In this Insect Cards game, damage could only be constituted using phenomenal substances within the flowerbed. However, the effect of [Spiritual Message] was to read spiritual information, so it could still function.
This could also be listed among Pouf's trump cards, giving him one hundred percent confidence to overwhelm Ging.
However, Ging's reaction also fell outside Pouf's predictions.
After his explanation and revealing those details, Ging should have remained calmly silent, then layered on a disguise to prevent leaking more information.
But Ging didn't do that. Instead, he frankly admitted it.
That certainly wasn't bluffing or seizing the chance to give false information… it was a sincere response.
This, Pouf was absolutely certain of through Spiritual Message.
"Confidence, and mental fortitude? Are you trying to show me that psychological pressure doesn't work on you? I said you chose the wrong opponent."
Pouf watched Ging, still calm amidst the scales, and thought silently. Then, he flipped over the Water Drop card.
"[Honeysuckle Silkworm], effect: Gnaw."
As soon as he spoke, the card transformed into a plump, white silkworm. Simultaneously, a streak of light flew from within Ging's body, arriving before the silkworm. It was a bamboo-green [Leaf-bellied Insect].
The silkworm opened its mouth, biting onto the leaf-like wing of the Leaf-bellied Insect.
"Just as I thought. Among your three Strategy cards, besides the obvious Dead Leaf Insect, there's also a Leaf-bellied Insect that provides immunity to poison damage effects." Pouf watched as the Leaf-bellied Insect was slowly consumed.
"Impressive."
Ging also watched the being-eaten Leaf-bellied Insect, offering sincere praise.
Poison-effect Insect cards were an effective means to reduce HP. They were usually sustained-effect Water Drop cards, with a few instant-cast potent poison Sun cards.
However, as long as a Leaf-bellied Insect was placed in the Strategy slot, when the enemy used a poison-effect card, the Leaf-bellied Insect's effect would immediately activate, destroying any poison-effect card in the enemy's hand.
In other words, if Pouf's deck had twenty poison cards, when he used one, it would trigger a chain reaction, dooming the other poison Insect cards.
The [Honeysuckle Silkworm] Pouf used was the natural enemy of the Leaf-bellied Insect. Once used, it would destroy the Leaf-bellied Insect after three rounds, just like how the Armor Break destroyed Ging's Ladybug Defense card at the start.
After three rounds, Ging's poison resistance would drop directly to zero.
"With this, you should also understand my deck construction. It's practically an open hand now. But after three rounds, you have absolutely no chance of winning." Pouf's eyelids lowered slightly, his aura imposing.
This approach of using various high-level Insect cards without testing carried significant risk.
If Ging's Strategy slot didn't contain a Leaf-bellied Insect, Pouf's Honeysuckle Silkworm would be completely wasted. This card, counting drawing MP and using MP, had a total value of 25 points.
In this game, Ging's MP value was 100 points, while Pouf's MP value was 350 points.
The difference in MP value was Pouf's source of confidence, but it didn't negate Pouf's insight and decision-making.
Since this game started, Pouf had consistently seized the initiative, as if using wallhacks.
However, after using the Honeysuckle Silkworm, he also revealed his deck construction to Ging, which is mostly poison-based.
"Can I ask you a question?" Ging suddenly said.
Pouf replied without hesitation, "I refuse to answer."
"Oh."
Ging nodded, unaffected, and asked, "Since you deduced my card count, you probably have a rough idea of my MP value too, right? If I guess correctly, the difference in MP between us is about three times."
"So I'm quite curious. Your MP value is an absolute advantage. If you wanted to end the battle quickly, you wouldn't choose a poison strategy, right? After all, it's too slow."
"..." Pouf fell silent upon hearing this.
"At this point, you're probably thinking, if I had this deduction, why would I waste limited conditions to specifically prepare a Leaf-bellied Insect?" Ging smiled slightly.
Pouf's eyes narrowed slightly. Correct… that was the doubt he just had.
"This also shows I truly guessed your trump card. However, preparing a Leaf-bellied Insect based on a guess involves significant risk. One misstep could mean losing both the card and the advantage."
"So, are you thinking my deck is also poison-based? And that your Strategy slot doesn't have a Leaf-bellied Insect, only Strategy cards that enhance poison effects, right? So if I start using poison cards now, I'd have a three-round lead."
"..." Pouf.
Seeing Pouf showing no intention to respond, Ging smiled and summoned a Sun card.
"Instant poison card? Planning to chip away my poison resistance first, then apply poison slowly?"
Pouf sneered inwardly. He had to admit Ging's words were correct, but so what? It was just futile struggle.
Even if Ging's deck was also poison-based, starting now would indeed give a three-round advantage. But don't forget, his hand count held absolute superiority.
Moreover, his Attack and Strategy cards were all geared towards supporting the poison strategy.
If Ging wanted a war of attrition, it was pure suicide.
"Little Bee, Buzz Sting."
Ging flipped the Sun card. Instantly, a cute little bee flew over and stung Pouf's cheek.
With a negligible sting, a bump swelled on Pouf's cheek. Simultaneously, his 100 HP dropped by 1 point, also revealing that his HP had no Armor value.
The Little Bee was the weakest Attack card in the flowerbed. Its effect was singular, damage only 1 point, considered useless, purely for wasting rounds. Its only merit was fixed damage.
Meaning, no matter what defenses the opponent player set up, as long as the Little Bee's buzz sounded, it would inevitably cause 1 point of damage.
'It wasn't a potent poison Sun card, but... Little Bee Buzz Buzz?'
Pouf touched the bump on his cheek in a daze, his face seemingly shadowed. He said coldly, "Are you insulting me?"
If Ging's strategy was also poison-based, then using Little Bee Buzz Buzz now was equivalent to wasting a round to insult him.
"You misunderstand." Ging pointed at the scales around him, speaking seriously. "My desire to win… these scales should vouch for me, right? Besides, telling you in advance is fine. I'll use Little Bee Buzz Buzz to grind down your HP."
Pouf's eyes turned completely cold.
According to Spiritual Message's feedback, Ging was indeed not lying.
'But... planning to grind me to death over a hundred rounds?'
Pouf suddenly burst into loud laughter, then said coldly, "You're dreaming."
As soon as the words fell, he summoned a Soil card.
"Maybe."
Ging looked at the Soil-patterned Insect card and said sincerely, "Victory in Insect Cards itself depends on whose dream is the most outrageous."