Chapter 24: TILT
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When Hikari and Kaito arrived to escort me back to the prison, their nervous energy was palpable. They exchanged reluctant glances as we descended the underground shaft.
“What is it?” I demanded. “What’s going on?”
Hikari bit her lip, and Kaito shifted uncomfortably.
“Ember, your body double... she was tortured by the guards and thrown into a pit for five days. She just got out, so we’re swapping you back early.”
“Goddammit, you two. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“We couldn’t,” Kaito said. “You vanished on missions—even Kitty went looking for you.”
Fuck. I’d been so consumed I’d lost track of Kitty and ignored the people risking their lives for me. I clenched my jaw so hard I thought my teeth would crack.
“Let’s go,” I said.
We trudged back to the prison in heavy silence, the muffled thunder outside echoing the rage pounding in my mind. My thoughts raced with guilt and anger, each step feeling heavier than the last. Under the trap door, a limp body dropped through the opening. Without hesitation, I stepped forward to catch her, the acrid smell of sweat and urine hitting me first. Her skin was cold and slick with grime against mine, and she felt more like a bag of bones than a person. I cradled her gently, shocked at how light she was—a reminder of her ordeal on my behalf. The weight of her sacrifice pressed down on me, far heavier than her frail form in my arms.
“I’m so… so sorry,” I whispered. “This is all my fault.”
She didn’t respond.
* * *
QUEST COMPLETE: 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.
[40/40] Complete
LEVEL UPDATE
Name: <u>Ember</u> [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 10
FEAT ACHIEVED: NEW TIER
You have reached Tier II [Bronze]. A deck upgrade is available.
Maximum Zii multiplier increased to 2.
Full Zii stat buff now increased to +200% [Tier II]
Time Remaining Until Execution: [12 Days]
In poker, playing on tilt is like fighting a battle you’ve already lost but refusing to accept it. It’s when your emotions take over, leading you to make reckless decisions. You start chasing losses, convinced the next hand will turn everything around, but it rarely does. Instead, you dig yourself deeper, sinking further into the hole. It’s the number one reason poker players lose money—they can’t separate their emotions from the game.
I’d been on tilt for the past week. I thought I was in control, making all the right moves. But the harsh truth is I lost my grip, blinded by ego and anger.
What made it worse was I’d been here many times before. After turning pro, I busted out of every poker tournament because I couldn’t keep my emotions in check. The critics knew it, other players knew it, and deep down, so did I. But that didn’t stop me from trying again, over and over, desperate to prove them all wrong.
I found myself on the floor of the Jingozi arena, knees pulled to my chest, exhausted and overwhelmed.
“How about some truth?” the voice asked.
“Not a great time.”
“You know they love you, right?”
“Who?”
“Everybody you’ve been fighting for.”
“I’m so not in the mood for this,” I muttered.
“Remember back in the orphanage? You tried hard to be chosen, to impress potential parents with all your talent and effort.”
“Of course. And look where it got me?”
“That’s exactly right. And look where it’s getting you now.”
I wiped my tears.
“You’re always trying to earn it,” he continued. “Don’t get me wrong. There’s a part of you that makes that quality special. But eventually, you’ll have to accept that they will love you, even if you fail.”
“Wait a second,” I sniffed.
He was right. My entire journey up to this point had been like one endless orphanage of life—always drifting from one group to the next, constantly seeking approval by improving myself in every way I could. But in the end, the people closest to me didn’t care about the bracelets, the books, or the social media following. Still, I pushed them away. And now, thinking of Hikari, Kaito, Taikumi, Cragmarr, and even Sora, it took being kidnapped into another dimension to find what I’d been missing all along—a family—the most unexpected kind at that.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Now, Ember, enough chat for now. Your gift evolution awaits.”
“My what?”
“Remember, your gift? Think of it like the gift that keeps on giving.”
“My deck upgrade??”
“That’s still going to occur by the Jingozi. But your gift evolution is reserved for you and me. Please stand up and look down.”
Below me, I saw the reflection of my cell—two guards and myself curled up on the bed. A shimmering circle formed around my body in the center, followed by two more circles, each encircling the guards.
“Do you see how your circle overlaps theirs?” he asked.
“Yup.”
“Good. Your circles of dimensional time are now linked because of your shared space in this prison. You can now transport yourself to a physical location within your mutual dimensions.”
“Like teleporting? Anywhere?”
“There are limitations. You both must be able to see the destination. For example, you can’t teleport behind someone or through solid objects. You’ll figure it out once you try it.”
“How is that possible?”
“Jingozi technology. The one that brought you here.”
“That makes sense,” I said. “But how did you get it from them and give it to me?”
“Oh, Ember. Where do you think they got it from?”
“Wait a second. You never told me any of this.”
“I’m telling you right now,” he said. “How about you try it first, and we can discuss it more later?”
“Alright, let’s see…”
I blinked back into the prison, this time right between the guards. When they realized I was missing, they stepped forward in a panic. I tapped them both on the back.
“Hey, fellas!”
They spun around, and I blinked back into my cell. I stood up, scratching my head, as they checked behind them again.
“What’s up? You two look confused.”
The guards exchanged flustered glances before turning back to taser me unconscious.
Time Remaining Until Execution: [11 Days]
“Em, wake up.”
Name: Cragmarr [Covenant Dealer]
Tier: III [Steel] Rank 9
Faction: Golem [Demi]
“Cragmarr? If this is some dream, I’m gonna Ninja punch you in the face.”
“I assure you that I am here.”
I sprang up, tackling him—as expected, it was like hugging a pile of rocks.
“You tiered up,” I said. “Where the hell have you been?”
“I was forbidden to see you until you finished your trials. And yes, my new tier was a reward for your success.”
“That rocks—pun intended.”
We sat on the floor and exchanged a laugh.
“But how are you here?” I asked. “Where are the guards?”
“The Jingozi chose me as your ward.”
“Like a bodyguard?”
“In a sense.”
“Do you know what’s going on?” I asked. “I don’t even know where to start. I screwed things up, like, really, really bad.”
“I know everything, including your defense meta. Your faction was disappointed with your choice.”
“Whatever. What about my gift? You know about that, too?”
“Say no more,” he whispered, leaning in. “None of us know. Keep it hidden as long as you can. I am here because, at every new tier, the Jingozi offers an upgrade similar to your meta buff. It happens again at level 20.”
Cragmarr stood up, his steady gaze becoming more intense.
“Have you continued to receive those power cards?” his voice dropped to a whisper.
Still groggy, I managed to pull myself to my feet.
“Yup, like you told me. Want to see them?
"No. Continue to keep them a secret until you have no other choice. Have you been testing them?"
“Not really. I was… um… preoccupied. Did I mention I screwed up?”
“I understand. We do not have much time. You have another choice to make, quickly.”
Cragmarr opened a pouch, and a Jingozi deck box floated out. Hovering in front of me, I clicked it open in my mind.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED A JINGOZI DECK UPGRADE [NINJA]
[DEFENSE META]
This card will add a passive bonus to your entire deck.
Option 1: Auto Dodge
Your top five cards give you a chance to dodge all attacks automatically.
Dodge percent is based on attack over defense score.
The defense score must be equal to or greater than the attack.
The card is discarded after one activation.
Option 2: Iron Skin
Piercing damage cannot harm you.
Does not protect you from bludgeoning damage, magical attacks, or Zii effects.
Option 3: Sleep Bomb
Enemies within your smoke bomb areas must make a resistance check against your card or fall into a deep sleep until awoken by damage.
The defense score must be equal to or greater than the attack.
“I wish I could take them all,” I said. “How many options are there in total?”
“Hundreds, if not more. The Jingozi introduce new deck buffs every cycle. The choices adapt to your meta.”
“Can I sleep on it?”
“I am afraid not.”
“Well then. Option 1 it is.”
DO YOU SELECT [OPTION 1: AUTO DODGE]?
Your top five cards give you a chance to dodge all attacks automatically.
Dodge percent is based on attack over defense score.
The defense score must be equal to or greater than the attack.
The card is discarded after one activation.
This choice is permanent.
[Yes/No]
Yeah, let’s do it.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE AUTO DODGE BUFF [NINJA]
[DEFENSE META]
Your top five cards give you a chance to dodge all attacks automatically.
Dodge percent is based on attack over defense score.
The defense score must be equal to or greater than the attack.
The card is discarded after one activation.
STATUS:
Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 10
Faction: Ninja [Field]
Zii: 100/100
Cards: 36/36
Deck Upgrades:
<ul>
<li>
Defend/Reward +2 Buff
</li>
<li>
Auto Dodge [Ninja] [Defense Meta]
</li>
</ul>
Meta: Defense
Attack: -
Defense: +2
Buff: -
Special:
<ul>
<li>
Shuriken Technique [Ninja]
</li>
</ul>
“Okay, done,” I said. “What’s next?”
“Now you wait. It is eleven days until your execution. The Shogun has decided to make it a public event.”
“Can I at least leave to train with Hikari and Kaito?”
“Unfortunately, no. Your decoy is recovering well, but Taikumi deemed it too risky. However, the Shogun has agreed to let you spend your final ten days with the Monks at Thunder Temple. Prisoners sentenced to death are often sent there to receive their last rites.”
Part of me felt relieved that my body double was off the hook. But the whole last rites stuff sounded ominous.
“Why would the Shogun allow me out of here?” I asked.
“An agreement with Overlord Edric.”
“Seriously? And what does that sociopath want?”
“I do not know, Em. The Monks have sworn an oath to the northern and southern factions to remain impartial in political affairs.”
“He wants to see this played out.”
“Indeed. So do the Jingozi, it seems.”
“What’s the plan for the execution?” I asked. “You know, to keep my head on my shoulders and other details like that?”
“I have not been informed of a plan, but I have been assured the Ninja faction will intervene. However, you will be in isolation for the final ten days. Even I am prohibited from making contact. We have no choice but to trust them.”
“I’m not liking this one bit,” I paced around the cell.
“I understand. I promise I will do all I can.”
“Well, you did get me this far,” I punched him in the shoulder. “And I’ve got a few tricks of my own now. But can I ask you for a favor?”
“Yes, anything.”
“Can you go get Kitty and set her loose? In case I don’t make it, she deserves to be free. I would appreciate it, Crag.”
“I will, Em.”