BONUS CHAPTER
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Orange afterglow painted the endless plains as sunset approached. A gray mouse raised its head, sniffing cautiously—until a black-red meteor streaked overhead, sending it scrambling for its burrow.
"This realm's bigger than expected," Russell mused, soaring in Arrogance form.
He'd been searching [The Wilderness of Mutual Consumption] for some time without reaching his designated zone.
"At least these demons are too stupid to coordinate. They're more interested in eating each other than attacking cardmakers."
The briefing had been clear: this secret realm was unique. No invasion attempts. The demons ignored the outside world entirely, consumed by eternal fratricide. When Association scouts first entered, they'd found nothing but endless carnage—demon against demon, as if killing their own kind superseded all other instincts.
After confirming no high-risk entities, the Association let it run wild. Periodic Emerald-rank sweeps prevented any demon from growing too powerful.
"Finally."
Russell checked his phone's zone map and descended. Gold-rank mental sweep confirmed no immediate threats. Mikoto materialized beside him, electromagnetic waves transforming her into a living radar.
"Data said Gluttonous Beast and Hollow Demon Bat were fighting over territory. Why's it quiet?"
A dark beam suddenly lanced skyward in the distance.
"There we go."
Russell decided on cautious investigation. With only one Gold card currently, he'd use his proven tactics—Shadowkhan scouts first, him following at safe distance.
Shadows spread beneath them, pulling both into the Shadow Kingdom.
Soon, scouts reported contact ahead.
"Those energy signatures..."
Secret Realm Monitoring Station
Three Gold-rank cardmakers lounged with feet on desks, killing time.
"Never thought we'd see such a genius," Old Saul sipped tea casually.
"Eh, genius or not doesn't affect us retirement-track types," Xander shrugged. "When you leaving today, Old Saul? Granddaughter gets out soon?"
Saul checked his watch. "Half hour. I'll head out shortly. This realm's yours tonight—I'm too old for this."
"Old Saul, please! We should handle it!"
Wayne, in his thirties, turned away uncomfortably. Old Saul left early daily since approaching retirement. No one would complain even if reported. Until replacement arrived, two would do three people's work.
Suddenly the monitor caught his attention. "Old Saul! Xander! Look at this!"
"Something wrong with those demons?"
Both glanced over, then returned to chatting. "That level's nothing. Russell will retreat if threatened. Don't underestimate genius, Wayne."
Wayne stood abruptly, frustrated. "I'm still worried. I'll check personally."
He summoned his vehicle card and left before they could respond.
The two exchanged looks. Xander smoothed things over. "He's new, still adjusting. Don't take it personally, Old Saul."
Saul shook his head. "Why would I anger at youth?"
Every coastal defender carries anger. I was the same once.
"Getting old..."
Earth groaned under punishment. Dark energy carved hideous scars across terrain.
Russell and Mikoto observed from behind a tree.
"Confirmed: [Gluttonous Beast] and [Hollow Demon Bat]."
The bat—pitch-black and massive—launched another dark breath attack.
The [Gluttonous Beast]... Russell couldn't identify what animal it might have been originally. Perhaps unique to secret realms. It looked like a blob of insatiable hunger with legs.
"We'll strike when they're both exhausted."
Russell patted Mikoto's head as she vibrated with eagerness.
"Though why isn't Gluttonous Beast fighting back?"
Indeed, the creature showed zero interest in combat. Its only action since Russell arrived:
EAT. EAT. EAT. EAT. EAT!
Grass, dirt, rocks—edible or not, everything went down its gullet. If Hollow Demon Bat got close enough, it would probably try eating that too.
The stalemate continued until Gluttonous Beast finally stopped eating.
Russell tensed for counterattack.
"BUUUUUURP!!"
The belch was deafening. Russell's eye twitched.
Satisfied, Gluttonous Beast prepared to waddle away.
Hollow Demon Bat's rage exploded. This thing had invaded daily, eating EVERYTHING. The territory was stripped bare—gnawed like a dog's chew toy. Its prey had fled. It faced starvation or territorial war with neighbors.
The more I think, the angrier I get. The more I step back, the more I lose!
A black energy sphere formed in its mouth, absorbing all surrounding color.
The ground shattered. The sphere struck instantly.
Silent darkness spread outward, devouring everything.
"Too strong!" Russell retreated via Shadowkhan. "Don't destroy my materials!"
He needed Gluttonous Beast intact. Finding another would be troublesome—they were practically endangered.
And no wonder, if they all act like this.
Fortunately, when dust cleared, Gluttonous Beast stood intact though weakened.
"GROOOOOWL!" Its stomach thundered.
It immediately began eating dirt.
"Really? NOW you need a snack?"
Hollow Demon Bat was equally exhausted. One more attack could finish Gluttonous Beast, but it lacked energy.
"While the snipe and clam fight..." Russell grinned. "The fisherman profits."
"Your materials will be well-used."
Storm clouds gathered overhead. Electricity danced across Mikoto's form. Beside Russell, Sasuke raised his hand.
Meanwhile
"Hurry!"
Wayne pushed his vehicle card harder, watching distant energy beams with growing anxiety.
"How did we miss demons this strong?"
Unknown to him, the last Emerald inspector HAD noticed their power but deemed them harmless—one only ate dirt, the other hid like a house pet. Perfect material reserves.
An energy wave swept over him.
"Attack intensity like that... will the genius survive!?"
He accelerated desperately.
Rain began falling, deflected by his energy shield.
"Why now—"
Two lightning pillars suddenly pierced the clouds, striking earth with blinding intensity.
"BOOM!!"
The sound would've deafened normal humans.
Wayne stared at dissipating lightning columns. "Was that... the genius's attack?"
As a Gold-rank, he recognized the power immediately. He imagined facing those strikes directly.
I'd die. Absolutely die.
He'd taken this position hoping for comeback potential, thinking he'd create strong cards and return to frontlines. This moment shattered those dreams.
He approached slowly, finding a young man examining materials.
"Oh, you." Russell looked up pleasantly. "Something wrong? Were these restricted hunting?"
Wayne forced out his purpose, voice bitter. "Surveillance showed abnormal demon strength. I was... concerned."
Russell's surprise shifted to gentle smile. "Thank you, but two Gold demons can't threaten me."
Wayne fled with hasty "I'll go."
Russell watched, confused, as the man departed.
Back at Monitoring Station
Old Saul and Xander looked at devastated Wayne. "What happened? Bullied?"
Wayne stared at Russell on screen. "You were right. Geniuses like him don't need my protection."
They understood immediately—the boy's confidence was shattered.
"Don't compare yourself to monsters like that."
"Relax! You have Master potential, Wayne!"
"...?"
"Thought those might be protected specimens."
Russell examined his prizes while considering the departing monitor.
The lightning strikes were Mikoto's [Real Thunder] and Sasuke's [Kirin]. She'd been building storm clouds throughout the battle. As a Level 5, generating thunderclouds was trivial.
Her lightning might seem weak against someone like Aleister, but these were just Gold demons.
"Great haul."
Gold-level Red: [Gluttonous Beast]
Gold-level Red: [Hollow Demon Bat]
"Two Red materials—pure profit."
"Without their mutual exhaustion, this would've been troublesome."
Gluttonous Beast's peak defense and regeneration would've required extended combat. Hollow Demon Bat's attack power spoke for itself—unprepared, Russell would've struggled.
[Gluttonous Beast] had predetermined purpose. With different materials, he might've made Rimuru Tempest. But with [Flesh-Eating Spider Demon], he had other plans.
Great potential and strength in this combination.
[Hollow Demon Bat] sparked ideas needing development.
Collecting everything, Russell transformed to Arrogance and launched skyward.
"Just need point-exchanged materials now. Then I can create the first Gold card for my... alter ego."
(End of Chapter)
300 , 500 , 1000 Each milestone will have 1 Bonus chapter.