As his level gradually increased, Xiao Wen became increasingly aware of just how heaven-defying the Duel Disk in his hand and the Millennium Puzzle on his chest were.
It could even be said that they themselves were an incomparably powerful bug.
When Xiao Wen arrived at the field, Sona swayed forward right after him. Her beautiful eyes swept over Xiao Wen's body, raising goosebumps all over him.
He did not know whether it was an illusion, but although not much time had passed between them, Xiao Wen could clearly sense that as his duels continued one after another, Sona's figure had been developing rapidly. By now, she carried a few hints of a mature woman's charm.
"You're here. Level eleven. It seems you gained quite a lot this time as well." Sona raised her eyes and studied Xiao Wen.
Xiao Wen said nothing and merely nodded silently.
"I'll tell you in advance: level ten is very important to you. If you can defeat me, another monster seal on your Duel Disk will be unlocked. Your attributes will also change. Of course, you'll have to explore the benefits yourself."
A sharp gleam flashed in Sona's eyes. With a raise of her hand, the Duel Disk on her left hand instantly unfolded. "Come on, let's duel! You go first this time!"
"Duel!"
"Duel!"
The two spoke almost in unison.
Draw!
Xiao Wen drew five cards from his deck and held them in his hand: the Monster Card Baphomet, the Monster Card Elemental Swordsman, the Magic Card Fusion, the Trap Card Grateful Gift, and the Equip Spell Card Sword of Lightning.
"My luck with draws seems pretty good this time."
Xiao Wen muttered, his gaze falling on Elemental Swordsman and Sword of Lightning.
"I summon Elemental Swordsman in Attack Position! I'll also set one card. My turn ends."
Light coalesced, and a man appeared on the field. He wore green armor, had a well-proportioned build and a face handsome enough to rival Pan An's, while his brows carried a trace of heroic spirit.
Elemental Swordsman, 4 stars; Warrior-type/Earth
ATK:1500; DET:1200
Description: A powerful swordsman who lived in the Elven Forest. He possessed innate defensive power and could not be destroyed in battle by monsters with over 1900 ATK.
Looking at the Elemental Swordsman on Xiao Wen's field, Sona narrowed her eyes slightly. She naturally already knew about Elemental Swordsman's effect, but what truly concerned her was Xiao Wen's Face-down Card.
After being tempered through the previous two duels, the growth of this rookie duelist before her could only be described as rapid progress.
Even she did not know how far Xiao Wen had reached by now.
But there was one thing she understood: the Face-down Card on Xiao Wen's field was definitely not simple!
"Still, I have no choice. If I don't deal with his monster this turn, then next turn he can use it as a tribute to summon a high-star monster."
With that thought, Sona placed two fingers on her deck.
Draw!
The instant she saw the card, a faint smile appeared on Sona's face.
"Fifteen hundred ATK is decent, but in my eyes, it's still far from enough! I summon Kuriboh!"
Light coalesced. Amid the flowing specks of light, Xiao Wen could see flickers of green emerging from within. Then, a tiny creature resembling a green pea and looking adorably bouncy appeared.
Kuriboh, 3 stars; Plant/Earth
AET:1750; DET:0
Description: A mysterious warrior from the Candy World. It possessed unknown power and always believed itself to be the strongest warrior, capable of crushing enemies with the longsword in its hand.
"I set one card. Then, Kuriboh, attack Elemental Swordsman! Smash him!"
After setting a card, Sona gave the attack order. Kuriboh immediately charged out, longsword in hand, and was about to slash down at Elemental Swordsman.
Xiao Wen narrowed his eyes and raised his hand. "I won't let you have your way. I activate my Face-down Card!"
"Equip Spell Card, Sword of Lightning! The Warrior-type monster equipped with this card gains 800 ATK, while all Water-attribute monsters on the field lose 500 ATK! Since there are no Water-attribute monsters on the field, the second effect does not activate. Even so, after equipping Sword of Lightning, my Elemental Swordsman's ATK reaches 2200! Can a monster with only 1750 ATK defeat him?"
The Face-down Card rose. A lightning meteor streaked across the sky and descended upon Elemental Swordsman. Bolts of lightning immediately flickered along the sword in his hand, and his ATK abruptly rose to 2200.
Kuriboh swung its sword down, but Elemental Swordsman blocked it with his own blade. With an upward sweep, he used a burst of deft force to flip Kuriboh over and send it flying.
At the same time, Sona's PL fell by 450, leaving her with 3550.
In her three duels with Xiao Wen, this was the first time she had suffered a setback on the very first turn.
Glancing at the Face-down Card on her field, Sona said, "My turn ends. It's yours."
Draw!
When Xiao Wen revealed the contents of the card between his fingers, the smile on his face grew even wider.
His drawing luck seemed exceptionally good today. He had actually drawn such a card.
Without a second thought, Xiao Wen placed the card into his Duel Disk.
"I activate the Magic Card Change of Heart. During the turn this card is activated, I can gain control of one of my opponent's monsters. The monster I choose is the Kuriboh on your field!"
Xiao Wen pointed at Kuriboh. As the Magic Card activated, two opposing sides of light and shadow suddenly appeared in the sky. A phantom brimming with both divinity and evil emerged—one side bore pure white angel wings, while the other bore demon wings steeped in malevolent aura.
With its hands cupped together, light and darkness flowed. Kuriboh, which had originally been on Sona's field, walked onto Xiao Wen's field.
"At the same time, I offer Kuriboh as a tribute to summon Baphomet!"
Blazing white light wrapped around Kuriboh, turning it into countless motes that vanished into the air. A black hole appeared in the heavens, demonic energy pouring out from it in waves. Then, a red-skinned demon with wings on its back and horns atop its head appeared on the field.
Baphomet, 5 stars; Demon-type/Dark
ATK:1400; DET:1800
Description: A demon from the infernal demon clan, possessing tremendous offensive power. When this card is successfully Normal Summoned or Flip Summoned, you can add one Phantom Beast King Gazelle from your deck to your hand.
Xiao Wen narrowed his eyes and declared, "When this card is successfully summoned, I can use its effect to obtain one Phantom Beast King Gazelle from my deck."
As soon as he spoke, a stream of light shot out from the deck and entered Xiao Wen's hand.
"Hehe... I think I can already see the goddess of fortune waving at me. I activate the Magic Card Fusion!"
"I fuse Baphomet on the field with Phantom Beast King Gazelle in my hand to Special Summon Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast!"
A sharp gleam flashed through Sona's eyes, and she revealed an expression as though her scheme had succeeded.
"I've been waiting here for you for quite some time!"
"Flip open my Face-down Card: Trap Card Torrential Tribute! Destroy all monsters on the field!"
Before you continue