Attack on the Titan

The giant plant monster might be big, but it was also fast. It dropped its fist toward Ahli and Sharon. Luckily Sharon responded to it as quick as she could by pushing Ahli to the left side and she herself jumped to the right. Ahli rolled as fast as he could, stood back, and started to sprint toward the back of the giant plant monster.

He looked at the cards in his hand. Aside from Spellblade, he had Fiery Strength, Heat from Within, and Dragon's Breath, and none of them could be used as a mana source. Because of the life restoration system of Gicma at every end of turn, killing a 9/9 means he needed to do multiple burn spells in one turn.

SPELLBLADE

4+Fire Mana

[Quickening]

Target unit gets +X/+0 until end of turn, where X is the number of cards in your hand.

FIERY STRENGTH

1+Fire Mana

[Quickening]

Target unit gets +2/+0 until end of turn.

HEAT FROM WITHIN

3+Fire Mana+Fire Mana

[Quickening]

Deal 3 damage to any target. It deals 5 damage instead if there are 7 cards in the used pile.

DRAGON'S BREATH

1+Fire Mana+Fire Mana

[Magic]

Dragon's Breath deals 4 damage to any target.

His best bet at the moment would be the combination of Heat from Within and Dragon's Breath. However, there were two problems in executing this plan. One, Heat from Within alternative damage power could only be used if there are 7 cards in the used pile, which at that moment were lacking three cards.

And second, the combination of both cards needed a total of 8 mana, with 5 for Heat from Within and 3 for Dragon's Breath. It would mean that he and Sharon had to survive for longer turns, and it's the worst scenario that could happen.

"AHLI!" Ahli quickly looked in Sharon's direction.

She was climbing the giant plant monster by its left leg. It noticed her and vines started to come out from the crevices at the part where Sharon hanged. It quickly tied her left hand and left leg to it. With only her right hand that was free, Sharon put the blade of her sword on the vines that were tying her left hand and she started to saw it.

The vines were tougher than the one that grabbed Ahli by the leg before. She raised her hand and tried to slam it with her sword, yet, it did not work.

"Sharon! Swing again as hard as you can!" Shouted Ahli who saw the ordeal. He quickly pulled Spellblade from his hand.

"Produce 2 mana from Jena's Pendant and add 3 more fire mana! Use all mana to cast SpellBlade targeting Sharon!" Ahli threw Spellblade toward Sharon's direction as the spheres of light enveloped the card.

Spellblade quickly transformed into a red energy sword that pierced through the air. The giant plant monster saw it and tried to block it by sending a couple of its vines, yet the energy sword pierced through it, making the monster scream as it felt the pain as well.

KAAAAAA!

The red energy sword then hit Sharon's sword and on it appeared +3, indicating a boost of 3 points power, as there were only 3 cards left in Ahli's hand. With her power surged, Sharon swung her sword toward the vine that was holding her left hand. It was cut in one single slash.

Sharon continued the slash, by spinning her body mid-air, moving her sword toward the bind on her left leg. Again, with the help of the boost, Sharon was able to cut it in one strike. She then continued to spin until she landed while kneeling on the ground. However, there was no time for breathing for her as the giant plant monster swung its left hand toward her.

<TURN 11>

Ahli quickly looked at the card that he got for the turn, and it was Rise of Flame. It also could not be used as a mana source. As he was trying to figure out the best way of using the cards in his hand for dealing with the giant plant monster, Ahli saw how it dropped something from its behind.

RISE OF FLAME

2+Fire Mana

[Quickening Spell]

Target unit gains +1/+1 and Quick Strike until end of turn.

It fell to the ground in front of Ahli, and he saw the object that had a shape similar to a round cactus. The top then started to bloom and from its insides, came out a thick vine that started to grow tall. As it grew, smaller vines also came out from many sides of its body. They then started to tangle around each other, forming a body.

Even though it was still in the process of construction, Ahli saw how the plant creature in front of him was taller than him and bigger. With the final vines creating its face, a stat popped out in front of Ahli, 5/5.

The plant creature was bad news for Ahli as it meant two hits from it would end his life. It moved to approach Ahli with a menacing look. Ahli then came up with the idea of having Sharon deal the damage at it, as he could cast Fiery Strength and Rise of Flame at her, boosting her power enough for one killing strike.

"Sharon! Need your help quick here!" He looked at her who saw his call, yet, she did not respond to it as she was busy dealing with the giant plant monster's hands.

Ahli tried to run toward Sharon, however, multiple vines blocked his way. It came from the plant creature and it almost pierced him if he had not noticed its coming. The vines then started whipping and multiple lashes hit Ahli, making him lose 3 points of life, going to 4, as indicated from the life notification that appeared in front of him.

<TURN 12>

The next card that came to his hand was Shaking Fire. It could not be used as a mana source; however, it has a way of killing the plant creature. By combining it with Dragon's Breath, 5 damage that Ahli needed to kill it would be fulfilled. But, that means, the plan of taking down the giant plant monster using Dragon's Breath and Heat from Within would be scrapped and he had to come up with another way to kill it.

SHAKING FIRE

2+Fire Mana.

[Magic Spell]

Shaking Fire deals 1 damage to each unit without flying.

Another vine lash was able to hit him, making his life go down from 4 to 3. It also made Ahli realize how close the plant creature was to him. If he went on to straight attack, he would surely be dead. Ahli did not have any other choices, he had to use Shaking Fire and Dragon's Breath.

"All mana used! Two from Jena's Pendant and 1 fire mana used to cast Shaking Fire! The rest are for Dragon's Breath, targeting the plant creature!"

Ahli aimed both cards at the plant creature as the light from the shards engulfed both cards. It then left Ahli's hand in two different directions.

"Shaking Fire resolved first, followed by Dragon's Breath!"

Shaking Fire's card went into the ground and then the ground started to shake and Ahli saw that Sharon also feeling it. He quickly got a bad feeling about it. Then, from the ground below the plant creature, the giant plant monster, and Sharon, flame tongue burst and covered them.

"AAH!" What Ahli had feared happened. He knew that Shaking Fire would affect all units, regardless they were friends or foes, but because Sharon did not have a stat, he always thought that indiscriminate attacks like Shaking Fire would not affect her. Ahli truly learned his lesson this time.

He was worried about Sharon, yet, he had no time at such moment with Dragon's Breath should be resolving anytime soon. Ahli looked at the plant creature and he saw its life stats dropped to 4.

[Good. Come on Dragon's Breath]

As the flame from Shaking Fire started to disintegrate, a giant card appeared in a lying position in the middle of the plant creature's body. As it vanished, a giant dragon head illusion rose from the ground with an open mouth. From it came an outburst of flame that sprayed the plant creature, burning every part of its body.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

As the plant creature burned, the giant plant monster released a shrieking sound that indicated that it was in pain. It seems that even though they were two separate monsters, in truth, the plant creature was only an extension of its body.

<TURN 13>

With the burning plant creature meeting its end, Ahli quickly ran toward Sharon who was kneeling because of Shaking Fire. He also used that moment to check the new card that he got. It was Solitary Blaze, which he could use as a mana source. He quickly set it.

SOLITARY BLAZE

1+Fire Mana

[Magic Spell]

If target unit attacks alone this turn, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn.

"Sharon! I'm sorry! Are you okay?" As he came to her side, he quickly helped her to stand.

"It's okay as long as you killed it." Said Sharon with a smug. Ahli felt relief that Sharon was still able to mock at that moment. What happens next would be decided by Sharon's condition. He had counted carefully the number of cards that he had cast. Along with Jena's Pendant, there were 8 cards and that means 7 cards are in the used pile. This means when he uses Heat from Within, it would deal 5 damage.

Combined with Sharon's attack which will be buffed by Fiery Strength, the number should be equal to 9, considering she has that amount of power. It would be a risky bet; however, it was a choice that have to finish the battle faster.

"Can you land a hit on it?" Ahli saw the giant plant monster swing its right arm onto them, which then quickly dodged.

"Will it end this bitch?"

"May…yes, it will." Ahli thought of trusting his calculation. Sharon must have her confidence to land a proper strike.

"Okay, let's do it then." Sharon separated from Ahli and quickly ran to the left side of the giant plant monster. It saw her and followed her movement.

Ahli used that opportunity to cast Heat from Within. He threw the card toward the giant plant monster as he cast it, "2 mana from Jena's Pendant and 3 fire mana to pay Heat from Within, targeting the giant plant monster!"

The giant plant monster heard his command and shifted its view to Ahli. However, it was too late. Heat from Within had transformed into a beam of light that entered the giant plant monster's body. Ahli could see a glow at the chest part of the giant plant monster as it grew brighter and brighter.

Sharon used the opportunity to quickly climb the giant plant monster's back. Seeing that, Ahli pulled Fiery Strength and cast it.

"Use the remaining mana to cast Fiery Strength, targeting Sharon!"

The card turned into a drop and dip into the ground. It reappeared behind the giant plant monster as two flames circling and swirling toward Sharon. It engulfed Sharon with flame which then integrated into her. As her body glowed red, Sharon jumped with both hands holding her sword.

The chest of the giant plant monster finally reached its brightest and from it burst flame that burned its inside. At the same time, Sharon landed her drop slash on the monster's back, making a giant slice that went to the bottom.

Ahli paid attention and saw how Heat from Within damage had reduced the life point of the giant plant monster to 4. It then changed again as Sharon's slash hit it. Ahli waited for the final result as it turned from 4 to 3 and then to 2. In the end, the life counter of the giant plant monster showed 0, meaning that his strategy had been executed perfectly.

<BATTLE HAS ENDED>

<VICTORY>

<REWARD>

<Spore of Lullaby>

<Written in the Wood>

<Dew of Life>

<Reap What was Sowed>

<Strangle>

<Might of the Forest>

<Vine Bind>

<Bramble>

<Forest Marionette>

<30 CARDS NOW IN COLLECTION>

<NEW TYPE OF CARD OBTAINED>

[New type?]

Before Ahli could check his spoils of war, Sharon came to him and pat his back so hard.

"Awesome as always!"

"Thanks. Excellent final strike by the way." Complemented Ahli back at Sharon.

"Oh, you like it?" Ahli smiled and small nod multiple times to show his approval.

"Let's just get out of here. Hopefully, Mr. Cial is still breathing after we left him for so long." Ahli walked toward Mr. Cial who was still lying far from their fight area.

"Yeah, agree on that." Said Sharon as she followed Ahli. "With this, we can collect our payment and go ho..ME!"

Ahli heard an expression of surprise in the last part of Sharon's tone, he turned to look at her. He saw that she was facing toward the far end of the path that they were almost going to. Her expression was super serious.

"What's wrong?" Ahli's words seemed to break her concentration.

"Nothing. I thought I sensed something." Ahli looked at the far end and try to feel any, yet he did not feel anything.

"I guess, it was my imagination. Let's go." Sharon turned and walked toward Mr. Cial, passing through Ahli that was still staring at the path end. He looked around as well, to check, but as he did not feel anything else, he turned his back and followed Sharon.