After lunch, while waiting for everyone to get ready, Daniel returned to his room and locked the door. Then he summoned the door to the card shop, eager to see what he could buy with his newfound points.
Upon entering, he was greeted by a promotional poster for the "Rise of the Machine" set. He remembered seeing it as a draft previously, but now the poster was finished and vibrantly colored.
It depicted a war-torn battlefield, showcasing the conflict between humans and machines. The machines relentlessly sought to exterminate humanity, while humans fought back, struggling to survive and gain a foothold in a world dominated by machines. The scene showed giant robots and humanoid foot soldiers being fired upon by human forces.
Daniel realized this was likely a result of his actions at the UN conference, which had showcased his and his company's expertise in advanced AI technology.
"Hello, Mr. Emberweave. There's a new set available. Are you interested in buying a box?" The Keeper's welcoming voice greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, Mr. Keeper. Please give me a box of 'Rise of the Machine'," Daniel requested. The Keeper quickly retrieved the box set and handed it to him.
Daniel made his way to the table and eagerly opened the box. In no time, he opened each booster pack, his excitement building with each reveal. After the last pack was opened, Daniel finished sorting his spoils and sank into the mindscape to assess them.
This time, there were many useful cards, all products of scientific and technological marvel rather than magic. They would undoubtedly boost his city's technology, as some of them could likely be replicated with enough time.
The highlight of this set was the four cards he had obtained.
—
Card Name: Nexus Prime
Illustration: A vast complex of skyscraper-sized processor units, heavily guarded and secured behind layers of vaults and state-of-the-art cooling facilities.
Rarity: Legendary
Type: Artifact
Mana Cost: 8 Non-Elemental
Description:
Nexus Prime cannot be destroyed, exiled, or sacrificed as long as another artifact (other than Nexus Prime) is on the battlefield.
Artifact creatures you control get +2/+2.
Whenever a creature with "SD" in its name is destroyed on the battlefield, choose one:
- Put a strengthened counter on a target "SD" creature card.
- Draw three cards.
- Search your library for a card and put it into your hand.
Flavor Text: Nexus Prime, the first self-aware super AI created by humanity. Its potential is limitless, but humanity fears its capabilities.
—
Card Name: SD-850-I Will
Illustration: A muscular man in a leather jacket, his torn synthetic skin revealing a tempered steel skull beneath. His emotionless eyes gaze upon a child clinging to their mother, who looks at him pleadingly.
Rarity: Legendary
Type: Unique Artifact Creature
Mana Cost: 1 Holy, 4 (Non-Elemental)
Power: *
Toughness: *
Flavor Text: The ultimate SD (Search and Destroy) unit, Model I (Infiltrator). Flawless and efficient at locating and eliminating its targets.
—
Seeing the cards that could significantly benefit him, Daniel smiled. Aside from "Rena - The Humanity's Hope," these cards were considered artifacts, even though they were unique. This meant he wouldn't have to pay the usual actualization cost for unique sentient beings.
With the Nexus Prime card, his dream of having an AI butler could finally become a reality. Even though Nexus Prime's lore depicted an AI that aimed to exterminate humanity, Daniel knew that anything he actualized would be absolutely loyal to him, so the lore wouldn't pose an issue.
He also saw the potential in "SD-850-I Will," a card that could serve as a bodyguard for little Sylvana. He remembered that this character in the lore was quite wholesome - essentially a big softie with difficulty expressing emotions.
With all the cards sorted and no booster packs left, Daniel said goodbye to the Keeper and left the shop, returning to the real world.
—
After about ten minutes, Kim Yuna arrived, wearing a sporty jacket, blue jeans, and a cap, with her hands tucked into her pockets. She gave Daniel a somewhat disdainful look, as if seeing an unreliable man or a boy toy, which puzzled Daniel.
"Ah, sorry, I forgot something," Kim Yuna said, turning back to run towards the training hall.
Moments later, she returned with a hwando sword in hand.
"Let's go. I'll guide you all and also act as your bodyguard," Kim Yuna stated, taking the passenger seat in the van next to the Kim family driver.
Daniel and his family entered the large van. Little Sylvana and Michaela, sitting together, seemed excited about the trip. However, the van remained parked, showing no signs of moving.
Kim Yuna, growing impatient, checked her wristwatch and glanced back at the passengers before looking out the window towards the guest house.
"Mr. Emberweave, isn't your sugar mommy arriving yet? Or is she too old to come?" Kim Yuna asked impatiently. Instead of getting angry, Daniel looked as if he had just heard the most absurd statement.
"Pardon?" Daniel asked, still not quite believing his ears.
"I asked if your sugar mommy is joining us or not? Or is she too old to walk? I heard you brought her here too, right? Why don't you go and get her? We can't leave without her," Kim Yuna repeated and elaborated.
"What!? My sugar mommy!? What the...?" Daniel was about to say the f-word but stopped himself because Sylvana was present.
"What's a sugar mommy? Mama Michaela, does Daddy have a new mommy who likes to make sweets? I want to meet her and have her bake me a cake!" little Sylvana innocently asked Michaela, who could only smile wryly, unable to lie as an archangel.
"*Gasp* Danny!" Envy exclaimed with feigned surprise, covering her mouth with her hand while a mischievous smile played on her lips. "If you don't have any money, why don't you tell me or Greed? I'm sure she would lend you some. Even though I don't have much, I am at least a billionaire, you know?"
"Oh god... not again," Daniel muttered tiredly, imagining Envy teasing him about this for several weeks.
"Why are you doing this, Danny? Or perhaps you have some heavy and unique tastes?" Envy continued, her teasing smile growing wider, now unabashed.
"Yeah, that's very funny. Don't forget we have a child with us," Daniel retorted, nodding towards little Sylvana, who was sitting with Michaela.
"Oh my... don't worry about that, dear. I've already cast a sound prevention spell on little Sylvana's ears. She won't hear a word we're saying," Envy reassured.
"Enough with the teasing already, Envy. I think Miss Yuna might have misunderstood something about me," Daniel sighed tiredly. Envy continued to snicker but finally stopped teasing him.
Daniel then turned to Yuna, but noticed her face had gone pale as she stared at Envy.
"Miss Yuna, why is your face so pale? Is something wrong?" Daniel asked, a bit concerned for the young woman.
"Wha... wha... what did you say her name was again?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Her name's Envy. Do you have trouble hearing?" Daniel replied, but Kim Yuna's face paled even further when she heard the name Envy, as if she had made a grave mistake.