The Gap Between Realms

Under the bright Jurica sun, Johan found himself navigating the bustling marketplace. It was one of those busy days when the market was abuzz with life, a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and aromas that was both overwhelming and captivating.

Amidst the chaos, a sudden encounter took him by surprise. He collided with a young man who was ambling carelessly, his eyes engrossed in a device that emitted an ethereal glow.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" Johan blurted out, taking a step back.

The young man looked up, a glint of amusement sparkling in his eyes. "My bad! Got a bit carried away with this game. You know how it is, right?"

His demeanor was relaxed, and his voice held a lighthearted note. He was about Johan's age, but his attire was unlike anything Johan had seen in Jurica. He wore a sleek jacket of some glossy material, its vibrant colors seeming to shimmer in the sunlight. A pair of intricately designed boots completed the look. Even without understanding fashion in this world, Johan could tell this was not the usual attire of the marketplace regulars.

The young man's fingers were still dancing over the glowing device, clearly some high-tech gadget that Johan could only dream of affording. A quick glance revealed a game of sorts, complex structures and shapes colliding and merging on the screen.

Before Johan could respond, the stranger laughed, a rich, hearty sound that echoed around them. "You look like you've never seen a HoloCube before! Here, try it out."

Johan was caught off guard by the offer, but the genuine enthusiasm in the stranger's eyes urged him to accept. He couldn't help but marvel at the device's intricate mechanisms, its lightness in his hands. The game was beyond his understanding, but its complexity intrigued him.

As he played, the stranger chatted away, his words filled with anecdotes and humor. His laughter was infectious, his tales intriguing, his manner carefree. The wealth hinted at by his attire and device was now undeniable, yet he showed no arrogance or pretentiousness. Instead, he seemed like a genuinely fun person, his wealth just an incidental part of his identity.

Unwittingly, Johan had stumbled upon an unlikely acquaintance, one who might just add a whole new dimension to his journey.

Still engrossed with the HoloCube, Johan was startled when the young man extended his hand, a wide grin on his face. "Name's Eddie," he introduced himself. "Eddie Lawson. And you are?"

Johan eyed the outstretched hand before finally taking it, his mind still reeling from the unexpected encounter. "Johan," he managed to say, hoping his confusion didn't show too obviously on his face. Eddie's handshake was firm and warm, a stark contrast to the cool, shiny exterior he presented.

"Nice to meet you, Johan!" Eddie declared, pulling back and giving Johan a friendly slap on the shoulder. "You're not from around here, are you? I've never seen you before."

Johan felt a pang of apprehension. It was true that he wasn't from around here. But he didn't feel like sharing his complicated past with a stranger, even if that stranger was a seemingly friendly second-generation kid. "Just moved here recently," he settled for saying. "Still trying to get my bearings."

To Johan's surprise, Eddie laughed at that. A loud, unabashed laughter that attracted curious glances from the surrounding people. "Well, you've found yourself a pretty decent guide," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "I can show you around, introduce you to the right people. And all for the low, low price of your company."

Johan could not help but laugh at Eddie's theatrics. For all his initial suspicion, Eddie's easygoing nature was beginning to rub off on him. Over the next few days, Johan found himself spending more and more time with Eddie. They ate together, wandered the streets of Jurica, and even tackled a few jobs. Eddie was like a constant source of energy, filling their days with laughter and lightness.

Despite their contrasting backgrounds – one a newcomer from a harsh past, the other a privileged second-generation kid – they found common ground in their shared experiences and the friendship that was beginning to form. It was a friendship that neither of them had expected, but both were coming to value.

...

"Hey, Johan," Eddie began one day as they were lounging around after completing a job. He had a glint in his eyes that Johan recognized as a preface to an important conversation. "Have you ever wondered how the Card system works?"

"Can't say I haven't," Johan admitted. He'd been grappling with his own card for quite some time now. "Why do you ask?"

Eddie grinned and leaned back, his arms stretching behind his head. "Well, you see, there's a whole ranking system to it. Let's start with the basics. The potential of a person is determined by the quality of their card. That's like the first rule of Card Mastery."

Johan absorbed this information silently. Eddie continued, explaining about how one could level up through exercise and meditation, eating monster meat and cores. The whole process seemed to require a combination of perseverance, patience, and a pinch of bravery.

"But that's not all," Eddie added, a more serious expression crossing his face. "When you want to promote to the next tier, it requires a special potion. This stuff is rare, my friend. It's made from the rarest of materials and even after promotion, you can't level up immediately. It takes months or even years of stabilization and digestion."

Johan's eyebrows furrowed in thought, piecing together the information. "So, how many tiers are there?"

Eddie laughed, a sound full of warmth and excitement. "Oh, there are plenty. But let's start with Tier 9: Extraordinary, then Tier 8: Superhuman, Tier 7: Flying, and Tier 6: Epic. But that's just the beginning, Johan. Every tier has a qualitative change in attributes, and damage percentage increases. As for Tier 5 and below... Even my father don't have information about them."

Their conversation continued, Johan listening with rapt attention. Eddie's description of the card and ranking system, the usage of energy, and the function of talents left him with a whirlpool of thoughts. It was as if a whole new world had opened up before him, intricate and challenging.

Over the course of their talks, Eddie also introduced the concept of Monster Rankings, a system as complex and captivating as the Card Rankings. From the way Eddie spoke, Johan realized there was much more he had yet to learn. But with every new piece of information, his determination to master his card and become a true Card Master only grew stronger.

Eddie's explanation continued, his words painting a vivid picture of the vast gap between different tiers. Johan found himself captivated by the scale of power Eddie described.

"You see, it's like comparing a house cat to a lion, a lion to a dragon, and a dragon to a god. It's not just a difference in power, it's a complete transformation," Eddie explained. "For instance, an Extraordinary Tier 9 Card Master might lift a car with effort, but a Superhuman Tier 8 could do it easily. They could probably run as fast as a racing car too!"

Eddie's eyes lit up as he continued, "But then you get to the Flying Tier 7. They're not only super strong and fast, but they can also fly. We're talking about defying gravity here, Johan. And, as for the Epic Tier 6, they're more like mythical beings. They could probably tear down buildings without breaking a sweat."

The analogies and examples painted a clear picture in Johan's mind. The world was much more complex and dangerous than he'd imagined. He felt both a sense of awe and a surge of anticipation. He wanted to experience those realms, to feel the power surging through his veins.

As their conversation wound down, Johan found himself reflecting on the sheer volume of information he'd just absorbed. His thoughts were a whirlwind of ideas, plans, and questions, but one thing was certain. He was incredibly grateful for this newfound friendship with Eddie. The kid was not only generous with his knowledge but also a source of unwavering support and camaraderie.

"Johan," Eddie started suddenly, a secretive smile curving his lips. "There's something else you should know... about card. However, I'll explain it next time."

Johan's heart pounded in his chest, anticipation thrumming through his veins. Eddie's words echoed in the air, a promise of secrets yet to be revealed, adding another layer of intrigue.