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After a moment's thought, Russell snapped a photo of the ancient book and posted it in the "A Loving Family" group chat. He'd originally planned to ask just Hazel for help, but knowing his senior sister's personality, involving his teacher and other senior siblings seemed more reliable.
[Russell]: [Image Attached] [Russell]: @All members. Teachers, Senior Brothers and Sisters, this is something I found in the pocket dimension this time.
[Russell]: By the way, I would like to learn the written language of the pocket dimension demons. Do any of you have any learning materials?
Russell set his phone down and waited. Based on the activity patterns he'd observed before entering the pocket dimension, his third senior brother Felix should be online. Whether his eldest senior brother and second senior sister had returned from their missions remained unknown. Soon after, his phone buzzed with incoming messages.
[Felix]: Junior Brother, you came out so soon?
[Felix]: How was your first practical training class? I hope you didn't get hurt.
[Felix]: Let me take a look at the picture you sent. Wait a moment.
As expected, Felix responded first, firing off messages like a machine gun. Russell didn't mind the rapid-fire questioning - it showed genuine concern.
[Russell]: Thank you for your concern, Third Senior Brother. The pocket dimension wasn't dangerous, and I'm not injured.
[Hazel]: [File Attachment]
[Hazel]: These are the study materials.
Felix fell silent, but Hazel uploaded a file to the group. Russell immediately downloaded it, discovering a comprehensive language learning package for pocket dimension demon script. With his silver-level mental capacity, acquiring a new language would be straightforward - mostly a matter of systematic memorization.
[Russell]: Thank you, Senior Sister.
[Felix]: I took a quick look at this. How should I put it? It's indeed important, but it's of no use to the current Federation. However, you'd better not tell ordinary people about it, Junior Brother. As for the specific content, you can read it yourself after you learn the language.
[Russell]: OK, thank you, Brother.
Russell had only photographed the first few pages, keeping the book's full contents private for now.
A new message appeared in the chat.
[Blake Whitmore]: The recent events along the coast are basically coming to an end.
[Blake Whitmore]: I don't know why, but the Spirit Begging Society seems to have suddenly changed its nature recently and has not made any moves for a long time.
His teacher's messages carried an undertone of wariness. Russell had his own theories about the Society's recent inactivity. He suspected they were waiting for him to climb higher before making their next move, though he lacked concrete evidence.
[Russell]: Teacher, will you be returning to Northgate then?
[Blake Whitmore]: No, I still have to stay in New Metro. But by then, I should have time to teach you.
Since accepting Russell as his disciple, Blake had largely left him to develop independently. The card-making knowledge, materials, and trading connections provided through Hazel had carried Russell through the crucial early silver-level period. Without that foundation, obtaining three silver-level cards in such a short time would have been impossible.
Taking him as a disciple was more about providing protection during his vulnerable growth phase.
[Felix]: Haven't the eldest brother and the second sister come out yet?
[Blake Whitmore]: They should still need some time. That pocket dimension is a bit tricky. The main reason is that there are demon armies lurking in the north.
This revelation surprised Russell. He hadn't realized his senior brother and second sister were operating on the dangerous northern border.
After lurking in the group chat for a while without seeing new messages, Russell opened a private conversation with Hazel.
[Russell]: Senior Sister, I want to exchange some blue and green silver-level materials with you for purple or gold-quality ones.
[Hazel]: OK.
Her immediate agreement, without negotiation or questions, impressed him with its directness. Russell grabbed his materials and headed for her manor.
"Senior Sister, I'm here." After knocking on the study door, Russell entered to find Hazel wearing reading glasses, loose strands of hair framing her face. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the window behind her, creating a golden halo around her figure.
"Sit down," she said softly. Their growing familiarity had eased the nervous energy she'd displayed during their first meeting.
Russell placed ten blue and green silver-level materials on her desk. "Senior Sister, I want to exchange these for a piece of gold material. Purple is fine, too."
Without even examining his offerings, Hazel took out a thick stack of cards. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "but these are all the silver-level materials I have. You can take them all."
Russell stared at the collection in her hands, counting at least a hundred individual pieces.
" Senior Sister," he said carefully, "we should settle accounts clearly. Your willingness to exchange is already the greatest help to me." He wasn't shameless enough to accept such generosity. "Besides, it's useless for me to have so many materials. You really think my mental power is endless, don't you?"
He took the stack from her pale hands and began sorting through it. Most were purple quality, with numerous gold pieces and even a few rare red ones. Her generosity continued to astound him.
After several minutes of searching, he found exactly what he needed: Silver-level [Shadow Fiend] (Gold).
Russell extracted this single material and placed his ten pieces in the stack before offering it back to her. Hazel didn't reach for it, instead pretending to focus on the book in her lap. He had no choice but to set the materials on her desktop.
An anxious expression crossed her scholarly features as she picked up the pile, attempting to return it to him.
Russell stepped backward toward the door. "That's it! I'm leaving first! See you at school, Senior Sister!"
He sensed her unhappiness as he quickly departed the manor, but the materials stayed behind.
Back home, Russell began preparations for crafting his Shadowkhan card. Should he create a creature card directly, or design it as an item card? According to the source material, the Shadowkhan originated from nine generals serving the demon sorcerer Tarakudo. When the generals were sealed into nine Oni masks, the masks gained the power to summon their respective Shadowkhan armies.
After considering the options, he decided on a prop card approach.
[Please start compiling your story.]
Russell settled into his chair and began weaving the card's narrative foundation:
[In ancient times, the shadow demon king Tarakudo secretly ruled a certain country in the world. He was also the king of the Shadow Kingdom in the Shadow Plane. He commanded nine Oni generals who helped maintain his dark rule: Ninjā, Rōsu, Batto, Samā, Īka, Risu, Tarakudo, Kani, and Tora. With their assistance and the Shadowkhan armies, Tarakudo gradually spread his darkness across the entire planet.]
[But where there is evil, there is justice. Seven righteous warriors could not tolerate his evil deeds and rebelled against his reign. Although the Ninja-khan serving under General Ninjā were not the strongest in direct combat, they possessed incredible agility and excelled at various specialized tasks. They could also enter and exit the Shadow Kingdom at will. Unfortunately, despite each of the nine armies having unique abilities, they were defeated one by one. General Ninjā was no exception - he was sealed within a mask like his eight fellow commanders.]
[When the owner uses the mask, it will transform into a tattoo on their left little finger.] Russell modified this detail, preferring not to wear an actual mask constantly. [The holder can then summon the Ninja-khan to serve them. When all nine generals were sealed into cards, Tarakudo successfully resisted the attacks of the seven righteous warriors and retreated to the Shadow Kingdom. Since then, the Shadow Demon King and his nine generals have become legends.]
After completing the card creation process, Russell smiled with satisfaction. "Making item cards is definitely easier than creature cards." He refined the finished card and examined its properties.
[Oni Mask · Ninjā] Level: SilverQuality: GoldCategory: Prop
Skills:[Shadowkhan]: You can summon the Ninja-khan to serve you. The Ninja-khan will never betray you.[Ultimate Darkness]: Not Activated. (Note: Requires possession of Tarakudo and all Nine Oni General cards.)
Characteristics:[Shadow Kingdom]: When this card is used, it automatically links to the Shadow Kingdom. The holder can move and store items through the Shadowkhan. (Note: Non-Shadow Kingdom creatures cannot enter.)
Chain: Can form a chain card with [Shadow Lord Tarakudo].
Bond: When holding cards such as [Claw Khan Mask · Rōsu] simultaneously, the effect [Nine Oni Generals] is activated.
"Perfect," Russell breathed with relief. "I've finally solved my storage and transportation problems."
He activated the card, and a crimson Oni mask materialized in his palm. With a mental command, the mask vanished, reappearing as an identical tattoo on his left little finger. The next moment, several figures materialized beside him - humanoid shapes dressed in black with gray-blue skin and glowing red eyes, all kneeling on one knee.
"Your strength is only at bronze level?" Russell asked, sensing their power output. He calculated that with full concentration, he could summon dozens of them simultaneously. Setting aside that observation, he handed his possessions to one of the Shadowkhan. The creature slowly carried his belongings into a patch of darkness before disappearing entirely.
"Excellent." Russell then tested their transportation abilities. Several Shadowkhan surrounded him, pulling him into the shadow realm. In moments, he emerged from a shadow five kilometers away. The return journey took equally little time.
"Five-kilometer range," he noted with satisfaction. The maximum distance was acceptable, and he'd barely felt any energy drain, meaning they could transport him continuously. He briefly considered purchasing an ornate chair to be carried around in proper style.
After testing their abilities, the Shadowkhan spontaneously began cleaning his apartment. When he discovered they could also cook, Russell couldn't suppress his grin.
His next priority was mastering the demon language. With the Shadowkhan handling household tasks, he'd have plenty of time to study.
( IMG HERE )
(End of this chapter)