Jabal did not refuse [s1.name]’s abrupt request to tour the encampment. He led you through the areas not bound by secrecy, soldiers saluting him at every turn.

“They respect you—is it because you’ve killed the most?” [s1.name] asked.

Jabal shook his head. “They respect me because I’ve led them to survive.”

He seemed less proud than weary. So [s1.name] pressed further: “If you weren’t a soldier or a general, you wouldn’t have to die in war, right?”

The question drew a loud laugh from Jabal. “Aye, true enough! But a soldier’s life means no fear of starving—there’s pay, spoils, and with luck, glory and a future worth fighting for! Without that, don’t expect they to bleed for you. As for me…” He rubbed his chin, grinning ruefully. “I’ve a master to serve, lands to defend, honor to uphold. Killing’s a general’s work, and dying’s a general’s fate—no way around it! But if this land ever stops needing a ‘general,’ that’d be a fine thing. Too many places I’d like to see, if duty didn’t chain me here.”

Then he veered into tales of recent adventures, while [s1.name] stayed silent, turning his words over in thought.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Jabal

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Combat) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

You and [s1.name] invited Adila to join a hunt. That day, you brought down an antelope in the wild, and as the fire crackled, [s1.name] asked Adila, “Why do you take such pleasure in killing?”

Adila stared at [s1.name], incredulous. “Are you insulting me? I don’t enjoy killing—I relish the fight, the honing, the challenge. They lead me to a better self, not to losing myself in violence.”

She brandished the skewered leg of lamb in defense. “To you, it may seem I merely slaughtered a beast, but hunting is a puzzle. We study the prey, track its movements, mask our scent with mud, avoid detection. We use bows, blades for the final strike—sometimes wrestle the creature in an endless struggle. I’ve failed countless times, and each failure taught me more, made me a finer hunter. Listen—my blade never points at the weak. No, I crave the climb. See a mountain? I’ll find a way to its peak. Find a foe at the top, fearsome and strong? Good. That’s why I’m here. As for you—” She snorted,“When that day comes, you’ll be left gaping up at me from the flatlands!”

With that, she took another hearty bite, dismissing [s1.name]’s words entirely.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Adila

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Survival) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

[s1.name] had spied on Nabhani through the mirror many times—after all, he was hailed as the realm’s most dashing swordsman. Yet [s1.name] had only ever seen the dashing, never the swordsman. This time, as soon as you stepped into the House of Delights, the sound of an argument erupted. The patrons’ envy and resentment toward Nabhani flared, and before you could intervene, a duel began. [xiaochou.name] stood silently beside you, studying Nabhani’s blade and technique. In this fight, [s1.name] witnessed the art of making swordplay flashier, more theatrical—the deliberate grace of avoiding lethal strikes, leaving room for mercy... Before the crowd’s eyes, blood splashed across the thick carpets, staining them beyond cleansing. The wounded were carried off by their friends and once again, Nabhani emerged victorious. He wiped his blade clean, then bowed with exaggerated flair, drawing gasps and cheers. But [s1.name] was unimpressed.

“Why didn’t you kill him?” [xiaochou.name] stepped forward, confronting Nabhani. “You could have. Easily.”

“Why would I? That would frighten the ladies,” Nabhani replied, eyes widening in mock horror. “[player.name], is this your friend? Where did you find such a foolish companion?”

Without waiting for an answer, he slung an arm around both your shoulders and [s1.name]’s, steering you deeper into the House of Delights. He greeted the courtesans with practiced charm, as if he hadn’t just fought a duel. Indeed, [s1.name] realized—it had never considered that killing might bring troubles... The Mirror remained silent, pondering.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Nabhani

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Combat) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 2

Faris was more than happy to introduce you and [s1.name] to his closest companions—his hounds and his beloved steed. Naturally, the talk turned to war, and to killing.

“It may sound unfair, but the fodder these horses eat costs more than the rations given to the soldiers. Animals demand more coins, more care, more devotion—only then do they truly become part of you.” Faris gave his horse an affectionate pat as he spoke. “Cavalry are expensive, as I said, because the training of both horse and hound is costly. While slaves and foot soldiers charge ahead, we hold back. Only at the perfect moment do we strike—like a dagger to the heart of the battlefield—and end it.”

Faris shrugged and continued calmly: “I know it’s unjust, but in war, some lives are always cheaper. Who do you send to die? That’s the question a commander must weigh.”

And so, [s1.name] came to understand human’s cruelty a little deeper.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Faris

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Combat) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

When you and [s1.name] found Gulis, he was retrieving a few arrows from a crude target. You generously told him he need not be so frugal, for arrows were cheap. He offered little explanation, merely saying, "These are different."

You brought fine wine and food, sitting on the ground with them. Over drinks, [s1.name] asked Gulis, "Why do you labor so hard to hone your skill?"

"To be prepared," he replied without looking up. "Whether an arrow pierces a heart is not decided the moment it is loosed, but in the curve of the bow, the force applied, the skin's sense of wind and direction at that instant, how the fletching is trimmed, whether the shaft is tuned to a familiar weight. I prepare for these things always, so my arrows never miss. You may trust in that."

His calm voice carried a hint of arrogance! You liked his pride. You clinked cups with him, yet did not ask whose heart his unerring arrows were meant to pierce.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Gullis

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Combat) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000707): Add 1

When [s1.name] asked why he honed his combat skills, Seliman replied bluntly, "I mean to kill our ruler." You nearly leaped to cover his mouth in shock! Yet he remained unshaken: "—Because he betrayed a woman who loved him. And because I was once his shadow."

With that, he cast you a faint glance, as if implying something: "Worry not. There are no third ears here." Then he left, and no matter how [s1.name] pressed with magic, he would say no more.

Conditions:

• Slot #2 Has Card = Masked Warrior

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Magic) of Slot #1: Add 1
• Counter (7000706): Add 1

At dawn, a thunderous crash jolted you awake. A servant, frantic, informed you that the great silver mirror of your ancestors had toppled in the hallway.

You pushed through the bewildered crowd and studied the mirror. It was intact—your own shadowy reflection peered back at you, scrutinizing the version of you outside the mirror. But it was heavy, its edges too delicate; the servants could not lift it back into place.

Then, inexplicably, something stirred within you. You stepped forward, gripped the frame, and—with a single heave—raised the massive mirror effortlessly.

Amid the servants’ cheers, you hung it where it belonged. Stepping back to admire your reflection, you suddenly realized: the you in the mirror was grinning slyly at you.

Only then did you notice the sting on your fingertip—a bead of blood welling from a tiny cut. You understood. This was likely a small jest from the warrior who dwelled in the mirror. In this way, [s1.name] had tasted a drop of your blood.

Result:

• Adjust Tag (Physique) of Slot #1: Add 1

Action:

• Enable Event: The second question for small-scale startup warriors.