Waiting for This

Lava Golem

Masumi's mouth twitched.

Countless duelists and researchers around the world were studying the Duel King's Deck. Every Deck he had used, every tactic he had employed, was dissected and analyzed.

And anyone who had ever tried to understand the Duel King could never fail to recognize this monster—

—Lava Golem.

The legendary big baby that had once devoured the invincible Orichalcos Divine Serpent Geh and saved the world from disaster.

Of course, watching that duel as a spectator had been quite entertaining. Especially when the opponent's hard-earned boss monster, into which they had poured their very soul, was swallowed in a single bite by the big baby—their aggrieved and furious expressions always brought heartfelt smiles to countless duelists.

Well, provided you were not the one on that Field.

Now, as he watched the other side calmly add the big baby to his hand, Masumi found his frustration nearly impossible to put into words.

He knew what was coming, yet he was powerless to stop it, powerless to protect his angels.

If there was anything even more frustrating—

"At the End Turn, the effect of 'Volcanic Queen' on your Field also activates," Kira said. "At the end of your own turn, you must offer one monster on your Field as a Tribute to 'Volcanic Queen.'

"Or you can choose to take 1000 points of damage yourself."

Eyes chimed in, "The choice is yours, you know? Isn't that merciful?"

Kira gestured for him to proceed. "Come on. Choose."

Masumi: "..."

He suddenly had a strange illusion.

He felt less like he was dueling and more like a dog chained to a post.

Those two bastards stood just beyond the reach of his chain, humiliating him and mocking him in every possible way. The urge to tear them apart grew harder