Erik sat cross-legged on the floor of his makeshift hideout. The morning light filtered through the cracks in the wooden walls, casting a warm glow on the room. He took a deep breath and focused on the system.
"System, open a The Legend of Blue-Eyes White Dragon pack," Erik commanded.
Opening pack...
- Electro-Whip (Common) x1
- Dragon Treasure (Common) x1
- Forest (Common) x1
- Sogen (Common) x1
- Darkworld Thorns (Common) x1
- Kumootoko (Common) x1
- Hinotama (Common) x1
- Goblin's Secret Remedy (Rare) x1
- Man-Eater Bug (Super Rare) x1
Erik examined the new cards. Five of them: Forest, Kumootoko, Hinotama, Goblin's Secret Remedy, and Man-Eater Bug. His attention was immediately drawn to the two Spell Cards: Hinotama and Goblin's Secret Remedy.
"Hinotama is similar to Sparks—a fire-based Spell Card. I'll need to test its power," Erik muttered, holding the card up to the light. "And Goblin's Secret Remedy... this could be a lifesaver. A healing card like this is invaluable."
He clenched the two cards tightly. "With these, I'll have an emergency backup plan."
Erik didn't stop there. He still had two more packs to open. "System, open a Metal Riders pack."
Opening pack...
- Crass Clown (Common) x1
- Thunder Dragon (Common) x1
- Queen's Double (Common) x1
- Rabid Horseman (Common) x1
- Doma The Angel of Silence (Common) x1
- Ancient Elf (Common) x1
- Giga-Tech Wolf (Common) x1
- 7 Colored Fish (Common) x1
- White Magical Hat (Rare) x1
Erik frowned as he looked through the cards. "I'm not sure if these are good or not," he admitted. One card, however, caught his eye: Doma The Angel of Silence.
"An angel who specializes in magic... I'll need to summon Doma when the opportunity arises," Erik said, storing the card back into the system.
Finally, Erik opened the Magic Ruler pack. "System, open a Magic Ruler pack."
Opening pack...
- Chain Energy (Common) x1
- Boar Soldier (Common) x1
- Magical Labyrinth (Common) x1
- Rising Air Current (Common) x1
- Chorus of Sanctuary (Common) x1
- Weather Report (Common) x1
- Dark Witch (Common) x1
- The Reliable Guardian (Common) x1
- Flying Kamakiri #1 (Rare) x1
Erik's eyes lit up when he saw Magical Labyrinth. "This Spell Card can summon Wall Shadow," he said, reading the description. "If I combine it with Labyrinth Wall, it'll create an even stronger defense—one that can attack intruders."
Without hesitation, Erik activated the card. "I activate Magical Labyrinth! By sacrificing Labyrinth Wall, I summon Wall Shadow!"
A bright light enveloped the labyrinth surrounding Erik's hideout. The walls shifted and transformed, becoming darker and more menacing. A thin, eerie dark fog filled the air, and shadowy figures darted between the walls. The atmosphere grew colder, sending a shiver down Anyone who saw it.
From the shadows emerged Wall Shadow, a grotesque, alien-like creature with six glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws. It let out a guttural screech that made Erik's skin crawl.
"I have no idea what you're saying," Erik muttered, "but your job is to protect this place. If any intruders try to invade, let me know immediately."
Erik checked the system and noticed that Labyrinth Wall was now grayed out. This meant the current labyrinth was created by Wall Shadow. "I won't be able to summon it again until tomorrow," he said, sighing.
---
With the pack-opening session complete, Erik sat down on a rickety chair, his mind racing. He couldn't shake the memory of the thugs from The Hound Pets—their sneers, their laughter, their sheer arrogance. For the first time in his life, Erik had felt powerless, and he hated it.
"I can't afford to be weak," Erik muttered, clenching his fists. "Not in this world. Strength is everything here."
He stood up and called out to his monsters. "Masaki, Fireyarou! Let's train. I need to be ready for whatever comes next."
Fireyarou grinned, flames flickering in his hands. "Master, you're on fire today!"
Masaki nodded solemnly. "Discipline is the foundation of every warrior, Master. Let's begin."
—
Erik began his training with Masaki and Fireyarou. The physical training he was doing now would have been impossible in the modern world. But here, Erik had more motivation because, in this world, weakness meant oppression.
Sweat drenched Erik's body as he swung his sword repeatedly without stopping.
"You've improved, Master, but your movements are still too stiff. A swordsman needs to flow like water," Masaki advised.
"Alright, I'll get it right this time," Erik replied.
After physical and sword training, Erik continued his training with Fireyarou.
Sitting cross-legged on the damp ground beneath the giant Yarukiman mangrove trees, Erik closed his eyes. Fireyarou stood behind him.
"Master, with the changes to Wall Shadow, the mana in this area has increased," Fireyarou explained as Erik sat cross-legged on the damp forest floor. "Can you feel it?"
Erik closed his eyes, focusing on his surroundings. "I feel... a slight chill in the air. Is that the mana?"
"Yes, Master. That's the dark elemental mana from Wall Shadow," Fireyarou said. "Don't worry—it's normal for beginners to only sense a small amount at first. Most magic students take weeks to finally cast a spell."
Erik nodded, though he couldn't help feeling impatient. He knew time was running out. The Hound Pets would come for him eventually, and he needed to be ready.
—
As Erik finished his training, just before he came inside the house, Erik, as if moved by instinct raised his hand. Two cards flew back at him, Kurama and Meda Bat. Both were grayed out.
"They are part of the hunting team, I know Mystic Horseman led them" Erik waited for Mystic Horseman to know what was going on.
After half an hour, the labyrinth walls rumbled, signaling the return of his hunting team.
A few moments later, Mystic Horseman and Skull Red Bird arrived, their expressions grim.
"Master, I apologize for my failure!" Mystic Horseman said, kneeling before Erik. Skull Red Bird followed suit.
"Calm down and explain what happened," Erik said, trying to understand the situation.
"While we were hunting in the forest, we encountered a group of humans who were also hunting. They wore bubble helmets and rode on the backs of chained slaves."
"They saw Kurama and Meda Bat and ordered their men to capture them. It happened so quickly that Kurama and Meda Bat got caught in a net and chose to return to card form."
"Seeing that, I immediately ordered Skull Red Bird to return here, Master."
Mystic Horseman explained the incident.
It seemed trouble kept following Erik. The Hound Pets weren't dealt with yet, and now Celestial Dragons and the Marines were involved.
What would Erik do…
To be Continued…