Those Who Left ┃ Chen's Real Name Was Chen Xiao

Additional Skill: *Wu Song Fights the Tiger* (thrusts out a fist to smash the tiger's head, dealing massive damage; 15% chance to trigger Instant Death)

This card's attributes were much better than the Daiyu Card he had made at the start. Daiyu's base health was 100, defense 15, and attack 0. Wu Song had 300 health, 300 defense, and 300 attack—more than ten times higher. The skill only worked against tigers, so its uses were limited, but its base stats were high, and the Wu Song he had drawn looked especially cool. The Daiyu Card had sold for 30; Wu Song should sell for even more, right?

Xie Mingzhe decided to take the card to the Black Market and ask about its price first. If it sold well, he would come back and make more.

When he arrived at the Black Market, he noticed a stall by the entrance advertising, "Buying collectible beautiful female character cards at high prices." Quite a few people were gathered there selling female character cards, and the purchase price seemed to start at 50 gold. Xie Mingzhe had already sold all his Daiyu Cards, so he ignored it for now and headed straight deeper into the Black Market.

The Black Market was full of hidden talent. Many merchants who looked completely ordinary might have the backing of major guilds. The large purchasing stalls in particular did no less business than the shops located in the prime areas of Central Plaza.

Xie Mingzhe looked around first to see how much cards with attributes similar to Wu Song's were selling for. Once he had a rough idea, he went to a stall labeled "Buying High-Stat Combat Cards," handed over the Wu Song Card he had just made, and asked, "Boss, what do you think of this card? How much can it sell for?"

The owner took it and examined it. "This card has balanced attack and defense, and the skill is nothing special. It isn't very practical. Balanced cards can't sell for much. A One-Star starter card is probably worth 50 gold."

Xie Mingzhe smiled and took the card back. "You saw my low level and figured I was a newbie, so you're trying to fool me? Forget it. I'll check out some other stalls."

He did not want to deal with crafty merchants. If something worth 100 was bought for around 70, that would still be understandable. But offering 50 outright—did they take him for an idiot? Several nearby stalls were selling cards with stats similar to Wu Song's for around 100.

Xie Mingzhe took back his card, ignored the owner calling after him, and turned to another stall.

The owner of this stall was a cute young girl in a princess dress, with a sweet voice. "Fat Uncle, are you selling an original card?"

"Yeah, boss, take a look." Xie Mingzhe handed her the card. The girl said, "This card has balanced stats. I'll buy it for a flat price of 100."

"Isn't that a little low? This One-Star Card already has 300 attack. Once it's raised to Seven-Star, its attack will be in the tens of thousands, and it even gets an effect bonus against tigers." Xie Mingzhe did his best to promote his card. "Add a little more. How about 140?"

"..." This guy was quite the talker. He made argument after argument. After thinking it over, the girl had no choice but to nod. "Fine, 140!"

Nebula Paper only cost 7 gold, and he had sold the card for 140. That was a twentyfold profit. He was rich!

Xie Mingzhe was overjoyed, but he pretended to be calm as he sold the card to her. Smiling, he asked, "I'm the original creator, so I can keep making this card. Do you still need them? We could work together long-term. You could buy in bulk, and I'll give you a discount."

The girl waved her hand with a headache. "You're too good at talking. I don't want to buy in bulk, thanks."

Xie Mingzhe turned and left regretfully.

Setting Sun wandered around the Black Market, hoping to find some distinctive cards, but after browsing for most of the day, he had gained nothing. When he reached Shuangshuang's purchasing stall, he stopped and asked, "How has business been lately?"

Shuangshuang was temporarily filling in for her master at the Black Market today, buying cards at a stall. She did not know much about cards herself; she had simply found the Wu Song Card unusual and bought one. Seeing the vice guild leader come over in person, she immediately said respectfully, "Business has been all right. Vice Guild Leader, I just received a card that's pretty distinctive. Take a look." She handed him the Wu Song Card she had just bought.

Setting Sun carefully examined the card. Its attack, defense, and health were all balanced. This kind of card could only be considered third-rate. Additional Skill... Wu Song Fights the Tiger: thrusts out a fist to smash the tiger's head, dealing massive damage; 15% chance to trigger Instant Death.

Setting Sun's pupils suddenly constricted, and his fingers clenched tightly—

An Instant-Death Judgment skill specifically designed to target tiger-type cards!! Wouldn't God Nie's White Tiger be doomed if it encountered this card?!!

Setting Sun's breathing immediately quickened. He looked around and, seeing no one he knew nearby, relaxed slightly before leaning close to Shuangshuang and asking in a low voice, "Who sold you this card?"

Shuangshuang said, "A level 15 newbie named Fat Uncle. He said he made this card himself."

Setting Sun's voice trembled with nervousness. "You know him, right? Go find him now and bring him back to me!"

Shuangshuang looked bewildered. "Why are you looking for him, Vice Guild Leader?"

Setting Sun said, "Just tell him I want to buy a large number of his cards. Bring him back to the guild to see me!"

Sensing the seriousness of the matter, Shuangshuang hurriedly handed the stall over to a guild companion who was running a stall with her and took off at a run.

She chased through the Black Market and spotted a familiar Fat Uncle ahead of her. She immediately called out, "Fat Uncle, wait..."

There were countless private apartments in Gemini. Where exactly a player lived was private information. Unless the other party voluntarily gave out their apartment number, finding them would be like searching for a needle in the ocean. To prevent players from being harassed, the game only allowed nearby players and friends to use voice chat privately. When they were not nearby, they could only send mail.

Shuangshuang remembered his name and immediately sent him an email, relaying the vice guild leader's message.

However, at the exact moment the email was delivered, Fat Uncle logged out of the game.

Because Chen, the owner of the boosting studio, had come over in person to tell Xie Mingzhe to eat.

Author's note: The protagonist's card-making follows the plot. Daiyu introduces Tang Muzhou, Wu Song introduces the Judgment Guild, and there will be Three Kingdoms and Journey to the West characters later on!

Those Who Left ┃ Chen's Real Name Was Chen Xiao

"Little Xie, it's six o'clock. Go eat dinner first." Chen came over and patted Xie Mingzhe on the shoulder. Hearing this, Xie Mingzhe decisively took off his headset and logged out, then followed Chen to the living room. The others at the boosting studio had also removed their headsets. It was Xie Mingzhe's first time seeing what they really looked like.