After crossing over into another world, Brian Bennett carries with him a deck of hero cards. As long as he has enough reputation points, he can summon the heroes from these cards:

With the power of these heroes, you can charge into battle with sword in hand, leap across rooftops, perform otherworldly feats, and even bring demonic might upon the world!

Of course, soaring the skies with a sword, slaying demons across the land is no longer just a dream. Even transforming into the ancient Golden Crow, burning the heavens and boiling the seas, is not out of the question...

Chapter 1: Reputation Points

The warm winter sun quietly enveloped the entire Luming Town!

In a corner of the main street, lined with all kinds of shops, two people—one old, one young—sat atop a pair of stone pedestals, weathered by countless years.

The youth was about thirteen or fourteen, with delicate features and a pair of clear, unforgettable eyes. He wore a blue brocade robe, clearly not from a poor family.

Opposite the youth sat an old man, whose clothes were rather shabby. Though he too wore a robe, its original color was indiscernible beneath the many patches.

Although the old man had a bit of an immortal air about him, on closer inspection, he looked more malnourished than anything else.

Immortal’s Guidance!

Hanging from a bamboo pole—stolen from some farmhouse, who knows where—was a piece of barely distinguishable white cloth, upon which four crooked characters were scrawled.

“Master, I have a question I do not understand, and have come to seek your guidance!” The youth cupped his hands toward the old man and spoke solemnly.

The old man’s eyes sparkled. He smacked his lips and tried to steady his legs, which were trembling from the cold.

“Second Young Master, whatever you wish to ask, please do. As long as this old man knows, I will tell you everything without reservation.”

“May I ask, Master, what is reputation?” As the youth spoke, his eyes were fixed intently on the old man, as if he wished to extract the answer from him right then and there.

“Reputation is mainly used to describe important figures. For example, your esteemed father, Gavin Bennett, is the most reputable person in our town!” The old man’s voice was calm, giving the impression of a worldly sage, but at the end, he flattered the youth a bit.

Naturally, he hoped the youth would give him a little more for his fortune-telling, so he could have some hot soup later.

“Then, Master, do you know how one can gain reputation?” The youth’s voice grew more urgent.

The master pondered for a moment before saying, “Second Young Master, although ‘reputation’ is a single word, in my humble opinion, it has two meanings.”

“One is fame, the other is prestige. Only by combining fame and prestige can one truly have reputation!”

“Many people are famous, but they may not have prestige, so they cannot be said to have reputation. Take your esteemed father, Mr. Bennett Edward Bennett, for example—he has both fame and prestige, so everyone in our town considers him the most reputable person!”

The youth’s eyes grew even brighter. He leaned in closer and asked, “Master, how does one gain prestige?”

“Prestige? Naturally, it comes from high moral standing. For example, your esteemed father, Mr. Bennett...” The old man cupped his hands again, ready to praise the youth’s father, but saw that the youth’s face had already darkened.

Although this young master was the kindest person in town, the master dared not anger him—after all, he hadn’t eaten properly in two days.

“To gain prestige, aside from high moral standing, there’s another way: making others fear you!” The master’s stomach was protesting, making his head a bit dizzy, so his explanation strayed from his original plan.

But it didn’t matter; the master made his living with his tongue, so he quickly recovered: “So, reputation is having both fame and making people fear you!”

“Being highly respected brings reputation, but so does being feared and dominating a region. And reputation can be contested—when you defeat someone with reputation, most of their reputation becomes yours!”

The youth was a bit stunned, while the master gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. At that moment, he deeply admired his own cleverness.

“After hearing your words, Master, I understand!” The youth suddenly stood up from the stone pedestal, his eyes full of admiration.

The master looked at the youth, his expression calm on the surface, but inwardly he was overjoyed. To have fooled the second young master of the town chief’s family—this was quite an achievement for him.

Maybe, in the future, he could even get a job at the town chief’s residence.

“Master, I have one more thing I need your help with!” The youth’s eyes were full of sincerity.

“Second Young Master, you are too kind. Whatever you need, just say the word.” The master waved his hand, full of bravado.

The youth glanced at the master with a hint of pity, but in the end, he steeled his resolve and said in a deep voice, “Since Master is so generous, then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

As he spoke, the youth swung his fist and, with a firecracker punch, struck the master’s frail body hard.