[Mobile Armor (Legendary)]
[Cost: 4]
[Attack: 3]
[Defense: 4]
[Instant Summon: If 10 or more of your construct cards have been destroyed in this battle, this card can be automatically summoned to the field]
"Instant Summon" meant that as long as the condition was met, the card would appear on the battlefield without consuming any psychic energy. This was precisely why Duanmu Huai hadn't fought the Green Knight directly from the start. After all, this was his first time using a construct card deck—he needed to test it out.
Now, it seemed the results were quite satisfactory. The [Mobile Armor] could be deployed as an autonomous combat unit or equipped directly. When used independently, it acted as an intelligent robot to help defend against enemy attacks. But when equipped, its stats would directly enhance Duanmu Huai's own attributes.
And it wasn't over yet.
As he strode forward toward the Green Knight, Duanmu Huai tightened his grip on his warhammer, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.Consume 1000 experience to reset [Artisan's Conviction] to hand!Activate [Artisan's Conviction]! Add [Enhanced Puppet] and [Armed Reinforcement] to hand! Activate [Armed Reinforcement], target self, +2/+2!
Among the six player attributes, [Strength] and [Intelligence] determined attack power, while [Agility] and [Constitution] influenced defense. [Charisma] and [Perception] were support stats.
Based on soul card mechanics, Duanmu Huai's base attack power was:1 point from Strength + 1 point from Intelligence = 2 points.
His defense, having only Constitution above 10, was 1 point.
Now, Duanmu Huai's total attack was:2 (base) + 3 ([Mobile Armor]) + 2 ([Armed Reinforcement]) = 7 points.The Green Knight's defense was only 5.In other words—he could break through!
"Haaahhhhhh!!!"
As the Green Knight raised his longsword and swung down with tremendous force, Duanmu Huai let out a fierce roar, swinging his warhammer upward to meet the strike head-on!
"Thump!!~"
The two weapons collided with a thunderous impact, sending up a thick cloud of dust and smoke.
Within the smoke, Duanmu Huai skidded backward, his warhammer gripped tightly in both hands. A deep, ragged scar marred the surface of his power armor. Across from him, the Green Knight had also been sent flying. His warhorse collapsed beneath him, and his once-pristine armor now bore heavy damage.
"Phew…"
Duanmu Huai exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on his opponent.
Based on soul card stats, his current attack and defense were both at 7, enough to surpass the Green Knight's 6 attack and 5 defense.
That didn't mean the Green Knight's attacks were harmless, though—far from it. Duanmu Huai had to admit, the Green Knight's strike was brutally powerful. Had it not been for the [Mobile Armor], blocking that blow would have been nearly impossible.
"...…"
Across the battlefield, the Green Knight slowly rose again. His expression unchanged, he raised his longsword once more and charged straight toward Duanmu Huai.
Seeing this, Duanmu Huai also straightened, raised his warhammer—and rushed forward to meet him!
However, just as the two clashed and the Green Knight thrust his sword toward Duanmu Huai's chest, Duanmu Huai opened his arms—meeting the Green Knight's longsword head-on! The blade pierced through the armor... but failed to pierce Duanmu Huai's body.
In that instant, Duanmu Huai extended his arm and firmly grabbed the Green Knight's sword arm!
He dared to be so reckless precisely because of [Mobile Armor]'s [Guard] trait. In soul card mechanics, [Guard] was a very peculiar ability.
Simply put: unless the enemy destroyed the card with [Guard], they could not deal damage to anything else. So even though the Green Knight's strike broke through the [Mobile Armor], it didn't count as damage to Duanmu Huai himself—because the armor and the player were treated as separate entities.
Which meant: the moment the [Mobile Armor] was breached, the Green Knight's attack was considered finished. The window to counterattack was wide open—and Duanmu Huai wasn't about to waste it.
Seizing the moment, Duanmu Huai grabbed the Green Knight and then drove his helmet straight into the other's head!
"Thump! Thump! Thump!!"Each brutal headbutt echoed like a war drum. Under the crushing force of the power armor, cracks formed across the Green Knight's helmet.
The Green Knight struggled fiercely—but once caught in Duanmu Huai's iron grip, he was like a wild beast caught in a tiger trap, completely unable to break free.
"Thump!!"One final blow. Duanmu Huai released his grip—and the Green Knight collapsed to the ground.
But Duanmu Huai wasn't done.
He picked up his warhammer, raised it high—and brought it down hard.
"Bang!!"The next moment, the Green Knight's head shattered beneath the weight of the hammer.
At the same time, system text flashed before Duanmu Huai's eyes:
[Quest: Challenge — Completed][Evaluation: First-rate][Reward: 2000 EXP + Bonus 1000 EXP][Random Trait Acquired: Green Knight's Special Trait — Terrify Foes (causes nearby melee enemies to flee); Intimidation increased to LV4]
"Phew…" Duanmu Huai finally let out a long breath of relief.
That said, when he saw the awarded trait, his expression soured.
Seriously? Another fear aura? Is this thing permanent? He's a national hero! Couldn't I at least get something cooler?!
But just as he was grumbling to himself, his gaze drifted down to the Green Knight's broken body—and he froze.
Wait… oh crap, I just killed Bretonnia's guardian deity. The Bretonnians aren't going to come after me for this… right?
But before the panic could set in, something strange happened.
The Green Knight's finger twitched.
Then, slowly, the fallen hero rose to his feet again.
At the same time, his shattered head and helmet began to reassemble—as if time itself was rewinding.
"...???"
Duanmu Huai instinctively took a step back, gripping his warhammer tightly, eyes wide with uncertainty.
Yet the Green Knight made no move to attack.
He simply stood up, fully restored, and silently pointed toward the nearby forest path. Then he turned away, mounted his equally revived warhorse, and galloped off without a word.
…Was there something in there?
Duanmu Huai looked toward the path the Green Knight had indicated.
Well, I guess I'll find out if I go take a look.
(End of this chapter)