The One Who Left | Chen's Real Name Is Chen Xiao

Additional Skill: Wu Song Fights the Tiger (Throws a punch at a fierce tiger's head, dealing massive damage, with a 15% chance to trigger an Instant Death effect)

This card's attributes were far better than those of the Daiyu Card he had made at first. 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 fierce tigers, so its uses were not broad, but its base stats were high, and the Wu Song he had drawn looked especially handsome. 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 a few more.

When he arrived at the Black Market, he noticed a stall at the entrance advertising, "Buying collectible beautiful female character cards at high prices." Quite a few people were gathered there selling beauty 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 the moment and headed straight into the depths of the Black Market.

The Black Market was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers lurked. Many merchants who looked utterly ordinary might have the backing of major guilds behind them. In particular, those large purchasing stalls did no less business than the shops in the prime locations of Central Plaza.

Xie Mingzhe first wandered around 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-Attribute Battle Cards" and handed the Wu Song Card he had just made to the owner. "Boss, what do you think of this card? How much can it sell for?"

The owner took it and looked it over. "Your card's attack and defense are fairly balanced, and the skill is ordinary too. It isn't very practical. Balanced cards can't sell for much. A one-star starter card is probably worth around 50 gold."

Xie Mingzhe smiled and took the card back. "You saw that my level is low and I'm 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 shrewd, calculating 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? He had seen several nearby stalls selling cards with stats close to Wu Song's for around 100.

Xie Mingzhe took the card back, ignored the owner's calls, and turned to another stall.

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

"Yeah, Boss, take a look." Xie Mingzhe handed her the card. The girl said, "This card's stats are balanced. Fixed price, 100. I'll take it."

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

"..." This guy was quite the talker, rattling off arguments one after another. After thinking it over, the girl could only nod. "Fine, 140!"

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

Xie Mingzhe was overjoyed, but he pretended to remain 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 need more? We can work together long-term. You can buy in bulk, and I'll give you a discount. How about it?"

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

Xie Mingzhe turned and walked away regretfully.

***

Setting Sun wandered all over 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 the stall. She did not know much about cards herself and had only bought one Wu Song Card because she found it unusual. Seeing the vice president come over in person, she immediately said respectfully, "Business has been alright. Vice President, I just received a rather distinctive card. Take a look." She handed the Wu Song Card she had just bought to the guild leader.

Setting Sun studied the card carefully. Its attack, defense, and health were balanced. A card like this could only be considered third-rate. Additional skill... Wu Song Fights the Tiger: Throws a punch at a fierce tiger's head, dealing massive damage, with a 15% chance to trigger an Instant Death effect.

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

An instant-death judgment skill specifically for tiger-type cards!! If they ran into this card, wouldn't God Nie's White Tiger be finished?!!

Setting Sun's breathing immediately grew rapid. He looked around and, finding no acquaintances nearby, relaxed slightly before leaning close to Shuangshuang's ear and asking in a lowered voice, "Who sold you this card?"

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

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

Shuangshuang looked utterly confused. "Vice President, what do you want with him?"

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

Shuangshuang sensed the seriousness of the situation. She hurriedly handed her stall over to a guildmate who was running a stall alongside her, then took off running.

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

There were countless personal apartments in Gemini. Exactly where a particular player lived was private information. Unless they voluntarily gave out their apartment number, finding them would be like searching for a needle in the ocean. To prevent players from being harassed, voice chats in the game could only take place between nearby players or friends. When they were not nearby, they could only send mail.

Shuangshuang remembered his name and immediately sent him an email, passing along the vice president's message.

However, at the exact moment the mail was delivered, Fat Uncle logged off the game.

Because Chen, the owner of the power-leveling studio, had come over personally to call Xie Mingzhe to dinner.

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

Chapter 13 The One Who Left | Chen's Real Name Is Chen Xiao

"Little Xie, it's six o'clock. Let's eat dinner first." Chen came over and patted Xie Mingzhe on the shoulder. Upon hearing that, Xie Mingzhe decisively removed his helmet and logged off, following Chen into the living room. The other people in the power-leveling studio had also taken off their helmets. It was Xie Mingzhe's first time seeing what they really looked like.