Chapter 05: My Turn

The podium was lifted high.

The stadium dome was spread wide open, so that even the clouds hiding away could not escape the gaze of the audience. The mountain peaks reflected the sun's glare, highlighting the epic duel that would be taking place.

I felt nervous, albeit slightly. It wasn't a matter of how people viewed me, but rather an old sensation that had returned to burning my soul. Something I thought was lost is now present in its purest form.

A duel with the highest stakes. 

A princess gave me everything to defeat the King Goblin who overthrew her father. If I lose, the princess and the 85,000 people in her faction will be destroyed or, at the very least, become slaves to the mad king.

It feels like... this is truly the greatest duel I will ever experience.

The hologram dice are rolled in the air, and I get the lower number. That means the King Goblin will play first.

A hologram screen displayed all the assets we possess side by side once again.

Rayleigh Asset || Gobshill Asset

Resource: 3 || 5

Unit : 82.5k || 825k

Commands: 11 || 134

Protocol: 3 || 13

Signature: 1 || 1

With three resources, that means I only have three Life Points. It's a little unfair, but that's okay. Just being able to play is more than enough to me.

“King Gobshill, please start the match! Both players must say the opening line for the duel to begin!”

What does that mean?

When confusion struck me at the emcee's words, my vessel unit immediately spoke.

“You must say Engage after your opponent says Duel.”

Owh! That's...  a little bit lame. 

Anyway.

“Let’s start your execution, Raydick!” said Gobshill, then he snorted loudly. “Get ready! DUEL!”

“ENGAGE!” I replied.

The green soccer field was instantly illuminated by invisible lines. It formed a 5-column pattern on the first and second rows in front of me, similar to a playmat you use when playing Grand Monarchy. A blue barrier enclosed us. I thought it was some kind of barrier so the game couldn't be interrupted by any.

“My turn!” he said. “I draw 6 cards from my ASSETS!”

What I saw was a unique reveal. He didn't draw cards like in a typical TCG game. All of his assets or decks were scattered, floating and surrounding him.

You could say that assets are all the cards you have in your garage. The more you collect, the greater the number of cards you can to access. Plus, there is no limit to the number of similar cards in your assets.

Well, this part is crazy. That means the more you collect, the greater the number of the combo you can make.

Gobshill already had six cards, and all the other cards immediately vanished into thin air. The six cards he selected transformed from glowing light into TCG-like cards with green sleeves.

The duel entered the [Standby Phase].

In this phase, the vessel unit entered the field in the second row's [V] zone.

“I'm going to raise Goblin Bastard to level 1,” he said. “Then all the resources will be unlocked.”

Oh, right. The vessel turned out to be similar to him. A green goblin with a very annoying face. Then when he mentioned his resources, there were five giant squares floating high above his head. Each displayed five different locations.

Ah, so that's what he meant by Resource.

So Resources are places where you actually obtain resources. Such as Mines for metals, military barracks for troops, Capitals for human resources and gold, Libraries or Development Centers for Knowledge, and finally, palaces for Crowns or Honor.

So, each resource will provide a different type of COST. It depends on what unit you are playing. The more linear the cost and the type of unit that will be summoned, the better and more centralized the desired resources will be.

It feels more complicated than Magic The Gathering, huh.

“I summon three Goblin Scavengers to the field!”

Goblin Scavenger Lv. 1

Cost: 1000 humans, 1000 metal, 1000 gold coins.

Power: 6000

Endurance: 1

After Gobshill summoned three goblins to the arena, I saw a new set of numbers appear in the notification. A more detailed explanation of the reduction in resources generated by the selected type.

Gobshill brought 1 Palace, 2 cities, and 2 mines. This means that the cost generated by him will be Crowns, humans, gold coins, and metal.

Human 825k -> 822k

Gold Coin 1000k > 997k

Ore 425k -> 422k

What happens to the people used as a cost, I wondered.

“Ah, they will be temporarily transformed into energy,” replied the fur ball around my neck. “Don’t worry, as long as you win the game, they will be changed back to their original state.”

If you lose, does that mean... death? Sacrificing real humans as the cost of summoning a unit. How terrifying.

I swallowed hard. My focus returned to Gobshill, who was setting his Protocol card. I didn't know what kind of card it was until the time came to activate it. It was similar to setting a trap card in YGO. The difference was that the cost was paid at the beginning. And well, I didn't need to explain how much, because he had abundant resources.

“I've finished my turn,” he said. “Feel free to attack me with that bratty girl's trash units. I'll punish her just like her father.”

Behind me, Princess Cynthia clenched her fists. But she remained silent. She just looked at me with fiery eyes. I didn't know what to do. Before my turn officially began, I asked her.

“Princess... may I duel in all seriousness?”

“That is what I expect.”

“I mean... being really serious and using everything you have. You don’t mind, do you?”

She shook her head. And smiled defiantly. “Do it. And prove that my trust in you is not nonsense.”

Her words were like a sword that cut through all the chains that bound me. Now my whole body was free, I could breathe easily, and my eyes were unclouded by guilt over anything. Because with the princess's permission, I would now play with all my heart, like someone who had fallen in love with madness.

“My turn. DRAW!”

Instantly, all the assets lent to me appeared in a very long list. From 82 thousand people, I could choose anyone, including adults, young people, soldiers, and even ragged children.

This is amazing.

I only have three resources: Palace, City, and Mine. So the total types of COST I can use are far fewer than Gobshill's.

Human 82.5k

Gold Coin 90k

Ore 50k

Crown 5

After calculating enough, I focused on the card I wanted to reach.

And I had selected and held 6 cards.

“Now it's my turn,” said the furry ball creature.

He jumped onto the field and stood on the Vessel Zone. Then the identity of my unit was clearly displayed in the air.

Winged Chibi Knight Lv 0

Type: Beast/Warrior

Chibi, huh. That's cute.

I entered the standby phase and raised Chibi's level to one by sacrificing one card in my hand.

Chibi unlocked a new ability!

[Center Power Block: 2000]

Not too high, but pretty good. It turns out this furry creature is quite useful.

“I summon three Brave Soldiers!”

Brave Soldier Lv 1

Cost: 2k Ore, 1k Human, 1k Gold.

Power: 6000

Endurance: 1

Three soldiers in silver armor stood proudly. They looked at me for a moment without speaking, then drew their swords towards Gobshill.

I understand. I understand your desire to fight your oppressors. Therefore, follow all my commands.

“Battle!” I said.

The entire arena, which had been quiet, was now filled with cheers of joy.

“Brave Soldiers, attack all the Goblin Scavengers!”

If you want to command a unit to attack, you need 1 CROWN or HONOR to do so. Therefore, my Crowns were reduced by three, leaving me with two. This Crown wont be generated from your [Palace] until next turn so be wise to use it. Because its not only be used for attack, but to block too.

“You amateur!” Gobshill sneered. “Such amateur moves will get you nowhere! You'll be finished in my next turn.”

Well, considering I only had three Resources, if he managed to attack three times in a row, then I would lose. It was very simple when looked at from this perspective.

But what he didn't know was that I was a pro player.

The Champion.

Of course I would know what card is broken and what's not.

The three soldiers slashed the three goblins and died together. Then—“I activate Battle Command [For The Princess]! With this command, the fallen soldiers can be resurrected from the grave and their CROWN cost is reduced by one.”

The three soldiers emerged from the ground and stood proudly. They immediately ran and slashed Goblin Bastard and Gobshill, dealing three damage.

“DAMN IT! I'll get you back for this!”

“Stop complaining! Please choose which resource you want to burn.”

Every time they take damage, players must choose which resource to deactivate. So when that resource is deactivated, their total resources will decrease proportionally.

Gobshill chose one city and two mines. That way, his resources would be greatly reduced.

Human 822k -> 411k

Gold Coin 997k -> 597k

Ore 422k > 244k

There's still a lot left, huh. Alright. Focus on the game.

“With the final effect of [For The Princess], the three soldiers disappeared at the end of the battle and I was able to summon one Brave Soldier from Assets to Center. And my turn is over.”

Finally, my first turn is over. I only have 1 card in my hand and it should be enough.

The entire arena fell silent when I managed to inflict three hits on Gobshill. However, the princess's faction on the hologram screen cheered joyfully. I could hear some mocking directed toward the goblin.

Even the emcee didn't know what to say. He just gave me a long booooo and encouraged other to do the same. And of course, that didn't do anything but bring a smug smile to my face.

On the other hand, frustration peaked on my opponent's face. Since he thought I was a beginner, it was a harsh blow for him all of a sudden.

But, he wouldn't back down for this small matter, tho.

“HAHAHAHA! Get ready, Raydick! I'm going to crush you!”

I could see his face almost transformed into an Orc for no reason. Maybe he will?