Chapter 507: Act 255 – Last Moments in the Underground, Farewell (Middle & End) (Two Chapters Combined)
“Actually, it’s not that I don’t want to go out with you, but rather that I can’t leave,” Yilian smiled at him, gently placing something into his hand, “This is a farewell gift, Young Boy.”
It was a stack of cards.
Brendel held the cards in his palm, somewhat puzzled. “To be honest, I… didn’t quite understand?” Of course, he hoped that the Centaur Lamia could join him on his journey. She hadn’t seen the outside world for thousands of years; she was shrewd and had no support, making her a rare ally. He was at least ninety percent confident of bringing this Senior Sister to his side, as she claimed her strength was slightly inferior to Pendulum Man’s but was undoubtedly one of the most powerful beings he had seen at this stage, at least no less than Andisha in the wolf disaster.
Yet, the Senior Sister smiled slightly, remaining silent as she turned around to stack her hair, exposing her smooth and beautiful back. However, between her smooth shoulder blades, Brendel noticed a shocking scar. The wound didn’t look like it was caused by external forces; rather, it appeared to have grown from the inside out. Strangely, within the scar, a crystalline structure was emerging, separating the skin—it resembled what he had seen on the crystalline BOSS in Pendulum Man and the sarcophagus.
“What’s going on?” Brendel exclaimed in shock.
“You also saw that the quartz sand below seems to have infectious properties. If you stay here too long, it will start to crystallize from within your body,” Yilian said, letting her long hair down as she turned to look at him. She smiled and said, “I’ve witnessed a young nobleman suffering from this disease. Once his internal organs crystallize, he weakens slowly until death. However, even after death, the crystals will continue to grow, ultimately becoming what you see now.”
Brendel fell silent. This bizarre symptom was somewhat similar to the semi-crystallized monsters he had seen in the Dark Forest’s crystal mines, though nowhere near as severe and dire. Crystallization was a result of magical contamination, equivalent to a crystalline shell growing on the surface, but the Senior Sister said this was more like a parasitic condition, where the parasitic state wouldn’t end even after the host’s death.
For a moment, he thought of the behavior of certain parasitic wasp larvae in nature, but that thought sent shivers down his spine, compelling him to stop his line of thinking immediately.
After a long silence, he finally asked, “Is there no way?”
The Senior Sister smiled slightly, everything unsaid.
“There’s still a bit of time left; let me explain the Adversity Paradise deck to you in detail,” she changed the topic, seemingly unconcerned about her condition. “This deck you have contains thirty-two cards. There’s one Ekronian Adversity Furnace, one Radiant Martyr, four Radiant Hornblowers, four Rising Spirits, four Lightning Storms, one Thought Acceleration, four Nightmare Furnace Constructs, six Doom Guards, one Anrodus’ Holy Ring, one Life Codex, four Dawn Breakers, and one Despair Wooden Horse.”
“You should have noticed that this isn’t a complete Adversity Paradise. In fact, the complete Adversity Paradise no longer exists. They are sealed underground here, used to construct this massive magic circle. What the Pendulum Man and I are using are merely projections of the rules. Simply put, only in this magic circle can the two of us be considered as Planeswalkers.”
The Centaur Lamia said, “So, when you first asked us if we were Planeswalkers,” she shook her head, “we can’t really be considered Planeswalkers, not even an apprentice like you. It is this magic circle that gives us the ability to cast cards. I share half the authority with it; it is the Dark Adversity, and I hold the Pure White Paradise.”
“However, the deck you have is a tangible existence, a legacy left by the master for his successor. Although this deck is incomplete, it possesses the most basic cycle of the Adversity Paradise deck. As long as you hold this deck, I believe that one day, the Adversity Paradise will be resurrected in your hands.”
“Then the fate cards that appeared in the tomb outside were also intentionally placed there by you?” Brendel suddenly thought of this and asked.
“Not exactly intentional. The Pendulum Man and I won’t leave this hall. But it seems that a couple of hundred years ago, a few tomb raiders entered here, and I deliberately let them steal a few cards, hoping to attract true Planeswalkers. However, that wooden-headed fellow didn’t seem to agree with my approach. It ordered Ledell to kill those tomb raiders,” the Centaur Lamia pondered before answering.
Brendel recalled what he had seen outside, which seemed to confirm the Senior Sister’s statement. Although the Pendulum Man killed those tomb raiders, it didn’t have Ledell recover the cards, indicating it wasn’t entirely against Yilian’s plan, just considered its own reasoning. If it weren’t for that, Brendel thought he would not have been here today.
With some of his doubts somewhat clarified, he nodded and listened as the Centaur Lamia continued.
Yilian continued to explain the Adversity Paradise deck, saying, “Every card deck has its core strategy. This strategy varies depending on each Planeswalker’s philosophies. Some Planeswalkers prefer aggressive tactics, and their decks tend to form an overwhelming combat power in a short time, for example, by using direct offensive spells or quickly summoning a horde of creatures to suppress the enemy and eliminate them outright. However, some Planeswalkers favor responding to attacks, and their decks specialize in control, establishing victory through defensive advantages. Such decks are usually more stable, ensuring they can’t be defeated before defeating the enemy.”
“Yet, Adversity Paradise has some differences from those two. It has both means to launch quick attacks and defensive countermeasures,” the Centaur Lamia said with a slight pride. “Adversity Paradise has two cards: Nightmare Furnace Construct and Lightning Storm. The Nightmare Furnace Construct has both artifact creature and spirit puppet attributes. On the field, they are considered inanimate objects, immune to all instant death effects, and they have a very low cost, allowing for quick entry; while Lightning Storm can copy a lightning ball for every Nightmare Furnace Construct on the field. The more Nightmare Furnace Constructs, the greater the power of Lightning Storm. Moreover, the Nightmare Furnace Constructs can self-replicate, quickly forming a large scale.”
(Nightmare Furnace Construct (Adversity Paradise IX), 1 Dark; [Treasure—Artifact Creature/Spirit Puppet, Level 26]; Effect: Pay 1 Light to create a copy of itself. ‘In every little container, there’s a real soul wailing.’)
(Lightning Storm (Adversity Paradise VI), 4 Energy; [Spell—Instant]; Effect: Tap all Nightmare Furnace Constructs on the field, inflicting 5 damage per Nightmare Furnace Construct on a targeted enemy. After use, this card goes to the graveyard. ‘Fire at will! — Ekronian Legion Commander, Thalyn’)
“This spell can often show results within minutes, and in fact, this is not all its strength.” Yilian said with a hint of satisfaction. “You are quite lucky; only cards from Pure White Paradise can provide enough Light elements for Nightmare to self-replicate, and due to the master’s considerations, the Anxiety card hasn’t been sealed in the magic circle. Otherwise, with repeated filtering spells in the early stages, the ‘Anxiety’ could quickly replicate dozens of Lightning Storms appearing simultaneously, which is one of the real killer moves of Adversity Paradise.”
Upon hearing this, Brendel broke out in a cold sweat. He had witnessed the Pendulum Man repeatedly casting Lightning Storm, and its power was frightening. At this moment, he finally realized that it was because the other party didn’t have the Anxiety card in hand that it hadn’t unleashed its full potential. He could easily imagine the chaos that would ensue with dozens of Lightning Storms appearing on the battlefield at once—like a harbinger of death.
“This is the first killer move of Adversity Paradise, but like all fast-attack decks, it has obvious weaknesses. First, spells can easily be countered, and second, the Nightmare Furnace Constructs are inherently too fragile. If this killer move gets countered, the Adversity Paradise deck will enter a state of adversity,” the Centaur Lamia continued. “Because the card in this deck, Despair Wooden Horse, is meant for that counter-response.”
“The purpose of Despair Wooden Horse is to filter out four creature cards from the player’s deck and remove them from play. Until there are over forty non-black creatures dead on the battlefield, you can place those removed creatures back into play for free. You might think that trading four for four is not very worthwhile, but just think if the four creature cards in your hand are as costly and powerful as Endless Trauma.” The Centaur Lamia smiled mysteriously. “Thus, with Adversity Paradise’s two methods, each can serve as lethal means. My master became one of the top-ranking Planeswalkers among thirteen, only second to a handful of others like Tumen and Odin.”
(Despair Wooden Horse (Adversity Paradise I), 25 Dark; [Treasure—Artifact/Curio]; Effect: This card must enter the field tapped. Examine your library, search for four creature cards, and remove them from play. Then shuffle your library. Tapped, pay 40~(0) for any (This card has forty counters on it. When this card comes into play, for each non-black creature that dies on your field, remove a counter. When you remove the last counter, use it without paying the spell’s cost), return the removed cards back into play. ‘Opportunities lurk within the storm; hope lies concealed within despair.’)
Brendel couldn’t help but be engrossed. He had never considered before that the fate cards could support each other to form strategies. The cards he obtained were all scattered and lacked coherence. Sometimes, he purely treated the Planeswalker system as a summoning system, but he never expected so much knowledge was behind it. However, he also caught onto a problem and couldn’t help but ask, “You said Despair Wooden Horse needs over forty non-black creatures to be dead on the battlefield before it can be cast, but during our fight against… it, we were continually trying to halt the increase of the Nightmare creatures, right?”
“Of course,” the Centaur Lamia sighed. “Are you stupid, Young Boy? The only non-black creature in Dark Adversity is the Nightmare, which is considered a spirit puppet. Simply put, they are already in a death state. As long as there are forty Nightmare Furnace Constructs on the battlefield, Despair Wooden Horse can meet its conditions. This is also why Despair Wooden Horse is remarkable; when the Nightmare Furnace Constructs trigger Lightning Storm, they can often simultaneously meet the conditions for it.”
“So doesn’t killing the Nightmare Furnace Constructs count as them being dead on the battlefield?” Brendel asked again.
“Death is death; destruction is destruction. Have you ever seen a dead person die again?”
Brendel acknowledged, realizing the difference, but he rolled his eyes at the Centaur Lamia’s retort. Who knows these things when they’re born? The Planeswalker system itself is quite bizarre!
At this moment, another thought struck him. Since Adversity Paradise elegantly combines offense and defense, appearing so powerful and complete, it still wasn’t Tumen’s match. He couldn’t help but recall his first encounter with Tumen, and it had not seemed all that powerful to him.
He thought for a moment and couldn’t help but ask, “Is Tumen really that strong?”
Yilian glanced at him, “Of course. Tumen was one of the top Planeswalkers at the time. I’m not too clear about his Everything Returns technique, but just the energy from the Radiant cards in the white card system is beyond imagination. You must have seen the crystal flags, which form the core of the City Alliance cards. Most of the summoned creatures in the City Alliance are of group type, and with various alliance effects added, plus the crystal flag, do you think this deck is merely average?”
“Mind you, this is just Tumen’s defensive card system. His five-color decks are complementary, just as Adversity Paradise’s black and white complement each other. From what I know, throughout history, very few Planeswalkers have been capable of contesting with his deck.”
“Wow.” Yilian’s elaboration made Brendel internally exclaim. The crystal flag was indeed a bit overpowered. He was bemused to think that such an extraordinary card was merely part of Tumen’s defensive arsenal, suddenly making the kind old man he had encountered in the underground auction house appear larger than life.
Yet while Brendel felt speechless, the Centaur Lamia continued, “Moreover, don’t rejoice too soon. Although Adversity Paradise has a basic cycle now, the deck still has several flaws.”
“You mean it lacks powerful creatures so Despair Wooden Horse can’t be effective?” Brendel quickly caught on. Chunximan had Endless Trauma, but he lacked the ability to seal the card’s rules.
“Yes, that’s just one reason. You can gradually gather powerful creatures. But secondly, you lack filtering means because the two core artifact cards of Adversity Paradise—Life Codex and Despair Wooden Horse—only exist in singular numbers. It’s entirely up to luck how to get them from your library to your hand, and in fact, your crystal flag faces a similar issue. Thirdly, you lack stable graveyard retrieval means. You have Resurrection and the Archangel, but that’s not enough. The Archangel can only maintain your living card count, as they can reset entry once a day, while Resurrection attaches to the card being resurrected and can only be used once.”
“In simple terms, you lack conditions for graveyard cycling on the battlefield. Most spell cards in Adversity Paradise go to the graveyard upon use, and most creature cards involve sacrificing effects. Despair Wooden Horse requires dying cards. This predicates that your graveyard holds a considerable number of cards during battles. If you cannot retrieve these cards in a timely manner, you’ll lack sustainability.”
“Lastly, you don’t have enough land cards. Land cards are the core power of Planeswalkers and are usually not easily given to others. For instance, my master’s land cards, I will not give to you. They are the force sustaining this magic circle’s operation. Therefore, you must think of ways to expand your own elemental pool. From what I know, it’s already somewhat difficult for you to barely get the basic cycle of the Adversity Paradise deck running; do you understand?” the Centaur Lamia asked, lowering her head.
Brendel nodded. The last time Tumen taught him about these things, time was limited and many details were not elaborated. The suggestions given by the Centaur Lamia were undoubtedly invaluable, and some he felt deeply himself, especially regarding land cards; he had never felt he had enough.
The two conversed for a while, and at that moment, the excavation sounds above had grown clearer, interrupting their conversation. Brendel suddenly paused, realizing the moment of farewell was near. He quieted his thoughts for a moment and couldn’t help but ask again, “Are you really not going out, Ms. Yilian? There are no restrictions here for you; I can have someone help guard the ancient tomb outside. Your injuries aren’t completely beyond possible healing, at least I know there are certain miracles that could help.”
“Remember, Young Boy, Planeswalkers don’t believe in gods because they control their own destinies—” the Centaur Lamia smiled slightly, patting Brendel’s shoulder. “But I’m already very satisfied that you think so. In fact, it should be me thanking you. However, at least for now, I will not leave here. Time is short; I can still answer you one last question. Do you have any questions about the fate of Planeswalkers?”
Brendel fell silent.
He gazed into Yilian’s eyes, knowing he could no longer persuade her. After a moment of thought, he asked, “What does it take to become a true Planeswalker?”
“Becoming a true Planeswalker is not simple. First, you must have your own rules,” the Centaur Lamia looked at Brendel, becoming serious. “I’ve heard you talk about your deck concept. Although I’m not clear on what you mean by ‘all-class domination’, since you’re deriving from your own abilities, you must not rely heavily on creature cards. You should think about what your deck should look like from directions like ‘ability’ and ‘spells’. That’s my advice.”
“For a Planeswalker, it’s not that having more cards is better, nor is having a larger ‘domain’ stronger. What’s crucial is still your own rules. Among all the Planeswalkers I’ve seen, there are certainly many with numerous cards and land cards, yet they ultimately failed to graduate from the apprentice phase to officially becoming Planeswalkers. My master became a formal Planeswalker at the age of forty-five, considered one of the most talented figures in all of history. Young Boy, I hope you can reach that step sooner; let’s say it’s a blessing from me—”
At this point, the Centaur Lamia couldn’t help but smile slightly.
“Thank you.”
As Brendel whispered those words, a sound of rubble falling echoed from above. Both of them looked up towards the tunnel’s direction, and they saw the Fireclaw Lizardman Lord Repal descending with a trident in his hand. His tall, stooped figure looked somewhat comical in the narrow cave, but Brendel could expect that the vampire girl Andrigraphis would never come down to notify him as her master.
Indeed, Repal stood above and slightly bowed to him, speaking softly, “Charles has already excavated a passage, My Lord.”
Brendel turned to look at Yilian; he could see the determination in her eyes, which were framed by a slight smile. “Go now,” the Senior Sister encouraged him, her smile suggesting encouragement. “Adversity Paradise will go further. With it in your hands, one day, I hope there will be someone thousands of years later, like how I told you today about my master’s legend, singing your deeds across the land—don’t let me down, Young Boy.”
Brendel pressed his lips together.
“I know a place where a similar crystallization disease exists,” he recalled his past adventure in the Amber Sword, but he could not confirm if there was a connection. However, he said, “I will find a way to go there and look for a solution. Because you’re right, Ms. Yilian, destiny must be in our own hands.”
The Centaur Lamia smiled silently.
Once Brendel finished speaking, he turned to the Lizardman Lord and nodded, preparing to leave. Just then, the Senior Sister called out from behind him, “Wait a moment.”
Brendel felt the Centaur Lamia step up behind him, and he thought she might have changed her mind again. But when he turned around, he was shocked to see the Senior Sister, nearly a head taller than him, suddenly bend down to bite toward his lips. He had no time to react before her cold lips pressed against his.
In that moment, he and Yilian were face to face, eyes locking as if they could touch the depths of each other’s souls—Brendel was stunned, while the Centaur Lamia seemed to be teasing. Not only that, but she also forced his lips apart with her advantage in strength, sending a deft tongue sliding into his mouth, licking over his tongue like a shockwave, intertwining with it.
Brendel was caught off guard, completely subjected to her will, passively breathing in her slightly sweet, goddess-like fragrance.
At this moment, he not only felt shocked but was also thrown out of his state of mind. What surprised Brendel was not just being kissed but rather the almost forceful nature of the kiss, from this despicable female bandit. His male pride surged, and, of course, he could not allow such a woman to take advantage of him. He grasped her waist, intending to retaliate, but unexpectedly the Centaur Lamia had already cunningly withdrawn, watching him with a smile.
“I’ll be waiting for your good news, Young Boy. This was the agreed reward. No matter the outcome with that wooden head, thank you for fulfilling my wish. Now we’re even, but Sister will be looking forward to your next favor,” the Centaur Lamia spoke cheerfully, causing Brendel’s temper to flare at the sight of her playfully licking her lips as if she still craved more.
“Ms. Yilian… you…”
Brendel stared at her in a daze, unable to speak for a long time. After a while, he finally came to his senses, turning back to the disinterested Lizardman Lord and said sullenly, “You didn’t see anything.”
“Yes, My Lord,” the Lizardman Lord Repal answered honestly, appearing earnest, “I won’t tell Sir Charles.”
“Damn it, did you originally plan to spill the beans if I didn’t say anything?” Brendel broke into a cold sweat. Also, how would this guy explain to Romaine? Couldn’t he be more discreet in this situation? How much did Charles love gossip?!
Brendel suddenly felt it was necessary to seriously train his peculiar, overly curious mage servant. However, he vaguely seemed to hear Otales grinding her teeth, scolding him under her breath:
“Shameless, Brendel. Go wash your mouth before talking to me!”
……
