Card simulation, starting with the Goblin Deserter

Its fur is pure white and flawless, and its body is nimble and agile.

Loki raised his head and let out a thunderous roar!

The black-blooded lizard, who had just reached Linda, was stunned by the sound and was sent to heaven by Loki in a flash.

The divine power emanating from its body directly dispelled the gravity on Linda's body.

In the blink of an eye, it completely neutralized Sinclair's offensive!

"One of only two legendary cards in the Royal City: [Silver Lion - Loki]..."

Sinclair's expression turned serious, and for the first time since the assessment began, he showed a hint of apprehension.

"So that old man really did pass this card to you."

"..."

Ignoring him, Linda broke free from the swamp's control and stood behind Loki.

Loki glanced at something with surprise and whispered to Linda, "Miss, that boy has run away."

Linda frowned, then relaxed: "It would be good if an ordinary person wouldn't pee their pants if they saw this scene, but he still has the energy to run away... It's not shameful."

Although she paid Hayes 170 million in team fees, Linda never had the habit of relying on others.

She only believed in herself.

"Don't get distracted by Loki. While his magic reserves are low, don't give him a chance to catch his breath!"

-

Meanwhile, Hayes, carrying the goblin commander on his back, had retreated to the edge of the canyon.

Hearing the distant roars of lions, he ran in one direction while asking the commander for directions.

"Is the route you've planned really reliable?"

commander:"@##!"

Hayes remarked, "That makes sense. I also sensed that the hook-nosed guy must have a backup plan."

"@&?!!"

"Great, Commander! Your tactics this time are exactly what I was thinking!"

Outside the secret room, the examinees watching this scene via split-screen remained silent.

They were all wondering, "What is Hayes babbling about? He's acting like he can actually talk to goblins..."

In fact, Hayes really can!

After meeting with the professional team members at the training ground a few days ago, he discovered that he could understand the goblin language. Although he couldn't speak it, he had no problem communicating with his own goblins!

His conversation with the commander was not complicated. In short, it was: that hook-nosed guy has a trick up his sleeve. If you can't beat him head-on, you have to sneak up on him!

In fact, ever since entering the secret realm, Hayes had been looking for an opportunity to use the [Rebel] + [Deserter] combo to take Hooknose out directly!

However, under the warning of "anticipating the enemy's moves," he was shocked to find that the old man was always vigilant about the distance between them, preventing any unexpected mishaps.

This combo, which seems unbeatable in one-on-one situations, actually has weaknesses.

For example, long-range attacks are easily blocked by defensive cards or targeted by ranged spells!

Hayes has already figured out a way to fully utilize this combo.

Climb the mountain and launch a surprise attack!

Following the route the commander had given him, he climbed over the hook-nose cliff with his back to the canyon wall!

Once the distance between the two is closed, Hayes is confident that he can catch Hooknose off guard, given the current hordes of monsters in the deck!

The only potential flaw in this plan is whether Linda can hold out against Sinclair for long enough.

It shouldn't be a big problem, right?

Hayes thought of the imposing Loki; at worst, he'd just take [50/50] and [Commander] and go after Hooknose!

If he can't win, he'll just die. He's already died countless times, so one more time won't make a difference.

Even Hayes himself didn't realize that after experiencing multiple deaths and gaining the talent to "face death with equanimity," he had lost his awe of death.

-

At that time, the screen in College Square was divided into two images because Hayes had left alone.

In the first scene, the fight between Linda and Sinclair intensifies, and the two even start hurling insults at each other about the grudges between their fathers from more than ten years ago.

Sinclair used various cards to delay Loki's offensive, yelling hoarsely at Linda, "You bitch, your father, who was cuckolded by an enemy soldier, is blind!"

"It's one thing for him to be unable to recognize his wife's character, but I worked so hard back then, and I'm quite talented too, why didn't he promote me?!"

Linda also activated various buff cards to clear obstacles for Loki's attack.

"I really don't know where your confidence comes from with that hooked nose?"

"You're over forty and only a fifth-tier card master. If you can't even master meditation, I'll give you a piece of farm land to raise pigs!"

The two exchanged barbs without holding back, their eyes already bloodshot.

This was quite an eye-opener for the onlookers, as it was the first time they had ever seen such a down-to-earth side of the noble card master.

On the other hand, Hayes in the second scene is rather bizarre.

He crawled along the cliff face, inching his way upwards, a goblin commander hanging around his neck, chattering and cheering him on...

Fortunately, "Majestic Canyon" is just the name of this secret realm; the actual mountain range is not difficult to climb. Otherwise, even if the "Dragon Pill" had boosted Hayes' physical abilities to an even higher level, he still wouldn't have been able to climb it.

In short, these two scenes with completely different art styles are placed on one screen, and they are even showing the same battle.

Everyone watching, including the examiners, was at a loss for words.

Even though the battle on Linda's side was already intense enough, seeing Hayes climbing the mountain so seriously, as if he were on vacation, made them all lose their composure...

-

The hourglass in the sky continues to flow, symbolizing time.

It wasn't until nearly two-thirds of the sand had fallen that Linda and Sinclair's protracted battle began to take a turn—

Sinclair, panting heavily, retreated rapidly to create distance between himself and Loki, until his back was pressed against the mountain wall, looking utterly exhausted.

Not far in front of him, Linda was also at her last gasp, but her deck's core card, "Loki," still had a fighting chance.

"I never imagined I would be defeated by you..." Sinclair said with resentment, then looked up at the sky and sighed as if he had come to terms with it.

"As expected of the Duke's daughter, defeat me. You have passed the special test."

Linda watched him quietly, unmoved.

Loki frowned and whispered a warning, "Miss, don't be careless. He might have a way to retaliate."

Linda had naturally thought of this as well. Even though she was certain that Sinclair's magic reserves were depleted, she remained on high alert, not giving him the slightest chance to turn the tables.

Upon seeing this, Sinclair was stunned, and he sighed.

"How could you remain calm during such a perilous battle?"

"Lynnlinda, I..."

"I really underestimated you."

A sudden gust of cold wind blew through the canyon, and Linda's alarm bells rang. She hurriedly shouted.

"Loki, stop him!"

"Too late, I was prepared all along!" Sinclair's lips curled into a sinister smile as the card he had hidden in his palm shattered into light!

Five purple stars flashed across the sky, reflecting off Linda's astonished face.

Sinclair actually had a five-star epic card hidden away!!

A massive surge of magical energy emanated from Sinclair, and his condition had almost returned to the state it was at the very beginning of the battle!

"I wanted to make you happy for a while before you died, but alas..."

"It's still your fault for being too smart."

"Lynnlinda!"

Under the cover of night, Sinclair's expression was ferocious and terrifying, like a demon seeking death.