Crumant [046]

  [ Card Info ]

  - Attribute: [Xensect] [Plant]

  - S-HP: [120 Units]

  - APEX-Power: [100 Units]

  - Grade: [Common]

  - Weakness: [Fire] [Wind]

  - Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]

  {Skills}

  1. Snack Munch

  - APEX Damage: [10]

  - Cost: [20 APEX Units]

  - Attributes: [Xensect]

  - Description: Crumant strikes the foe with its mandibles, stealing resources.

  - Effect: Deals Xensect-attribute damage. Reduces the foe's APEX-Power by 10 Units. Recovers the attacking Zeldritch's by 10 Units and S-HP by 10 Units.

  2. Crumb Toss

  - APEX Damage: [20]

  - Cost: [20 APEX Units]

  - Attributes: [Xensect]

  - Description: Crumant hurls a cluster of crumbs at its foes.

  - Effect: Deals Xensect-attribute damage.

  Retreat Cost: [10 APEX]

  EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Crumblant)

  [ Additional Info ]

  - Zeldritch: NO. 046

  - Size: Small

  - Sobriquet: "Ant Crumb Zeldritch"

  [ Miscellaneous Info ]

  - Market Price: 5 Crystals

  - Edition: Genesis [046 | 268]

  - Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.

  - Release Date: October 5th, 20XX

  I raised an eyebrow. "Really? An ant with crumbs? Scary."

  "Hey, don't underestimate the little things. They add up—kind of like your annoying status effects." She stuck her tongue out at me before turning back to the board. "Now, let's see what LeapLeap can still do before it hops off to the great beyond."

  Right... her LeapLeap is down to 60 S-HP, but if she pulls off something tricky, I'm in trouble. Let's activate Liorex's Portal Roar and retreat Heinieboo to the bench.

  But to my horror—I recalled LeapLeap's APEX Trait. The extra damage it caused when arriving from the Bench made me uneasy.

  

  LeapLeap [075]

  [ Card Info ]

  - Attribute: [Beast] [Wind]

  - S-HP: [110 Units]

  - APEX-Power: [150 Units]

  - Grade: [Common]

  - Weakness: [Chaos] [Voltage]

  - Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]

  APEX TRAIT: [Swift Step]

  Effect: If LeapLeap is your Active Zeldritch at the start of the game, you take the first turn. (If each player's Active Zeldritch has Swift Step—or an APEX Trait or APEX Domain with a similar effect—this trait has no effect.)

  1. Leap Kick

  - APEX Damage: [40]

  - Cost: [40 APEX Units]

  - Attributes: [Wind]

  - Description: LeapLeap strikes the foe with a powerful soaring kick.

  - Effect: Deals Wind-attribute damage. Inflicts an additional [10] APEX Damage on its first attack. Deals an additional [10] APEX Damage if the Zeldritch is played from the bench.

  Retreat Cost: [0 APEX]

  EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (LeagueLeap)

  [ Additional Info ]

  - Zeldritch: NO. 075

  - Size: Medium-Large

  - Sobriquet: "Ratite Runner Zeldritch"

  [ Miscellaneous Info ]

  - Market Price: 5 Crystals

  - Edition: Genesis [075 | 268]

  - Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.

  - Release Date: October 5th, 20XX

  "Finally!" she cheered. "LeapLeap, let's get one solid hit in before you retire!" She activated [Leap Kick], and her ostrich-like Zeldritch zipped forward in a blur, slamming into my Heinieboo.

  Heinieboo's S-HP: 100 → 50.

  "Not bad," I admitted. "But I'm not sweating yet."

  "You will," Amber said with a grin, "because I’m attaching an APEX Boost card to LeapLeap, raising its APEX-Power by 20 units." She placed a card beside LeapLeap, and its [Leap Kick] damage shot up from 40 to 60 APEX Damage.

  

  Support | APEX Boost! [08]

  [ Card Info ]

  Effect: Add [20] APEX-Damage to the next skill used by 1 of your Zeldritch.

  [ Additional Info ]

  - You may play any number of Support cards during your turn.

  [ Miscellaneous Info ]

  - Market Sell Price: 50 Crystals

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  - Edition: Genesis [S08 | S11]

  - Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.

  - Release Date: October 5th, 20XX

  Great. So now her LeapLeap hits harder. Awesome.

  "Your move, spooky boy."

  "Alright, Yunix, time for some support." I activated its [Snowflake Cleanse] again, healing Heinieboo back to 70 S-HP. Amber groaned.

  "Seriously? Spa day continues?"

  "Hey, if it works, it works," I teased. "And guess what? Heinieboo's feeling... spooky."

  Amber's jaw dropped. "No. Don't you dare."

  I pointed dramatically. "Liorex, let's switch out!"

  

  Liorex [254]

  [ Card Info ]

  - Attribute: [Deino] [Spatial]

  - S-HP: [140 Units]

  Note: (90 S-HP remaining)

  - APEX-Power: [180 Units]

  - Grade: [Uncommon]

  - Weakness: [Deino] [Relic]

  - Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]

  APEX TRAIT: [Portal Roar]

  Effect: Once during your turn, you may retreat Liorex from the Active Spot. Alternatively, once during your turn, flip a coin, if heads, you may retreat the Active Zeldritch to the Bench and switch it with another Zeldritch from the Bench Spot.

  1. Deino Fang

  - APEX Damage: [40]

  - Cost: [20 APEX Units]

  - Attributes: [Deino]

  - Description: Liorex chomps down on its foe.

  - Effect: Deals Deino-attribute damage.

  2. Portal Blast

  - APEX Damage: [50]

  - Cost: [30 APEX Units]

  - Attributes: [Spatial]

  - Description: Liorex releases a space-shattering roar.

  - Effect: Deals Spatial-attribute damage. Once during your turn, draw a card.

  Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]

  Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]

  EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Leotyrex)

  [ Additional Info ]

  - Zeldritch: NO. 254

  - Size: Small

  - Sobriquet: "Tyrannosaurus Kitten Zeldritch"

  [ Miscellaneous Info ]

  - Market Sell Price: 50 Crystals

  - Edition: Genesis [254 | 268]

  - Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.

  - Release Date: October 5th, 20XX

  I flipped my coin, anticipating heads to bring out my Osseod from the Bench to swap its position with Heinieboo. But instead, the coin had landed on tails.

  Amber cackled. "Oh no, looks like your spooky tricks are out of juice!"

  I forced a grin, trying to mask my frustration. "Eh, ghosts can't always be lucky."

  Still, I wasn't about to let her LeapLeap keep kicking me into the shadow realm. I needed a new approach.

  "Alright, Heinieboo, no spooky tricks this time—just rest for this turn!"

  Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 0 → 10.

  Amber pumped her fist. "Finally!"

  Her LeapLeap shook off its terror, eyes blazing with determination. "Alright, birdie, we're not done yet! One more Leap Kick!"

  Heinieboo's S-HP: 70 → 10.

  I winced. Okay, yeah, that hurt. Heinieboo barely hung on, but one more hit and it was down for the count.

  "Okay, yeah, not my smoothest moment."

  Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 10 → 20.

  Spook Shrill or retreat? And give her a free hit? Nah. I gave Spook Shrill another shot.

  Heinieboo's APEX-Power: 20 → 0.

  LeapLeap's S-HP dropped to 40, and Amber’s smug expression wavered.

  "Petrified again," I sang.

  She groaned. "This is just bullying at this point."

  "You knew what you were signing up for."

  She grabbed the coin and flicked it with far more force than necessary. It spun through the air, bounced off her water bottle, and finally landed on the table.

  Heads.

  "Alright, LeapLeap, finish off that pesky ghost!" Amber commanded, her ostrich Zeldritch leaping high into the air.

  "Wait, wait, wait—" I scrambled. "Yunix, one more heal, please!"

  Too late. LeapLeap's [Leap Kick] hit Heinieboo square in its spectral face.

  Heinieboo's S-HP: 30 → 0.

  "NOOO!" I gasped in mock horror as Heinieboo floated off to the discard pile.

  Amber pumped her fist. "Yes! Ghost busted!"

  One Conquest point her. One Conquest point for me. Three to win.

  "Alright, don't get cocky," I muttered, selecting my next Active Zeldritch. "Let's go, Liorex."

  Liorex roared as it took the Active Spot, facing down her LeapLeap. Amber smirked.

  "Sure you want to do that? Remember LeapLeap's extra damage when coming from the Bench?"

  I winced. "Yeah, thanks for the reminder."

  "You're welcome," she replied sweetly.

  But I wasn't backing down. "Liorex, let's bite back! Use [Portal Blast]!"

  Liorex howled hard, dealing 50 APEX Damage and bringing LeapLeap down to 0 S-HP.

  Amber's jaw dropped. "No way! LeapLeap, nooo!"

  She reluctantly moved her defeated ostrich card to the discard pile. "Ugh. Fine. You got me. But I'm not done yet!"

  She slid her Crumant forward. The tiny ant Zeldritch stared down my Liorex, its mandibles twitching menacingly.

  "An ant against a space-time dinosaur?" I teased. "This'll be over quick."

  "Don't underestimate her," Amber grinned. "Crumant, [Snack Munch]!"

  Crumant scurried forward and bit down on Liorex's leg.

  Liorex's S-HP: 90 → 70.

  Crumant's S-HP: 120 → 120.

  Liorex's APEX-Power: 180 → 170.

  Crumant's APEX-Power: 80 → 90.

  I blinked. "Wait, it steals power and heals itself?"

  "Yup," Amber replied smugly. "Death by a thousand crumbs, spooky boy."

  "Ugh, annoying." I activated Liorex's [Portal Blast] again, dealing 50 APEX Damage.

  Crumant's S-HP: 120 → 70.

  Liorex's APEX-Power: 170 → 140.

  Amber winced, but she wasn't done. "Crumant, [Crumb Toss]!"

  A shower of crumbs pelted Liorex.

  Crumant's APEX-Power: 90 → 70.

  Liorex's S-HP: 70 → 50.

  I groaned. "Seriously? Even your crumbs hurt."

  "Crumant's not here to play around," she giggled. "What's next, spooky boy?"

  I smirked. "Liorex, let's end snack time. [Portal Blast] again!"

  Liorex roared and unleashed another spatial blast, dropping Crumant's health to 20 S-HP.

  Liorex's APEX-Power: 140 → 110.

  Amber bit her lip. "Not looking good for my little ant..."

  "Any last words for your crumbly friend?" I teased.

  She smirked. "Yeah. Snack Munch."

  Crumant bit down once more.

  Liorex's S-HP: 50 → 30.

  Crumant's S-HP: 20 → 30.

  Liorex's APEX-Power: 110 → 100.

  Crumant's APEX-Power: 50 → 60.

  I groaned. "This is getting ridiculous."

  "You done mocking my ant yet?"

  I clenched my jaw. She was really trying to drag this out.

  "Okay," I said, exhaling. "Liorex, Portal Blast. Finish this!"

  Liorex let out a thunderous roar, summoning a rippling distortion in space before slamming it into Crumant.

  Crumant's S-HP: 30 → 0.

  Amber let out a sigh, slumping forward. "Crumant... my tiny crumb queen... you tried."

  She placed the card into the discard pile and gave me a begrudging smirk. "Well, you got me this time."

  I sat back, arms crossed. "Told you ghosts are scary."

  "Yeah, yeah." She stretched and shook her head. "Enjoy your win while you can, because next time? I'm bringing status ailment counters, and your Heinieboo is gonna be useless."

  I laughed. "Can't wait."

  As we started gathering our cards, I couldn't help but grin. It had been a close match, but this victory was mine.

  At least until next time.

  "Here." Amber handed me a small chest cupped between her palms. "Fair and square, you won this. There's about 1,000 Crystal Credits in here, so try not to blow it all on packs." She shook the box with a grin.

  I raised an eyebrow, taking the chest from her hands. "Wow. Didn't think you'd actually follow through."

  Amber rolled her eyes. "Please. I may talk a big game, but I'm not a sore loser." She tapped the top of the chest. "And besides, I need you to have enough credits so you can afford a proper rematch. Can't have you making excuses next time."

  I chuckled, shaking my head. "Oh, trust me, I'll be ready. And Heinieboo's coming back stronger than ever."

  She groaned. "Ugh, I knew you were gonna say that."

  I pocketed the chest and started gathering my deck, carefully sliding each card back into its sleeve. Amber was nice enough to give me her extras. I appreciated it.

  "By the way," I added, "that Crumant strategy? Actually terrifying. You really went for death by a thousand crumbs."

  Amber grinned as she shuffled her deck. "Told you. Never underestimate the little things."

  We both laughed as we packed up the rest of our cards. The park buzzed around us with other players mid-battle, but for now, our game was done.

  As I stood up, Amber nudged my shoulder. "Same time next week? I need a rematch."

  "Obviously," I replied. "Gotta defend my spooky title."

  She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Enjoy your Crystals, ghost boy. Next time, you're the one getting hunted."

  "Yeah, yeah," I teased, heading toward the mall to cash in my prize. "We'll see."

  [ Jake Garm's Credits ]

  [401] Crystal Credits → [1401] Crystal Credits.

  I finished the withdrawal as I took my first few steps in the mall. Though these winnings might be a tad rare in the near future… Perhaps this card game could be profitable?

  "Psst. Kid. Want to join a tournament?" a voice called.

  I froze mid-step, clutching the chest of Crystal Credits tighter. The voice had come from the shadows of the arcade entrance, barely audible over the flashing machines and distant clatter of buttons being mashed. I glanced around, half-expecting Amber to jump out and yell, "Gotcha!" But no, she was still at the park, chatting with another player.

  "Uh... who's asking?" I replied cautiously.

  Spade, my Lykopup, growled and barked, maybe saying, "Reveal yourself!"

  From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—a tall man wearing a dark bomber jacket with a patch of the Zeldritch logo on the sleeve. His sharp eyes locked onto me, and a subtle grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  "The name's Kalen," he said smoothly. "And I've got an eye for rising talent. Saw that match of yours with the girl. Close game, but your strategy? Solid."

  I blinked. "You were watching us?"

  "Hard not to notice when a Heinieboo keeps locking down the board." He chuckled softly. "You've got potential, kid. And I know where you can prove it."

  I swallowed, my curiosity piqued. "A tournament, huh?"

  Kalen nodded. "Not just any tournament. The Apex Circuit Qualifiers. Big prize pool, exclusive promo Zeldritch cards, and a shot at regionals. It's invite-only... but I've got a few connections."

  I stared at him, unsure whether to feel excited or skeptical. The Apex Circuit was no joke—top players from all over competed there, and even qualifying was tough. But if I made it...

  "What's the catch?"

  "No catch," Kalen said, holding up his hands. "Just a chance to prove yourself. Entry fee's steep—2000 Crystals—but if you win? You'll be walking away with triple that. And trust me, the competition will make that girl with the crumbs look like a warm-up."

  I glanced down at my Crystal Credits balance on my holo-watch. 1401 Crystals. So close... but not enough.

  Kalen must've noticed my hesitation because he chuckled again. "A little short? Don't sweat it. There are always side matches to earn more. Think about it." He handed me a small holo-card with his contact info. "Registration closes in three days. Hit me up if you're in."

  Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

  I stood there for a moment, the weight of the invitation settling on me. The Apex Circuit... could I really pull that off?

  I smirked with gaze tangled on Kalen's contact info. Guess there's only one way to find out.

  "Alright," I muttered, heading back into the Duel Den. "Time to earn some Crystals."