As his words fell, a yellow locker materialized out of thin air on the Duel Field. Something inside it was faintly flickering, emitting a dim yet impossible-to-ignore glow.
[Maxx "C"]
[Level 2 / Insect / Effect]
[DEF: 200]
Seeing this monster appear, the surrounding players were all stunned for a moment, then couldn't help starting to talk.
"Here it is, the final dignity of Insects, Maxx 'C'!"
"Yeah, shame he didn't open it at the start. Otherwise next turn he could've shown his opponent what 'cruel' really means!"
"Have you noticed something? The Levels of those two monsters are kind of… particular…"
On the Duel Field, Mizuki stared at the monsters Yusaku had summoned, his brows knitting even tighter.
Based on the intel he'd gathered beforehand, he knew exactly how broken this card's effect was. It was one of the cards he feared the most.
But in the end, it still didn't show up in your opening hand.
Mizuki sneered inwardly.
After Special Summoning Maxx "C" from the Graveyard, Yusaku didn't pause in the slightest. He raised his hand and called out in a loud voice:
"I tune the Level 3 Tuner monster Junk Synchron with the Level 2 Effect Monster Synchro Carrier!"
He thrust his arm high, his voice ringing with energy.
"Gathering starlight races down the endless road of evolution, becoming a shining path to victory!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 5 — Junk Speeder!!!"
As his shout echoed out, brilliant Synchro starlight poured down like a waterfall. A warrior clad in silver-white armor burst through the light and landed on the field. His figure was like an unsheathed blade, leaving a gorgeous silver arc in his wake, the sweeping kick he threw in mid-air carrying a killing edge.
[Junk Speeder]
[Level 5 / Warrior / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 1800]
"Junk Speeder's effect activates! When this card is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon from my Deck as many 'Synchron' Tuner monsters as possible with different Levels!"
Hearing this, a knowing smirk tugged at Mizuki's lips.
"I've been waiting for you to activate that effect."
As he spoke, he snapped a card up from his hand and held it out.
"I activate the effect of Mulcharmy Fuwalos in my hand!"
"This card's effect: during either player's turn, if I control no cards, I can discard this card to activate it. After that, each time you Special Summon a monster from your Deck or Extra Deck, I draw 1 card. In addition, during the End Phase, if the number of cards in my hand exceeds the number of cards you control on the field plus 6, then for the excess amount, I shuffle random cards from my hand back into the Deck."
Pitching Mulcharmy Fuwalos to the Graveyard, Mizuki looked over at Yusaku, his tone tinged with provocation.
"This card might not be as busted as your Maxx 'C', but it's more than strong enough. As long as you dare Special Summon monsters from your Deck or Extra Deck, I can keep drawing and replenishing my resources."
His gaze landed on Junk Speeder on Yusaku's field as he continued,
"This monster, I only saw it not long ago. It can pull out a whole bunch of monsters from the Deck. Looks like you're using the Synchro core of your Deck this time. And Synchro Summoning, more than anything, needs lots of Special Summons as setup."
Arms folded, Mizuki's eyes were full of contempt.
"So choose. Either you force your way through under my Mulcharmy Fuwalos and keep making a board… or you stop here and settle for just two monsters."
Watching this play out, the onlooking players all scratched their heads, faces full of conflict.
"The good news is Speeder's effect resolved. The bad news is that stupid 'bird handtrap' on the other side is also live now…"
"If there's no other way, just push through it! Let Speeder go full throttle and build a full dragon board, you can deck his hand out in no time!" someone couldn't help suggesting.
As soon as he finished, someone else immediately shook his head in disagreement.
"That probably won't work. Judging from the thickness of his Deck, it doesn't look like a standard 40. Trying to draw him out completely is way too hard. And Yusaku's already warped his build to play around that fake Millennium Eye, he's not on pure Junk; the ratios aren't that consistent."
"Then what about using a burn line? Same as last time, just burn him to death straight up!"
"You think he won't draw any interaction? He's from the Upper District. The quality of the cards in his hand is on a whole different level from us Satellite rats!"
"Eh? Then what do we do?"
"What else can we do? We watch and trust Yusaku."
On the field, Yusaku glanced down at his hand, then calmly raised his eyes to look at Mizuki.
"Mulcharmy Fuwalos, huh? It is a bit troublesome. But it's not that big of a deal. Letting you draw two cards is fine."
Mizuki's face froze. "?"
"Then, Junk Speeder's effect fully resolves. From my Deck I Special Summon the Level 1 Tuner Jet Synchron, the Level 2 Tuner Fleur Synchron, the Level 3 Tuner Steam Synchron, and the Level 4 Tuner Bri Synchron, all with different Levels, in Defense Position!"
After a flash of dazzling starlight, four uniquely shaped Synchro Tuners appeared on Yusaku's field one after another.
[Jet Synchron / DEF: 0]
[Fleur Synchron / DEF: 200]
[Steam Synchron / DEF: 800]
[Bri Synchron / DEF: 1100]
"Next, I activate the effect of The Bystial Lubellion in my hand! I can send this card from my hand to the Graveyard to add 1 'Bystial' monster other than this card from my Deck to my hand."
Yusaku sent The Bystial Lubellion to the Graveyard, then announced,
"I send this card to the Graveyard and add Bystial Magnamhut from my Deck to my hand."
As soon as the searched card popped out of the Deck, Yusaku slammed it straight onto the field.
"I activate the effect of Bystial Magnamhut! By banishing a DARK monster from either Graveyard, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!"
"Appear, Bystial Magnamhut!"
The Duel Field shuddered violently as thick, inky-black energy erupted, pooling on the ground into the silhouette of a colossal dragon.
The silhouette gradually solidified. Silver-black scales gleamed with a cold luster in the light. Enormous wings spread wide, whipping up a howling gale, and its razor-sharp claws and fangs flashed with lethal cold light.
[Bystial Magnamhut]
[Level 6 / Dragon / Effect]
[ATK: 2500]
"Bystial Magnamhut's effect activates! When this card is Special Summoned, during the End Phase of this turn, I can add 1 Dragon monster from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand."
"Next, I activate the effect of The Bystial Lubellion that was just sent to the Graveyard! Once per turn, I can Tribute 1 Level 6 or higher DARK Dragon monster on my field to Special Summon this card from my hand or Graveyard."
Yusaku didn't hesitate in the slightest.
"I Tribute the Bystial Magnamhut I just summoned to Special Summon The Bystial Lubellion!"
As Bystial Magnamhut's body dissolved into a storm of dark-purple light particles, those particles converged again into an even larger dragon's silhouette.
The golden dragon's body was encased in gleaming armor etched with thorn-like patterns. Jagged bone spikes jutted from its shoulders and along its spine, its tattered black wings spread out like a cloak, and chains of energy coiled around the end of its tail. In its twin crimson eyes burned a flame more violent than Magnamhut's.
[The Bystial Lubellion]
[Level 8 / Dragon / Effect]
[ATK: 2500]
"The Bystial Lubellion's effect activates! During my Main Phase, I can place 1 'Branded' Continuous Spell or Continuous Trap directly from my Deck face-up on my field."
As he spoke, a card automatically popped up from the top of his Deck. Yusaku showed it, then set it firmly on his Duel Disk.
"I choose the Continuous Trap card Branded Beast and place it face-up on my field!"
A face-up Trap Card appeared behind him a moment later, exuding a sinister aura.
"Next, I tune the Level 8 The Bystial Lubellion with the Level 2 Tuner Fleur Synchron!"
"Synchro Summon! Level 10 — Baronne de Fleur!"
The ground of the Duel Field split open with countless cracks. Thick thorny vines burst from the earth like giant serpents, twining together to weave a magnificent gateway of briars and roses.
From far away, the crisp clip-clop of hooves drew nearer and nearer. A female knight clad in silver armor, astride a gallant steed, charged through the gate and onto the field, her presence overwhelming.
[Baronne de Fleur]
[Level 10 / Warrior / Synchro / Effect]
[ATK: 3000]
"I activate the effect of Fleur Synchron, which was just sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material! When this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I can Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower monster from my hand."
Yusaku revealed the last card in his hand.
"I Special Summon Necro Synchron from my hand!"
As he spoke, a monster shaped like a black onion bulb, wrapped in tattered cloth, appeared on the field.
[Necro Synchron]
[Level 2 / Machine / Effect]
[ATK: 200]
"Lastly, I set 1 card."
With a crisp hum, a set card appeared at Yusaku's feet, completing his field.
After setting the card, Yusaku looked back at Mizuki.
"My turn is over. In the End Phase, the effect of Bystial Magnamhut that I activated earlier triggers. I add the Dragon monster Bystial Druiswurm from my Deck to my hand."
Sliding the searched card into his hand, Yusaku folded his arms across his chest and looked straight at Mizuki.
"All effects resolved. It's your move."
Mizuki froze for a moment, his gaze darting rapidly across the monsters on Yusaku's field, his face full of disbelief.
"That's it? Just so I don't get to draw too much, you're going to stop here and leave only a single Baronne de Fleur and five little fodder monsters on the field?"
"This monster called Baronne de Fleur, I've already got intel on it. It's got that once-per-turn omni-negate and a pop effect, but that's all. You're sure you don't want to keep building?"
It wasn't just Mizuki who couldn't understand. The surrounding players and students from the various Dojos were all wearing puzzled expressions.
Right now Yusaku's field only had Baronne de Fleur as a real threat. Calling the rest "fodder" wouldn't be unfair at all.
You really sure this won't just get cracked open easily?
On the Duel Field, Mizuki stared hard at Yusaku's monsters, frowning in thought for a long time, unable to figure out Yusaku's intention.
He finally looked up at Yusaku, only to see that the other man's lips were curved in a calm, confident smile.
Mizuki snorted coldly, set his hand on his Deck, and spoke in a frosty tone,
"Even if I don't know what you're scheming, if you really think that with this bunch of fodder you can turtle through a turn… then there's only one thing I can tell you. That's impossible. This turn, the duel ends."
"My turn. Draw!"
After a quick glance at his draw, Mizuki didn't hesitate for even a moment before slamming it down.
"Normal Summon, Gozuki!"
A hulking minotaur monster wielding a massive wooden mallet appeared on the field, its aura vicious and feral.
[Gozuki]
[Level 4 / Zombie / Effect]
[ATK: 1700]
"Gozuki's effect activates!" Mizuki barked.
"During my Main Phase: I can send 1 Zombie monster from my Deck to the Graveyard."
He drew a card from his Deck and showed it.
"I send the Zombie monster Mezuki from my Deck to the Graveyard."
"Gozuki, Mezuki…" Yusaku raised an eyebrow. "If I remember right, those are all Zombies, aren't they?"
Mizuki let out a harsh laugh.
"You're exactly right. Might as well tell you: not only them, every monster in my Deck is a Zombie. They link together into powerful chains. Whether it's going first to set up a board or going second to OTK, this is a solid Tier-1 build."
He flicked another card out of his hand, his tone dripping with disdain.
"My Deck is nothing like your pile of random little engines jammed together."
With that, he slammed the Spell Card from his hand onto the Duel Disk.
"I activate the Spell Card Foolish Burial!"
"The effect of this card: I send 1 monster from my Deck to the Graveyard."
"I send Doomking Balerdroch from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
After sending Doomking Balerdroch to the Graveyard, Mizuki swept his arm forward and shouted,
"Next, I activate Mezuki's effect in the Graveyard!"
"This card's effect: during my Main Phase, I can banish this card from my Graveyard, then target 1 Zombie monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it."
"I banish this Mezuki and Special Summon Doomking Balerdroch from my Graveyard!"
"You want to Special Summon Doomking, huh?" Yusaku suddenly spoke up, at the same time snapping a card up from his hand.
"Didn't you wonder just now why I didn't keep building my board?"
Mizuki's brows knit. "Why?"
"Because this board can be built on your turn as well."
"???"
Mizuki's eyes darted across Yusaku's field, his face a mask of disbelief.
"Your field's already completely clogged with those fodder monsters. How are you possibly going to build anything more?"
"Why not?" A sharp light flashed through Yusaku's eyes as he fully revealed the card in his hand.
"I activate the effect of Maxx 'C' in my hand. Every time you Special Summon a monster, I draw 1 card."
Mizuki's pupils constricted to pinpoints, his voice shaking.
"This card… you still had another one!"
A faint smile tugged at Yusaku's lips.
"Why not? I run three copies of this card. I'm on a standard 40-card main. Isn't it perfectly normal for me to see it?"
He deliberately paused, his gaze turning razor sharp as it locked onto Mizuki.
"From this moment on, every monster you Special Summon gives me one more draw. And I will, during your turn, finish building my final board. Please, go right ahead."
Mizuki: "???"
ps:Only after finishing did I realize a mid-sequence line went off the rails; some monster effects actually miss their timing and can't be activated there, so a bug showed up. I can only upload these two sections for now.
(End of Chapter)
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