Chapter 7. PVE
<hr>
We stood across each other in a sea of golden grass as high as my waist. Cragmarr projected his voice above the breeze and chirping crickets.
“The first hand of a match during PVP, you can mulligan as many cards as needed and redraw—only once. But in PVE, you may discard cards and redraw them anytime. Remember, however, that your deck is limited, so it is wise to use all your cards as efficiently as possible.”
“Um, I think I get it. So, then, why would I want to discard cards?”
“To cycle your deck to find stronger cards.”
"Got it. That''s kinda like cheating in poker, but I guess it''s my deck, so anything goes."
"Yes. Your maximum Zii multiplier has been set to tier seven for this tutorial. Now, find your [7/7] card, infuse it with 7 Zii, and strike me."
"Wait, no Jingozi arena? This isn''t a match?"
"No, we are not in the arena. Therefore, this is PVE."
I folded three hands and discarded four cards before finding the [7/7]. I charged it with 7 Zii, making it a [49/49] card.
My body flew forward as before. This time, I attempted a double-hammer fist.
My arms burst into flames as I let out a guttural war cry.
Upon impact, the sonic boom pressurized my ears. Rocks and Zii exploded everywhere. I landed on Cragmarr’s chest as he slammed the ground. The flames subsided while debris continued to rain down.
“Cragmarr!” I shouted, sprinting towards him as he crumbled onto his back. I tripped over my feet and tumbled down beside him.
He opened his eyes and grinned.
“Oh my God, Crag!" I yelped. "I thought I killed you!”
Cragmarr stood up and cracked his neck.
"You did well, Em. Now here is your last lesson. During PVE, the more you multiply your attack score, the more Zii you risk, making your offense more potent. However, if you want to affect the environment or a defensive tactic, play your cards with a higher defense/reward score. The reward is a stronger effect."
"Like how you used a card to jump back from that water Golem? Let''s say you had a [5/1]. It''d be better to play it as a [1/5]?"
Once again, you prove why your experience with games in your dimension increases your chances of success in Jingozi," he beamed. "Your tutorial is complete. Let us replenish your resources.”
QUEST COMPLETE: JINGOZI TUTORIAL
Complete the Jingozi tutorial.
LEVEL UPDATE
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: I [Iron] Rank 9
Cragmarr led me in the Zii-Kata pattern to recover my Zii and cards. After about ten minutes, my mind went black. Regaining my senses, a spell card appeared before me.
"Um, is that supposed to happen?" I asked.
Cragmarr hunched over, brow furrowed, and examined the card.
"No," he said dubiously. "I have never encountered this before. We should—"
I touched it.
Before either of us could react, a red blur of smoke streaked toward me. A shadowy red Ninja materialized and buried a fist into my chest. Cragmarr attempted to tackle the apparition, but his body passed through it like vapor, sending him tumbling.
Intense pressure radiated through my body, so overwhelming blood seeped from my eyes, nose, and ears. I vomited blood, the dark crimson splattering across my attacker. But the blood wasn’t just blood—it was acid. Burning through the ninja’s mask, the acid revealed a face that was the spitting image of mine. I stared into the eyes of my doppelganger before her flesh began to sizzle and corrode, melting away until she was nothing more than a puddle of steaming ooze.
The vision snapped away as fast as it had come, and I found myself on the ground, clutching my chest and gasping for air. My heart pounded in my ears. Cragmarr was at my side, cradling my head. He said something, but it sounded all garbled. I fought to stay conscious, but the world blurred and darkened.
When I awoke with an unbelievable migraine, Cragmarr was holding me in the same position.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A POWER CARDThis tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Blood Strike
<ul>
<li>
PVP: Pay 1 Zii to attack plus +1.
</li>
<li>
PVE: Pay 1 Zii to attack plus +1.
</li>
</ul>
“Woah” I groaned. "What the hell was that?"
“I do not know," he replied. "That was most concerning."
"That wasn''t part of the tutorial?"
"No."
* * *
After checking my inventory, I noticed a new tab next to my card deck. It was labeled with a question mark, like some error.
Lying on my back, I stared at my new power card, still groggy.
Blood Strike
<ul>
<li>
PVP: Pay 1 Zii to attack plus +1.
</li>
<li>
PVE: Pay 1 Zii to attack plus +1.
</li>
</ul>
“Plus one?” I said. “After all that? I thought I was going to die.”
Cragmarr sat on a log beside me, hunched over in a thinking pose. His eyes narrowed, and he frowned in contemplation.
“It is perplexing, indeed,” he said. "The Jingozi did not inform me that you would receive additional cards. Unless…"
I ignored his musing and ranted on.
“I have a tee shirt that says, ‘I WENT TO VEGAS, AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY SHIRT.’ That’s what this is, Crag. Know what I mean?”
“No, I do not.”
“Of course you don’t! You don’t wear shirts, and I had to go through that hell!”
"I think it is best that you do not speak of these new powers, not even the Jingozi," he said. "Others will not know you are from another dimension. Revealing these extra abilities will only make you a more significant target."
"What should I do if it happens again?"
"I think you should receive them as gifts. There must be more at work here than we understand now."
"Think it will be like that every time?"
“Most likely. But it appears it is getting easier for you. You were only unconscious for two hours this time.”
“You’re one of those ‘glass half-full’ guys, aren’t you, Crag?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you.”
* * *
The plan was to head south through the mountains into Samurai territory. The Ninja faction hid amongst Samurai villages, and I was to find them to continue training.
“To win a Jingozi tournament, you must learn the strategies of every other faction,” Cragmarr told me. "You must also know that every player must possess a champion card to win. In your world and game of poker, you can consider them the royal cards."
An instruction screen popped up in my vision.
CHAMPION CARDS
J - Jester [8/8]
Q - Queen [9/9]
K - King [10/10]
A - Avatar [0/0]
"Beyond the strength of their attack and defense, each champion may also provide bonus abilities during PVP and PVE," he added.
"Got it. How do I get champion cards?"
"They will reveal themselves as you progress through tiers and ranks."
"Got it. Anything else I should know?"
“Your tutorial is done. I can no longer assist you.”
I really didn’t like the sound of that.
* * *
After clearing camp, we trekked south for two days, making casual small talk. Cragmarr knew a surprising amount of our history, from the Roman Empire to 9/11, which gnawed at me. How many times has he done this?
By that time, I was sick of fish. I’d chew on a little jerky ration every night, pretending it was steak. Cragmarr taught me to forage for wild berries with flavors like energy drinks. A jumbo mushroom tasted like a sponge cake with herbs. He offered to hunt for us, but I declined. The thought of killing and eating a living thing with my bare hands made my stomach turn.
The forest became dense with jagged piles of bamboo stalks, making the path so treacherous that Cragmarr hoisted me onto his shoulders. And the bugs were getting weird—some resembled butterflies made of toothpicks, while others were flying beetles reminding me of miniature attack helicopters.
He set me down on a rock by a river, and after a quick breather, we followed the stream. The bamboo was so tall I couldn’t see past either bank. It was scenic and ominous at the same time.
“Once we enter the mountains, you must go alone,” he instructed. “Complete your quests during the day and light three fires at night before you sleep. That will signal the other factions not to interfere with your Jingozi trials.”
“Trials?” I asked, stopping.
Without breaking stride, he continued, “Yes. The Jingozi will put obstacles in your path—tests. The better you do, the faster you will level.”
“How will I know where you are?”
“You will not know. But I will know where you are at all times.”
“How, exactly?”
“The Golems surrounding you will communicate with me. Some will only observe, while others will be less… friendly. Be careful and trust nothing. You will—”
I jumped in front of him.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, these are your trials,” he said, pointing behind me. “Ember, Jingozi apprentice of the Ninja faction, you start now.”
I turned to see a giant cliff just past the bamboo line.
NEW QUEST: THE TRIALS
Survive 40 days of PVE with no assistance from your tutorial guide. Prove yourself worthy as a Jingozi dealer. Earn Jingozi tokens as currency to complete your quests.
[0/40] Days Complete
I burst into tears.
* * *
I don''t know how long I''d been sitting on that rock, sobbing like a baby. It was frankly embarrassing.
Get a hold of yourself, Ember.
Tears fell onto my Ninja uniform while the wind whipped my red hair around my face. The composure I''d managed to maintain up until now had utterly shattered, leaving me feeling raw and exposed in a way I hadn''t experienced since leaving Tokyo behind all those years ago.
Ironically, I never had issues being alone as a kid. It served me well, mainly because poker is a solo sport. On one hand, we’re constantly surrounded by chatty people. But on the other hand, when the pots reach six figures, we’re never more isolated. Players scrutinize every decision and twitch, waiting for you to drop the poker face and betray your hand, even for a split second.
Having been on my own for six years, I preferred it and was proud of my independence. But the prospect of being alone for forty days in this world was about to break me.
Cragmarr stood in silence. He didn’t try to console me. Some might say his approach was cruel, but the more likely explanation was he’d been through this before.
Through swollen eyes, I calculated my direction by the sun. The river flowed south.
I started walking.
Cragmarr watched silently as I disappeared downstream.
* * *
After another hour or so, the regret sank in. I considered turning back, but it was getting dark. I had to find shelter and light three fires.
What the hell is wrong with you, Em? Why do you have to be such a bitch?
The day I left my Japanese family, they stood on the platform as I left Tokyo by train—nobody said a word. I hadn’t been back since.
I’m such a shitty person.
I found a small opening between the rocks and squeezed into a pocket. It was cramped, but it would do. I didn’t have the energy to light one fire, let alone three. If I’m gonna die tonight, whatever. Put me out of my misery, at least.
After wrapping myself in the silk scarf, I closed my eyes.