The whistling wind fluttered their clothes, leaving a trace of freshness amidst their heated battle. It also blew dust and leaves upwards, as if it was trying to block their view. Yet, their gazes remained fixed, locking onto each other.
In the floating ground, they clashed their souls with their cards, and about to burn their pride to ashes. As a duelist, staking great things to gain even greater ones had been the line of duty to live by.
Through duels, anything could happen. Taking people's treasures, ruining friendships, even tearing a person apart. It could also be used to save others, make loved ones happy, and even the unexpected pleasure.
The power of a duel granted its existence importance.
A path of living that must be pursued in the Plane.
Rei realized that just now. However, his goal remained unchanged.
After his turn ended, Rei could only stand still and stare at the opponent who was calm, resolute and without a wave of hesitation reflected in his movements and voice.
Such a strong sense of confidence had been built by millions of experiences that could not be measured on paper. With full awareness, Rei realized his opponent wasn’t simply a random dude to eat.
The third turn began, after drawing a card, the Protocol Card's effect immediately activated as it entered the Standby Phase.
Level 0 Protocol was affixed with a universal but also ultra attribute, whose effect couldn’t be chained by other cards' effects. That way, AO2 obtained a duplicate Double Misery from the deck without interference.
However, he didn't level up the Protocol Card on the field by using its duplicate. Instead, he deployed Bombast Recruiter and used its effect to add 'Bombast Adjutant' to his hand.
He pitched the new added card to the Combat Zone and spawned a goblin officer with a curved mustache.
[Bombast Adjutant]
[Level: 2]
[Class: Neutral]
[Class Effect: –]
[Type: Warrior]
[Power: 100]
[Effect: If this card destroyed by Bombast or Machine-type effect, draw 2 cards]
Now he has one monster, he will definitely use that, Rei commented to himself.
And it happened.
"I activate Ignitor’s effect from the Grave Zone and choose Adjutant as a sacrifice," he stated. "Come, Bombast Ignitor."
The military goblin rose from the slumber, dancing while laughing like a lunatic.
"At the same time,” he added, “Adjutant's effects can be resolved: I draw 2 cards."
Now that the masked man held 4 cards in hand, Rei's advantage in the number of cards at the beginning of the turn was gone.
Bombast's decisive card was also present in the scene, with one more move, the tide could be reversed.
AO2 played ‘Bombast Engine’ from his hand. “With this spell effect, I can search 1 ‘Ignitor’ card from my deck.”
It's time to use it!
Before the card effect was resolved, Rei cast a Trigger Spell: Dummy Spell, as a counter.
[Dummy Spell]
[Type: Trigger]
[Attribute: Hyper]
[Effect: If your opponent activates a spell, you can change the effect into “Draw 1 card”.]
"Your card effect will change to 'Draw 1 card'." The Trigger Spell in play took the form of a brush and a mirror. The AO2 card was reflected inside. The brush stepped in and rewrote the effect.
The system acknowledged the change and made the masked man draw one card.
"You should use a disruption card like that at the right moment, Dixon," the man quipped.
And Rei took it personally. Letting the opponent acquire Ignitor into their hand was absolute stupidity. Two Ignitors would give birth to an Ignitor Max, his deck's archenemy. Hence he had to prevent it, but he was getting flamed instead?
He didn't understand what that meant other than a grave insult to him.
"You talk too big, old man," he retorted, his snort filling the air.
The masked man didn't bite him back, just let out a little laugh then said, "If so, let our cards do the talking. I activate the spell card, Bombast Counter!"
AO2 dumped 3 unit cards from his deck, then the number of Explosive Counters suddenly rose from 12 to 18.
Rei tried not to show his surprise. Those 18 debuffs should mean nothing in front of Guardian Exia. However, why did this level 8 duelist keep doing that? Didn't he know that Guardian Exia could easily block his combo?
Before Rei concluded, his opponent's combo disturbed him from thinking.
"The Defibrillator effect in the graveyard, by banishing itself, I can revive one Bombast unit."
The second military goblin that appeared took Rei by surprise. "You sent Ignitor to the graveyard with that previous spell?!"
Slightly off guard, Rei was instantly unable to read the pattern of his opponent's tactics.
"It's too soon to be surprised," he said. "I ENGAGE two units in my field, to build a new force in the universe."
Two goblins floated up and their bodies shattered into pieces of light, giving birth to three glittering red orbs each. All the orbs established a pattern, connecting with each other and forming constellations.
"TWIN ENGAGE! Come, Bombast Ignitor MAX!"
It finally came. A machine monster that could destroy enemies with damage effects. After landing and causing strong vibrations on the ground, the canon over its shoulders glowed, and the mecha goblin suddenly fired.
Its shot missed far back, grazing the tip of the floating ground. Since Rei didn’t have Aegis, the first effect of Ignitor MAX was useless to ignite.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
As relief set in, a loud explosion suddenly erupted. Rei immediately turned his head and saw a crater with smoke rising behind, far below.
So this is what the rules mean: duels can affect the surrounding environment, Rei wiped his sweat, this is actually insane.
Rei returned his gaze forward, seeing his opponent not budging at all, it made his resolve quiver slightly. The difference in experience was evident in their demeanor. He realized, however, that the balance hadn't been broken. Cards in his hand and the unit on the field, still there, backed him up.
It should be noted that the main effect of Ignitor MAX was to ignite all Explosive Counters on the field, and each debuff detonated would deal 1000 damage to the opponent. Currently there were 18, meaning Rei would receive 18000 damage if successfully carried out.
That was part of his plan. Letting his opponent to use that effect and turn the tide.
He waited with excitement, his hands shaking impatiently to use Guardian Exia as a counter play, but nothing really happened. No activations or new cards being played. The silence forced him to stare ahead at the duelist on the other side.
"You think I'm going to do how beginners play?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Rei etched a fake smile.
"Playing dumb. Well, like I said before. Our cards will do the talking." The masked man raised a card high from his hand. "I activate Twin Defect!"
What? Why did he use that card?
Twin Defect could summon a unit from the grave and give it a name, type, class, similar to the target (Twin Unit) on the field, but it was useless because it could neither attack nor use its effects.
That decision didn't reflect the way top duelists play. In fact, it was a more amateurish move than Morgan in Rei's eyes.
He made a mistake! I can win this! His confidence went through the roof.
Shortly after the cheap duplicate of Ignitor MAX appeared in the Combat Zone, his opponent pointed at him. "See that smug smile on your face? That alone is enough to tell anyone that you're not worthy to use Dragun0va."
"Say that after you win, bitch!" The veins on his forehead tightened. "Next turn, I'll finish you off in one swoop."
"Next turn? Quit wishing. I'll finish you. Right now."
Rei flinched, but he clenched his fist and leaned his body forward. "Try it if you can!"
"Look and watch. How does one who risks everything in a duel make a choice." The man pointed at the two Max Ignitors and declared, "I ENGAGE the two Ignitor MAXs in the field, to build a new force beyond the limits of the universe!"
Rei's face paled.
What does he mean by Engage? Weren't both units already Engage units?
Those silly questions were trying to cover up his ignorance.
He shouldn't have overlooked that possibility in the first place. Getting a new unit made him bloated, forgetting that there couldn't be any useless cards in the game. Especially if the deck was built by a famous person let alone sold at a high price in the store.
Heh. Nice choice. You picked the correct Spell, mate.
You have to use a disruption card like that at the right moment, Dixon.
Two statements from them echoing in his head.
Different words, but saying the same thing. The same sarcasm to point out his mistake.
Dixon, you have made a mistake.
Crap! Like his muscles were being pulled down, Rei couldn't move or look away. He was rooted to the ground and became a spectator against his will.
Before him, a grand spectacle was about to take place. The two mecha goblins disintegrated into pieces leaving six red spheres of light each, floating in the air. All the spheres established a pattern, connecting with each other and forming constellations.
"DOUBLE ENGAGE! Come forth! Level 7, Bombast Ignitor RXX!"
The constellations then shattered and spawned a dimension-cracking portal. From within, a giant iron hand came out, followed by legs, stomach, until its entire body appeared in full glory.
The ground crunched, splitting into two as the giant robot's body landed. It drove away the wind, lifting dust and gravel against gravity.
Its eyes glowing red, hands grasping a long gigantic mecha-sword, RXX was ready for battle.
[Bombast Ignitor RXX]
[Level: 7]
[Class: Attacker]
[Type: Machine]
[Power: 1500]
[Class Effect: Power +1000 in Battle Phase]
[Effect(1): –]
[Effect(2): –]
Rei gaped, his jaw refusing to close.
The unit before him was gigantic, blocking the sunlight from entering the field. The clanking sound in each joint of its gear, echoing to the bone. It made him wince. It got worse as the machine roared.
Calm down! Calm down! Calm your ass down!
That unit only has 1500 power! Even with an extra 1000, it's still not enough to beat me this turn. Plus, the effect of my Smasher can reduce the damage I take by half.
A smile forced its way onto his cold sweaty face. "I won't lose!"
"Why did you smile? If you think this monster is weak, then your insight is to blame."
AO2's wings unfurled, flapping loudly and pushing the air away from him. The wings carried their master away into the sky. Rei couldn’t see where his opponent went, but a glint from his mask reflected off the colossal robot’s shoulder.
That far? But how–Nah! Rei had enough on his brain to dive into logic, as it was clearly inexplicable right now.
"Prepare yourself, Dixon." AO2's voice echoed throughout. "Battle!"
The iron colossus took a stance, gripping the sword tightly in both hands. The unit's movements shook the floating ground so badly that Rei almost bounced off.
Damn! I'll survive no matter what!
"With Empress Smasher’s effect,” he yelled, “any damage I take will be halved!"
Unconcerned, Ignitor RXX raised the blade high, exposing its torso perfectly. Rei found tubes connected to every part of the torso and a parameter bar attached only to the chest.
"Pray, Dixon," AO2 stated in a cold tone. "I activate the Ignitor RXX effect. By banishing one card from the top of my deck, this unit can absorb all Explosive Counters in the arena and gain 500 power per debuff taken!"
The parameter bar flared up. It showed a number corresponding to the amount of debuffs absorbed and stopped when it became tremendous red at 18. As a violent whirring sound ignited, all the energy was channeled through the tubes which charged the sword, turning it into a blazing weapon.
[Bombast Ignitor RXX]
[Total Power: 11500]
"Ignitor RXX, destroy them."
Ignitor swung the sword of inferno as the order was given.
Above ground, Empress Smasher refused to go down without a fight. She ignited fire energy around her, making silver armor she wore turn red. Stomping her foot on the ground, she bolted and swung the hammer with all her might. In order to protect her master and her pride, she charged forward as the last frontier against the unstoppable force.
Yet, the difference in power between them was 10000. Even with the Smasher's reduction effect, the damage taken was still 5000.
Rei froze in place as the Overkill Damage took place right before his eyes. No matter how hard he racked his brain, a way to escape simply did not exist. He couldn't get away as the system caged him inside.
His hope card, Guardian Exia, couldn't negate battle damage, none of the cards in his hand could prevent the battle from happening either.
Rei had done everything. Stalling for time, getting an equally powerful deck, played Engage Unit in the arena on his first turn, but he lost because of his naivety and weakness.
A single misplay sealed his fate.
The resentment of defeat and the fear of death did not disappear, they did exist, but they were overwhelmed by the despair over his helplessness.
In the end, he cracked a bitter smile.
Sorry Akane, Mom, Apollo.
I had my chance, and I failed–
The blazing gigantic sword slashed Smasher and Rei in two halves. Turning them into charred carcasses in a second.
It didn't stop there.
The unstoppable sword shattered the floating ground, breaking it into small debris that fell like flame rain.
The land below crumbled along with it, as the blade traced an elongated crater of fire, turning it into a barren wasteland in a heartbeat.
Green landscapes became red, burning in the inferno.
As the last man standing, AO2 seized the glory and watched the tragedy.