Card Chapter 16: Report (Patreon)

The entrance to the secret realm inside the base was, of course, guarded by the Card Crafter Association.

When they saw Russell emerge from the realm, they were stunned—had this practical training ended so soon?

Under their gaze, Russell hurried to them and, with a grave expression, uttered three words: “Something happened.”

Before long, Song Qian and the base director arrived after being informed.

Learning that Russell had come out of the secret realm so quickly, Song Qian could hardly believe it. In her view, even if every other student had exited, Russell would likely still be inside.

Thus, seeing Russell safe and sound, she felt a wave of relief—but she immediately asked, “What happened?”

Russell recounted everything that had occurred in the realm.

Still, the incident was clearly suspicious. Besides Song Qian and the base director, many ordinary Card Crafter were present.

Although Russell only suspected the Begging‑for-mercy Society’s involvement, he decided, in case spies were among them, to conceal Old Wang’s role. He merely said an unknown monster had attacked, killing the Card Crafter Association inside.

Director Gu looked astonished. The secret realm was saturated with surveillance; spawning a powerful, uncontrolled monster under those cameras was virtually impossible.

Even so, he did not contradict Russell. The young student obviously wouldn’t tell an easily refuted lie, so he simply ordered the surrounding artisans to enter the realm for rescue.

Once the artisans had gone in, Russell thought for a moment, then decided to tell Song Qian and Director Gu the final detail: “Teacher Song, Director Gu, the attacker wasn’t a monster from the realm, but a Card Crafter stationed there.”

Director Gu’s just‑calmed mood was instantly stirred again, but as a leader he suppressed the curse that nearly slipped out and grew solemn. “Young man, you’ll need evidence for that.”

Russell shook his head. He had none; inside the realm he’d even blocked the cameras with his own body to hide Old Wang’s face. “I don’t have proof, but…”

He produced the material [Flesh Demon] (Gold) from his pocket.

“I doubt the Thousand‑Legs realm produces this material.”

Seeing the item in Russell’s hand, Director Gu’s face darkened further.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to remain composed. “I must report this to my superiors. Teacher Song, Russell—please wait here a moment.”

With that, he hurried off from the realm entrance.

Soon, students from the honors class were escorted out one after another by Association artisans.

They were completely bewildered: barely an hour had passed since they began exploring.

“That’s it? I’d just found a single material!”
“You’re lucky—I was halfway up a mountain when they told me to stop…”

Song Qian smiled and clapped lightly to quiet them. “All right, everyone. You’ve all experienced the dangers of a secret realm—today’s training ends here. Please return to the coach and wait patiently.”

Naturally, she did not explain further; according to Russell, this had been pre‑meditated, and the less the students knew, the better.

Before long, Jiang Nanxi and Du Heng were brought out as well, along with Lin Yue, unconscious on a stretcher.

Fortunately—according to the artisans carrying him—Lin Yue’s injuries were severe but not life‑threatening, and in a world with Card Crafter he would recover quickly.

As Lin Yue was carried away, Song Qian was about to send Jiang Nanxi and Du Heng back to the coach when Du Heng, face pale, blurted out, “I’m sorry, Teacher Song. I was so scared that I accidentally pushed Jiang Nanxi.”

Hearing this, Russell sneered inwardly: Now that trouble’s brewing, he knows to be afraid.

Song Qian, however, was puzzled by Du Heng’s sudden confession.

Jiang Nanxi promptly explained what had happened inside the realm.

Song Qian’s expression turned stern. “I’ll speak with Principal Xie about this—you will get a proper resolution.”

She then faced Du Heng and said sharply, “Du Heng, go back to the coach at once. When we return to school, I’ll have a serious talk with your parents.”

Every school drills it into students: never fight within the same team of Card Crafter—let alone push someone else to take a hit for you.

Du Heng trudged back to the bus, crushed.

Because of his age he probably couldn’t stay at Shanghai City No. 1 High any longer; whether any school would even accept him was a question. The harshest penalty would likely be revoking his card‑making ability and placing him under strict supervision.

Russell felt no sympathy. Du Heng’s fate was entirely deserved.

Just then Director Gu came running back. “Russell, Master Bai wants to see you.”

“Master Bai?”

“Yama Bai Yueming—Master Bai.”

—Elsewhere, on the top floor of the Shanghai City Card Crafter Association building—

An elderly white‑haired man was speaking with a middle‑aged man sporting a goatee.

The old man sighed. “I hear several high‑schools met trouble while exploring secret realms?”

The middle‑aged man nodded, face grim. “Many student casualties. We still don’t know who’s behind it.”

“Who else but the Begging-for-mercy Society or the Unity Sect?” the old man said calmly; he’d already guessed the culprits. “What we don’t know is how they pulled it off.”

Just as the middle‑aged man opened his mouth, a phone rang, interrupting him. “Sorry, Master Bai, let me take this.”

The elder—Bai Yueming—gestured for him to proceed.

“Hello? … What! Understood. Keep the student there for now.”

Hanging up, the man’s expression was grave. “Master Bai, we have a lead. A student from Shanghai City No. 1 High managed to kill the attacker—and saw the attacker’s face.”

“It was one of our own Card Crafter stationed in the realm.”

A slow smile spread over Bai Yueming’s aged features. “It seems our nation still has successors. Bring the student here at once.”

“Right away—I’ll have them escort him over.”