The card game worked as follows: each participant started with six points, but they could bet more if they wished. These points were used in each round, in which the monsters represented by the cards participated in a sort of battle. Each creature received three magical skill cards to use during the match, while its health points varied according to the monster's level.
The way these creatures appeared was quite simple. The cards were made from containers capable of storing mana. The player placed their own magic inside them, and based on that energy, a monster was formed, acquiring affinities, abilities, and even its own magical cards.
It was a relatively simple game, at least for Valença, who was accustomed to playing it because of her father's influence.
Danyana, sitting across from her, wore an arrogant smile.
"Why don't you two give up? If this is about my rematch, know that I'm capable of winning even at things I'm bad at."
Grakka scratched her head, a little confused but still quite determined.
"I don't know how this game works, but if it's for a competition with my best friend Enrico, then I'll accept."
Valença pointed one of the cards she was holding toward her opponents.
"You talk too much for people who are going to lose. You should know that my father is a master at this game!"
Seraphina was a little tense as she looked at the cards and then at Valença.
'I don't know how to play either, so I hope Valença can help me stop those two.'
After noticing the competition, Giulio, Camila, Bruna, Thalen, Kaela, Alenya, and Sisaka became curious about the outcome. So they gathered around the table to watch the match. The only one who wasn't nearby was Erina, who was still working there.
'Damn it, I wanted to watch too, but I need to earn money... Maybe I can stop by every now and then.'
Erina let out a sigh as she watched her friends having fun without her.
Meanwhile, Enrico, hidden behind a wall, watched everything with a small smile. His eyes swept across the group until they found Elowyn and her subordinates, who were also resting.
'It seems even they're enjoying themselves... Well, time to get back to work. There are still those three left.'
As he moved down the corridor, it was possible to see the state Enrico was in. His body was covered in wounds, with a considerable amount of blood running down it, especially from his right shoulder.
During that period, he had needed to face a hundred low-level members of the Cult of Fear. He had also fought three summoned monsters near the cemetery, where there was no one around. In addition, he had needed to disarm all seventy-seven traps scattered throughout the city center, convince the guards to deal with the stronger enemies, and ensure that civilians weren't caught up in the confrontations.
As if all that weren't enough, he had also checked practically every location in Vesparello to make sure there were no more hidden threats. Finally, he had fought two Circle Three mages in different locations.
'There's still the last Circle Three mage, the Circle Four one, and the Circle Five one. But I intend to leave those to the guards, who are probably already looking for them.'
In his current state, it was practically impossible to keep fighting so many enemies. The most he could do was find them and inform the guards of their locations. When he took another step forward, two voices sounded from a few meters ahead of him.
"So this is the boy who caused all this trouble?"
"Yes. I saw him being the first to fight against our people."
"Boy, your death won't be quick. I'll make sure of that."
Well, it seemed that instead of Enrico finding them, they had found Enrico. And that was a problem, because the two men standing before him were a Circle Three mage and a Circle Four mage.
'Damn it, how am I going to get out of this situation?'
[They're already coming. Be careful!]
Immediately, the two rushed forward without giving him time to think of a strategy. Enrico didn't want to do it, but he would have to move somewhere where there were people, drawing the guards' attention.
'I don't want to ruin their fun, so I'll lure them away...'
Before he could finish the thought, or even before the enemies could reach him, several blood spears pierced the ground in front of the two men. The attacks forced them to stop their advance.
"That scent... That impulse... Ahhhhh! I found you, my master!"
Above them, a girl with white hair and deep red eyes watched Enrico. She held her own cheeks with both hands, while two hearts seemed to appear in her eyes, directed exclusively at him. Her expression showed an almost absurd level of ecstasy.
Enrico immediately recognized the girl.
"Ysabella?"
"Ahhhh! It feels so good to know that my master remembers me..."
She seemed extremely happy to have been recognized. However, her joy disappeared as soon as she noticed Enrico's wounds and the two men standing before him. Her expression changed immediately, revealing the personality he already knew so well. She turned her eyes toward the two men, who began to break out in a cold sweat when they encountered the hatred-filled gaze of the girl before them.
[For a moment, she seemed like a completely different person.]
'I'm not going to lie, I felt a slight chill down my spine... Wait, on my neck?'
Enrico turned around and found Valen, who was also there. He seemed to be sniffing the back of his neck, bringing his nose closer as an expression of ecstasy appeared on his face.
"Master, I hope you liked my letter."
"Your letter?... Now that you mention it, I remember seeing it."
Of course, Enrico remembered that letter very well. After all, there had been a poem inside it declaring the boy's love so intensely that it left him speechless. Just thinking about it was enough to bring back the moment he had read it.
*Your blood touched my lips, and the whole world fell silent. Since then, there has been no night, only the echo of your heartbeat.
I called you master, but I loved you as a god. I called you Lord, but desired your mortal touch.
If dying means living within you, then let every drop of your blood be my temple.*
He and the System had remained silent for a full two minutes that day.
[What do you mean, your mortal touch?]
"Dying within me? I don't know what to say... After all, I've never been someone who understood much about poetry..."
Enrico scratched the back of his neck with a curious expression. He tried to find some meaning in those lines, mentally rereading each one, but in the end, his only conclusion was that vampires were strange.
Returning to the present, he watched Valen hand him another letter. Just like Elian, his face made him look like a girl.
"Master, I've made another one! Hold it while I kill these inferior beings!"
Before Enrico could do anything, Valen had already charged at the two enemies alongside Ysabella.
Before turning his attention to the letter, Enrico noticed someone kneeling before him. It was Nyxaria, who watched him with eyes full of adoration, waiting for his orders.
"Master, the longer I spend away from you, the more I feel that I won't be able to live without drinking your blood again. So tell me: is there anything you wish to order me to do?"
Enrico looked at her before getting an idea.
"I want you to find the man who is probably keeping watch over this place."
"Of course, Master. I can sense him behind the house."
Enrico heard the sound of something being attacked and realized that Nyxaria had disappeared. She was certainly fighting the Circle Five mage who had been watching his two subordinates while they tried to kill him. Apparently, the plans of those three had been interrupted before they could be completed.
[Are you sure you want to read that letter?]
"Sorry, but I'm curious... Let's see."
*My beloved master, this is for you. Do not ask me for freedom, for it died with you. What remains of me is the echo — a reflection of your gaze.
If the world calls you a man, my world calls you eternity. And even if the sun consumes me, I will smile, for I had the taste of knowing what it means to be yours.*
"..."
[Speechless again?]
Enrico remained silent for a few seconds, looking at the letter. Then he lowered his gaze slightly and read the last lines again.
"Interesting..."
[Is that all? I'm curious. Don't you feel uncomfortable or at least a little concerned about the contents of this letter?]
Enrico looked at the System with a neutral expression.
"No."
[You're crazy.]