Standing in front of the New Metro Cardmaster Association building, Russell couldn't help but sigh.
"We still need to make new cards."
Pressure was mounting. Not many people knew the full story about what had happened in the space, but he couldn't shake the fear that the Soulweaver Clan would come after him.
After all, their internship information must have been leaked from inside the association.
And who's to say there weren't more traitors hiding in plain sight?
Russell started doing the math. If he included the five green centipede materials he hadn't sold yet, his total assets now amounted to 370,000 in cash, plus an [Elite Ghoul] (Purple), a [Centipede] (Purple), and a [Flesh Demon] (Gold).
He'd originally planned to create Kokushibo, aiming to pair it with Yoriichi Tsugikuni to form a synergistic combo.
But the materials at hand didn't quite align, and he felt there were stronger options.
His most urgent task now was to replace the [Flesh Demon] (Gold) with something more suitable—something that matched the synergy of the card he was about to make.
The real question was: could he find it on the card trading site?
Russell quickly rode his Pidgeot back home, booted up his computer, and filtered through the listings in search of a fitting material.
A few scattered Black Iron–grade gold materials popped up on the screen.
Then his eyes widened. His heart skipped.
There really was something perfect for what he needed.
Item: Black Iron–grade material — [Type 1 Biological Colonization Suit] (Gold)
Price: 660,000
Russell's expression darkened. There was no way he could afford that—not even if he sold everything.
Still, he moved to add the material to his cart, hoping it might stay available long enough to scrape together the funds.
Then a notification popped up.
[This item has already been sold and cannot be added to your shopping cart.]
"Seriously?! So many rich people out there?"
His face sank. He didn't expect the golden-tier material he'd just found to vanish that quickly.
Now, even the [Flesh Demon] (Gold) he'd planned to list for trade would have to wait.
The next day, Russell arrived at school yawning. He'd stayed up all night obsessing over the [Type 1 Biological Colonization Suit] (Gold).
"Ah well. If it's meant to be, it'll be mine. If not, that's life," he muttered to himself, trying to shrug it off.
The classroom was buzzing with chatter about yesterday's training in the space.
"Hey, what did you all pull yesterday? I only managed to take down three of those centipede beasts. Still need a ton of coin for my next card."
"Same. It ended so fast—I thought I was about to strike gold."
"Russell, what about you? How was your haul?"
Russell scratched the back of his head, trying to appear nonchalant. He wasn't about to broadcast his newfound wealth.
"Eh, not bad. Got a few things."
At that moment, Nancy walked over.
"Thanks for what you did yesterday, Russell. If it weren't for you, I might've been in real danger."
Russell shook his head. "Honestly, I think anyone in class would've stepped up. Didn't you stay behind to protect Liam?"
Nancy could've run, that much was certain—Liam and Darren were both protecting her. But she had chosen to stay and face the monster head-on, even if her three-tailed fox had been shattered in a single blow.
Speaking of Darren—
Russell was about to ask what happened to him when Nancy's expression turned sharp.
"Don't count on it. Darren was fully ready to let me die to save his own skin."
Just saying his name made Nancy's jaw tighten in frustration.
She paused, then added, "He's already dropped out. No school in the district will take him now."
Considering Darren was still a student—and Nancy had escaped unharmed—that was the harshest punishment they could hand down.
Russell didn't press it. He simply shrugged. "Well, at least now I won't have to see that clown in class."
Nancy went silent for a moment, then pulled out an envelope and handed it to him.
"My dad wanted to thank you. He was going to invite you over for dinner, but he's been tied up with work. So, this is his way of saying thanks."
Russell opened the envelope and stopped mid-breath.
His rejection died on his tongue.
Inside was the [Type 1 Biological Colonization Suit] (Gold).
So you're the rich one?
He silently labeled Nancy as a "rich girl" and quickly pocketed the envelope.
"I won't say no. I actually really needed this. Thanks a lot."
With that, the final material he needed was in hand.
Now he was confident—this card would be gold, maybe even red iron–grade.
Nancy smiled. "So, do you have a direction for your next card? When my dad gave it to me, he said you might want to use it for a prop card."
"It works well on creature cards or even for personal use."
Russell shook his head. He had already made his decision.
"I've got a plan."
Before he could elaborate, someone threw themselves to the ground in front of them.
"Brother Russell! Sister Nancy! Thank you for saving my life! From now on, if you tell me to go west, I'll never go east. If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west!"
It was Liam, wrapped in bandages but somehow back at school after being patched up by a hospital cardmaker.
Russell didn't acknowledge the over-the-top declaration. Instead, he chuckled.
"What if I tell you to go west, and Nancy tells you to go east?"
Liam blinked in confusion.
Russell helped him up, laughing. "Relax. I'm messing with you."
The bell rang right on time. Students hurried back to their seats.
Ms. Song entered the room slowly, surveying the class.
"I'm sure you all now understand just how dangerous these spaces can be."
"I especially want to praise Russell and Nancy. They stood by the principle of never abandoning a teammate, and together they saved Liam."
Russell nodded quietly. That was her way of drawing a line under the entire incident—smart move. It would keep the students from speculating too much.
Whispers filled the classroom.
"No wonder Liam looked like that just now."
"Yeah… Thank god he ran into Russell and Nancy. If it had been Darren…"
"Wait, why isn't Darren here today?"
Ms. Song paused at the name, her expression shifting.
"Darren won't be continuing his studies at New Metro First High due to family circumstances."
Given how badly Darren had damaged the school's reputation, she wasn't about to explain further.
And since she wasn't saying anything, neither Russell nor Nancy would either.
With that out of the way, it was time to focus on class.
"All right, please take out your High School Cardcraft 2.3 — New Metro University Edition textbooks."
"Finally done." That evening, Russell leaned back and stretched in his chair.
Ever since he'd received that thank-you gift from Nancy's father, his thoughts had been racing ahead.
He rushed home, spread the materials across his desk, and let a slow, confident smile take over his face.
With this card, he was sure he could dominate the upcoming Four-School Joint Entrance Trials of Ning'an District.
He'd bring them all to their knees.
(End of Chapter 18)
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