Jiang Ming clicked on the app without hesitation.
At first, there were no items listed, but new goods gradually began to appear.
All of them were material cards—specifically, weapon material cards of ordinary quality.
Jiang Ming quickly surveyed the prices. It seemed the Federation had a firm grip on the market; most of these cards were listed at exactly 50,000 federal coins.
He scrolled a little further and noticed that some common cards were priced even higher. Curious, he examined them closely. The reason was clear—their names sounded far cooler than his own [Sharp Fang], and the images were far more striking.
Before the advent of a standardized card identification system, there was only one way to judge a material card's potential: its name and image.
Jiang Ming didn't let greed cloud his judgment. He snapped a photo of his [Fang], listed it at 50,000 federal coins, and waited.
Less than ten minutes later, the app pinged with a notification:
"Your item [Fang] has been sold for 50,000 federal coins. A delivery agent is on the way. Please prepare the item. Thank you for using our service."
There wasn't much to prepare. Jiang Ming casually browsed the mall's instructions while he waited.
The platform functioned similarly to traditional e-commerce sites. Once the buyer confirmed receipt of the item, payment would be released to the seller.
Additional guidelines were in place to prevent fraud. If a delivery agent discovered the item was counterfeit or missing, the seller would be blacklisted.
Jiang Ming nodded in approval. The Federation had clearly taken care to design a robust and fair system.
It was now May 13th—three days since the game had launched.
Jiang Ming glanced out the window. The world outside had changed, yet in some ways, it hadn't. The streets looked quieter, with fewer people in the neighborhood, but most stores remained open, and people still went to work on time.
"Dongdong~"
A soft knock at the door broke the silence.
Jiang Ming had been memorizing information on strange beasts when the knock startled him.
So fast?
He got up and opened the door.
A uniformed man stood outside, smiling. The words "Card Master Express" were stitched into the fabric across his chest.
Jiang Ming's eyebrow twitched. Wasn't that the same company uniform Mou Feng had worn?
"Hello. Are you the seller of a [Fang] material card?"
Jiang Ming stepped aside to let him in. "That's right."
After closing the door, he retrieved [Fang] from his backpack and handed it over.
The courier verified the item with practiced efficiency. Once he confirmed everything matched, he checked Jiang Ming's ID, handed him a courier tracking number, and prepared to leave.
Before heading out, he reminded Jiang Ming that payment would be processed as soon as the buyer confirmed receipt and authenticity of the item.
Once the delivery agent was gone, Jiang Ming returned to browsing the latest headlines. He realized he'd been so focused on in-game affairs that he had overlooked broader developments in the real world.
"Fenghuang Logistics has been acquired by the Federation and rebranded as the exclusive courier service for the Card Master App. Former Fenghuang employees are now full-time federal workers."
"A strange beast summoned by a Card Master caused dozens of casualties at the Markham River. Battles continue despite the danger."
"Incidents involving rogue Card Dealers are on the rise nationwide. The Federation has urgently formed special task forces in every major city to address the crisis."
"Federal education policy under review. What's next for 2.5 billion students around the globe?"
Clearly, the Federation had mobilized rapidly over the past three days to confront the upheaval brought on by the Card Master Game.
Jiang Ming clicked on the education reform article, which included a video interview.
"Hello, Director Lin."
"Hello."
"Director Lin, what are your thoughts on the Federation's future education policy?"
Director Lin's expression turned serious.
"On the day the game launched, everyone in the Federation aged 16 and up awakened their natal cards. In the following days, those turning 16 also entered the game seamlessly. What does this suggest?"
The host leaned forward. "What do you think it means?"
"It means that Card Masters will continue to emerge. We are entering the age of Card Masters—an age of superpowers."
"The Federation is expected to introduce theoretical courses about Card Masters for students under 16, and practical skill training for those 16 and older."
"What about universities?"
"I have a friend who teaches at Kyungnam University. We've discussed the possibility of founding a new institution—Card Master University."
"Whether it's adding card-related subjects to elementary, middle, and high schools or launching specialized universities, it's inevitable. These changes reflect the tide of the times. The government will adapt accordingly."
The video ended.
Jiang Ming leaned back, his thoughts drifting to Qin Guangjin, who had visited the day before. His questions were eerily similar to what Director Lin had just said.
Was the education system really about to be split into civil and military divisions?
"Bang!"
A sudden crash from downstairs snapped Jiang Ming out of his thoughts.
His heart jumped.
He got up, walked to the window, and cautiously opened it a crack.
Two figures stood on the green belt below. One wore a familiar windbreaker—it was the man Jiang Ming had seen earlier at the vegetable market.
The other was dressed in wrinkled pajamas, his hair unkempt and his face flushed. He screamed hysterically, "I just took some money! I'm a superpower now! I only took a few hundred bucks, and you're arresting me!?"
A one-meter-deep crater nearby showed clear signs of a recent scuffle.
The man in the windbreaker didn't respond to the nonsense. Instead, he turned and addressed the bystanders gathering nearby.
"This is a Special Affairs case. Step back. Do not obstruct official duties."
Several elderly men wearing security uniforms—newly awakened Card Masters—began herding the onlookers away.
Suddenly, the man in pajamas bolted, charging straight for the residential buildings.
"Stop!" the windbreaker man shouted.
Jiang Ming's heart skipped a beat. He rushed away from the window and locked his front door.
Unbelievably, the man ran into the very building where he lived.
It was unlikely he'd barge into Jiang Ming's unit, but there was no harm in being cautious.
This was one of the few old apartment blocks in the city, without elevators. Jiang Ming lived on the eighth floor—the very top.
He pressed his ear against the door and strained to hear.
A few seconds passed.
"Da da da~"
Hurried footsteps echoed up the stairwell.
He's really coming up?
Jiang Ming pressed his entire body against the door, bracing it to keep it from being kicked in.
"Da da. Da."
The footsteps grew louder, closer. Jiang Ming's expression steadied, his grip tightening around the knife in his hand.
If he's coming for me, I won't go down easy. Fate's just being cruel.
"Bang!"
Jiang Ming froze, knife raised.
The noise came from the apartment next door.
"Don't scream! Don't cry! Just be quiet!"
Jiang Ming frowned and moved closer to the wall by the window. Only a single wall separated his living room from theirs.
Next door lived a single mother and her daughter—Nannan.
He clenched his jaw.
Coincidence? Or had the fugitive deliberately chosen a vulnerable target?
Of all people, it had to be them.
It would've been better if he had just found me instead.