To say Marina didn't want the cards in Kai's hand would be a lie. Despite that, she wasn't shameless, and more importantly, she understood something clearly—she wasn't Kai's match. Not even her whole team combined could beat him.
After Trials began appearing, researchers had long confirmed that those who could command cards were no longer ordinary people.
Their strength, speed, and even intelligence were all vastly enhanced.
Among them, some exceptional individuals could even summon monsters into the real world. However, to do that, they needed a blessing from a Spirit.
And the radiance that had emanated from Kai earlier was undoubtedly the sign of such a blessing.
So while it was uncertain if Kai could summon monsters in reality… In a Trial, with Spirit blessing, he was more terrifying than a Boss.
Kai naturally noticed Marina's gaze.
He held up the cards slightly and asked casually:
"This is what you came for?"
"Yeah."
Marina didn't hide it and nodded openly.
"My academy mentor ran the numbers."
"[Called by the Grave] usually appears in Trials themed around Zombie-types. It was one of my goals coming here."
Then she shifted tone and asked bluntly, "Could you sell me one?"
She looked at Kai, eyes glinting with tension.
Yet, she knew it was unlikely. That said, with the academy tournament coming soon, she really needed this card—even knowing she'd likely be refused, she still worked up the courage to ask.
Even she didn't have much hope.
After all, a full playset of a card was three copies.
Unless he had extras, or didn't know how powerful it was… No one would sell a card like that.
They could just run their Deck through more Trials and win more Duels—that'd be far more profitable than selling it.
And Kai indeed knew cards well.
Still, she had to try.
What if…
"Here, take them."
Kai pulled out the Phase Stone and two [Called by the Grave] cards from his pocket and handed them to her.
Seeing her stunned expression, a smile curled at the corner of his lips.
He was an orphan, raised fighting his way through society, while meeting plenty of schemers—countless times, even.
Albeit, he'd also met those who showed him kindness for no reason.
That's how this world works. Every time Kai thought it was beyond saving… someone would show up to offer a bit of warmth.
He wasn't some saint out to save the world.
But he wasn't a villain either.
Just a regular guy. So… 'If you show me kindness, I'll remember it and repay it. If you show me malice, I'll repay that too—without faltering.'
The moment Marina had tossed him her only lifeline during danger, Kai had decided she was a good person.
Maybe others would call her foolish. Regardless, Kai, who had been helped, had no right to judge.
Therefore, he could give her the cards.
Besides, they had no more value to him—extra copies were better used to repay kindness.
"I... I can't afford two..."
Looking at the cards and Phase Stone Kai had handed over, Marina hesitated.
Her family had influence, and she was considered a promising member, so resources were never scarce—more or less, a rich girl.
Despite that, she wasn't yet at the level where she could use her family's full backing.
Cards like [Called by the Grave] were so highly versatile that every time one surfaced, blood would spill.
Unlike powerful monsters that might reject Duelists they didn't recognize, Spell and Trap cards didn't discriminate. They had no downside, boosted Deck power, and were highly prized.
Each appearance usually happened at auctions, and the final prices were sky-high.
Her [Raigeki], for instance, had been acquired by her family.
It cost 540,000—in essence, one high-utility card could be a commoner's ticket to the top. [Called by the Grave] would likely be priced similarly.
Everything she'd saved and earned from Trials barely amounted to that.
She could afford one. Two? Absolutely not.
"It's a gift. I have more."
Kai pulled her hand forward and placed both cards and the stone in it.
Then he showed his Deck, where two more [Called by the Grave] were slotted in.
That made three total—he couldn't use more.
With Kai being this direct, Marina had no reason to refuse.
She looked down at the cards and Phase Stone, blushed, and said softly, "Then... I'll accept them."
"I'll pay you back for one right away when we leave. For the other... I'll repay you once I've earned enough."
…She was really going to live on crumbs after this.
Looking at the Phase Stone next to the cards, Marina couldn't help but think: If she could, she'd have used the stone as payment.
But it wasn't hers.
It belonged to her mentor, who had given it to her in case something went wrong. If she used it, that was one thing; however, since she hadn't, she had to return it intact.
As for the debt… she'd find her own way to repay it.
"Up to you."
Kai shrugged. He didn't care.
If the Trial vanished and he returned to his original world, a couple of [Called by the Grave]s weren't a big deal.
If they weren't high-rarity foils, they weren't even worth more than a steamed bun.
If he didn't go back? Might as well make a local ally. If this really was another world, then he was physically here.
No ID, no documentation. A literal ghost in the system.
Every step would be a struggle—Having someone native on his side was priceless.
...
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