Chapter 7: FISH


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    I followed Cragmarr through the dense forest, our footsteps muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves. It was a scorching morning, even in the shade. I attempted to break the ice, but the mood remained somber.


    Cragmarr explained a [Field] Ninja as the starter class of the Ninja faction. Upon reaching higher tiers, I could specialize as an [Assassin] or [Mystic]. A class called the [Shadow Elven] was also reserved for, well… elves.


    Despite its fantasy elements, I wondered why our worlds were so similar. From what I understood, countless other dimensions were nothing like Earth. The Jingozi chose dimensions that shared traits, such as humanoid forms and environments, ensuring all selected players could participate. They created arenas where participants competed equally by bridging the potential differences.


    The scale of it all couldn’t be denied. If what Cragmarr said was even half true, the Jingozi had crafted a cosmos-spanning competition transcending the barriers of species, biology, and reality. A few days ago, I was a disillusioned poker player who stressed about parasocial relationships on social media. Today, I was a Ninja trying to survive some twisted interdimensional card game.


    ***


    We emerged into a clearing with a serene pond. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the soft hues of the sky and the surrounding greenery. The air sat still, the pond’s surface like glass, undisturbed except for the occasional six-legged frog hopping between lily pads.


    “That’s a lot of spicy frog legs,” I mumbled, thinking about the buffets at the poker tournaments in Macau. My growling stomach tugged me back to reality. Cragmarr didn’t hear me or my hunger.


    “Wait,” he instructed. “Stand back.”


    I took a few steps back, watching as the Golem waded into the water until he was ankle-deep. He dipped a clay hand into the pond and hummed, a deep, melodic sound you’d hear in a monastery. Our surroundings resonated as ripples emanated from where he stood. The water frothed and rose, a shape emerged—another Golem made of water, mud, and seaweed.


    The water Golem surged toward Cragmarr, its swampy arms reaching out to attack. Cragmarr flicked his wrist to load a Jingozi card and threw it at his feet while jumping to propel himself backward. He dodged and rolled onto the shore. The water Golem’s attack missed with a giant splash, tossing several fish and crabs onto the ground. And after a moment, it retreated.


    “Quickly,” Cragmarr urged, “before other creatures steal the meal.”


    I gathered the fish and crabs into my inventory while Cragmarr stood guard. Once we had enough, we found a suitable spot to make a fire. He knelt, snapped his fingers, and produced an orange-glowing Zii coin, which he placed in the kindling I’d gathered. Then, he drew a single Jingozi card that glowed orange. After a gesture, the Zii coin burst into sparks, lighting the twigs and dry grass on fire.


    “That’s a cool trick,” I said.


    "Try it," he said. "Focus your Zii and snap your fingers."


    It took a few tries, like lighting an old Zippo lighter, but eventually, I got it. A red Zii coin made of shimmering crystal with a heart symbol materialized in my fingers.


    "Close your palm to reabsorb it," Cragmarr continued. "Other living beings can also absorb Zii, even inanimate objects made of the five elements. Each coin is imprinted to your Zii frequency, like a human fingerprint. But be careful not to deplete your Zii pool."


    The coin disappeared with a tingle in my palm.


    "That tickles," I said. "Other than light fires, what else can I do with coins?"


    “You will learn. For now, let us cook.”


    Cragmarr cleaned the fish and prepared the crabs simultaneously with all sets of hands. Not bad for a creature that never eats. He skewered the fish on sticks, set them over the fire, and placed the crabs on a flat stone within the flames. The aroma filled the air, making my mouth water.


    “They smell delicious,” I said, my stomach growling in anticipation. “What was all that about in the pond? Friend of yours?”


    “Earth-based Golems can provoke water Golems. It is a natural reaction. We use this to our advantage when necessary.”


    “And that move you pulled?”


    “Yes. Use your cards with a higher reward score for defensive maneuvers such as running and dodging, even non-lethal attacks.”


    "Got it."


    As the meal cooked, we sat by the fire, listening to its crackle. Cragmarr explained that there were five types of Golems: fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. These elements existed in harmony long before any other factions existed. When the Jingozi arrived, their faction fractured into subclasses: Primals, Blights, Hybrids, and Demi-Golems like him, who were transformed by magic to be more human-like.


    “Why do you help the Jingozi?” I asked.


    Cragmarr turned the fish and checked the crabs.


    “I do not do it for them. I serve all humankind… I serve you.”


    I sat silent.


    “Here,” he said, handing me a fish skewer and a crab leg. “Better than those rations.”


    I peeled back the fish skin and took a bite, savoring the delicious, smoky flavor.


    “Wow.”


    The fish and crabs didn’t appear different from the Earth ones, yet they tasted different because of whatever Zii was. Everything here seemed so… amplified, as if Earth was a muted version of this world.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    “Thank you, Cragmarr,” I mumbled with my mouth around a crab claw.


    “What happened to Crag?” he asked.


    Unsure if he was serious or not, I punched him in the shoulder and pretended I broke my hand again.


    ***


    Cragmarr collected more wood, and after stoking the fire, he stood before me.


    “Ember, I will now teach you about Zii,” he began. “Zii is the spiritual force flowing through all of time and creation—this essence of life is the thread connecting all beings across the dimensions. It is everywhere and nowhere, everything and nothing. Zii cannot be seen or touched in its raw form, yet it is the source of all power and harmony.”


    “Yes, Yoda,” I said.


    “Zii is the breath of the universe, the pulse of creation,” he continued, ignoring my Star Wars reference. “It moves through us, bonds us, and gives us the strength to overcome any challenge. To harness Zii is to become one with the cosmos, to tap into an infinite well of energy and potential.”


    He gestured for me to stand beside him.


    “To master Zii, you must learn the discipline of Zii-Kata. This ancient martial art is a fusion of meditation, forms, and patterns practiced by our ancestors. But when used by a Jingozi dealer, it will help you recover spent Zii, recharge your cards, and progress your skills.”


    He took a deep breath and moved into a stance, his movements fluid and deliberate.


    “Watch closely,” he instructed. “Zii-Kata begins with meditation. Clear your mind and focus on the flow of Zii with every deep breath within you. Feel its presence, its flow.”


    I mimicked him, closing my eyes after a deep breath. Whatever I was supposed to be sensing felt like trying to grasp smoke.


    “Now, follow my movements,” Cragmarr said.


    He performed a series of intricate forms. I mirrored him clumsily at first, but I felt something shift. The more I focused, the more I sensed a pulse of something within, syncing with my movements.


    Cragmarr’s voice was soothing as he guided me through the patterns.


    “Zii-Kata is not just about physical forms. It is a dance of the spirit, a way to align yourself with this dimension. As you move, let go of your thoughts. Embrace the flow of Zii, and let it take you.”


    With each repetition, every movement became more natural and more harmonious.


    “Good,” Cragmarr said. “You are beginning to understand. Other trainers will teach you more forms of Zii-Kata. But most importantly, you will learn to become one with Zii.”


    “Thank you, Cragmarr. That was crazy.”


    “Remember, Ember,” he said. “Zii is not just power or currency for a game. It is a way of life, a path to harmony and understanding. Embrace it, and it will guide you through all trials.”


    FEAT ACHIEVED: ZII-KATA


    Learn and practice your first Zii-Kata pattern. Whenever you practice Zii-Kata, you recover 1 Zii and 1 Card per minute.


    “Hey,” I said. “New feat achieved.”


    “With many more to come,” he smiled.


    ***


    I learned that only members of a faction chosen by the Jingozi could PVP, meaning all conflict occurring outside a Jingozi match was considered PVE. PVE was, therefore, more consequential to every faction except the Jingozi. Factions participated in PVP only for the progression and rewards, while survival came down to PVE.


    “How do I level up tiers?” I asked.


    “By performing feats, completing quests or missions, and defeating higher-ranked players,” Cragmarr replied. “They will become


    e available as you undergo your trials.”


    “What do you mean trials?”


    “Once you gain tiers,” he said, “you must practice and demonstrate Zii-Kata so that the Jingozi may deem you worthy. They are the gamemasters and will decide when you are ready for the tournament."


    “That’s just convenient, isn’t it?” I muttered. “Is there anything they don’t control?”


    “Using your Jingozi abilities, in or out of a match, always costs Zii. Unlike after a match, where you regain all your Zii and cards, the only way to recover resources from PVE is through Zii-Kata.”


    "Got it."


    “Last lesson for today.” Cragmarr loaded a card and showed it to me a [3/2]. He plunged the card into the water and speared a fish. After tossing it over his shoulder, he repeated another catch with a [4/5] card.


    He held up the fish.


    “These fish have no Zii defenses and cannot withstand a Jingozi attack,” he continued. “Any living being without a Jingozi deck is helpless against even your weakest cards with zero scores. You possess immense power, even at the lowest tier and rank. But the greater attack score prevails if an opponent during PVE also plays a Jingozi card."


    "Got it," I said. "Manage your cards and stack your deck."


    "Excellent, Ember," Cragmarr nodded approvingly. "As you level up, every tier allows you to burn more Zii and multiply the potency of your battle card." He motioned for me to step back. "Be please stand away and watch. I provoke the Golem in this pond again."


    Cragmarr chanted and dipped two lower arms into the pond, creating ripples across the surface. His clay fingers vibrated against the water in a mesmerizing pattern.


    The water surged upward, taking shape into the Golem we''d encountered earlier. Its liquid form towered above us, ready to crash down.


    My interface flickered to life, displaying Cragmarr''s loaded card—a [5/6]. But then something changed. A soft orange glow emanated from his hands as he poured Zii into the card. The numbers shifted to [10/12].


    Cragmarr''s movements flowed like water itself. He twisted his torso, arms weaving through the air in an intricate pattern. The card transformed into pure energy, crackling with silver lightning that shot toward the water Golem.


    The blast tore through the creature''s midsection. Water exploded out its front and back, raining down around us. The Golem''s form shrank to half its original size, its watery mass destabilizing. Without hesitation, it spun around and sank back into the pond''s depths, leaving only gentle ripples in its wake.


    "That," I breathed, "was incredible."


    Cragmarr moved onto the shore.


    “Now, you try.”


    "Me?" I said. "The water Golem?"


    "Of course not," he chuckled. "Fish."


    "Oh, that''s better."


    I spent the next few hours fishing.


    At first, drawing a card and striking the target felt awkward. But after a good dozen reps, I had it down to one fluid motion. Two minutes of Zii-Kata replenished my two cards, and I returned to Jingozi spearfishing.


    Each catch was added to my inventory, which appeared to be a magical storage locker that kept perishables from spoiling.


    Fish [12]: Will not spoil while kept in your inventory.


    Cragmarr, on the other hand, relied on storage like his utility pouches and belts with compartments.


    I spent another dozen cards fishing—it was actually pretty fun.


    “Teach a Ninja to fish, and you’ll feed her for life,” I grinned.


    It’s a good thing I like sushi.


    ***


    After an hour of Zii-Kata, I curled up by the fire, wrapped in my Ninja scarf. Cragmarr assumed his usual sentinel position.


    He whispered, "Em, if you die in this world, you die in your world."


    "What?" I said, sitting up. "Are you saying I''m still there?"


    "In a sense, you are. Time works differently between our dimensions. Upon your return, no matter how long you stay in this world, none will have passed in yours."


    I suddenly remembered what had happened before I arrived. I was in bed, having a heart attack, and woke up thinking I was in a dream. But it wasn''t.


    "Wait. If my body is still there, but my mind is here, whose body is this?" I asked. "And why do I look the same?"


    "I do not know. From what I could discern before the rescue, your vessel is a would-be assassin captured by the Emperor faction. The Jingozi chose your host, and now we all, including you, see her as you."


    "The Jingozi are pure evil."


    Cragmarr turned so I could see his face by the firelight.


    "Train to grow stronger," he said, "And be careful with the Jingozi. They are unpredictable and without remorse. Their religion is mysterious, and their true motivations remain unclear."


    "Doesn''t get much more twisted than that, I guess."


    "I am sorry, Em. This is the only way," he said. "You will endure much pain and sorrow. Tomorrow is the final tutorial before you embark on your trials."


    "Trials?"


    Cragmarr stood and lumbered away.


    Closing my eyes, I wondered about the woman stuck as my vessel. Sure, because of me, she survived and escaped imprisonment, but my very presence within her had to be a... violation, right?


    "I don''t know who you are," I whispered. "But I''ll make this right… I promise."