episode_0022

[Casket of Cataclysm] – Your basic attack cards (Slash, Strike) and defense cards (Shield, Defense) are changed into random cards.

[Empty Fish Tank] – Remove 3 cards from your deck.

[Small Necklace] – Permanently gain 1 Energy. You only draw 3 cards on the first turn.

They all have good effects. But each has an ambiguous aspect.

First, the Casket of Cataclysm.

Actually, there was a relic with a similar effect in the game as well.

A boss relic that is usually rated A-rank or higher.

Of course, there was a luck factor, but unless you had already removed many basic cards, picking this relic was the best choice.

More than anything, dopamine rushes every time I choose a relic.

If I completely failed, I could even make a video out of it.

Conversely, if I hit the jackpot, that was also video material.

As you can tell from this kind of content alone, the element of luck in this relic is too great.

Unlike a game where you can just try again if you die, this is reality where there’s only one chance.

The risk is too high.

It’s not like there’s regression or reincarnation if I die here.

Next is the Empty Fish Tank.

In the game, it was a relic that removed 2 cards, but here it removes 1 more, so it removes 3. Finally, it can live up to its name.

The effect is very appealing. It removes a whopping 3 useless basic cards?!

It’s a relic that countless newbies get tempted by and pick.

But removing 3 cards doesn’t make the deck strong.

Of course, it’s appealing in that it reduces hand clogging, but if the deck’s power isn’t sufficient from the start, it’s a difficult relic to pick.

It’s a relic that is helpful only when you acquire it after the deck is already complete.

The Elementalist deck is still far from completion. And the Paladin deck has Exhaust, so there’s no reason to take it.

Lastly, the Small Necklace.

Instead of gaining the fatal penalty of only being able to draw 3 cards on the first turn, you permanently gain 1 Energy.

As expected of an Energy relic, it should have this much of a penalty attached.

Still, this is a very favorable Energy relic.

Among the ones that permanently give 1 Energy, there are so many that come with grotesque penalties.

For example, the Mad Crown, where the card reward options change from 3 to 1.

Compared to those that usually put a penalty on the entire game, the fact that you can only draw 3 cards on the first turn is a very reasonable penalty.

Among the three boss relics I’ve seen so far, excluding the Empty Fish Tank, I have to choose between the Casket of Cataclysm and the Small Necklace…

“……?.”

A question arose.

If I were to choose the Casket of Cataclysm, would it also apply to the deck I acquire later?

Looking at the [Butcher’s Gloves], relics apply to all decks. But that’s an always-active relic. The Casket of Cataclysm is a relic that activates just once when acquired, so the feeling is different.

If I don’t know, I should ask.

“Kaman. Will this Casket of Cataclysm apply even if I get a new deck later?”

“There will only be a change in the deck you currently possess. Since the effect is applied the moment you obtain the relic.”

If so, obtaining this means there will be no change in the decks I get later.

It must be the same for the [Empty Fish Tank].

Was the only option the [Small Necklace] from the beginning?

I’ll get at least 2 more decks later. A relic that doesn’t apply to those is a half-baked relic.

I chose the Small Necklace.

Flash!!

Before I knew it, the [Small Necklace] was hanging around my neck.

Soon, it disappeared from view.

Like the [Butcher’s Gloves], it seems I can make it appear when I want to.

Well, unlike the gloves which have some use, the necklace is completely useless in daily life, so there’s no reason to materialize it.

“Now then, choose. I’ve prepared what you need.”

Shhh.

From inside the bundle that unfolded, relics, cards, potions, and finally, a card removal service appeared.

“Can I only use the card removal on one deck?”

“That’s right. It starts from 10 and the requirement increases by 5 each time you remove, so choose carefully.”

In this case, the value of things like relics and card removal will probably also be different from the game.

There’s a reason why the Empty Fish Tank was buffed to remove 3 cards.

But it’s still bad.

Ding!!

Just then, Kaman flicked 4 more coins.

“These are coins proportional to the people you saved this time.”

Seriously, I saved quite a few people, but he only gave me 4?

Well, still, this is something.

37 received as a reward for killing the Black Mage.

An additional 4 received.

Let’s make good use of the total of 41 coins.

First, I checked the relics.

A total of 3 relics revealed themselves.

[Cat’s Hand] – The first card played is enhanced. – 11 coins.

[Blue Flame] – A permanently applied Blue Flame protects you. – 25 coins.

[Automatic Defense Golem] – At the start of combat, summons a small Golem that protects for 1 minute. – 22 coins.

Didn’t he say he prepared exactly what I needed?

I was hoping for a relic that gives draw on the first turn.

Still, all three relics are ones that assist the early game, so they are sufficient to be helpful.

First, let’s compare [Blue Flame] and [Automatic Defense Golem], which are similar in price.

[Blue Flame] looks good because it seems to be applied permanently.

But seeing as the price isn’t much different from the [Automatic Defense Golem], which only applies for 1 minute, it might not be much of a big deal unexpectedly.

Right now, I need a powerful force to withstand the first turn more than permanent power.

“Okay.”

I decided.

I decided to do removals later and choose the ones that will help boost the first turn.

[Cat’s Hand]

[Automatic Defense Golem]

As I chose the two relics, the two relics were equipped onto me.

The Cat’s Hand was worn on my hand like a glove, and the Automatic Defense Golem was in the form of a small choker.

I made both invisible.

Thinking about having to wear them hanging all over my body like Kaman when I equip a lot of relics later makes my head complicated.

“…Get used to it.”

As if Kaman read my thoughts, he muttered.

What’s left is 8 coins.

Unfortunately, I can’t do removals.

But I could choose potions and cards.

The available cards changed whenever I changed the deck in real time.

There were none I liked.

Rather, a potion.

Now the explanation appears properly.

[Rainbow-flavored Potion] – A random stat increases. – 7 coins.

[Blood Potion] – Permanently increases maximum HP. – 5 coins.

[Mana Potion] – Permanently increases maximum Mana. – 5 coins.

I chose the [Blood Potion] and drank it on the spot.

“…You’ve worked hard. I’ll send you back now.”

Kaman, as if all business was finished, was trying to send me away.

“Just answer one question!!”

Did my earnestness work?

Kaman, who was about to draw a card, withdrew his hand.

“If it’s something I can answer.”

Finally, permission was granted.

There were many things to ask, but sensitive ones were probably unlikely to be answered.

After carefully thinking about a question that Kaman would definitely answer, I suddenly looked at the coins.

“Why do you give coins for killing Black Mages?”

“Because they are… enemies of us Card Mages.”

“Then.”

“This far! It’s not time yet.”

As Kaman drew a card, the world split apart.

When I came to, I was already on a hard bed.

“You’ve come to!”

Grace’s face, which had approached without me noticing.

Next to her, the faces of the party members appeared in order.

“How long was I unconscious?”

“About 1 hour.”

I feel like I stayed much longer than last time, but the actual time is much shorter.

Do they just take me when I lose consciousness, regardless of time?

It wasn’t important, so I decided to forget it.

“What’s the situation?”

“The portal to the 3rd floor has opened. They said that the red portal on the 2nd floor might be dangerous, so go up to the 3rd floor and then go outside.”

“Most of them must have left.”

“Yes. Now only the Knights Templar, Guild members, and Inn people who were originally staying in the safe zone are left.”

Shhh.

Just then, a knight who drew back the tent entered.

He walked straight towards me.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes.”

“Take this. They say it’s a card that came from the Forest Witch.”

What the knight handed me was a gold card.

“All spoils from the Forest Witch were collected by the Guild, and we decided to distribute them appropriately among the explorers who participated in the subjugation. However, we all decided together to give this to you, as you contributed the most to the subjugation.”

Is this the reward from the boss monster?

I received it carefully.

Watching the knight leave, I carefully looked at the gold card.

“Is this all I got, just one card?”

“It’s not just one card!!!”

Grace suddenly bursting out.

She then calmed down her excitement and continued explaining calmly.

“A gold card, you see? It’s a rare card that you can only see after going to at least the 7th floor.”

“Is that so? Because I lack knowledge.”

“There are cards of white, blue, silver, purple, gold, and finally, sky-blue color. If it’s a gold card, it’s worth almost the price of a whole house.”

A whole house.

To think this single card is worth a decent house.

I carefully put the card in my pocket.

“What will you do now?”

“Well. Should we go up to the 3rd floor? What does everyone think?”

“I think it’ll be fine just going up!! I’m still okay!!”

“…Well, we didn’t earn much money this time either.”

Luca and Kairek saying it’s okay to go to the 3rd floor.

Anyway, I had to take out the meteor iron that was Lymon’s request, so although I was a bit tired, I decided to go up to the 3rd floor.

“Then let’s go up to the 3rd floor. Do we have enough food?”

“No. Not at all. We wasted too much time on the 2nd floor.”

It seemed Grace was reluctant, so there was a reason after all.

“……”

In the end, there was nothing else to do but quietly leave the labyrinth.

*

One of the inns located somewhere in Labyrinth City.

Today, too, countless explorers are drinking and telling their own stories.

The most popular story this time is, of course, the sudden appearance of Black Mages that happened on the 2nd floor.

And the story about the [Forest Witch], a monster that the Guild had not revealed.

“Just then, black wolves suddenly appeared and bit my arm!!!”

The man telling the story was never bitten on the arm.

It’s how heroic tales are told, slightly exaggerating the facts, adding bits and pieces to gradually flesh them out.

Thanks to that, the story of a certain mage began to spread throughout Labyrinth City not long after.

The story about the mage named Ivan who sat in one place for days creating a shield.

By the time there was gradually no one in Labyrinth City who hadn’t heard his name.

The story reached the highest place in the Magic Tower.

In a research lab, Layla and Haban stood stiffly frozen in front of an old man.

As if he had no interest in the two of them, the old man said while transferring the liquid in a beaker.

“You said you definitely saw magic using cards, right?”

“Yes, yes!!!”

Watching the nervous Layla and Haban, an old man put down his glasses, went to the bookshelf, and took out a book.

“Did the card that mage was holding perhaps look like this?”

Inside the old book, there was a small black and white drawing.

Layla and Haban, seeing that, exchanged glances with each other, then answered loudly.

“YES!!!”

The old man, pleased by that answer, smiled contentedly and gestured for the two to withdraw.

“Good, you may withdraw.”

“YES!!!”

Layla and Haban, who bowed so low it was as if the floor would sink, went outside.

Click.

Seeing the very, very safely and quietly closed door, the old man got up from his seat again and headed towards the window.

The panoramic view of Labyrinth City seen from the top of the tall Magic Tower.

“Has it finally appeared, as the prophecy foretold…?”

It will be busy from now on.

To adapt to the rapidly changing Labyrinth and Labyrinth City, the Magic Tower must also make full preparations.

The old man sits down and takes out documents.

‘The first thing to do is surveillance, perhaps.’

As the old man looked through the documents to find a suitable talent, one person 딱 caught his eye.

This person should be able to fully carry out that role.

*

3 days after leaving the labyrinth.

I took a seat at a restaurant to settle the party’s accounts.

Grace, who came in last.

In her arms was a large box.

Thump!!!

Grace, who laboriously set the box down on the table, looked at me and declared.

“The gold card, I’ll buy it.”

When the box opened, it was full of gold coins.

Although I didn’t check exactly, isn’t this enough to actually buy a whole house?

“Actually, it’s a bit short to buy the gold card, but I’ll use this, get stronger, and pay you back slowly.”

Grace looking at me with sparkling eyes.

Anyway, as a mage, I couldn’t use the card and was planning to sell it. Since the money was also paid, there was no reason to refuse.

Grace, who carefully received the gold card I handed her.

“…Then… I’ll use it?”

As if she was nervous, she held the card and took a deep breath.

“Here I go!!”

Thud.

As she placed the card on her chest, it started emitting light and being absorbed.

With the strong light drawing the attention of all the explorers in the restaurant.

Suddenly the light began to turn dark.

“That, that’s a cursed card!!!!”

Kairek, who looked like he saw something he shouldn’t have, screamed, having a seizure.

The explorers around also started looking at Grace with pitying eyes, as if saying ‘too bad’.

Woooong.

When everything was over, Grace was staring blankly into space.

“T-that’s a cursed card, I-I spent my entire fortune and got a cursed card?!”

Grace’s body was trembling as if her mind was shattered.

Luca, watching her, sipped his beer and comforted her.

“…Calm down. Cursed cards also have ranks.”

“Does that make sense? Even so, it’s just a curse.”

As if a lot of stress had piled up, Grace started frantically tearing at her red hair.

But soon, as if she felt something strange, she pushed away the hair that was covering her ears.

Grace’s ears, lengthened as if like an elf’s.

“Th-these are elf ears?”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“You call that saying…”

Just then, Grace discovered the delicious-looking meat on the table.

Bobble bobble.

Grace suddenly foaming at the mouth and collapsing.

“Don’t die!!!”

Watching Kairek and Hans run towards Grace, I touched my heated forehead.

Indeed, nothing in the world goes as you wish.