036 The Appearance of the Three of Spades

My nerves suddenly tightened. “Who is it?” I asked warily, gripping the Two of Spades in my hand.

Although my attacks were now difficult to aim, the opponent might not know my missing sense was sight. There was no way he could know my contract ability either.

“It’s Su Mu from the Agricultural College!” Han Xue hurriedly told me. “He seems to have a card as well!”

Su Mu? I vaguely remembered this name—just as Zhang Yisheng from the Medical College stood out, every college seemed to produce a prodigy who surpassed ordinary students. If Zhang Yisheng was the pride of the Medical College, then Su Mu’s status in the Agricultural College was likely even greater.

“Han Xue, look closely at his card. I doubt he’ll dare approach us.”

Han Xue gave a soft reply. “I think it’s the Four of Spades?”

Su Mu with the Four of Spades?

Before I could think further, Su Mu spoke directly.

“Lin Zijian from the Business College, I didn’t expect you to be the contract holder of the Two of Spades.” He paused, then continued, “But judging by your appearance, you must have lost an important sense.”

It seemed that in just half a minute, Su Mu with the Four of Spades had analyzed our situation thoroughly. My limbs were intact, so it had to be a sensory loss. Combined with my conversation with Han Xue, anyone could guess it was my vision.

“Zijian, don’t be afraid!” Han Xue comforted me. “Su Mu can’t move, his legs seem immobilized!”

Hearing this, I breathed a sigh of relief. At least Su Mu with the Four of Spades posed no threat to us.

“Oh? You think that because I can’t move, I can’t deal with you?” Su Mu’s words dripped with provocation.

“Zijian, Su Mu’s card is glowing—he seems to have thrown something!” Han Xue cried.

I immediately sensed danger and instinctively stepped back.

“Han Xue, stay away from those… those… seeds!” My first reaction was that Su Mu from the Agricultural College would tamper with plants, and I was right.

Su Mu’s voice rang out crystal clear. “Grow wildly!”

A loud boom echoed, and I felt the world around me surge skyward.

“Han Xue!” I shouted, for I had no idea what had happened.

Almost a minute passed in silence before Han Xue made a sound.

“Zijian, I’m fine.”

I sensed where her voice came from—she must still be in her original spot.

“Zijian, the shrubs between us have suddenly grown taller—I can’t see you anymore.”

“Han Xue, move aside, I’ll blast through this.”

“Make more noise, so I can pinpoint your location.”

Following my instructions, Han Xue began singing on the other side. Listening to her song, I roughly located her position.

I began gathering energy in my hand.

“Pierce through!”

Condensed light energy radiated intense heat, burning a hole clean through the cluster of plants.

I cautiously stepped forward.

“Zijian, I’m here!” Han Xue must have seen me and called out.

I knelt and searched for her, knowing her arms had lost sensation and her ankle was twisted—she must have been lying on the ground.

Then, I touched something soft and elastic, and squeezed it experimentally.

Han Xue shrieked, “Pervert!”

A tremendous shock flooded my mind. I was knocked to the ground—indeed, without sight, dodging Han Xue’s attack was nearly impossible.

I realized what I had touched was probably her chest, so she kicked me with her good leg.

“Han Xue, don’t move. I’ll carry you.”

This time, I carefully found her legs and slowly traced upward. Han Xue let out an odd sound, making me blush despite myself.

I hastened my movements, finally reaching her shoulder. With a firm lift, I pulled her upright.

Turning my back, I let her climb onto me.

We tacitly avoided mentioning what had just happened, but carrying her was a challenge for two disabled people. We tried several times before succeeding, with me squatting and her riding on my back.

Now Han Xue was my eyes, and I hoped to find my companions soon.

“Zijian, it’s all Su Mu’s fault—now there are towering shrubs everywhere, blocking all sight.”

“This feels like a maze.”

“No matter. Just guide me, and I’ll protect you.”

I placed my hands in front, ready to attack—anyone who approached, I would shoot.

“What about Su Mu?” I asked, knowing he was unable to move.

“Su Mu was carried away by the shrubs.”

“Ah, well then.”

Under Han Xue’s direction, I pressed forward.

The area ahead of the Medical College had once been an ordinary garden, with neatly trimmed bushes and flowerbeds. Now, they were obstacles in our path.

Following Han Xue’s commands—left, right, left—I advanced steadily.

Finally, we encountered other players.

But I distinctly felt Han Xue trembling.

“Zijian… Zi… jian.”

Her voice quivered.

“You… you… slowly… step back…”

I remembered passing a corner earlier, and relying on my memory, retreated to that spot.

“Han Xue, what’s wrong?”

She swallowed, took deep breaths, and gradually steadied herself.

“I saw Zhang Yisheng, and some members of the fourth faction.”

“Zhang Yisheng killed them all.”

“He holds a card as well—a Heart!”

“Nine of Hearts!”

Han Xue summarized what had happened as concisely as possible.

“Don’t be afraid, Han Xue,” I comforted her.

It was impressive that this girl could witness a murder without screaming, and still notice the killer’s playing card.

Clearly, Han Xue was gradually growing through these incidents.

Girls aren’t like us. After a few experiences, boys become immune to such scenes, but girls are emotional—it takes time for them to adjust to bloodshed.

“I… I’m fine.” Her words were clearly a brush-off.

“I know. I’ve already been drawn into this, and I’m prepared.”

“Zijian, you know… I actually have a playing card too!”

Her words caught me off guard.

“You have a card?” I asked, skeptical, as I’d never seen Han Xue use one.

She must have noticed my doubt.

She placed an object in my hand.

Feeling its texture, I knew it was a contract holder’s playing card.

“You gave me that jade pendant after the last game, didn’t you? The next morning, I found this card.”

“I’ve kept it with me ever since.”

“It’s protected me several times, but I really don’t know how to use it.”

“Zijian, since I can’t escape this, teach me how to use the card!”

“Mine is the Three of Spades! Teach me, please!”

Han Xue’s voice grew increasingly excited—I sensed she had struggled long to confess this.

“No!” I returned the card to her hand.

“Promise me—don’t use it.”

Every card has its price—the loss of an ordinary life. From now on, danger will be constant, and I don’t want the one I care about to take such risks.

“Oh? Two contract holders?”

“The armless Venus and the blind man, huh.”

Zhang Yisheng’s voice sounded nearby—Han Xue’s excited tone must have drawn him over.

“Han Xue, get behind me!”

I pushed her back, preparing to face Zhang Yisheng alone.

“A blind man wants to fight me?” Zhang Yisheng sneered.

Pain shot through my leg—I lost my balance, and Han Xue tumbled off my back.

“Zhang Yisheng, don’t hit girls if you have any skill!” I shouted, unleashing a burst of light energy from my hand.

“Heh, you expect to hit me like that?” Zhang Yisheng’s voice came from another direction.

“Be obedient and accept your fate.”