Chapter 277: Ame, Amay, Amayee
She was a young black-maned werewolf girl!
Her physical attributes were fairly balanced, making her likely an advanced swordswoman.
If she were an archer, her agility and magic attributes would be higher.
The soft voice beside him made Li Meng turn to look at the werewolf girl.
Although her face was obscured, Ame knew he was definitely looking at her.
Ame scratched her head a little awkwardly.
"I'm Ame. So... would you like to play Tower Cards with us? We're one player short!"
One player short?
Li Meng glanced behind the werewolf girl.
Two others stood on the deck behind her.
Both had furry ears and tails, just like the petite and delicate werewolf girl in front of him.
One was a silver-maned feline, with white ears and a tail.
The other was an even smaller Dark Moon Lynx, with black-gray ears and a tail.
The sight of these cat-and-dog girls gave Li Meng a moment of surreal confusion.
Although being invited to play cards felt a bit odd, Li Meng didn't think too much about it.
After all, the journey aboard the ship was dull.
Playing cards was a way to pass the time.
"Alright, let's play!"
Hearing Li Meng agree, Ame's face lit up with joy.
"Great!"
She quickly turned and called to her companions not far away.
"Amay, Amayee, come on over!"
At Ame's call, Amay and Amayee finally approached.
Their similar-sounding names left Li Meng speechless.
Did they really know which of them was being called?
"This is Amay, and this is Amayee. What's your name?"
Ame enthusiastically introduced her companions to Li Meng.
Compared to Ame's boldness, Amay and Amayee seemed much more timid.
They hid behind Ame, cautiously peeking at Li Meng.
"My name is Silver Mask!"
And so, Li Meng found himself playing a game with three young beastkin girls on the deck.
The four sat cross-legged in a circle, each holding three cards in their hands.
Tower Cards was somewhat similar to Earth's poker game, "Three of a Kind."
"With so many people on deck, why did you pick me?"
Li Meng laid down his cards. Ame, Amay, and Amayee all pouted slightly.
Silver Mask won again!
Such incredible luck.
Li Meng shuffled the cards as he chatted casually with the girls.
Ame chuckled, glancing at Amay.
"Amay noticed you were always by yourself and thought you might be bored, so she asked me to invite you to play!"
"I—I didn't!"
Amay blushed, shyly hitting Ame's shoulder with her small hand.
Watching the two girls bicker, Li Meng smiled.
It seemed these three came from well-off families.
They were as innocent as blank sheets of paper, likely young noblewomen who had run away from home to explore the world.
Among adventurers, such aristocratic children weren't uncommon.
Having lived their entire lives in gilded cages, they would yearn for the outside world as soon as they reached rebellious ages, leaving home to explore and adventure.
Though many met tragic ends, such people emerged as inexhaustibly as moths to a flame.
"You three must be from the Western Continent, right?"
The Western Continent was also known as the Beastfolk Continent.
The continent was home to many beastfolk kingdoms.
Ame nodded, drawing a card.
"That's right. The three of us are from the Kingdom of Tar!"
"Are you heading to the Holy Byron Continent?"
The Holy Byron Continent was also called the Labyrinth Continent.
The entire landmass was one gigantic labyrinth.
Xiao Bai had told Li Meng some of the secrets of the Holy Byron Continent.
The Holy Byron Continent was originally an ancient dragon's resting place.
Although ancient dragons were immortal beings, those from the Age of Ancient Dragons could still die for various reasons.
The Holy Byron Continent was essentially the graveyard of ancient dragons.
Over the long years, the lingering power of dragon corpses had gradually transformed the Holy Byron Continent into a place of magical energy accumulation.
Vast magical energy twisted the land under the lingering consciousness of the ancient dragons, forming labyrinths over time.
The residual dragon consciousness became labyrinth lords, and countless magically-created labyrinth monsters were born.
Labyrinths not only produced monsters but also treasures that drove adventurers mad.
Besides magical crystals obtained from killing labyrinth monsters, there were also magical artifacts with unique abilities.
These artifacts were called magic crystals.
Driven by these twin temptations, the Holy Byron Continent became a paradise for adventurers.
However, every coin has two sides.
The Holy Byron Continent was not only an adventurer's paradise but also their graveyard.
Every day, hundreds of adventurers perished in its labyrinths.
As labyrinths absorbed the blood, flesh, and souls of adventurers, they became even more perilous.
Hearing about the Holy Byron Continent, Ame and her companions looked excited.
Ame, in particular, spoke at length.
"Yes, we're heading to the Holy Byron Continent. It's an adventurer's paradise! Every time my father talks about it, he has such a complex expression—part yearning, part regret. There are endless labyrinths, labyrinth monsters, and powerful treasures. Adventurers from all over the world consider it a must-visit place in their lifetime."
Proudly, Ame continued, "We've been preparing for this journey for a long time. We won't fail!"
Amay and Amayee nodded vigorously in agreement, clearly eager for their upcoming adventure in the Holy Byron Continent.
At this moment, Amay folded her cards in defeat.
Ame glanced at Silver Mask, then at Amayee.
She pouted slightly and tossed her cards aside.
In the end, it came down to Li Meng and Amayee.
"The Holy Byron Continent is both a paradise and a graveyard for adventurers. Every year, many king-tier, saint-tier, and emperor-tier powerhouses fall there. It's too dangerous for the three of you."
Li Meng laid down his cards.
"I... I won!"
Amayee excitedly placed her cards down.
For once, they finally won a game.
Amayee happily shuffled the cards.
"We're strong! We're not afraid!"
Ame's confident words made Amay and Amayee nod in agreement.
If they were scared, they wouldn't have joined Ame in heading to the Holy Byron Continent.
Seeing their mysterious confidence, Li Meng decided not to pursue the topic further.
Whatever the outcome, it was their choice.
"Silver Mask, are you cheating?"
"Why would I cheat when there's nothing at stake?"
"But... your luck is just too good!"
"It's not that great. I don't win every round—Amayee's luck is good too."
"This is so strange. Something feels off—really off!"
"Luck varies. Sometimes, people just get lucky. It's not unusual."
"How could this be? Ugh, Silver Mask, we're girls! Can't you let us win once in a while?"