Level 2

Jayden, her adopted sister Emma, her boyfriend Michael, and their friends Jay, Hailey, Boze, and Rain stood before the Guardian inside an old barn that had been converted into the team's command center.

"When we open the portal to the next level, you won't be able to return here until you've either defeated Mustissac or obtained the Teleportation Card hidden in an old castle," said Guard 20276-7. "Data-G-01 will provide you with a map to the castle. The next level is filled with Hunters and Collectors, so use extreme caution. Good luck."

A moment later, the seven friends stepped through the portal and arrived in a sprawling city. Thick smog from countless factories covered the sky, blocking out the sun, while the air reeked of smoke and chemicals.

"This place stinks," Emma said, pinching her nose.

Jayden unfolded the map that Data-G-01 had given them.

"It looks like we're in Industrial City," she said. Studying the map carefully, she pointed toward a path leading away from the factories. "If we head this way, we'll reach a vast forest, and beyond that is the castle."

The group began walking. As they moved farther from the industrial district, the air became slightly cleaner.

Suddenly, the keychain in Rain's pocket began glowing.

Without saying a word, Rain turned and started walking in another direction.

"Rain, where are you going?" Jay asked.

The glow grew brighter. Rain quickened her pace until she was nearly running.

"Rain, where are you going?" Boze called as the others hurried after her.

Rain finally stopped in front of a large brick building with a sign that read Lorebound Studios.

Be very quiet," Rain whispered.

She carefully crept to the corner of the building and peeked around it. The others joined her and saw three Card Hunters studying a set of blueprints.

Just then, the necklace Emma wore began glowing.

"They're planning to raid the building and steal all the magic cards," Emma whispered.

"Not on our watch," Michael said, clenching his fists.

"We need at least three opponents for a three-on-three Shadow Game," Jayden said.

"I'm ready," Emma said. She closed her eyes as a brilliant light surrounded her. Moments later, she transformed into a confident-looking teenager.

"Me too," Jayden said, closing her eyes as she transformed as well.

"Let's do it," Rain said.

The three girls stepped out from behind the corner and approached the Card Hunters.

"Stop right there," Rain called.

The Hunters turned and exchanged amused looks.

"This is a great opportunity," said the Card Hunter named Melvin. "Not only will we get every magic card in this building, but Master Mustissac will gain three new Hunters."

"He'll be so proud of us," Susan added with a grin.

"Maybe he'll even promote us in his army," Bridge said smugly.

Melvin was the first Card Hunter to step forward.

"We challenge you to a Shadow Game," he declared.

"If we win, your minds will belong to Master Mustissac," Susan added with a wicked grin.

"And if you somehow manage to win—which you won't," Bridge said as he stepped beside Susan, "our souls will be banished to the Umbral Realm."

Rain, Emma, and Jayden exchanged determined glances before closing their eyes. A warm glow surrounded each of them as magical cards materialized in their hands.

Rain opened her eyes first and smiled confidently.

"We accept your challenge.”

Melvin took the first turn.

"I summon Iron Gear Soldier in Attack Mode!" A steel-armored warrior appeared with a massive hammer.

ATK 1800

"Then I'll set one card face down and end my turn."

Susan smiled confidently.

"I summon Poison Witch in Attack Mode!"

A sorceress cloaked in purple smoke floated onto the field.

ATK 1600

"I'll also set one card."

Bridge laughed.

"I summon Shadow Wolf!"

A black wolf with glowing red eyes growled.

ATK 1700

"My turn is over."

Rain drew her card.

"I summon Wind Falcon Guardian!"

A majestic falcon surrounded by emerald wind swooped onto the field.

ATK 1900

"Wind Falcon Guardian, attack Iron Gear Soldier!"

The falcon blasted the metal warrior with a tornado, shattering it into pieces.

Melvin: 3900 LP

"I end my turn."

Emma smiled.

"I summon Crystal Angel in Attack Mode!"

A radiant angel with crystal wings descended from the sky.

ATK 2000

"Crystal Angel, attack Poison Witch!"

The angel fired a beam of brilliant light that completely destroyed the witch.

Susan: 3600 LP

"I'll end my turn."

Jayden drew her next card.

"I summon Blaze Dragon Cub!"

A young dragon covered in crimson flames roared.

ATK 1800

"Blaze Dragon Cub, attack Shadow Wolf!"

The dragon unleashed a stream of fire, defeating the wolf.

Bridge: 3900 LP

Bridge clenched his fists.

"Our turn!"

Melvin, Susan, and Bridge each summoned stronger monsters, filling their side of the field.

"Together we'll wipe you out!" Melvin shouted.

Rain smiled.

"Not if we work together."

"My spell card—Unity of Hearts!”

Three beams of light connected Rain's, Emma's, and Jayden's monsters.

"As long as all three of our monsters remain on the field, each gains 1000 Attack Points!"

Wind Falcon Guardian rose to 2900 ATK.

Crystal Angel rose to 3000 ATK.

Blaze Dragon Cub rose to 2800 ATK.

"What?!" the three Hunters gasped.

Emma nodded.

"My trap card—Shield of Hope! It prevents your attacks this turn."

Jayden grinned as she drew.

"Now it's over."

"I tribute Blaze Dragon Cub to summon Inferno Phoenix Dragon!”

A massive phoenix-dragon erupted from blazing flames.

ATK 3200

"Thanks to Unity of Hearts, its Attack rises to 4200!"

The battlefield shook.

Rain pointed forward.

"Wind Falcon Guardian, attack!"

Emma followed.

"Crystal Angel, attack!"

Jayden raised her final card.

"Inferno Phoenix Dragon... finish this!"

The three monsters combined their attacks into a colossal beam of wind, light, and fire that engulfed Melvin, Susan, and Bridge.

Melvin: 3900 → 0 LP

Susan: 3600 → 0 LP

Bridge: 3900 → 0 LP

"Impossible!" Melvin cried.

"We lost..." Susan whispered.

"Master Mustissac..." Bridge muttered.

Dark portals opened beneath the three Card Hunters.

"No!" Melvin shouted.

"Please!" Susan screamed.

Bridge reached toward the others, but the darkness pulled all three into the portals. With one final flash of violet light, the portals closed.

Silence returned to the street.

"Lorebound Studios is safe," said Rain.

Emma smiled with relief. "And Mustissac just lost three of his Hunters.”

Michael, Jay, Hailey, and Boze hurried over to congratulate them.

"That was incredible!" Michael said.

Just as the group was preparing to continue toward the forest, a long black limousine rolled quietly to a stop in front of them.

"What now?" Jay asked, eyeing the vehicle suspiciously.

"It might be one of Mustissac's traps," Michael said, stepping protectively in front of Emma.

The rear passenger door remained closed until a stranger dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit and dark sunglasses stepped out. Without a word, he walked to the back of the limousine and opened the door.

"Please," the stranger said calmly. "Come with me."

The seven friends exchanged confused and uneasy glances.

"This doesn't feel right," Hailey whispered.

Rain's glowing keychain remained still.

"My keychain isn't reacting," she said quietly. "If this were connected to Mustissac or the Hunters, I think it would be glowing."

Emma's necklace remained dark as well.

"I'm not sensing any danger," she said. "Whoever sent this doesn't seem to have hostile intentions."

Jayden folded the map from Data-G-01 and looked at her friends.

"We stay together. If anything feels wrong, we leave immediately."

Everyone nodded.

Cautiously, the seven climbed into the limousine.

The ride was silent.

The tinted windows prevented them from seeing much of Industrial City as they drove through its streets. Nearly thirty minutes later, the limousine stopped beneath the grand entrance of an elegant five-star hotel.

The chauffeur stepped out, opened the door, and politely motioned for them to follow.

Inside, sparkling crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling while polished marble floors reflected the warm golden lights. The luxurious lobby was unlike anything they had seen since arriving in Industrial City.

A hotel bellman greeted them with a welcoming smile.

"Good afternoon," he said. "Everything has been prepared."

He handed each of them a neatly folded set of formal clothes.

"There are rooms waiting for each of you. Please shower, change, and meet in the banquet room at precisely five

o'clock."

The bellman then led each member of the group to a separate guest room.

As Jayden entered hers, she couldn't help wondering who had invited them—and why.

Whatever awaited them in the banquet room, she had a feeling it would change the course of their mission.