Offense and Defense Switch!

"Duel! Commence!"

Both Duelists' Life Points (LP): 4000

On the expansive plaza, Duel Disks deployed, Xiao Wen and Sona stood facing each other.

Facing his former defeated opponent, Xiao Wen showed no contempt.

"Young Duelist, don't think you're strong just because you beat me in the trial mission. In my eyes, you're still just a rookie!"

Sona said coldly, her five fingers resting on her cards as she drew.

As she held the card, an invisible gust of wind pressure emanated from her, kicking up dust that flew towards Xiao Wen.

His hair flying, Xiao Wen paid it no mind, his gaze locked onto Sona, his expression slightly solemn.

Draw!

The five cards were the monster card [Archer Mermaid], the monster card [Karate Man], the monster card [Kuriboh], the spell card [Monster Reborn], and the counter trap card [Magic Jammer].

"Looks like my luck isn't too bad."

Xiao Wen's gaze swept over the five cards, then shifted to Sona opposite him.

"Heh heh, as the challenger, I go first. Heir of Duel City, let me see your pathetic defeated state!"

"Here I come! Summon!"

Sona shouted, drawing a card from her hand and placing it on the Duel Disk.

A surge of light manifested the monster's spirit on the field.

"Appear, Gatekeeper of Dark Hell [Armored Behemoth]!"

With a flash of light, a dark red golem appeared on the field, its muscles interlocking piece by piece, giving an extreme visual impact.

[Armored Behemoth]: Level 4; Fiend/DARK

ATK: 1600; DEF: 1200

Description: The Gatekeeper of Dark Hell, a gargoyle empowered by dark energy, its sharp claws can tear through anything.

As information about Armored Behemoth flashed through his mind, Xiao Wen frowned slightly.

With an attack of 1600, Armored Behemoth was undoubtedly one of the more powerful monsters that could be summoned without a tribute.

"High-attack monster."

Xiao Wen muttered, looking at his hand. Overall, among the cards he possessed, [Archer Mermaid] had an attack of 1400, [Kuriboh] had an attack of 300. The only remaining [Karate Man], though only possessing an attack of 1000, had a special ability compared to the other two.

[Karate Man]: Level 3; Warrior/EARTH

ATK: 1000; DEF: 1000

Description: During your turn, its ATK becomes double its original ATK until the end of the turn. The card is destroyed at the end of the turn.

The Karate Man, capable of reaching 2000 attack power in a short period, was undoubtedly a very powerful monster card, even possessing the power to turn the tide of battle.

As such, Xiao Wen could only place his hopes of drawing a monster that could attack on this draw. If he couldn't draw a powerful monster, patience would be his only option.

"An attack of 1600, are you feeling fear, you lowly Duelist? Don't worry, I'll settle every bit of the humiliation you've inflicted upon this lady."

Sona snorted, drawing another card and setting it in her back row.

"Since I can't go first on the first turn, I'll set one card and end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!"

Xiao Wen drew, his fingertips trembling as he drew from his Deck.

[Three-Headed Hydra]: Level 4; Fiend/DARK

ATK: 1200; DEF: 1400

Description: A demon with three heads, possessing terrifying destructive power.

"No good, there are no monsters in my Deck with an attack power over 1600. I'll have to play defensively for now."

Muttering, Xiao Wen placed Three-Headed Hydra horizontally on the Duel Disk, then also set a card in his back row: "I'll summon Three-Headed Hydra in Defense Position, set one card, and end my turn."

A glint flashed in Sona's eyes, and the coldness on her face intensified.

"My turn, draw!"

Sona drew a card, and as she saw its contents, the smile on her face grew even more pronounced.

"Kid, it seems the scales of victory are tipping in my favor. I activate the spell card, Defense Seal!"

[Defense Seal] · Spell Card

Description: Target one monster on your opponent's field; you can change it to Attack Position.

Three-Headed Hydra, which had been kneeling on one knee with its arms protecting its chest, got up, and Xiao Wen's expression suddenly turned grim.

Although he had never expected Three-Headed Hydra to survive this turn, the cost of destruction in Defense Position and Attack Position was different.

For the former, he didn't have to pay Life Points, while for the latter, he would have to lose Life Points.

"At the same time, I summon Giant Virus to the field in Attack Position!"

Sona's icy gaze intensified, and she placed a monster card onto her Duel Disk.

Light surged, and a massive, dark-red sphere materialized on the field. It was entirely transparent, with small black dots constantly shifting and flowing within.

"ATK: 1000."

Xiao Wen's heart sank.

At that moment, Sona issued the attack command. The Armored Behemoth struck, tearing apart Xiao Wen's Three-Headed Hydra. The residual force of the attack struck Xiao Wen, causing him to suffer a shock and lose 400 Life Points.

Simultaneously, Giant Virus attacked, dealing 1000 damage directly to Xiao Wen.

In just one turn, Xiao Wen's LP dropped to 2600.

Standing still, sweat dripped from his forehead. Xiao Wen felt an inexplicable pressure, a sensation he had only ever experienced from one other person.

"I admit, you're strong! But the stronger you are, the more excited I get! Life is about constantly challenging the strong, constantly crushing the strong, and constantly surpassing yourself! You want to regain your pathetic dignity through me, I understand, but you will never succeed!"

"My turn, draw!"

A glint flashed in his eyes as he drew a card.

[Shield and Sword]!

[Shield and Sword] - Spell Card

Description: When this card appears on the field, the original ATK and DEF of all monsters are swapped until the end phase.

In his hand, his Mermaid with 1400 ATK and 1500 DEF, and Sona's Armored Behemoth with 1600 ATK and 1200 DEF. If their ATK and DEF were swapped, he would win!

"I don't know why you hate me so much, but I'll tell you, sometimes luck is a form of strength."

"Take this! I summon Archer Mermaid!"

Xiao Wen placed the card on the field, and a mermaid, dwelling within a seashell and holding a bow and arrow, appeared.

[Archer Mermaid]: Level 4; Aqua/Water

ATK: 1400; DEF: 1500

Description: A mermaid dwelling within a seashell, her bow and arrow are her powerful weapons.

A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Wen's eyes. He shouted, "Mermaid, attack Armored Behemoth, Frost Arrow!"

Issuing the battle command, the mermaid drew her bow, and a faint green water arrow condensed on the longbow.

"Attack me? Ignorant! Don't you forget, my Armored Behemoth has higher attack power than you!"

Sona sneered, thinking Xiao Wen had gone mad.

"I activate the Spell Card [Shield and Sword]!"