The Card Apprentice - Chapter 9: Making Contact

Because I like to collect antiques, I was accidentally brought to a magical world by a crystal skull in my collection.

- Description from novelbuddy

The rule had always been this way: the strong over the weak, the rich over the poor. Mark knew this, he'd even experienced it.After his boss fired him for discovering the affair with his girlfriend (who also worked at their small gaming company), Mark vowed never to be humiliated like that again. He wanted to rise above everyone, to become the world's top player, the one who made the rules and decided everyone's fate. But that was wishful thinking. He was just a heavyset, nerdy guy with some programming skills and a large appetite. What else did he have going for him?Hit hard by this reality, jobless and dumped, Mark withdrew into gaming, which also became his source of income. One day, after leaving a bad review for a game he played and streamed, he received a strange reply from the game's creator. Suddenly, Mark found himself transported to Aetherium, the world of that same game, as Magnus Lancaster, the young lord of a crumbling territory.Now, with this new beginning, he vowed never to be weak again, never to leave his fate in someone else's hands.

Nikolai gets bitten by a vampire and a werewolf on the same night. Their bites cause his hidden blood to awaken as the first hybrid. He grows stronger by devouring the blood of his enemies and lacks the weaknesses of both races.Despite this, he lives a normal life during the day. While at night, he explores a dark, hidden life, working for a spoilt princess and helping his obsessive friend. One is a vampire—the other leads a werewolf mafia group.Lost in this strange world, he finds help from Eliza, the strange pendant his mother created before she died. This helps him realise the world isn’t what he thought as he faces constant threats and danger from those who despise him.In this new world, his growth is rapid, and with endless possibilities, Nikolai fights for his life and to protect what he finds important while rising to the top.

“Bro, why do we become adventurers?”“The bounty for a goblin is three silver coins.”“No, you misunderstood me, buddy. I mean our ultimate goal in this line of work, the meaning behind all our hard work day in and day out?”“A goblin, three silver coins.”“...”“Three silver coins.”“Alright, here's a task to clear out a goblin nest, you...”“Charge!”-------------------Elements: [Bottomside Adventurer], [Hodgepodge World View], [Pseudo DND]