Sylbrook, a medium-sized town nestled at the source of the river Syl, thrived in a delicate balance. It wasn't grand enough to boast its own garrison, so the town leaned on card users to keep its surroundings safe from monsters. The economy was straightforward: collect local produce from the surrounding villages in exchange for cards, then trade the surplus with larger towns and cities. This dynamic made Sylbrook a hub for novice card users eager to gain experience and accumulate cards before venturing into larger territories. It was a place where ambition and opportunity met, a starting ground for many.

The constant movement of goods and the presence of numerous villages nearby ensured there were always jobs and monsters for these aspiring card users. Their need for supplies, in turn, bolstered the local economy.

Yuhl arrived in Sylbrook a few hours after his encounter with the monster. The town, lacking walls or gates, was open and inviting. He walked directly into the central square, his eyes scanning for a particular destination. Finally, he spotted it: Cormac Cards – General Shop and Supplies. Though his father had never allowed him to visit the town, he knew of this famous supply store by reputation alone.

As he approached the two-story shop, Yuhl tried to tidy himself up. There was little he could do about the tears in his clothes or the bruise on his forehead – souvenirs from the card user's last move – but at least he could brush off the dust and straighten his posture.

Near the store, a man and woman's conversation drifted towards him. "How come you didn’t see it? The sky lit up in white fury, and the sound was so loud it broke window glasses," the woman said.

"I... I was in the basement fixing something, so I didn’t notice," the man replied, hesitant and unsure.

"Really? What were you fixing?" the woman pressed, skeptical.

"It was…" the man stammered, but Yuhl's attention had already drifted away.

So, that attack was so intense it reached the town. Of course, it makes sense. It was close enough. The realization that the aftermath of the battle had rippled so far only added to the unreality of his experience.

Upon entering the shop, Yuhl was immediately assaulted by the scent of old paper and ink. The walls were lined with shelves filled with various items, from cards to mystical trinkets. Another snippet of conversation about the attack reached his ears. A young boy, busily moving boxes, mentioned to the old man behind the counter, "Sir, they’re saying it was a Card Master."

The old man, who had been closely examining an aged card, paused and removed his glasses. He gave the boy a scrutinizing look. "Who is saying?" he asked.

"Mrs. Loo from the Sylbrook Inn. She said the Master was staying there for a few nights," the boy elaborated.

The old man reprimanded him in a stern tone. "Gil, you know you shouldn’t spread rumors. What will our clients think of the store?"

"But Mr. Cormac, it’s not a rumor. Mrs. Loo herself said that," Gil protested, only to be interrupted.

"Enough. Why would a Master come here? Stop listening to gossip. I don’t know what to do with you, Gil…" Mr. Cormac's voice trailed off as he returned his attention to the card.

"Excuse me, sir," Yuhl interjected, approaching the counter with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

"Hello, young man. How can I help you?" Mr. Cormac asked, his professional smile returning.

"I’m looking for some card maker supplies," Yuhl said, trying to project confidence.

Mr. Cormac appraised him for a moment, his gaze piercing, before replying, "Of course. We are a small store, so we only have basic supplies." He then disappeared into a storage room behind the counter.

Returning with several boxes, Mr. Cormac continued, "We only have a few novice card makers in town, so our stock is limited."

"Only a few?" Yuhl blurted out, intrigued.

"If we had more, I wouldn’t have to deal with those bloodsucking merchants for better cards," Mr. Cormac half-joked as he opened the boxes.

Inside the rightmost box were various types of card paper. The middle box contained pens and vials of colored inks. The last box was a surprise – it was filled with monster cores. Yuhl barely suppressed a gasp.

Yuhl hesitated, the truth clearly written on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Mr. Cormac cut in before he could form the words.

"Look, young man," Mr. Cormac began, his tone shifting to one of earnestness. "Every month, we get at least one eager youngster from the villages around here, all asking for the same thing. I recognize that look. You're chasing a dream, but let me tell you, it's a tough path. Out of a hundred, maybe one makes it as a card maker." His words were filled with empathy.

Yuhl's heart sank a little. I'm not as unique as I thought, he realized, recalling his parents' warnings and reluctance. They must have seen many others fail before. But then, a flicker of hope reignited within him, sparked by the memory of the monster's promise. It said my cards would be special. Maybe I do have a chance.

"Sir," Yuhl spoke up, meeting the old man's gaze with determination. "I still want to try."

Mr. Cormac looked surprised, then thoughtful, as if seeing something new in Yuhl. He knew well that card making wasn't just about talent; it demanded hard work and perseverance. Countless trials, resources, and time were needed, and many gave up before seeing any results. Maybe, just maybe, this young man had what it took.

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"I see," Mr. Cormac said, nodding. He turned and walked back into the storage room, leaving Yuhl puzzled.

When Mr. Cormac reemerged, he held a different box, worn and seldom used. Opening it, he explained, "I used to offer a space upstairs for hopefuls like you to practice card making. It wasn't out of charity – I'm a businessman, mind you. I hoped they'd learn and increase the number of card makers in town, saving me from the merchants' high prices. These are the leftovers from those who didn't make it. You might find something useful in here."

"I… How much?" Yuhl asked, feeling embarrassed.

"Nothing," Mr. Cormac replied, waving his hand dismissively. "Think of it as helping an old man clear out some clutter."

"I… Thank you, sir," Yuhl said, bowing deeply.

"Don't mention it. Just come back for new supplies when you need them, and remember me with a discount when your cards hit the market," Mr. Cormac said with a smile.

Leaving the shop with the box, Yuhl felt a surge of emotion. There really are good people out there, he thought, reflecting on how his parents' constant caution had made him wary of strangers, especially those from larger places.

Next, Yuhl ventured towards the humbler parts of the town in search of affordable lodging. The central square had options, but they were beyond his means. As the houses became more modest, he finally spotted a place with a sign depicting a bed and an ale mug.

Entering the small, somewhat dingy tavern, he approached a lethargic man behind the counter. "Sir, do you have any rooms available?"

"Yeah," the man responded dully, then added, "Ten basic cards."

"10?" Yuhl echoed, surprised. This place is supposed to be cheap. He looked around. Definitely should be.

"Want it or not?" the man pressed.

"Okay," Yuhl acquiesced, still uncertain. He carefully selected ten cards from his basic trading deck and handed them over.

The man laboriously stood up, and Yuhl briefly wondered if he should just take his cards back and leave. Following the man upstairs, they arrived at a hallway with four doors and stopped at the third. The man opened it, pointed inside, and started to walk away.

"Where's the key?" Yuhl called after him.

The man turned, a sarcastic smile on his face. "What key?" he retorted before resuming his departure.

Staring after him, Yuhl felt a sinking feeling. Great, no lock. How am I supposed to sleep now?

He entered the simple room with reluctance. It had only a bed and a window. Placing his bag and the box on the bed, he sat down, almost yelping as the bed made an ominous creaking noise.

Yuhl took a moment to shake off the shock of the room's condition. His attention then shifted back to the box, reigniting his excitement. Opening it, he found a jumble of card making materials: used card papers, fractured monster cores, dried-up pens, and clumps of mixed, hardened ink. Among the chaos, he spotted some scrolls and a tattered book.

He first reached for the scrolls. The first was illegible, but the other two contained old, professionally drawn card designs. These could be a great starting point for me. Then, he turned his attention to the book.

Its cover was ripped, many pages torn or missing, but it was still a treasure for Yuhl. Flipping through the pages, his excitement grew. It was a basic guide to card making – incomplete and worn, but invaluable to a beginner like him.

Setting aside the book and scrolls, he examined the rest of the contents. The monster parts were a mystery to him, likely ingredients in card creation. The pens seemed salvageable, and maybe the ink too. With cautious optimism, he retrieved his water canteen and added a few drops to the ink vials, stirring with a broken pen tip. The ink began to regain some liquidity. It might not be perfect, but it's a start.

He sifted through the used card papers, scouting for blank spots large enough for a card design. Creatively, he identified enough space to create eight or ten cards. Content, he picked up the book again and began to read.

Card making was complex and demanding. Yuhl absorbed the information about the different types of cards, their classifications, and the details of crafting each one. Basic cards, the simplest type with the lowest specifications, seemed the best place to start.

The store card was the most commonly used basic card. It could store any non-living object into card form, making it helpful for transportation, safeguarding valuables, and even aiding in card making. Other basic cards included functionalities like heating, cooling, speeding, messaging, water sourcing, and igniting.

Card making consisted of four steps: preparation, inspiration, drawing, and sealing. Preparation was straightforward, involving the arrangement of necessary materials. Inspiration, though, was more complicated. It required a deep understanding of the card's essence and a meditative focus on its symbol to achieve the right state of mind. The depth of inspiration would determine the card's rank.

Drawing the card came next, demanding familiarity with its design – a proficiency gained through repetition. This step, along with the quality of materials used, influenced the card's tier. The final stage, sealing, was almost a ritual. It involved channeling mental energy into the card, deciding its level. A card maker's mental energy was finite, replenishing slowly over time.

With the process clear in his mind, Yuhl decided to start his first attempt at card making. He meticulously arranged the salvaged materials as per the instructions in the book, readying them for use. Then, he focused on the store card, a symbol he had seen often but never scrutinized. Each card bore a unique symbol, typically positioned in a corner of the design.

Eyes closed, he visualized the symbol, letting it take shape in his mind. Inspiration was not something that could be rushed; it might take minutes, hours, or several attempts. Gradually, the symbol began to glow in his mind's eye. Almost instinctively, his hand reached for the pen, dipped it into the revived ink with a grace he shouldn’t have, and started to sketch on a blank space of the used card paper.

Ten minutes later, Yuhl emerged from his trance-like state of inspiration, his eyes unfocused and slightly dazed. He looked down at his drawing, his expression shifting from confusion to amazement. I did it. I actually drew it without even noticing. Realizing he had to act quickly to complete the process, he prepared for the final step: sealing the card.

With a feeling of urgency, he mimicked the hand sign detailed in the book and focused intently on the card. Whispering "Seal," he felt a surge of energy flow from deep within him, channeling into the card. He didn't pour too much energy, mindful that he was creating a basic card, and soon severed the connection. The card shimmered briefly, a sign that it had been acknowledged by the Will of the World as a magic card.

Yuhl picked up the card, his hands trembling slightly. He examined it closely, noting the characteristics that would indicate its specifications. The grey color of the card signified a tier 0. In the corner, the number '1' confirmed it as a level 1 card. But what caught his attention most was the frame. Instead of the expected metallic orange of a copper rank, the frame shone a brilliant metallic white, the color of the highest rank: diamond.

His heart raced with excitement and disbelief. A diamond rank on his first attempt? The meaning of this achievement slowly became clear. The monster's gift, the promise of making his cards special, had manifested in the card’s rank. Yuhl stared at the card for a long time. This was just the beginning of his journey, and what a start it was.