The magic cards I made are absolutely flawless!

He's going to pull off another stunt, and then he'll show his true skills and teach the Sword Saint a lesson.

"So what are you planning to do these next few days, meow?"

"Teacher Cat asked."

There are two days left until the next match.

Since Dekan still intends to use underhanded tactics against Alger, he must be making some preparations during these precious two days.

However, Dekan simply shook his head:

"I'm thinking of staying home for the next couple of days and getting some rest. Staying in a hotel is part of the trip! Enough said, today I will surely achieve unparalleled skill and the Nine Lotus Lantern!"

After they finished speaking, they all eagerly headed towards the mahjong table that Dekan had made.

......

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

On the day of the semi-finals (4 to 2).

Compared to another match where the outcome was almost certain without even watching, tickets for this semi-final – Dekan vs. Alger – have been scalped to exorbitant prices.

Everyone acknowledges the entertaining nature of the Painful Bishop's performance.

however.

The audience members who came to the scene all noticed.

In the players' waiting area, Dekan didn't look too good.

Many viewers are speculating whether Dekan is about to start using tactics again.

But Dekan's listless state didn't seem like an act.

Rather, it was a genuine injury.

"I heard that Dekan was cursed by the Lord of Calamity?"

"I heard that Dekan hasn't left his house these past few days, and some people even saw priests from the Sun God Church going to Dekan's residence."

Many viewers started discussing it.

In fact, there had been rumors circulating that Dekan had become the new target of the Lord of Calamity.

The intense torture began.

"With a public declaration of war, how could the Lord of Calamity not target him?! Are you suggesting we let him win the championship?"

"From the perspective of the Lord of Calamity, we should also stop Dekan from continuing to win and help the Imperial Sword Saint win the championship, because the Imperial Sword Saint's divination problem is definitely not related to the Lord of Calamity."

The more the audience discussed it, the more reasonable it seemed.

And at the entrance to the Artificial Shadow World Activator.

Do I need to wait until you're ready?

Alger said, frowning.

Although he knew Dekan was despicable, he didn't want to win in such an unfair way.

Dekan isn't faking it; he's genuinely in extremely poor condition.

The Sun God priests who went to the Dekan mansion confirmed that Dekan was indeed cursed by the Lord of Calamity.

It was the same curse that the two kings who were murdered suffered.

These next few days are probably going to be tough.

Dekan seemed somewhat surprised by Alger's words, turned to look at him, then smiled genuinely and said:

"I didn't expect you to be such a decent person... It's alright, let's start the match. This time I'll go all out to crush you."

"..."

Alger paused for a moment; he wasn't used to dealing with a cheerful guy like Dekan.

However, he felt that talking to Dekan wasn't as unpleasant as he had imagined.

"Then let's go."

"Alger said, and walked into the entrance to Phantom Canyon without looking back.

Dekan smiled and walked forward.

however.

Just as Dekan was about to enter the world of shadows.

He seemed to stagger.

Compared to Alger, who walked steadily into the Void Gate.

Dekan seemed to have lost all his strength and collapsed forward.

As the Phantom Canyon appears on the screen.

Alger appeared in a mountain wilderness.

Opposite him, Dekan collapsed to the ground in agony.

Not only was his face as pale as a sheet of paper, but blood was also seeping from the corner of his mouth.

......

"Damn Lord of Calamity! You are despicable and shameless!!"

"The Lord of Calamity actually chose to curse Dekan right when he entered the Shadow World!"

The audience members outside the stadium all understood what had just happened.

Two days earlier, the Lord of Misfortune had cursed Dekan.

They are nothing more than warnings and threats.

By doing this before the match, they really wanted to completely cut off Dekan's path to victory!

At the same time, it is also a threat to Alger!

If Alger wins today, he will be the next one to become like Dekan!

on the screen.

The preparation time has long since passed.

Dekan tried several times to prop himself up with his elbows, but he always seemed to lose his strength and fell to the ground again.

Alger had originally planned to use magic cards to enter battle at any time.

He put away the magic cards.

Upon reaching the vicinity of Dekan, he unleashed the divine magic he possessed.

Instead of taking the opportunity to attack Dekan, he used purification and healing magic on Dekan.

He first used Purify on Dekan, and then began to treat Dekan.

"I'll wait until you've recovered before we start fighting."

Alger said this while treating Dekan.

"Aren't you afraid I'll ambush you from this distance?"

Dekan finally managed to sit up from where he was lying on the ground, and looked at Alger as if he were looking at a fool and asked.

"...Although I dislike you for personal reasons, you are the one who defeated Fahim. If you are really in danger, I will save you."

Alger had considered the possibility that Dekan mentioned.

Because it is indeed possible for Dekan to cheat.

For example, suddenly poisoning him at close range, or using mental magic.

But Alger had not sensed any such intention from Dekan.

This was his accurate judgment as an eighth-level martial artist.

or.

Even if Dekan really wanted to launch a sneak attack, Alger would accept it.

After all, given Dekan's current condition, even if he were to only be allowed one move, it would only bring the match back to a level playing field, not enough to truly secure a decisive victory.

"Hehe, you're the last opponent, not bad at all."

Dekan smiled and shook his head, seemingly relieved.

"Priest Alger, please stop wasting your magic. You have won this match."

Dekan looked at Alger and said.

Alger did not stop the healing magic, looking at Dekan with a slightly puzzled expression.

Dekan didn't explain anything further, but simply took out a magic card that glowed with a faint, dazzling red light and showed it to Alger.

A broken heart filled with pain

[Category: Equipment Card]

[Rarity: Crimson Light Epic]

[Class: 5]

[Effect: When worn, the next pain sensation received will be multiplied by 5 and refunded at 500%. This effect is unaffected by any other magic cards. Cooldown: 100 days.]

[Note: How could they even make a card with such an insane effect?!]

The moment this card appeared, a gasp of surprise erupted from the audience!

"The Epic of Crimson Light?"

"Could it be a fake card?!"

"Impossible! I've seen Lord Avalon's Crimson Light Epic! This kind of quality, which is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, cannot be forged! Dekan must be the card maker who personally created the Crimson Light Epic!"

"Has Decan's card-making technology reached this stage?"

Within the entire Card Makers Association, only the two chief card makers among the top-tier card makers have ever produced cards of this grade.