The rest of the day passed in a comfortable blur. By the time Tristan came back from his hunt, still buzzing from his experience flying, she managed to finish forging four more cards for him.

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Dark/Attack] — Nightmare Cleave: Let loose a massive blade of Dark energy that inflicts [Fear]. (CASTS: 6)

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Dark/Attack] — Monstrous Descent: Crash down onto the ground with a dark explosion, flinging targets back and applying [Fear]. (CASTS: 3 | CONDITION: MUST BE IN THE AIR TO CAST).

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Dark/Support] — Backstep: Shroud yourself in shadow and then blink backwards a short distance. Can move through walls. (CASTS: 2).

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Earth/Support] — Mountain’s Embrace: Gain an 80 Armor shield. (CASTS: 3 | DURATION: 1 MINUTE).

Afterwards, Eila went home, and Tristan stayed out longer, practicing with his new cards and farming some more. He returned to the guildhall late, ate a quick meal, chatted with Duran and Genn, then promptly fell asleep.

The next day, Eila met Tristan outside the guildhall and they proceeded to the field outside the town gates. He had Eila forge the [Mycelium Lancer] Summon quickly for him, and upon unlocking Adept, he could now summon both the Lancer—which she gleefully named Funguy, to his dismay—and Rommie.

He went back out into the Fire Fields. Now, with two Summons and his Trap, farming became much easier. It was just a matter of Summoning both cards, having them range out and tag all the nearby mobs, bring them back to his Trap, which would trigger and kill the weak Novices. He couldn’t range out far enough to get the Apprentices unfortunately, but that was fine.

When he got a little bored of this strategy, he split him, Funguy, and Rommie up to different parts of the map to clear mobs. He received the loot from their kills, and he quickly saw the difference in strength between the Summons in the amount of kills each Summon was able to do before they dissipated. Funguy was easily a low-Adept Summon in terms of raw strength, though his skills and general intelligence was reflective of a typical Apprentice card.

He tested out his new cards while he was alone. [Mountain’s Embrace] was a straightforward shield, but the other three were anything but. [Nightmare Cleave] shot out as a meter-wide jagged curve of Dark energy which could cut trees in half. [Monstrous Descent] exploded when it landed on the ground in a bubble of Dark energy that dealt damage and knocked things back. Both these Attacks applied [Fear], which was a handy status effect that made monsters lose control of themselves and made the next casts of a cardbearer fire at a random location.

Most importantly, [Backstep] allowed him to phase through obstructions, which was quite handy.

Time passed quickly this way. He would go out for a few hours, return to Eila, collect his new cards she’d forged, and go back out.

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Dark/Support] — Devourer’s Shriek: Let loose a large cone of sound that [Stuns] targets. (CASTS: 2 | DURATION: 1.5 SECONDS).

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Earth/Support] — Healing Concoction: Create a potion of earth energy that greatly heals wounds. (CASTS: 3)

While he was out in Fire Fields, Tristan ran across other cardbearers. He gave them tips as he went by, though some were wary of him and simply started running the moment he tried to approach. Others were more receptive, and he explained to them the different casting techniques and their drawbacks and benefits.

He had to stop himself at a certain point, however, as it was eating into his farming time. They had to go pay for the airship tickets tonight and leave tomorrow morning. He wondered how Eila’s family thought of her leaving, so soon after Aidas’s funeral.

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/ Dark/Attack] — Dark Kunai: Let loose a kunai formed of dark energy. If the same target is struck twice with this Attack, inflict [Bleed]. (CASTS: 10)

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Dark/Support] — Predator’s Mark: Mark a target with a cross. If struck by a Dark Attack, the cross explodes, dealing damage and inflicting [Bleed] and [Slow]. (CASTS: 12 | CONDITION: AN OPPONENT CAN ONLY BE TARGETED OR MARKED ONCE EVERY MINUTE | DURATION: 20 SECONDS).

The moment Tristan’s {Flight} Perk reset, he used it. He was already addicted. The sensation of flight was oddly intuitive; a benefit of the System, he figured.

The wings were like a muscle, and flexing it would make him go faster in the direction he faced, while relaxing it would make him slow. There was a card that granted the same effect, but it was an Air Grandmaster Support card. It spoke to how strong boss loot was that this Adept equipment granted the same effect, albeit for a much more severe cooldown.

He flew around the map, drawing the stunned gasps and points from the other cardbearers farming below. He couldn’t help but grin at their awe; not a small part of him was a show-off, he had to admit.

Flying made farming that much more easy. He zipped around the Fields, striking at the weak Novice monsters from above while Funguy and Rommie ranged below.

Speaking of Rommie, it was soon time to say goodbye. Eila was hard at work forging a new Summon for him, the 70 blue-chip cost card they’d bought from Artuo. When she finished, Tristan would replace the wolf with it, as Funguy was incredibly strong, even though he wouldn’t benefit from his Dark Summon Perks.

When his {Flight} was about to expire, he landed near Rommie, and she came running up to him, panting. She went down to the ground, and he rubbed her belly, smiling sadly.

“I’m sorry,” he said, as she wriggled in the dirt joyfully. “I wish I could keep using you. But I can’t.”

She rose to her feet and nudged his hand with her head before giving it a lick. Something flashed through his mind, not words but more so an impression.

I understand.

“Good girl,” Tristan murmured.

He continued hunting for a few more hours. The sun had dipped below the curve of the horizon by the time Tristan came back out to meet Eila.

She was slumped on the grass, arm flung over her eyes. Worried, he ran over to her.

“Eila!” he exclaimed. “Are you all right?”

She lifted two new cards for him in response. “I did it,” she breathed, taking her arm away and revealing tired but proud eyes. “I forged all of them successfully. One go, no failures.”

He took the cards and grinned, relaxing. “Nicely done, Forger Eila.”

She sketched a mock-bow into the air. “Why thank you, Cardbearer Tristan.”

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Dark/Summon] — Haunted Shade: Summon a spectral ghost formed of Dark energy. Has the ability to pass through surfaces. Skills: {Possession}, {Ectoplasm}, {Chilling Breath}. (CASTS: 2 | DURATION: 5 MINUTES).

You have acquired 1x. [Adept/Earth/Trap] — Sinking Sands: Create a Trap zone that triggers when stepped on, forming quicksand that sucks targets in. (CASTS: 2 | DURATION: EXPIRES AFTER DORMANT FOR 2 MINUTES, TRIGGERS FOR 5 SECONDS | CONDITION: TRIGGERS WHEN A TARGET STEPS ON THE TRAP ZONE).

The Haunted Shade was a powerful Summon that was more supportively-oriented. [Possession] allowed it to briefly take control of a Adept-rank or lower monster, Summon, or object; [Ectoplasm] created a pool of ooze that periodically applied [Slow]; and [Chilling Breath] applied [Fear] to its target. The Summon itself didn’t do much damage, about the same as Rommie actually, but its unique skills were a worthy trade-off.

He slotted the cards in and nodded in satisfaction, pulling up his to see the final result.

Main Deck: (15/15)

* Summons:

* * [Haunted Shade] - Adept/Dark

* * [Mycelium Lancer] - Apprentice/Earth

* Attacks:

* * [Nightmare Cleave] - Adept/Dark

* * [Monstrous Descent] - Adept/Dark

* * [Dark Kunai] - Adept/Dark

* * [Bleeding Hamstring] - Apprentice/Dark

* Support:

* * [Shadowed Retreat] - Adept/Dark

* * [Predator’s Mark] - Adept/Dark

* * [Devourer’s Shriek] - Adept/Dark

* * [Shadow Step] - Apprentice/Dark

* * [Wolf’s Grace] - Apprentice/Dark

* * [Mountain’s Embrace] - Adept/Earth

* * [Healing Concoction] - Adept/Earth

* Traps:

* * [Slumbering Stalagmites] - Adept/Earth

* * [Sinking Sands] - Adept/Earth

He still had four Apprentice-rank cards he needed to replace, but for now it was fine. He could fill the rest of the slots out on Advance. Then, he pulled out the sleeves Eila had haggled for him back at Artuo’s. He converted the [Item Card], getting a pack of fifteen sleeves, and placed each of his cards in.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

That done, he closed his page and looked down at Eila, who still had the glow of pride around her.

He sat down beside her and opened his [Perk Page]. Now that he was Adept, he could unlock one straight off the bat for defeating the [Withering Roots Devourer].

“What are you doing?” Eila asked curiously, head flopped to the side facing him.

“Unlocking a Perk. One moment.”

She frowned at that. Likely because it was rare to defeat a Dungeon boss in a group with split participation and gain enough shards for an unlock. Oh well.

Tristan scrolled through the available options, thinking. The one he wanted was obvious to him at least, and he would unlock it again after he got the [Perk Reset Card], but he still wanted to refresh himself on some of the others.

After a few minutes of familiarizing himself and thinking about what he might want ahead, he went back and chose {Double Dash} for his Perk.

You have unlocked [Adept/Dark/Support Perk] — Double Dash: Your Dark dash-related cards have at least two max charges.

(CASTS: N/A).

He stood up, Eila looking up at him with a frown. He wanted to quickly test it out. Summoning his deck], he pulled [Shadow Step] and cast it off to the side and blinked over. The card still remained in his hand, and he threw it back, appearing right beside Eila who yelped.

He winked down at her, and she grumbled.

“All done. Shall we go sell my loot and buy our tickets?” he said, dismissing his deck.

“We shall.” She stood up with a grunt and then eyed Tristan’s equipment. “Maybe the tailor, too.”

—🃁—

Tristan left Artuo’s shop, discomfited for two reasons.

One, he’d only gotten 63 blues. It made sense as he’d only farmed Novice monsters, but still. They now didn’t have enough money to purchase two cabins on the Serenity.

The bigger, more important reason was the way the old man’s expression when Tristan pulled out his loot. It was there and gone in a quick flash, but Tristan had seen it. He couldn’t put a name to it, but for some reason that look in his eyes had troubled him.

I need to be more careful with [New Game Plus], Tristan thought, as Eila grumbled about the money. I’m attracting the wrong kind of attention. What would a man like Artuo do to get a hold of Tristan’s powerful buff?

“Well, great,” Eila muttered, stomping along beside him. “Now what are we going to do?”

He eyed her wryly, putting the thought away for now. “Sorry. I guess I should’ve tried harder.”

She reddened, realizing how she sounded. “No, no. You did great. 63 blues in a day and a half of farming Novice monsters is absurd.” She quieted, then added softly, “By the way, you should be more careful with that.”

He blinked, a little chill running through him. He had just been thinking that. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “Clearly you got some”--she waved her hand up-and-down his body—“thing going on with you that lets you get all this loot so quickly. There are dangerous people in this world who would do a lot for something like that. I’m not saying Artuo is one of those people, but…”

“No, you’re right,” Tristan said. “I’ll be more careful.”

She nodded. “Good.” They continued towards the airship docks silently.

“So, are you going to tell me what it is?” she said sweetly, excessively batting her eyelashes down at him.

“Nope.”

She dropped the cute act and started grumbling. Tristan’s lip quirked. Am I going to tell her? he thought, as they cut across the street. Maybe at some point, if she sticks around long enough. The more time they spent together, the harder it would be to conceal, especially if she was going to forge all his cards for him.

“So what are we going to do about the airship?” she asked. “We can buy transit on another airship that’s cheaper. Though cheaper generally means slower.”

He sighed. “No, I spent too long on the island already. I need to get going.” He looked up at her. “There’s really only one option.”

“What’s that?” She paused, then a scared look flitted across her face. “You’re not going to leave me behind, are you?”

“The opposite, actually.” He took a deep breath. “We’re going to have to share a cabin.”

—🃁—

Tristan purchased their tickets, Eila oddly shy behind him. The clerk was different this time, a tall, severe-looking woman, who took his money and their [Status Page Cards] for identification. Thankfully, they were able to purchase a double cabin for both of them for a white and 25 blues. Eila covered the rest with some money she made liquidating some cards.

The worker handed them the two tickets afterwards.

Tristan inspected his: it read, Serenity - Topaz - Cabin 47A - Tristan Ford.

“Boarding time is 8:00 A.M,” the clerk said. “If you miss it, there will be no refunds.” She paused, then added, “Would you like to purchase travel insurance for an additional air-chip?”

Tristan blinked, converting the ticket and storing it away in his [Binder]. He looked at Eila, who shrugged.

“What’s it do?” he asked.

“In the event that an incident occurs on the airship during your voyage, you will be fully refunded your travel fare plus any additional incurred damages.”

He frowned. “What kind of incidents might happen?”

“Travel insurance covers but is not limited to monster attacks, unnatural weather, piracy, and more.”

“Huh? Piracy?”

“But rest assured,” the clerk continued, “the Serenity is an incredibly safe ship. After all, her patron is Magenni Yendu herself, a Transcendent of Order.”

At the word Transcendent, Tristan felt a little jolt. His eyes narrowed, feeling a sudden burn of annoyance in him. He had just paid for flight on another Transcendent’s ship?

“I think we’re good on travel insurance,” Eila said, oblivious to his grumbling. She smiled. “I highly doubt anything’s going to happen.”

Tristan and Eila split ways afterward. Eila needed to pack and also tell her family, which apparently she hadn’t done yet.

Tristan went back outside to farm some more money. He was up rather late, and not wanting to go to Artuo, he just dumped the small loot he’d been able to gather at some stalls in the Lootbox.

With that money, he bought him some proper clothes, as he didn’t have enough to tailor his equipment. Not that he really minded; he thought his equipment looked cool. But according to Eila, a Class-C zeppelin was a fancy establishment, and proper dresswear would be required. So, he bought three sets of second-hand everyday wear, and a more formal but cheap suit.

Once that concluded, he went back to the guildhall and said good bye to Duran and Genn. Varya and Marr were there too, and they’d explained that they had talked to Eila earlier and wanted to say goodbye. They were up until nearly dawn, sharing stories, joking, and Tristan went to bed that night with a warm glow in his stomach.

Now, he waited outside the docks for Eila, yawning and tired.

She arrived shortly after. Her eyes were red, indicating she’d been crying, but he didn’t want to pry.

They exchanged sleepy greetings and walked into the building, presenting their tickets and [Status Page Cards] to an attendant at the back, who let them through into the landing zone. A line had formed outside the Serenity, and up close he could see that the symbol engraved on her side was that of a giant Order card with the initials M.Y on them.

Eila was sniffling behind him in the line. He figured it was a tough conversation she’d had, saying goodbye to her parents and leaving. He gave her her space, focusing on the Serenity herself. Up close, he saw that a noticeable bubble surrounded the sleek, powerful vehicle.

A walkway surrounded the ship higher up, and he could just barely make out people up there: security, he assumed. The front of the ship at that level was recessed, creating a large open-air balcony.

He turned his observations to the people waiting in line. It was a mixed assortment of demographics: some families with excited children and sleepy babies, mostly older men and women with an air of disdainful wealth about them, and a smattering of younger folk like Tristan and Eila.

As the line shuffled forward, Tristan’s excitement grew. In the game, the airship travel to the Continent was an instanced cutscene. In the real world, he was actually about to board and travel on this thing for the next three nights.

And then, he thought, I hit the Continent. He had a checklist of things he wanted to get done when he landed; namely, use {The Great Tree’s Blessing} to see if any Terrors in the area would be able to grant him a new Perk.

He was also excited to be able to consistently fight Adept monsters. His time hunting in the Fire Fields was good for money, but he didn’t get any [Perkshards] for it.

Soon, it was their turn. A long set of stairs ran up to the entrance of the airship at its lowest floor. Tristan walked up, Eila behind him, and presented his ticket to the worker there. She smiled at them and gestured inside.

“Welcome aboard the Serenity. We hope you enjoy your stay.”