Chapter 8
"Ohhhh!! I remember! That obsidian thing glowing with a black luster. What was that?"
[That is the Battle Card, one of the FOUR DIVINE CARDS of the Sovereign Deck.]
[This card is currently at its lowest level, but it will grow alongside you.]
[After you finish mastering this card, I will tell you how to obtain the other cards.]
Carl began digesting the information he had just been given.
As he thought about everything that had happened, he slowly began piecing things together.
Apparently, he had obtained an extremely powerful System...
And the legacy of a Sovereign.
Although Carl had no idea exactly how powerful a Sovereign was, judging from the System's tone whenever it mentioned the title, he could tell that a Sovereign was definitely one of the ultimate existences in this world.
Carl continued pondering as he walked toward a sparkling river not far away.
When he reached the river, he bent down and scooped up a handful of water to wash his face.
The moment the cool water touched his skin, a refreshing sensation spread across his face.
Carl couldn't help but sigh in comfort.
"Ahhh..."
It felt extremely refreshing.
He then looked into the river, intending to scoop up another handful of water.
But the moment he saw the reflection staring back at him...
Carl froze.
His eyes widened.
A devilishly handsome face was staring back at him from the surface of the river.
Sleek black hair.
A perfectly shaped face.
Black-and-gold eyes.
A pointed nose.
A sharp jawline.
And most terrifying of all...
That soul-stealing gaze.
Carl's expression changed drastically.
He rocketed backward with a scream.
"AAAAAHHH!"
"I saw a devil in the river!"
"System! Did you see that?!"
"I knew you were lying to me, you stupid knockoff!"
"He has come for me!"
"He must be angry because I broke down the wall of Hell!"
Carl cursed for an entire minute before finally calming down.
He looked around cautiously.
Then he frowned in confusion.
"Where did he go?"
"Are you done?"
The System finally replied.
[I don't understand why you are this clueless.]
[Is it because you just escaped death not long ago?]
[That is your reflection.]
[That's how you look after completing your body refinement.]
The System's voice contained an unmistakable hint of helplessness.
[I think you should check the notifications that were sent while you were unconscious.]
"How do I do that?"
Carl asked curiously.
He walked back toward the river.
When he saw his reflection again, he finally realized that he had completely overreacted.
His face immediately turned red with embarrassment.
He couldn't believe he had actually mistaken his own reflection for a devil.
[You simply have to make the command to view them.]
[They will be displayed through the panel on the left side of your vision.]
The System replied.
Carl nodded.
He then willed the command in his mind.
Immediately...
The golden panel changed.
Several notifications appeared before his eyes.
...
[Body Refinement Complete.]
[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Dragon Origin Source Constitution.]
[Host's body has been refined and remade by the Golden Dragon Bone.]
[Host now possesses a Perfect Body.]
[Congratulations, Host, on surviving a near-death experience.]
[Host has been rewarded with an SSS-Rank Talent.]
...
Carl carefully looked through all the notifications.
But he especially focused on the one regarding his talent.
"Why do I have a talent now?"
He couldn't help asking.
"Isn't one supposed to obtain a talent when they awaken?"
[Don't judge this System using common sense.]
[This is merely the icing on the cake.]
[When you awaken, more functions of the System will be unlocked.]
[You can also check the System Interface if you want.]
The System explained.
"Ohhh!"
Carl nodded in understanding.
He then thought about it for a moment before issuing another command in his mind.
Once again...
Golden light shimmered.
The panel changed.
And another interface appeared before his eyes.
...
[SOVEREIGN SYSTEM: INTERFACE]
[∆ SYSTEM STATUS ∆]
[LEVEL: 1]
[STAGE: 1]
[EXPERIENCE: 0/10,000 Source Cores to advance to Stage Two]
[BP [Battle Points]: 0]
[CORE ABILITIES:]
[TYPE: Active Skill]
[DESCRIPTION: When this skill is activated, you can extract the pure essence of any object or treasure. The pure essence extracted can either be used to nourish the Host's body or stored to accumulate and compress for better effects.]
[It can also be used on dead monsters or humans.]
[CONDITION FOR USE: Physical contact with the target will activate the skill.]
[CHANT: ???]
[You can designate a chant to activate the skill.]
[Additional upgrades to the System will also improve the conditions of use.]
---
[TYPE: Active Skill]
[DESCRIPTION: When this skill is activated, by focusing your eyes on anything you wish to identify, you can obtain information about it, as well as other advanced information.]
[CONDITION FOR USE: This skill requires high Soul Energy to be used.]
[CHANT: ?????]
[You can designate a chant to activate the skill.]
[Additional upgrades to the System will also improve the conditions of use.]
---
[TYPE: Active Skill]
[DESCRIPTION: When this skill is activated, the Host can summon and draw random cards from the Deck of Warriors originating from the Battle Card, [THE FOOL].]
[The cards that will be drawn depend on luck, fate, and belief.]
[...Click to view for more details...]
[CONDITION FOR USE: None.]
[CHANT: ?????]
[You can designate a chant to activate the skill.]
[Additional upgrades to the System will improve this skill.]
...
Carl stared at the System Interface.
He was amazed.
Although there were currently only three skills, each of the three skills was extremely practical.
If used properly, they could provide an all-round boost to his strength and abilities.
Carl's eyes shone.
The possibilities were enormous.
Then, a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Why was the card even named THE FOOL?"
Carl couldn't help asking the System out of curiosity.
It was almost as though the System had been waiting for him to ask that question.
The golden panel suddenly shone.
Then...
[PHILOSOPHER MODE: ACTIVATED.]
Carl blinked.
The System's voice suddenly changed.
Instead of its usual tone, it now sounded like that of an aged and experienced old man who had lived through countless eras.
Then, with an incomparably profound tone, the System spoke.
[A wise man once said:]
[ONLY A FOOL CAN BE COOL.]
"F***k!"
Carl's toes curled together.
Goosebumps spread all over his body.
His face twitched violently.
'What stupid wise man came up with that?'
'What a cringe speech!'
Carl was completely baffled.
He had no idea what kind of wise man would babble such nonsense.
After a moment, he decided to simply let it go.
There were more important things to focus on.
His attention returned to the System Interface.
Specifically...
The skill called...
"DECK OF WARRIORS."
...
[DECK OF WARRIORS]
[TYPE: Active Skill]
[RANK: MAX]
[CARDS IN THE DECK:]
---
[CUPID]
[When drawn, creates an illusion to confuse the enemy.]
---
[JOKER]
[When drawn, grants the Host a random ability that lasts for 30 minutes.]
[The ability may be the trashiest of abilities...]
[Or it may be an Epic-level ability among abilities.]
---
[DIAMOND]
[When drawn, the Host's defense is strengthened by five times.]
---
[KING]
[When drawn, grants the user the domination skill, "The King's Authority."]
---
[SPADE]
[When drawn, restricts the opponent and disrupts their energy flow, making them unable to do anything but become a sitting duck.]
---
[JACK OF SPADES]
[When drawn, a Knight that is one rank above the Host will be summoned to fight for the Host.]
[Duration: 1 hour.]
---
[DIAMOND OF HEARTS]
[When drawn, a transparent shield will form around the Host.]
[The shield reflects damage taken.]
---
[WISH CARD]
[When drawn, the Host can make any wish as long as it doesn't disrupt the Order of Origin.]
[This is the ultimate card.]
[There is only a one-in-a-billion chance of drawing it.]
---
[ACE OF SPADES]
[Also known as the DEATH CARD.]
[When drawn, no matter the rank of the opponent, they will be claimed by death without any chance of revival.]
...
[ONLY FIVE CARDS CAN BE DRAWN PER DAY.]
[When the System upgrades, this number will increase.]
---
[DEVIL'S TRIUMPH]
[When drawn, increases the enemy's power by 50%.]
[Duration: 10 minutes.]
[This card is also known as the "Hand of Misfortune."]