Although it wasn't the male body she would have preferred, it did feel quite different from that of [Lovely Labrynth of the Silver Castle].
The weight on her shoulders was much lighter; rather curious, really.
[Knightmare Corruptor Iblee]—though recently, the simplified Chinese community seemed to have translated it as [Iblee of the Nightmare Song-Crushed World]. Youmi could accept either, but since she'd been using the former name for a long time, she stuck with what felt natural.
Her outfit was a bit too thin. Although she didn't feel cold, she still crossed her arms instinctively. After all, this was glacial terrain—in her memory, this place should have been the territory of a [Nightmare Penguin].
She conjured a tattered black cloak to cover most of her body except her left hand, wiped off the villain-like makeup on her face, and glanced at her reflection in the ice. "Why this card, though? The Deck I picked was clearly—"
Just as she thought that, the glacier beneath her began to tremble violently. A Nightmare Penguin burst forth, surrounded by rows of little penguins lined up neatly beside it, as if serving as its entourage.
"I thought the one showing up here would be that girl named Téa. How come it's someone I don't know… and you weren't among Yugi Muto's friends earlier, were you? Where'd you come from?"
The [Nightmare Penguin] pointed at Youmi in confusion. "Let's see… your ID says… Youmi? Isn't Youmi supposed to be that big-breasted woman? I can't find any dirt or misconduct on your record—an ideal body candidate, really. Then again…"
"Such a disappointing figure."
A sharp vein pulsed on Youmi's forehead. Raising her left hand, she sent shards of seven-colored crystals slicing across [Nightmare Penguin]'s body, knocking it flat on the ice.
"I'll give you one chance to rephrase that."
Writhing in pain, the [Nightmare Penguin] tried to touch its wounds but couldn't reach with its stubby limbs. Shaking, it said, "S-Still so green… Uncle here prefers women closer to my age… but seriously, what the heck is going on here?"
Youmi smirked. She drew her left hand through the air, and countless cards whirled around her. A few vanished in flashes of light, while the rest scattered into the endless sky.
The seven crystals that had struck [Nightmare Penguin] hovered once more beside her, shimmering brilliantly. "You can imagine, however you like. That said, since we're both here, let's talk through a Duel. You've changed the rules on your side, so I'll tweak a few things on mine."
With a signature snap of her fingers, fourteen Zones appeared before them.
"Though you all showcased the Deck Master system in your own way, I still prefer running a tutorial match in my own style. For simplicity's sake, let's skip the Duel Disks."
With a wave of her left hand, five cards materialized before her, floating right to left. At the same time, [Nightmare Penguin]'s Duel Disk vanished, replaced by five cards suspended before it—adjusted perfectly to its height.
"I see now. A hacker, huh? To think you could infiltrate both KaibaCorp's and Lord Noah's systems. With talent like that, and since you're not one of Yugi Muto's allies, why not help us take revenge and join the reborn KaibaCorp? I'd even give you the highest position beneath the Big Five."
While Youmi wasn't looking, the [Nightmare Penguin] drew a card and straightened its expression. "Ah, where are my manners? The name's Crump. I used to head Human Resources at KaibaCorp, so rest assured, my offer carries weight."
Since she didn't need a Duel Disk, both of Youmi's hands were free. She propped her chin in a V-shape with her left hand, pretending to consider the offer—it did sound tempting.
"So you're saying that if I help you go after Kaiba and Yugi, I'll earn a rank to match? No wonder you're a businessman—pretty skilled in setting up spies and deals. But how about we make a small adjustment instead?"
From thin air, Youmi formed the blade of a [Mekk-Knight Blue Sky], swung it, and pointed directly at Crump. A manic gleam flickered in her eyes.
"I could just wipe out the Big Five myself and then go to Kaiba for the reward—nah, can't keep up the act."
Her crazed look melted into a bitter smile. "Playing the villain was on my to-do list, but that's not really my character… Anyway, talk's cheap. For true Duelists, negotiation outside of a Duel is just inefficient. Can you give me a Duel worth my time?"
"DUEL!" × 2
Turn 1
"My turn first. Since I already drew, I won't draw again. Ah yes, Uncle remembers now—you're one of those bad kids who stuff their Decks with Trap Cards.
"In that case, this'll suit you just fine.
"Spell Card, [Cold Wave]. Until my next Draw Phase, neither of us can activate or Set Spell or Trap Cards. There goes your proud strategy~"
With the field locked down, Crump tapped one of the five cards in his hand and summoned it. "I Normal Summon [Giant Red Seasnake]! Thanks to my Deck Master, [Nightmare Penguin], its Attack increases by 200—to 2000! Without any Spells or Traps, how will you break through? Turn end."
Turn 2
"Just trash talk. Compared to certain sword saints and black-hearted tacticians, you've got a long way to go. My turn—draw."
Youmi drew a card from her Deck and, without a word, selected a Monster from her hand. "Anyway, since you showed me your Deck Master's ability, I'll return the favor and explain the new Zones added between Main Monster Zones 2 and 4. I Normal Summon [Crusadia Reclusia]!"
Within streams of blue data, a mage in black robes appeared on Youmi's field.
"So that's the card you hacked into the database? But with only 400 Attack, that's pathetic." Examining the [Crusadia Reclusia], Crump gave his HR-style evaluation. "2000 Defense, though. Perfect for taking hits meant for higher-ups."
Hearing that, the [Crusadia Reclusia] nearly smashed his staff into the penguin's head like a watermelon on the beach, but after a glance at the [Giant Red Seasnake] with its 2000 Attack, he swallowed his temper.
"Attack isn't everything in a Duel. I'll show you what I mean with action. Manifest—the circuit that harvests the future!"
With a snap of her left fingers, a glowing ring with eight unlit markers appeared behind her. "Arrows confirmed. The condition is one 'Impcantation' Monster other than [Crusadia Reclusia]. I set [Crusadia Reclusia] to the Link Marker! Link Summon—Link 1! [Crusadia Magius]!"
[Crusadia Reclusia] turned into a crimson beam and entered the ring's downward arrow. From within the light emerged a red-clad, gold-adorned mage inheriting the power of the Star Crown—[Crusadia Magius].
…
PS: Due to rule considerations, Link Summoning will only appear in battles against the Big Five and Noah in this arc.
...
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