"Duel! Begin!"
Both duelists' life points (PL): 4000
In the vast plaza, the Duel Disks unfolded as Xiao Wen and Sona faced each other.
Facing this former defeated opponent, Xiao Wen showed no hint of contempt.
"Young duelist, don't think you're so 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 in her hand, an invisible gust of pressure spread from her, kicking up dust that blew against Xiao Wen.
His hair fluttered in the wind, but Xiao Wen paid it no mind. His gaze remained fixed on Sona, his expression slightly solemn.
Draw!
The five cards were Archer Mermaid, Karate Man, Kuriboh, 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 before turning toward Sona across from him.
"Hehe, as the challenger, I get the first turn. Heir of Duel City, let me see how pathetic you look when you lose!"
"Here I go! Summon!"
Sona shouted as her slender fingers pulled a card from her hand and placed it onto her Duel Disk.
Light surged across the field, revealing the essence of a monster.
"Come forth, gatekeeper of the dark hell—Reinforced Golem!"
A flash of light erupted, and a dark-red golem appeared on the field. Its muscle-like slabs interlocked one after another, creating an overwhelming visual impact.
Reinforced Golem: Level 4; Demon-type/Dark ATK: 1600; DET: 1200 Description: A gargoyle strengthened with the power of darkness, gatekeeper of the dark hell. Its sharp claws can tear apart anything.
Information about Reinforced Golem flashed through Xiao Wen's mind, and he frowned slightly.
With 1600 attack, Reinforced Golem was undoubtedly among the stronger monsters that could be summoned without a tribute.
"A high-power monster."
Xiao Wen muttered as he looked at his hand. Of the cards he possessed, Archer Mermaid had 1400 attack, Kuriboh had 300 attack, and the only remaining Karate Man had merely 1000 attack. However, compared to the first two, it possessed a special ability.
Karate Man: Level 3; Warrior/Earth ATK: 1000; DET: 1000 Description: During your turn, its attack becomes double its original attack until the End Phase. This card is destroyed during the End Phase.
Karate Man, which could reach 2000 attack for a brief time, was undoubtedly an extremely powerful Monster Card. It even possessed the power to overturn the battle.
That meant Xiao Wen could only place his hopes of drawing a monster on this draw. If he could not draw a powerful monster, enduring it was his only choice.
"Does 1600 attack frighten you, lowly duelist? Don't worry. I'll settle the humiliation you inflicted on me bit by bit."
Sona snorted and drew another card, setting it face-down in her back row.
"Since the player going first can't attack on the first turn, I'll set one card and end my turn."
"My turn! Draw!"
Xiao Wen drew, his fingertips trembling as he pulled a card from his deck.
Three-Headed Hydra: Level 4; Demon-type/Dark ATK: 1200; DET: 1400 Description: A three-headed demon with terrifying destructive power.
"No good. There aren't any monsters in my deck with more than 1600 attack. I can only defend first."
Muttering to himself, Xiao Wen placed Three-Headed Hydra horizontally onto his Duel Disk, then set a card in his back row as well. "I summon Three-Headed Hydra in Defense Position, set one card, and end my turn."
A glint flashed through Sona's eyes, and the chill on her face deepened.
"My turn, draw!"
Sona drew a card. When she saw its contents, the smile on her face grew even wider.
"Kid, it seems the scales of victory have tipped in my favor. Activate Magic Card, Defense Seal!"
Defense Seal · Magic Card Description: Target one monster on your opponent's field and change it to Attack Position.
Three-Headed Hydra, which had been kneeling on one knee with its arms guarding its chest, stood up. Xiao Wen's expression abruptly turned ugly.
He had never expected Three-Headed Hydra to survive this turn, but being destroyed in Defense Position and Attack Position came at different costs.
In the former, he would not lose any life points. In the latter, he would.
"At the same time, I summon Giant Virus in Attack Position!"
The coldness on Sona's face deepened as she placed a Monster Card onto her Duel Disk.
Light surged, and a massive dark-red sphere appeared on the field. Its body was transparent, with black specks constantly shifting and flowing within it.
"ATK: 1000."
Xiao Wen's heart suddenly sank.
At that moment, Sona issued the attack command. Reinforced Golem charged forward and tore apart Three-Headed Hydra on Xiao Wen's field. The lingering force of the attack struck Xiao Wen, dealing 400 damage and lowering his life points.
At the same time, Giant Virus attacked, dealing 1000 points of damage directly to Xiao Wen.
In just one turn, Xiao Wen's PL had fallen to 2600.
Standing where he was, sweat dripped from Xiao Wen's forehead one drop after another. He felt an inexplicable pressure, a feeling he had only ever sensed from that person before.
"I admit it, you're strong! But the stronger you are, the more excited I get! Life is about constantly challenging the strong, grinding the strong into the ground, and constantly surpassing yourself! I can understand that you want to reclaim your pitiful dignity from me, but there's no way you'll succeed!"
"My turn, draw!"
A glint flashed in his eyes as he drew a card.
Shield and Sword!
Shield and Sword · Magic Card Description: When this card appears on the field, all monsters' original attack and original defense are switched until the End Phase.
Archer Mermaid in his hand had 1400 attack and 1500 defense, while Reinforced Golem on the opponent's side had 1600 attack and 1200 defense. Once their attack and defense were switched, he could win!
"I don't know why you hate me so much, but let me tell you—sometimes luck is also a kind of strength."
"Take this! I summon Archer Mermaid!"
Xiao Wen placed the card onto the field, and a beautiful mermaid dwelling in a shell appeared, bow and arrow in hand.
Archer Mermaid: Level 4; Aqua/Water ATK: 1400; DET: 1500 Description: A mermaid dwelling within a shell. Her bow and arrows are powerful weapons.
A glint flashed through Xiao Wen's eyes as he shouted, "Mermaid, attack Reinforced Golem—Arrow of Extreme Frost!"
With the battle command issued, the mermaid drew her bow and nocked an arrow. A deep jade water arrow condensed upon the longbow.
"Attacking me? Foolish! Don't forget, Reinforced Golem on my field has higher attack power!"
Sona sneered, feeling that Xiao Wen had gone mad.
"Activate Magic Card, Shield and Sword!"
Before you continue