Two weeks had passed since the tragedy that destroyed the village. On a bright morning, Daro sat alone by the river, deep within the dark forest. He was engulfed in profound sadness, his thoughts and emotions swirling in a mind filled with stress and depression. Daro's cries echoed through the forest, the sound of his shattered heart battling against the silence.
"Hyaman God! Please help me!" Daro shouted in deep sorrow, covering his face with his hands. His loud sobs reflected an unspeakable suffering.
"I... I give up... There's no one left in my life..." Daro's tears continued to flow heavily. "Harith? My friend?" Daro recalled Harith, a friend who might be enduring similar pain.
"I don't want to go back... I don't want to die... I want revenge... Harith... I hope you're safe." Daro stared into the river, seeing the faint reflection of his face on the surface of the water.
The river, as if a silent witness to Daro's suffering and despair, reflected the deep pain he felt and the strong desire for revenge against those who had taken everything from him.
Suddenly, a man dressed as a monk gently patted Daro's shoulder. "Young man, why are you crying alone here? Where is your family?" the monk asked with a compassionate smile.
Daro quickly turned around, surprised by the monk's presence. "Huh?!"
"I-I..." Daro's voice trembled, sadness and pain clearly visible on his face. "M-my family was slaughtered by a group of Faruza worshippers... And... The entire village was massacred in a brutal way..."
Daro clutched his head, trying to hold back his tears and suppress the painful memories. "Ahhhhhh!" he screamed in deep anguish.
The monk, full of understanding, comforted Daro. "Faruza? Unforgivable... My entire clan was also slaughtered by them..." The monk's voice was filled with the same sorrow, revealing a deep pain.
"Young man, you must be strong. You need to avenge this and fight against this evil," the monk said firmly, gripping Daro's shoulder tightly. "I will train you. Together, we will face this darkness and stop them."
Daro looked at the monk with eyes full of hope, his despair slowly fading. "Really? You will train me?"
"Yes, I will help you become strong," the monk said with conviction. "Now, rise and face the future with determination. This is your chance to avenge all that has been lost and to protect what remains."
With those words, Daro felt a glimmer of hope return, strengthening his resolve to rise and fight against the evil that had destroyed his life.
"Alright!!" Daro's sadness transformed into a blazing fire of determination in his chest.
"I want to become strong. I will slaughter the followers of Faruza! I will bring their heads to you!" Daro clenched his fists, displaying immense determination. His ambition burned, fueled by the fire of vengeance and unmatched resolve.
In the corner of a crowded bar, dim light cast shadows on tense faces. Hector, a tall man with taut muscles beneath his leather jacket, glared at Himzed with a piercing gaze. Three rounds had passed, and now they were in the final round.
Hector grinned, placing a card on the scarred wooden table. "How much more money will I take from you, huh?" he taunted, a mocking smile etched on his face.
Himzed clenched his fists under the table, struggling to control his emotions. He had only a Normal Human Card, a Shield Card, and an Arrow Card left in his hand.
Hector, sensing Himzed's desperation, laid down a Poison Card and a Sword Card on the table. "I've never lost this game."
"Don't be too confident," Himzed muttered, thinking quickly. He placed the Shield Card to protect his King Card, the cornerstone of his defense.
Hector played his final card—the Arrow Card—and combined it with the Poison Card to launch an attack. But Himzed sacrificed his Normal Human Card as a shield, stopping Hector's assault.
With one last move, Himzed combined the Arrow Card with the Shield Card, just enough to hold off Hector's attack a little longer, waiting for a chance to turn the tide.
Hector chuckled softly, satisfied to see Himzed cornered. "You've played well," he said, his voice full of confidence. With a decisive motion, Hector moved his final card—the Sword Card—and struck directly at Himzed's King Card, now left unprotected.
Himzed had no choice. He could only watch as Hector's attack pierced through his final defense, destroying the King Card and sealing his defeat. Himzed's money and honor were now gone, while Hector collected his cards with a smug smile.
"Next time, make sure you're ready before you challenge me," Hector said coldly.
Himzed clutched his hair, feeling a deep sense of stress. "Ahhhh!" he screamed in frustration, all his money now gone.
While Hector, already savoring his victory, casually chatted with his friend at the drinking table, the bar's atmosphere gradually returned to normal. Suddenly, a boy with wet clothes and a cold expression entered the bar.
All eyes turned to the boy. One of the men stood up and shouted, "Hey! Kid, don't come in here!"
Himzed quickly stood up and intervened. "Haha, I actually asked him to come here to let my wife know I won't be coming home," he said with a nervous smile.
The man stared at Himzed for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, if you say so. But don't let him stay here too long." The man returned to his seat.
Himzed looked at the boy and asked, "What's your name, kid?"
The boy stared back at Himzed with a cold face and replied, "Harith, Harith Zlader."
Himzed felt a bit uneasy under the boy's gaze. "Where did you come from? Why are you soaking wet?" he asked.
Harith looked at Himzed with a sly smile. "I almost drowned because some bandits threw me into the river."
Himzed handed him a towel and said, "Hey, that's pretty dangerous. Why are you alone? Where's your family, kid?"
Harith's expression remained cold as he replied, "My village was massacred by a group of Faruza worshippers." His expression was icy.
Himzed felt a pang of sympathy. "Kid, you look like someone who could play cards. Are you any good at gambling?"
Harith chuckled slyly. "I've never played cards before. Maybe I could learn." He looked at Himzed with a cold gaze.
"You lost, didn't you? You feel stressed and worthless. Isn't that embarrassing?" Harith chuckled again.
Himzed swallowed nervously. "Yes… I lost in gambling. I see you as a professional…"
Harith grinned slyly. "Losing is like dying. If you lose, it's like death. If you win, you live, because you've managed to rise above. That's life, not eternal death." He wiped his hair with the towel.
Himzed was shocked by the wisdom in the boy's words. "Hey kid, you seem really talented. I can teach you how to play cards. I want you to win back my money. Can you help me, kid?"
Harith chuckled. "I can…" He looked at Himzed with a cold face.
Himzed quickly began teaching Harith how to play cards. "This is the Sword Card. Use it for a direct attack if your opponent doesn't have protection," Himzed explained while showing the card.
Harith studied the card intently. Himzed continued, "This is the Shield Card. Use it to protect the King and Queen Cards from attacks. If the opponent attacks, use this shield to cancel the attack."
Himzed then showed the Poison Card. "Use this to weaken your opponent when their defenses are strong. You'll also need the Antidote Card to counter the poison."
Harith paid close attention. Himzed went on, "These are the Arrow Card and the Arrowhead Card. The Arrow Card is for long-range attacks, and the Arrowhead Card adds extra effects to the attack."
Himzed arranged several cards on the table and demonstrated various combinations. "Combine the Normal Human Card with weapons or protection to enhance fighting and defense capabilities."
Harith practiced the moves as Himzed described them, and Himzed provided feedback. Harith quickly grasped the basics of the game.
Harith looked at Himzed coldly. "I understand now. Let's have a match as an example. If I make any mistakes, you can correct me."
"Alright," Himzed agreed.
Himzed placed the King and Queen Cards in front of him and did the same for Harith. "If you want to attack, indicate which of the opponent's cards you want to target. For example, if you want to attack the King, point towards the King."
Harith nodded. "Alright."
Himzed dealt 5 Normal Human Cards and 5 Sword Cards to Harith, as well as 5 Normal Human Cards and 5 Sword Cards to himself.
"Let's begin," said Himzed. "Remember, strategy and card selection are crucial. Try to apply what you've learned."
Harith examined his cards, then started the first turn.
Himzed placed 145 cards on the table. "You can pick cards from this pile at random. This game relies on intuition, strategy, psychology, and bluffing."
Harith looked at Himzed with a sly expression. "Alright, I understand."
Harith carefully selected a few cards from the pile and then examined the cards in his hand. "I'm ready to start."
Himzed began his first turn by picking a card from the pile and placing it on the table. He chose a Sword Card and a Normal Human Card, creating a combination to attack.
"Watch closely," Himzed said, displaying his cards. "I'm using the Sword Card to attack. Choose wisely to counter it."
Harith observed Himzed's cards and assessed his strategy. He then chose a Shield Card and a Poison Card from his hand. "I'm using the Shield Card for defense and the Poison Card to weaken," he said, showing his cards.
Himzed nodded in approval. "Good. Now it's your turn to attack."
Harith selected a Bow Card and aimed it at Himzed's King Card. "I'm attacking with the Bow Card," he declared with a cold gaze.
Himzed sighed and then used a Shield Card to protect his King Card. "Your attack was successful, but this shield cancels it out," Himzed explained.
The game grew intense. Harith demonstrated exceptional card-playing skills, utilizing each card efficiently, while Himzed continued to teach him directly.
Eventually, Harith decided to end the game with a strategic strike. "I will use the Spear Card to attack," he announced, placing the card on the table.
Himzed was forced to use Armor and Shield Cards to protect his King Card. "Your attack is formidable," Himzed admitted. "But I can still hold on."
As Harith's skill increased, he became more adept at the game. He not only understood the theory but could also implement strategies effectively.
Harith closely observed Himzed, reading his hand movements and facial expressions. He used his ability to understand Himzed's emotions and behavior, evaluating his opponent's plans and strategies.
Himzed selected his cards carefully, but Harith detected patterns in how Himzed chose and arranged his cards. When Himzed played a Sword Card and a Normal Human Card, Harith noticed the tension in Himzed's face and the seriousness in his next card choice. This indicated that Himzed might be planning to use a Bow or Spear Card for a long-range attack.
With this knowledge, Harith devised a defensive strategy. He chose Shield and Armor Cards to protect his King Card from a potential deep attack, then used the Poison Card to weaken Himzed's cards that might be used in the next attack.
When it was Himzed's turn, he indeed chose the Bow Card, as Harith had predicted, and targeted Harith's King Card. Harith was ready, using the Shield and Armor Cards to cancel out the Bow Card's effects and protect his main card.
Harith then launched a counterattack. He chose the Poison and Sword Cards, targeting Himzed's King Card, already weakened by the Poison Card. With this strike, Himzed's King Card was destroyed.
Himzed stared in shock as his King Card was obliterated. "How were you able to read my strategy so well?" he asked, astonished.
Harith simply smiled coldly. "Victory isn't just about the cards you pick; it's about how you read your opponent."
Himzed shook his head, admiring Harith's skill. "You're truly a genius. I have nothing more to say. But remember, your next opponent is Hector. I know you can beat him and win back my money."
"Heh heh, after watching him, I realize Hector is just afraid of ruining his reputation in front of his friends," Harith responded with a cold gaze.
"Just watch how he brags and flaunts himself in front of his friends," Harith continued with a chuckle. "He'll crumble if he loses because he's nothing more than a loser."
Himzed swallowed hard, looking worried. "You... you're a monster..."
Harith chuckled, "Failure isn't an option, but I will choose that failure for him."