Chapter Forty-One: Preparations for Drawing Cards

Late at night, in the single officer quarters designated by the base.

Having just finished his shower, Kyle wore only a pair of loose boxers, his toned upper body exposed, lean muscles evident as he reclined against the bed in a half-lying posture, eyes closed in repose.

Of course, he wasn’t pondering the meaning of life; rather, his mind had entered the card space.

Within the boundless white expanse, much had changed compared to nearly two months ago. Previously, all the cards were jumbled together, spinning in a ceaseless whirlwind. After Kyle’s careful organization, ability, item, and creature cards were now separated into distinct storage zones.

Besides these three main categories, there were also two other areas: the emergency card region and the material card region.

The emergency card region was reserved for cards that might be needed in critical situations, cards that could be used immediately, such as “Demon Dog,” “Energy Laser Rifle,” “Emergency Kit,” and “Blue Eagle.”

There wasn’t a single ability card in the emergency region, since as long as an ability card existed in the card space, it could be used directly, without needing to be materialized like item or creature cards.

The material card region, on the other hand, was for useless item cards—essentially, “materials” to be sacrificed for card draws.

Kyle’s mind had entered the card space for exactly this reason. After more than a month of battles and plunder, most of the item cards he’d seized from several fallen German factory bases were stored here.

At present, nearly a hundred blue item cards and over a thousand green item cards were piled up densely in the material card region—a sight that brought a strong sense of accomplishment.

“I’ve been saving these material cards for so long; it’s time to try my luck,” Kyle said, taking a deep breath to suppress the familiar anxiety of drawing cards.

Most of Germany’s energy factories had already fallen, and with the decisive showdown with Red Skull approaching, there was little point in hoarding cards any longer.

Kyle quickly tallied up the item cards in the material region.

Green item cards: 1,020.
Blue item cards: 86.

Converted to card draws, that meant exactly 102 green-quality draws and only eight blue-quality draws.

“Well then, let’s start with the green-quality ones.” Kyle waved his hand, selecting all 1,020 green item cards suspended in the materials region.

Selection complete—sacrifice for a draw.

One hundred and two consecutive draws!

You have sacrificed: “German Fine Helmet” ×26, “German Combat Suit” ×11, “High-Powered Sniper Rifle” ×6 … “Reconnaissance Device” ×3, “Energy Magazine” ×89 … “High-Explosive Grenade” ×22, “Anti-Personnel Mine” ×9 …

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Life Extension” ×11, “True Dual Blade Mastery,” “Radio,” “Rabbit,” “Shark,” “Bronze Sword,” “Fluency in Hindi” …

A pure cascade of green cards—so much green light that Kyle could only sigh.

Damn it, that was 102 consecutive draws! Couldn’t I at least get one blue-quality card?

And out of these hundred new cards, most were a mess of useless junk. Aside from a few odd tech items he could toss to Howard for research, there were barely any that might prove useful.

“I got eleven rare green ‘Life Extension’ cards—should I call that lucky or unlucky?” Kyle tugged at his lips in a wry smile.

Life Extension: Increases the user’s natural lifespan by three years. Green rare ability card.

Current state: Usable on others.

The green Life Extension card was obviously far more potent than the white version, boosting lifespan from three months to three years.

But as a super soldier, Kyle’s aging and natural lifespan were already on another level; the card would barely affect him.

“What’s interesting is that these sacrificial-draw ability cards can be used on others,” Kyle mused. The card meant little for him, but for ordinary people, its value was simply immeasurable.

“I’ll set them aside. They’ll come in handy one day.” Kyle’s thoughts returned to the only other rare green card besides Life Extension.

True Dual Blade Mastery: Mastery of near-perfect dual-wield sword techniques. Green rare ability card.

“Barely passable, I suppose.” Kyle shrugged helplessly; after all, he hadn’t pinned his hopes on green-quality draws.

Tonight’s focus was on the eight remaining blue-quality draws.

“Let’s do them one by one—consecutive draws are a bit much for my nerves.” Kyle took a deep breath, steadying himself as he selected ten blue item cards.

Sacrifice, draw!

You have sacrificed: “Residual Gem Energy” ×10.

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Life Extension.”

Again? Another Life Extension card?

The moment he heard the result, Kyle nearly cursed aloud. What on earth was going on tonight—did the system fear he’d die too soon?

Life Extension: Increases user’s natural lifespan by thirty years. Blue rare ability card.

Current state: Usable on others.

Simple and direct, no side effects—a card that could instantly add thirty years of natural life.

“Thirty years?” Kyle was taken aback. He’d thought the blue rare Life Extension would be ten years at most, but it was far more.

At this rate, as long as I don’t get myself killed, I’ll live to see the end of the world.

Kyle chuckled wryly and continued with the sacrificial draws.

Long life was welcome, but could he please get something more practical?

As these thoughts flashed through Kyle’s mind, another ten blue item cards vanished in sacrifice.

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Submarine.”

Useful or not, Kyle couldn’t decide, watching with a tinge of melancholy before moving on to the next draw.

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Disguised Voice Modulator.”

My God, what do I need a voice modulator for? Draw again!

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Life Extension.”

Fantastic. Tonight the system seems determined to pile on the years. Next!

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Conan’s Glasses.”

Kyle was speechless—what kind of bizarre items were sneaking in now? One more draw!

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Senzu Bean.”

Senzu Bean?

Kyle’s spirits lifted at once, and he quickly took the newly drawn blue card.

Senzu Bean: A bean grown by the Cat Sage; upon consumption, regardless of the severity of injuries—even at death’s door—the body is instantly restored to peak condition. Blue item card.

“Now that’s good—something that can save my life.” Kyle broke into a smile, assigning the Senzu Bean to the emergency card region.

Tonight’s draws hadn’t all been in vain after all.

With only two blue-quality draws left, Kyle waved his hand, selecting the remaining twenty blue item cards in one go.

You have sacrificed: “Residual Gem Energy” ×20.

At the very least, please give me a blue skill card this time?

As the thought formed, two new cards materialized from the card space.

One was a deep, luminous blue; the other, a color he’d never seen before—purple! The dazzling light from the two cards immediately became the focal point of the card space.

Draw successful! Congratulations, you have obtained: “Primal Venom Symbiote,” “Colossal Ancient Dragon Turtle.”