types of starfish, Deckard still had no idea what Ronan did with them once they were dropped off. He pushed through the shop door, the familiar creak signaling his arrival. This time, he needed both arms to lift the bucket to Ronan¡ªthe latest starfish was much heavier than the others. "Here you have it," Deckard said, groaning with effort as he handed the bucket over. Ronan accepted it and carefully tipped the sea sunstar into the aquarium. The creature had eight arms, and though it moved as slowly as the others, its appearance was distinctly predatory, as if it were more dangerous than its kin. Deckard waited, expecting Ronan to start sketching immediately. But the NPC just stared at the starfish for a long while, studying every detail in silence. Only after a few minutes did Ronan pick up his pencil and begin drawing, his brow furrowed in concentration. ¡°Phew. I feel much more confident now," Ronan finally said, breaking the silence. He set down his pencil, glancing at Deckard with a faint, unexpected smile¡ªthe first smile since they¡¯d met. "I think I¡¯m ready to take another shot at the seagulls. Thank you for your help." [Ronan''s Drawing X] completed. Completion rate: A Rewards: 2000XP; +5 reputation with Ronan. Bonus rewards: 2000XP; +5 reputation with Ronan. You¡¯ve reached level 5. Reputation? What does it do? Deckard wondered as he saw the rewards for the last quest in the series. Maybe it will make him friendlier. It looked like Ronan wasn¡¯t done with handing out rewards, though. Ronan rummaged through his things, then handed Deckard a notepad and a pen. "Here. I have little left to give you, so take this." A notification popped up in Deckard¡¯s vision. You¡¯ve been offered the artist profession. Would you like to accept? [Y/N] Deckard hesitated, staring at the prompt. Profession... that has to do with gathering and crafting, right? After a moment of consideration, he shook his head. ¡°No.¡± Ronan¡¯s hand froze mid-air, his face falling back into its usual blankness. ¡°You don¡¯t want to learn how to draw?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ronan,¡± Deckard replied, feeling a little guilty. ¡°While I admire your talent, I¡¯m only here for cards and nothing else. I don¡¯t want to get distracted, and as far as I can tell, drawing has nothing to do with them.¡± Ronan scratched his head, clearly disappointed. ¡°Cards? Oh well... So be it.¡± ¡°Thanks again for your time,¡± Deckard added, trying to soften the rejection. ¡°I hope you nail that seagull next time.¡± Ronan didn¡¯t respond. He stood silently, his gaze fixed on Deckard¡¯s retreating figure as the door closed. No one else was at the shop, so he returned to the side room. He approached the tank where the starfish floated lazily, its arms drifting in the water. From his pocket, Ronan drew a pristine white card. Turning it over, he studied its blank surface before pulling back his sleeve, revealing the metallic contraption affixed to his arm. With a quiet click, he slid the card into a slot in the device. The machine hummed softly. Ronan positioned the starfish in front of the scanner, watching as the loading bar filled inch by inch. When it was done, the white card reemerged¡ªbut now intricate circuitry patterns pulsed across its surface, glowing faintly. His breath caught. He operated different controls in the machinery on the wall and in the console on his arm. He carefully fished the starfish from the tank, its slimy skin cold against his fingers. ¡°Rendering sequence in three, two, one.¡± A brilliant flash of light illuminated the room. The card absorbed the starfish, trapping it within its frame. The creature twitched, its movement slowing before it became completely still. Slowly, words and numbers materialized on the card¡¯s surface. Ronan stared at it for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He reached into his jacket, pulling out a deck of nine similarly crafted cards, each illustrated with a different starfish. Their detailed designs reflected the LED lights and screens. He slid the new card into place with the others with a practiced hand. He turned toward the window, watching the darkened sky. The moon hung low, casting its silver reflection over the water. ¡°Only cards, uh? He¡¯s the first one to answer like that. He might regret it if he meant it.¡± After a moment, Ronan sighed softly, gathering his things. He activated a hologram so that no one could tell he was gone. As far as patrons knew, he was drawing away in the corner. He headed out onto the pier, the gentle lapping of the waves the only sound in the stillness of the night. Ch. 6 - The Worst Deck Ever Oil lamps flickered throughout the village, casting long shadows that danced along the weathered planked streets. The distant lighthouse on the islet pulsed every few seconds, its light slicing through the dark night. A cool breeze carried the scent of salt and damp wood, mingling with the quiet murmur of the waves. With nightfall, the village found a new rhythm. The old lady mending fishing nets had vanished, her place taken by fishermen hauling in their late-day catch. Meanwhile, others readied their boats to venture into the night, drawn by the promise of nocturnal fish. For such a small town, it buzzed with unexpected energy. So they do different things depending on what time of day it is. Do they ever sleep? Deckard mused, his eyes scanning the busy NPCs. And what about the days? Is there a difference between Mondays and Tuesdays here? Could there be hidden events I¡¯m missing? Questions like these had been swirling in Deckard¡¯s mind ever since he entered AstroTerra. Back in Nova Cardia, his concerns had always been about cards: what his opponent had or his chances of drawing the one he needed for a game-winning combo. But here, the variables were countless, and he found himself lost in the intricacies of this virtual world. Despite still learning much, his first gaming session wasn¡¯t going too badly. Four level-ups in one afternoon and his first chain quest completed¡ªthat was solid progress. But the more he learned about this world, the more curious he became. As he wandered the village, Deckard caught sight of the coconut-crazed NPC from earlier. His behavior had shifted with the setting sun. Now, he scurried from lamp to lamp, carefully inspecting each one. Let¡¯s see if there¡¯s more to this guy, he thought, stepping closer. ¡°How goes the work, Mr. Jone?¡± Deckard asked. ¡°Work go fine, work go fine,¡± the old man muttered absent-mindedly as he uncorked a lamp and poured in a thick, glowing liquid. A sweet scent wafted up, making Deckard¡¯s nose twitch. ¡°That¡¯s coconut oil, isn¡¯t it?¡± Deckard asked, his brow raising. The old man turned with a pleased expression. ¡°Oh yes, yes. You smart one, eh?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you could use it for lamps,¡± Deckard said, intrigued. The old man chuckled. ¡°Oh, plenty good, burn bright, long time too. And smell nice, no?¡± ¡°How many coconuts do you need to light a lamp?¡± ¡°Ten coconut one liter,¡± Jone answered. Deckard glanced at the nearby palm trees, comparing the number of lamps in town with the number of trees. ¡°There aren¡¯t nearly enough coconuts here to keep these lamps going.¡± The old man sighed, his shoulders sagging. ¡°Ah, true, true. Not ''nuff coconut here. But beastie outside... too much danger for ol¡¯ man like me go far.¡± Sensing an opportunity, Deckard leaned in. ¡°Maybe I could help you gather them?¡± Jone¡¯s eyes brightened, his smile widening as he appraised Deckard. ¡°You help ol'' Jone? Ohh, that good. Bring 200 coconut, eh? That make plenty oil.¡± Quest Unlocked: [Coconut Oil Crisis]. Coconut Oil Crisis (Common) Keeping the lights on at night keeps the mutated beasts away. Old man Jone is in charge of maintaining the village''s lights, but his stock of coconut oil is dwindling. He asks for your help replenishing it. Objectives: Harvest 200 coconuts. Deckard grinned as the notification popped up. Not bad, he thought. Without a guide, he had managed to unlock another quest on his own. He wondered if other players had discovered it, but the sense of accomplishment swelled in his chest. He was starting to get the hang of this game. With his spirits lifted, Deckard decided to try his luck with the fishermen. He approached a few as they walked through town, their faces weathered and worn from a day at sea. ¡°Long day, huh?¡± Deckard ventured, but the men waved him off. ¡°Need sleep, man,¡± one of them grunted, eyes half-closed. ¡°Talk later.¡± Deckard wasn¡¯t bothered. They¡¯ll warm up eventually, he thought. Given time, he was certain he¡¯d unlock quests from them, too. Deckard weaved his way through the maze of rope bridges and stilted huts. As he neared the pier, he stumbled upon the largest gathering of players he¡¯d seen since arriving in the village. Around thirty people milled about, a massive crowd compared to the occasional solo noob he¡¯d bumped into before. Makeshift stalls had popped up, players hawking wares with the enthusiasm of seasoned street vendors. Others huddled in tight-knit groups, strategizing for a party hunt. ¡°Going out to hunt a Sea Ghoul! Looking for a fifth player!¡± a voice rang out. ¡°[Seagull Feathers] and [Crab Pincers] for sale!¡± barked another, their voice cutting through the bustle. What truly stopped Deckard in his tracks, though, was a familiar, annoying voice. ¡°Legendary skill card for sale!¡± Deckard¡¯s eyes locked onto the cheeky 12-year-old he¡¯d met near Jone¡¯s cabin earlier. He chuckled under his breath. It¡¯s baldy again. Legendary? He¡¯s gotta be kidding. Curiosity got the better of him, and he wandered over to the kid¡¯s stall. Mismatched items were haphazardly displayed in front of the child, but Deckard¡¯s attention zeroed in on a single card lying among the clutter. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Charge Slash (Common) Description: Focus your energy into one powerful blow. Effect: Active. Charge for three seconds to deal a 200% critical strike. This was the first card he¡¯d come across since entering the game, and after hours of wandering without one, Deckard¡¯s fingers itched with anticipation. Cards, he recalled reading somewhere, can be used to learn skills in AstroTerra or to play Terralore. But how can I check what this card does in Terralore? ¡°Interested in my treasure?¡± the kid chimed in, a smirk plastered on his face. ¡°Treasure?¡± Deckard scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s a stretch. More like false advertising.¡± Unfazed, the kid grinned wider. ¡°Yet here you are, standing at my stall instead of anyone else¡¯s, eh, grumpy grandpa?¡± Deckard chuckled despite himself. ¡°Fair point. How much?¡± ¡°Two silver,¡± the boy replied, his smirk growing. Deckard frowned. He didn¡¯t have that kind of cash. As if sensing the lost sale, the kid swiftly turned to other potential buyers, continuing to hawk his wares without so much as a second glance at Deckard. Deckard couldn¡¯t tear his eyes away from the card. He toggled through his menu, searching for any option he might have missed. Why can¡¯t I see this card¡¯s stats for Terralore? Maybe what I read online was right... you only unlock Terralore features in the mid-tier cities. Maybe I need to be inside a gaming parlor to view its hidden effects. While Deckard continued to ponder, the crowd began drifting away from the pier, their numbers flowing back up into the village. Even the boy packed up his stall and followed suit. Where¡¯s everyone going? Deckard wondered. Driven by curiosity, he followed the growing tide of players into the heart of the village. They moved with purpose, converging on a house near the center. He recognized it instantly¡ªthe huge swordfish trophy mounted above the door stood out against the dark wood of the building. Earlier, this place had been locked tight, but now its windows glowed with warm light, the sounds of voices and clinking mugs spilling into the street. Inside, Deckard found what could only loosely be called a bar. Wooden barrels served as makeshift tables, clustered with fishermen discussing the day¡¯s catch over mugs of ale. The old lady who had been mending nets earlier was now playing the role of bartender, serving up drinks and small plates of food. But the real action wasn¡¯t at the bar¡ªit was around one of the crowded tables where players jostled for a spot, their eyes glued to something that had everyone¡¯s attention. Deckard elbowed his way through the sea of bodies, craning his neck to see what was happening. When he finally caught sight of the center of attention, his jaw dropped. Two NPCs¡ªfishermen¡ªwere playing Terralore. (Author''s note: To read the rules of the Terralore game, check the next post.) ¡°¡ªonce you reach the city.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I heard too.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t find it in any guide¡­¡± Snippets of conversation from the other players confirmed what Deckard had read while preparing to join the game. Terralore wasn¡¯t supposed to be playable in beginner villages. Yet here, in this tiny backwater village, two NPCs were locked in a game. What was going on? Deckard focused on the makeshift board, which was set on top of a large wooden barrel. A vertical line split the board into two lanes, each side displaying a hologram of a castle with floating numbers above them. The older fisherman, a grizzled man with a thick beard, had a castle showing a shimmering "10." His opponent, a younger man with a buzz cut, had only "1." On both sides of the field, holograms of creatures stood ready for battle, with numbers hovering above them as well. One player had 4, the other 3. Deckard inspected the fishermen. Ratu, the Fisherman Lvl. 20 Koli, the Fisherman Lvl. 20 ¡°Come, Koli, I waitin¡¯,¡± Ratu taunted, his grin wide, showing missing teeth. ¡°Agh... You give me bad card, eh? Now you rush me too?¡± Koli complained, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°The time run quick. I tell you, win this game, all me card be yours.¡± While Koli sweated, staring at his hand, Deckard¡¯s trained eye scanned the whole field. Koli''s defending lane was packed with Ratu¡¯s attacking creatures. The number over the castles was clearly the players'' health points HP, and the numbers over the creatures indicated their attack power. Things didn¡¯t look good for Koli. He had only 1 HP left, and his creatures were outnumbered and outmatched. On the other lane, Ratu¡¯s castle remained untouched, and his defending lane was empty. Koli was being forced to play defensively. Koli finally made his move, reluctantly discarding two cards and playing two new ones face-down. Ratu mirrored his actions, discarding three cards and placing one face-down. The moment the cards hit the table, a pulse of light rippled between them, locking the cards in place. Koli¡¯s cards flipped first. A green turtle appeared on Koli¡¯s defending lane, and the point count there rose from 2 to 4, matching Ratu¡¯s attack points. Additionally, a ray of light bathed his crumbling castle, healing it by 2 HP. Koli sighed in relief. That was until Ratu¡¯s card was revealed. A massive, terrifying turtle appeared on the field, roaring like a dinosaur. Koli¡¯s weaker creature was forced into the attacking lane, nullifying its defensive power. Ratu¡¯s attack points surged, and the attack points were factored in. Koli¡¯s last HP vanished. ¡°Ha! No chance, boy,¡± Ratu cackled as Koli¡¯s castle crumbled into pixels. ¡°Haha! Me win again!¡± Ratu¡¯s laughter echoed around the room, loud and smug. Koli cursed under his breath and stormed away from the table, leaving Ratu basking in victory. "I can beat anyone! Anyone!" His eyes scanned the crowd before locking on Deckard. ¡°You!¡± Deckard blinked, startled. ¡°Me?¡± Why was this NPC singling him out? ¡°You next, eh? You play me,¡± Ratu declared, rising from his seat, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of competition. ¡°I don¡¯t even have a deck,¡± Deckard protested, glancing around at the jealous faces of the other players. Ratu grinned, showing off his crooked teeth. He stood up, gathered all the cards that Koli had been playing with, and handed them over to Deckard. ¡°You use these. Tell you what... You win, all my cards be yours. What you say, foreigner?¡± You''ve unlocked a secret quest: [Against the Odds] Against the Odds (Rare) Ratu has mysteriously stumbled upon a deck and is flaunting it to everyone in town. He challenges you to a game¡ªwin, and all his cards are yours. You¡¯ve received a quest item: [The Worst Deck Ever] Deckard stood there, holding the cards and wondering what the catch was. Why had he been randomly selected to play Terralore in a village where the game shouldn¡¯t even exist? He retraced his steps through the day, pondering what might have triggered this unusual situation. Whatever the reason, he just had too much to win from this. He nodded at Ratu, determination settling in. ¡°I accept your challenge,¡± Deckard said, locking eyes with the old fisherman. ¡°Hahaha! Let¡¯s do this, then, foreigner.¡± ¡°Can I have a moment to study my deck?¡± Ratu spat, grinning. ¡°It not yours yet, foreigner. But sure, take your time.¡± Deckard opened his inventory and examined the cards. [The Worst Deck Ever] didn¡¯t exactly inspire confidence, but he was ready for whatever was coming next. Bonus Content: Terralore Rules
Deck Composition and Setup
  • Each player starts with a 20-card deck. You can only have a copy of each card in your deck.
  • Players draw 5 cards to form their starting hand. You can only have 7 cards in your hand. Any surplus cards drawn go to the graveyard.
  • At the beginning of each turn, players draw 2 cards.
  • To play a card, players must sacrifice a number of cards equal to its cost by discarding them to the Graveyard. For example, a card with a cost of 1 requires sacrificing 1 card.
  • A player loses if their deck runs out of cards to draw.
Types of Cards Creature Cards:
  • Each creature has a cost (upper-left corner, i.e. number of cards to sacrifice to play it) and a point value (bottom-right corner).
  • Creature cards are played in either the attacking lane (??) or defending lane (???).
Skill Cards:
  • Skill cards provide unique effects but do not contribute to point totals directly.
  • They may target creatures, castles, or other game elements.
Affinity/Rarity:
  • In addition to cost, points, and effects, a card also has an elemental affinity, marked in the upper-right corner of the card. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
  • Cards also have rarities ranging from common, uncommon, rare, epic, and legendary, marked at the bottom-left corner of the card.
The Board and Castle
  • The board is divided into two lanes for each player:
    • Defending Lane: Protects the player¡¯s castle.
    • Attacking Lane: Targets the opponent¡¯s defending lane.
  • Each player¡¯s castle starts with 10 HP. The goal is to reduce the opponent¡¯s castle HP to 0 to win.
Game Phases Terralore is played in four phases per turn:
  • Draw Phase: Both players draw 2 cards.
  • Play Phase: Players place their cards facedown in either their attacking or defending lane. The placement remains hidden from the opponent.
  • Reveal Phase: All cards are revealed.
    • Cards are usually revealed simultaneously.
    • If the order of play matters (e.g., for "on reveal" effects), the reveal order starts with the defending lane of the player losing the game, then proceeds clockwise:
      • Losing player¡¯s defending lane
      • Opponent¡¯s attacking lane
      • Opponent¡¯s defending lane
      • Losing player¡¯s attacking lane
  • Counting Phase: Resolve combat and effects, calculate lane totals, and apply damage to castles.
    • Points in the attacking lane are compared to points in the opponent¡¯s defending lane.
    • Excess points from the attacking lane are dealt as damage to the opponent¡¯s castle.
Lane and Board Mechanics
  • Each lane can hold a maximum of four creatures.
  • If a player attempts to play a fifth creature in a lane, they must sacrifice one of the creatures already in play, sending it to the Graveyard.
  • Graveyard and Exile:
    • Removed cards go to the Graveyard unless a card effect states that they are exiled, in which case they are permanently removed from the game.
Victory Conditions
  • Reduce your opponent¡¯s castle HP to 0 to win.
  • The opponent runs out of cards in their deck before you do.
  • Tiebreakers:
    • If castles are tied in HP at the end of the game, the total number of points on the field determines the winner.
    • If the total points on the field are also tied, the game is considered a draw.
Additional Rules and Scenarios
  • Lane Overflow: Sacrificing a creature to play a new one allows for strategic decision-making, as weaker creatures can be replaced with stronger or more synergistic ones.
  • No Creature Combat: Without direct creature combat, players focus on maximizing points and using skill cards strategically.
  • Running Out of Cards: If a player cannot draw a card during their Draw Phase, they immediately lose the game.