Card Chapter 9: Cool (Patreon)

“Du Heng versus Jiang Nanxi!”

With Song Qian’s announcement, Du Heng and Jiang Nanxi rose to their feet at the same moment.

Du Heng turned and said to her, “I’m not going to hold back just because you’re a girl.”

Although he felt Jiang Nanxi’s Demon Fox was strong, he was sure he wouldn’t lose to anyone.

Jiang Nanxi only answered with a gentle smile, taking no notice of him.

They stepped to the edge of the arena, and—in the blink of an eye—the Green Zombie and the Three‑Tailed Fox appeared in front of their respective masters.

The Three‑Tailed Fox struck first, casting an illusion.

But…

…it failed.

The Green Zombie wasn’t affected at all.

The sudden reversal wiped the smile from Jiang Nanxi’s face.

Watching smugly, Du Heng explained aloud, “Zombies at the Green‑Zombie stage have no intellect—only instinct.”

“Your Three‑Tailed Fox can’t construct a high‑grade illusion right now, can it?”

If Du Heng is a little conceited, so am I, Jiang Nanxi admitted to herself. Apart from Du Heng and Russell, none of the honors‑class students can last a single exchange against me. No wonder I got a bit proud.

Her thoughts didn’t matter: the Three‑Tailed Fox leapt to the attack.

Running on all fours, it reached the Green Zombie in an instant, claws flashing cold light and leaving after‑images in the air.

Du Heng showed no panic. The fox’s real strength lay in illusion; in close combat, he believed no one in the honors class could rival his Green Zombie—
not even Russell’s cards.

Sure enough, though the fox’s claws raked the zombie, they left only a few shallow scratches.

While the fox was still recovering, the Green Zombie grabbed its tail and smashed it into the ground like a sandbag. The fox cried out in pain.

At ringside, Russell twitched at the corner of his eye. “Why does this look so familiar—like the Hulk swinging Loki around?”

Even their abilities seemed similar.

After another heavy slam, the Three‑Tailed Fox faded from sight.

“Too weak, Jiang Nanxi! You’re no different from those other losers!” Du Heng laughed wildly.

Jiang Nanxi, unfazed, felt little frustration. The Green Zombie simply countered her fox. Finding a remedy—buffing an existing creature card or creating a new one—was exactly what a card‑master should do.

Exhaling softly, she left the arena, came over to Russell, and smiled. “Good luck, Russell.”

Russell chuckled. “I think you’ve got it backward—he’s the challenger.”

Without waiting for her response, he walked into the arena.

Watching his back, Jiang Nanxi was momentarily dazed. Russell—so bold.

Unaware of her thoughts, Russell faced Du Heng and summoned Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Yoriichi’s expression chilled the moment he saw the Green Zombie—unpleasant memories.

Before the zombie could react, Yoriichi charged, blade in hand. As he ran, the katana’s edge turned crimson.

Jiang Nanxi, serious now, murmured, “I’ve never seen that ability…”

In a blink, Yoriichi was upon the Green Zombie, katana whistling as it swept from right to left toward its neck.

The zombie roared and thrust out its right hand to block—

shhk! Like a hot knife through butter, the furry green hand was severed and thudded to the ground.

One clash, and the zombie had lost its right hand.

Howling, it lunged to bite. Yoriichi’s eyes narrowed; the blade spun and struck.

Under Du Heng’s stunned gaze, the Green Zombie was beheaded and vanished into thin air.

“W‑what? I… lost?” Du Heng stared in disbelief. He’d known Russell would be tough, but he’d always believed he would prevail. He never expected his zombie to fall in barely two rounds—and Russell’s card hadn’t even gone all‑out.

He struggled to accept the outcome.

The custom arena at Hu‑city No. 1 High fell silent. Some honors‑class students had backed Russell, others Du Heng; none had imagined Russell would win this easily.

To Russell, Du Heng’s Green Zombie looked no better than the minotaur‑like creature he’d trounced in round one.

Whispers spread:

“Russell’s actually this strong?”

“Time to pop the champagne.”

“No wonder he could save that whole housing district.”

“Tch—Du Heng always acts so cool. Didn’t even last two minutes—hilarious.”

“Shh! He may lose to Russell, but he can still beat you.”

“If he bullies nobodies like us instead of avenging himself on Russell, how shameless.”

Ignoring the noise, Russell walked up. “You okay?”

Du Heng, slumped on the floor, thought Russell meant to console him, but Russell whispered, “I’m returning all those words you threw at your classmates.”

“Trash—you’re so weak you don’t interest me.”

“Someone like you made it into the honors class?”

Du Heng bowed his head, unreadable. Russell wondered if he’d gone too far, but he’d only echoed Du Heng’s own taunts. He had no patience for a bully.

Shaking his head, Russell turned to leave.

A venomous voice rose behind him. “You only won because your card had the advantage. Think you’re that strong? Next time—when I craft a stronger card—I’ll make you kneel and beg!”

Russell paused, then kept walking. Some people were born bad; all those news reports of school bullying in his past life had taught him that. If Du Heng had won, he’d probably be threatening classmates to ostracize Russell right now. Anyone can talk tough—Russell himself once joked that when he made the card Goddess of the Rabbit — Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, he’d have the Begging-for-mercy Society kneel and sing “Conquer.”

At the sideline, classmates swarmed Russell, their excited chatter making his head throb.

Just then, Song Qian rescued him. “All right, all right, stop crowding Russell.” She clapped for attention. “The class ranking is now set. If you think you deserve a better spot, you can challenge the person above you next week—but only one challenge per week.”

“And I have good news.” She paused, teasing. Seeing everyone’s eager faces, she finally revealed it: “Principal Xie has secured our honors class one trip into the secret realm for practical training—so cherish the opportunity!”