The name jumped out at me as I passed the glass counter. A glossy booster pack shimmered under the fluorescent lights of Duel Den, the card shop wedged between a potion store and a tamer supply depot. The pack was bursting with vivid illustrations of snarling beasts and cuddly creatures locked in battle. My fingers itched to grab one, until I saw the price tag: [499] Crystal Credits!
I physically recoiled, like I'd been hit by a Mega Hexbolt.
"Is it laced with gold dust?" I whispered through my teeth as I backed away.
That was five whole battle winnings right there. Five! I wasn't even halfway to being a mid-tier tamer. Though, Crystal Credits weren't impossible to earn, but they didn't exactly fall out of the sky. Unless you counted some of those weird sky-worm events in the Outer Peninsula. Most of my funds came from refereeing kiddie duels, hauling Zeldritch materials to shady alchemists, or surviving guild errands that mostly involved me running away from angry plants.
Expedition contracts and arena matches were where the big bucks rolled in. But let's be honest. Me on an expedition? With my luck? I'd get swallowed whole by a teleporting swamp.
"Luke! Luke!"
Spade's soft bark brought me back to reality. My Lykopup was tugging at the cuff of my pants with his translucent fangs. His misty tail flicked like he could practically smell my poor financial decisions brewing.
Zeldritch like him weren't just cards. They were real. Living. Breathing, or, in Spade's case, semi-breathing. Our world had been reshaped, literally and figuratively, by them. Once, they were myths, anomalies, the monsters in humanity's nightmares. Now they were our partners, our allies. Our adorable, glowing blue-eyed familiars.
"I know, buddy," I muttered, crouching to rub the tuft between his ears. "I'm just... in sticker shock. That's all."
Spade huffed pressing his cool nose into my hand. Comforting, but also clearly judging. I could feel it.
He'd been with me since my Tamer initiation, and we'd been inseparable since. Zeldritch were everything. But long before our first serious connection with them. Humanity had been locked in a centuries-long clash with the Inomen and rogue Elven factions. Supposedly, Earth's been a cosmic mess ever since the Expansion Era.
See, the world grew. Like, actually grew. Earth ballooned to five times its original size—thanks to who-knows-what metaphysical anomaly—and opened up into new continents and realms filled with strange environments and forgotten Zeldritch. Entire chunks of Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas were marked as "Lost Zones," still crawling with untamed monsters and warring tribes.
Reclaiming those regions? That's where the real tamers go. Explorers, Elves, humans, even Inomen… working together or tearing each other's faces off, depending on the day. Some places are so contested they're tournament-locked. Yeah. If your team wins the tournament, you literally claim the land. Real estate by monster battle. Wild.
Meanwhile, I'm just here trying to afford a booster pack.
Anyway. The buzz around the shop finally made sense. Zeldritzon: The Card Game—or ZTCG, as people had dubbed it—had taken over like a fever dream. It'd only been out a few weeks, but already kids were dueling in parks, bartering for cards between classes, and arguing over meta builds during lunch breaks.
And here? Duel Den had gone full feral. The back corner of the shop had been cleared out and rebranded the "Arena Nook," where a bunch of kids were hunched over their decks like alchemists over a cauldron. I even saw one kid lose his match and dramatically whisper, "I have failed my companion spirit."
It was beautiful. And I wanted in.
Really, really badly.
I sighed and pulled my folio out of my bag. First page flipped open. Rule 52 from The Guilds of Khimaira Handbook: "All Tamers must maintain a folio for battle earnings, quest logs, and contract seals." Yeah, yeah, I followed the rules. Kind of. I mostly used mine as a doodle book between jobs—little sketches of Spade, my Phoenichick, some hypothetical Zeldritch fusions I'd never see in the wild.
As I flipped through it again, a card slipped free from the inner flap and fluttered to the floor.
My ZelCard.
It glowed faintly, numbers and my name hovering above the holo surface:
Jake Garm.
[900] Crystal Credits.
Wait… what?
I blinked, leaned in, checked again: Still 900.
Spade let out a soft huff, nosing my arm like come on, you know what this means.
"Holy moly," I whispered. "I can actually buy one."
I could afford it. Right now. No need to wait for another payday, or pray someone posted a "lightly opened" pack on TamerTrade. I had enough to jump in. The gateway was open, the stars aligned.
No more watching from the sidelines while everyone pulled Apex cards and built meta decks.
I was officially Player Material.
Clutching the ZelCard like it was a winning lottery ticket, I bolted to the shelf. My knees wobbled halfway there. Maybe they'd do a sale next week? What if the odds of a rare were higher in the next set?
No. This was the moment. No backing out. I held the ZelCard tight in my sweating hand, snapping the folio shut before slinging my bag over my shoulder. My hand wobbled toward a pack, only to second guess myself.
"We can do this," I whispered. "We can actually do this."
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I grabbed the booster pack from the glass case and hurried to the register. I might not have been able to afford an entire set, but I would still try my luck. Besides, it was only [499] Crystals! One pack wouldn't be enough to put me in debt, and who knew? Maybe I'd get a rare or limited edition card.
I tapped my ZelCard against the reader and beamed when it lit up green.
[900] Crystal Credits → [401] Crystal Credits.
"Thank you!" I chirped as the shopkeeper handed me my pack. "Have a great day."
"You too!" she said with a warm smile. She gave Spade a wave, who wagged his tail in return.
??. .????. .????. .??
I stepped out onto the street, the foil pack burning in my hands. The air smelled of fresh bread and brewing coffee from the bakery across the road, but all I could focus on was the five cards inside. My heart pounded as I tore through the wrapper, fingers fumbling. It was time for me to have a little bit of luck for once.
Five cards.
Common. Common. Common. Common … losing hope.
Well, that looked unfortunate.
Two Osseod [016]—a crystal mouse Zeldritch. A Heinieboo [165], some kind of ghost. A Yunix [105], an ice sprite. Not bad, but nothing game-changing.
[Card 1 and 2.]
Osseod [016]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Ore]
- S-HP: [110 Units]
- APEX-Power: [100 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weaknesses: [Plant] [Aqua]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
{Skills}
1. [Crystal Spit]
- APEX Damage: [20]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Ore]
- Description: Osseod ejects a razor-sharp crystal shard from its mouth.
- Effect: Deals Ore-attribute damage to a single foe.
2. [Carapace Catapult]
- APEX Damage: [30]
- Cost: [30 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Ore]
- Description: With a burst of energy, Osseod launches a volley of crystals from its hardened carapace.
- Effect: Deals Ore-attribute damage to a primary target and, if available, a secondary target. If used immediately following Crystal Curl, the damage increases by an additional [20] APEX-Damage.
3. [Crystal Curl]
- APEX Damage: [0]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Ore]
- Description: Osseod tucks into a compact, armored ball.
- Effect: Activates a protective shield that reduces the damage of the next incoming attack by [20] APEX-Damage. Additionally, boosts its APEX-Power regeneration by [5] Units for the following turn.
Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Oreseod)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 016
- Size: Small
- Sobriquet: "Odd Crystal Mouse"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [016 | 268]
[Card 3.]
Heinieboo [165]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Phantom]
- S-HP: [100 Units]
- APEX-Power: [130 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weakness: [Celestial] [Phantom]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
{Skills}
1. [Spectral Jab]
- APEX Damage: [40]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Phantom]
- Description: Heinieboo thrusts an arm of ghastly energy.
- Effect: Deals Phantom-attribute damage.
2. [Spook Shrill]
- APEX Damage: [20]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Phantom]
- Description: Heinieboo alarms the foe with an eerie cry.
- Effect: Deals Phantom-attribute damage. Inflicts [Petrified]. Alternatively, you may choose to have the foe switch their Active Zeldritch to the Bench.
Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Heinimp)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 165
- Size: Medium
- Sobriquet: "Heinous Ghost Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [165 | 268]
[Card 4.]
Yunix [105]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Glacial] [Cryptic]
- S-HP: [100 Units]
- APEX-Power: [120 Units]
- Grade: [Common]
- Weakness: [Metal]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
APEX TRAIT: [Snowflake Cleanse]
Effect: Cleanse all status ailments on the chosen target. Restores [20 S-HP] to the chosen target.
{Skills}
1. [Snow Shower]
- APEX Damage: [30]
- Cost: [30 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Glacial]
- Description: Yunix flaps its wings to brew up a snow storm.
- Effect: Deals Glacial-attribute damage. Inflicts [Frost] on your foe's Active Zeldritch.
Retreat Cost: [10 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Yukinix)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 105
- Size: Miniature
- Sobriquet: "Snow Sprite Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 5 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [105 | 268]
I flipped through them quickly again. I froze on the spot.
[Card 5.] The Uncommon.
Liorex [204]
A [Deino] [Spatial]-attribute Zeldritch. I grinned at the creature before me, mind still churning to the sight.
[Card 5.]
Liorex [254]
[ Card Info ]
- Attribute: [Deino] [Spatial]
- S-HP: [140 Units]
- APEX-Power: [180 Units]
- Grade: [Uncommon]
- Weakness: [Deino] [Relic]
- Evolution Stage: [Basic] [Fledgling]
APEX TRAIT: [Portal Roar]
Effect: Once during your turn, you may retreat Liorex from the Active Spot. Alternatively, once during your turn, flip a coin, if heads, you may retreat the Active Zeldritch to the Bench and switch it with another Zeldritch from the Bench Spot.
{Skills}
1. [Deino Fang]
- APEX Damage: [40]
- Cost: [20 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Deino]
- Description: Liorex chomps down on its foe.
- Effect: Deals Deino-attribute damage.
2. [Portal Blast]
- APEX Damage: [50]
- Cost: [30 APEX Units]
- Attributes: [Spatial]
- Description: Liorex releases a space-shattering roar.
- Effect: Deals Spatial-attribute damage. Once during your turn, draw a card.
Retreat Cost: [20 APEX]
Attribute Weakness: [+20 Damage]
EVOLUTION COST: [50 Units] → (Leotyrex)
[ Additional Info ]
- Zeldritch: NO. 254
- Size: Small
- Sobriquet: "Tyrannosaurus Kitten Zeldritch"
[ Miscellaneous Info ]
- Market Sell Price: 50 Crystals
- Edition: Genesis [254 | 268]
- Created by: ZELDRITCH INC.
- Release Date: October 5th, 20XX
I stared at the glossy illustration in awe. The Zeldritch was small and plump, its eyes wide and glimmering. It looked like a chubby tyrannosaurus rex with a tiny mane lining the ridge of its back and little paws with claws. The card's APEX TRAIT text was surrounded by a purple border, a sign that this creature was strong. The best part? The illustration sparkled. Holographic foil!
Spade whined, nudging at my leg as if asking "Is it good?"
"Oh, it's good," I whispered, turning the card in my hands. "It's really, really good."
"Jake?" a girl's voice called out.
I looked up to find Amber, my neighbor from down the street, staring at me, a grin tugging at her lips. "You're into ZTCG, too?"
"Yeah," I replied. "Just got my first booster." I flashed her the pack. "I already pulled a Liorex!"
Amber let out a squeal. She practically bounced in place, the wicker basket hanging off her elbow threatening to topple. "I just picked up my cards yesterday," she said breathlessly, "but I haven't had a chance to open them. How about we have a match at the park?"
I nodded, excited, before I froze. "Oh, wait, but isn't your sister coming back home soon? Maybe you should save it for her?"
She waved dismissively. "Psh. She'll be fine. I can beat you easily! Worried?"
I bristled. "Hey, I'm actually pretty good at this game," though pretty good could have been an exaggeration. Not like she would have known. "I had some practice from the online version, you know."
"Then let's see what you got, Jakey," she said. "Meet you at the park?"
Spade yipped, tail swishing side to side. He nudged me forward, eager to get going.
I nodded, trailing after Amber as she darted ahead of me. Spade barked happily, tongue lolling as he trotted beside me.
"Let's show her what we got!"
Here's a quick card preview for everyone! Another one next chapter!