Iya Continent: Card God

Outside the Chamber of Commerce, a luxurious black unicorn carriage was waiting.

The halfling JJ Jinquan swaggered out of the guild with an imposing air, his head adorned with gold and jewels making him quite dazzling. He was sure to attract attention in any crowd.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone outside the guild, he got into the carriage.

The black unicorn's carriage had no driver, nor did it need one. The intelligent magical beast had been in the city for many years and knew how to drive it.

As JJ Jinquan entered the spacious and luxurious car, his previous imposing manner vanished instantly.

He lay languidly on the couch like a worm, utterly lacking in elegance.

Even though there was another person in the carriage at that moment.

A boy with brown hair and a pair of ram's horns.

The boy didn't even glance at the half-human, his hands focused intently on a book of political power called "The Courts of Various Nations."

"Ugh, all this pretense is exhausting," the halfling JJ sighed. "If I looked like that barbarian Zack, would I need to put on this act? Just standing there would terrify those merchants!"

Halflings, a race not much taller than goblins, are even shorter and thinner than dwarves. This makes them seem incredibly easy to bully.

The marketplace is like a battlefield. In the bustling commercial city of Belle, to rise above the guild merchants, you must put on an act. Make yourself unfathomable to them.

The boy with the horns said calmly, "This is all necessary. They're afraid, so they won't form alliances lightly."

JJ snorted and said, "Hmph, I'm not afraid of those guys teaming up against me. In the business world, not one of them can beat me."

The boy with the horns had no doubt about this.

He calmly asked, "Are you going back to the academy?"

JJ said, "Why go back? That college is such a lousy place. If the dean agreed to my investment, I might consider going back to live there for a while."

JJ Jinquan, the halfling, genuinely disliked the academy's environment. He simply couldn't understand why the academy was so dilapidated. He thought, "These teachers are all incredibly capable; if they wanted to make money, they could make a fortune. Instead, they're all incredibly careless."

Fine, fine, do as you please, I accept it. As a student, I want to improve the college buildings, and I'm offering to pay for it, and you won't allow it?! What kind of nonsense is this? Anyway, I can go back, but before tonight, I need to be back in the city, back in my mansion bed to sleep.

“You’ve cornered Adam; he’ll take revenge. Go back to the academy; that’s the safest place,” the boy with the ram’s horns said calmly.

The halfling JJ scoffed, "What do you mean I drove him to desperation? I'm a legitimate businessman. He's been the guild leader for years, bullying his subordinates. That's why the other members of the shipping guild turned against him and agreed to my alliance."

"None of that matters. He won't let you go," the boy with the ram's horns said coldly.

"Tch, bring it on. I can just hire some mercenaries, it's all about money anyway," JJ said nonchalantly.

As soon as the words were spoken, the unicorn stopped abruptly and let out a howl.

JJ stumbled and rolled off his seat, exclaiming, "Ouch!"

The boy with the ram's horns remained calm and composed, slowly closing the book.

"coming."

The halfling JJ poked his head out, looking outside with unease in his heart.

This street, which should be bustling with shops on weekdays, is deserted today.

Ahead on the street, a ferocious beast with horns, four meters tall, blocked the way.

"Roar!"

Without any hesitation, the horned beast, with its sharp teeth and claws, charged towards the carriage.

"Quick! Run!" JJ excitedly commanded the black unicorn.

However, before anyone knew it, a strong, thin thread had already wrapped around the carriage and harness, fixing it to the ground like a small mountain.

"hiss!"

No matter how hard the black unicorn struggled, it could not pull the chariot.

"Ben! I'm counting on you!" JJ, the halfling, pleaded with the horned boy.

The boy with ram's horns stepped out of the carriage, his deep eyes fixed on the horned beast charging towards him.

This is a magical beast from the desolate lands of the magical kingdom of Bantu, possessing formidable strength at the low-level Gold rank. It was originally one of the items at the last major auction, where it was purchased by a mysterious buyer.

"Ow!"

The ferocious bull-horned beast surged forward, about to crash into the carriage.

The boy with horns, known as "Ben," didn't make a move. He sensed that there were still enemies lurking in the shadows of the street.

If I make a move, they will also make a move against me.

However, that's okay.

The boy had just slightly raised his arm when suddenly, "Bang!"

A man of flesh and blood slammed into the bull-headed beast from the side.

An unbelievable scene unfolded: the enormous, robust bull-headed beast was smashed aside.

"Bang!" "Ouch..."

The bull-headed beast crashed into the shops and houses on the street, smashing them and sending dust flying.

The halfling JJ stared wide-eyed at the person who had crashed into him.

"Hey." Linta turned his head and waved to greet him.

The boy glanced around briefly, then looked into the shadows.

Those lying in ambush seemed to be stunned by this scene, and none of them dared to make another move, preparing to flee.

"call out!"

The boy moved swiftly into the shadows, followed by a series of screams.

"Linta, watch out! It's standing up again!" Jingon appeared at this moment and warned Linta.

Linta's eyes moved to look at the bull-headed beast that had been rammed into the house, which then stood up again.

Low-level gold-grade magical beasts have tough hides and flesh, making it difficult to defeat them even with the combined attack of Linta Swift Wind and Iron Rhinoceros Charge.

"Roar!"

"Is this a cow or a beast?" Linta muttered to himself.

The bull-headed beast before us has the sharp claws of a wild animal, but it also has a pair of bull horns on its head.

"Who cares!" Jin Gong said excitedly.

Linta raised his palm, intending to unleash the power of the card, using the 8 of Spades, the Spider.

Summon the Azure-Eyed Spider to entangle it with its silk and hinder the monster.

However, this idea was abandoned.

Now, I can no longer use the power of cards at will. If I were discovered by some powerful being who possesses cards, and that person is not benevolent and is also searching for cards, then my chances of survival would be slim.

"Damn it..." Linta muttered bitterly.

He activated the lightning ring in his hand, and lightning arcs flashed and swirled around his body.

At half its power, Swift Wind and Iron Rhinoceros Collision!

"Sizzle! Boom!"

With a body of thunder, it rammed head-on into the bull-headed beast.

A greater power than before, with continuous flashes of lightning encircling the monster's head.

"Ow...!"

Linta was also thrown backward by the shockwave after the head-on collision, flying out of control.

"Almost there..."

Linta gritted his teeth and stared intently. Although the bull-headed beast howled and wailed, it was still not enough to defeat it. This was the innate advantage of magical beasts, possessing unique physical characteristics.

"call out!"

At that moment, a figure flew down onto the bull-beast's head in an instant.

The boy with ram's horns named "Ben" had bloodshot eyes, filled with murderous intent, which was terrifying.

He raised his arm, assuming a chop-like hand gesture.

Enveloped in magic, blazing crimson flames burned on his arm.

"laugh!"

As the boy's arm fell, the flames transformed into a massive, several-meter-long flaming blade, severing the bull's head in two.

Linta's pupils dilated, and his heart skipped a beat.

The flames in the opponent's hand were strange, completely different from the flames burning from his own fire ring and cards.

It was like...fire from hell.