Duelists Never Surrender!

"Maybe it's telepathy," Ai suddenly chimed in.

"Telepathy?"

"If a Duel Spirit and a Duelist have a high compatibility, their voices can unconsciously transmit into the Duelist's mind," Ai explained. "Yukikaze might have heard the Duel Spirit's cry for help."

Hara Shichi relayed Ai's words and then asked, "Can you sense where the cry for help is coming from?"

Yukikaze hesitated for a moment, then pointed towards the depths of the forest.

"The depths of the forest are dangerous," Sera said, her previously enthusiastic demeanor replaced with a cold expression. "They must have been bullied by a powerful Duel Spirit. It's the law of survival for Duel Spirits; humans are better off not interfering."

"Yukikaze, what do you think?" Hara Shichi asked.

"I..." Yukikaze looked at her companions beside her, then back towards the forest's depths, clearly undecided. Although she wanted to find the source of the cry, she worried about endangering everyone if they proceeded.

"Have you all forgotten something?" Julie said calmly. "Didn't we agree before entering the forest? Everything is under my command."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Sera asked.

"We continue deeper into the forest, of course," Julie stated matter-of-factly. "Danger and opportunity go hand in hand. The more dangerous it is, the more powerful the Duel Spirits are, and aren't powerful Duel Spirits exactly what we need?"

"But my legs are so sore. I'm full and satisfied, and I just want to lie down for a bit and go back to school," Sera complained.

"You're always the one with the most complaints. Let's go," Julie said, standing up and taking the lead.

"Junior, junior, could you carry your cute senior?" Sera looked expectantly at Hara Shichi.

"No," Hara Shichi flatly refused.

"Really not? Your senior's body is very soft and comfortable, you know?" Sera winked playfully.

Hara Shichi glanced at Ai, whose gaze was sharp and cold, and remained silent.

"Senior, how about I carry you?" Yukikaze crouched down.

"Junior is so kind!" Sera unhesitatingly jumped onto Yukikaze's back, holding her umbrella. "As payment, I'll shield you from the sun. Let me tell you, sunlight is a woman's enemy. Just you wait until we get back to school, Julie's face will surely turn into charcoal..."

Just as Sera had said, her body was light and soft, like a child's. Yukikaze felt no strain carrying her. It was then that she heard the cry for help again.

It hurts so much... I feel so unwell... Can anyone... anyone...

Don't be afraid, I'm coming to save you. Yukikaze thought to herself.

Who... who are you?

Can you hear my voice? Yukikaze said joyfully.

My name is Yukikaze, I'm a Duelist. Where are you? What happened?

The voice abruptly stopped, then became sharp and piercing, like a beast's roar:

Yukikaze... Duelist... Duelist... Human... Human!

Human! Human! Human!

Die! Die! Die!

DIE!!!

Chapter 68: The Second Dark Duel

"Ghost Ogre, I'm counting on you."

"No need for words. Protecting my lord is my duty," Ghost Ogre said, raising its long sword. With a swift strike, another Duel Spirit fell by the roadside.

"Ghost Ogre is so strong," Julie couldn't help but exclaim from the side. "Truly a hand trap monster befitting a top Duelist."

"Your Dragon's Demise isn't bad either," Hara Shichi glanced at the giant monster standing beside Julie.

The two of them flanked Yukikaze and Sera, moving forward. The deeper they went, the more powerful Duel Spirits they encountered. Fortunately, Ghost Ogre and Dragon's Demise acted as constant escorts; otherwise, it would have been dangerous.

"Yukikaze, can you communicate with it now?" Hara Shichi asked.

"No," Yukikaze shook her head with a wry smile. "Ever since a moment ago, it's been cursing humans and not listening to me at all."

"Could it have run into some hunters?" Sera guessed from Yukikaze's back.

"Hunters?" Yukikaze tilted her head, looking confused.

"They're people who specialize in hunting Duel Spirits and selling them on the black market," Julie explained. "Instead of getting them into cards, they prefer to trap them with snares and ropes, even inflicting wounds on the Duel Spirits."

"Why would they do that?"

"Duel Spirits that look pitiful or become enraged and aggressive due to their injuries are easier to sell. And their buyers aren't Duelists, but rather nobles and wealthy merchants," Julie paused, then continued, "Simply put, they're high-class pets."

"Hold on," Hara Shichi raised his index finger to his lips. "I think I hear people talking up ahead."

Hara Shichi said this and moved forward stealthily. Peeking through the gaps between the trees, he saw the scene ahead: "It seems... we guessed correctly."

"Are they hunters after all?" Julie leaned in, and through the trees, they saw several figures in black clothing by a lake, whipping several injured little girls.

"Little girls?!" Sera exclaimed, seeing the scene.

"No, they're humanoid Duel Spirits," Julie's eyes flashed with disgust. "Ever since the ban on slave trading, nobles have set their sights on humanoid Duel Spirits, as the law doesn't protect Duel Spirits."

"Then what do we do?" Sera asked, tilting her head.

"We save them, of course!" Yukikaze said anxiously. It was undeniable; the Duel Spirits that had been crying for help and cursing in her mind were these injured "little girls" before them.

"But Hunters are a gray profession, and the Empire has no explicit laws governing them," Sera sighed. "They haven't committed any crimes, so we have no reason to stop them."

Just then, the woman in the lead suddenly swung her whip, striking a Duel Spirit. "Speak!" she snarled. "Where is your gathering place!"

The Duel Spirit glared at the woman, her eyes red, teeth clenched, refusing to utter a word.

"Boss, earning this much is good enough. Let's call it a day," a tall, thin man beside her advised. "It'll be hard to get out of the forest once it gets dark."

"Idiot! These humanoid Duel Spirits usually live in groups. There must be others of her kind nearby. If we can find their gathering place, we won't have to worry about money for the rest of our lives!" the woman scoffed. "Keep hitting her. I don't believe I can't get a word out of this little one today!"

"Even if I die, I won't let you vile humans have your way!" a pink-haired Duel Spirit declared stubbornly.

"Crack!"

The whip landed on delicate skin, yet the Duel Spirit felt no searing pain. She looked up blankly, and a figure had somehow appeared in front of her.

"Stop!" Yukikaze stood before the Duel Spirit, blocking the whip with her arm.

"Hoh?" The leader narrowed her eyes. "What's this, little sister? This isn't a place for children to play."

"Pah! A bunch of scummy opportunists, daring to bully the weak in broad daylight! I, Hara Shichi, will teach you a lesson today!"

"Senpai, can you stop using my name when you're making threats?" Hara Shichi said exasperatedly, looking at Sera, who was hiding behind him.

"Ahem, it's just because you're stronger than me, Kouhai," Sera coughed lightly.

"Bullying the weak?" The woman sneered, scanning the newcomers. "Spouting your righteous flag? It makes me sick. I think you've got your eyes on these Duel Spirits too, haven't you?"

"That's right," Julie stepped forward. "We've taken a liking to these Duel Spirits. You should leave now."

"Pfft." The woman couldn't help but laugh. She turned to the men beside her. "Did you hear what that little girl said?"

"Boss, she's trying to steal our merchandise," another man said with a fake smile.

"I want the green-haired one. She reminds me of my daughter," a scrawny man licked his lips.

"Hehehe... time to hunt some souls again."

"If you want to steal things, you should know the rules of the road," the woman said, black mist swirling in her hand.

"Dark Duel?" Yukikaze exclaimed, recognizing the familiar black mist. Before she could react, the woman's mist wrapped around her wrist.

"This is bad," Hara Shichi frowned. From their conversation, it was clear the woman was the leader and the strongest of the group. If Yukikaze faced her, there might be trouble.

"You should worry about yourself," the man with the fake smile had also entangled Hara Shichi.

"Hehehe... your soul... is very dirty," the gaunt woman cackled sinisterly at Julie.

"I can't see souls, but your appearance is truly disgusting," Julie said, holding up her Duel Disk.

"Huh? Do I have to too? Do I have to have a Dark Duel?" Sera looked at the black mist on her wrist, troubled. "This is my first Dark Duel, I don't have any experience."

"Don't worry, it'll be your last Dark Duel," the man said, holding up his Duel Disk. "Let's go."

"Duel!" x8

Yukikaze looked at the familiar black mist surrounding them, a chill crawling up her spine.

This time... Hara Shichi isn't here. Can she win?

"Human... are you also here to hunt me and my kin?"

A familiar voice echoed in her mind. Yukikaze subconsciously turned her head and found that, for some reason, the bound pink-haired girl was now sitting beside her, looking straight at her with her emerald green eyes.

"No, I'm here to save you," Yukikaze took a deep breath and gave the girl a brilliant smile.

Chapter 69: First Turn Wins Half

Once you gain the advantage of going first, the duel is already half won.

This isn't a famous quote from a master duelist, but a consensus among most Duelists.

Therefore, when he gained the first turn in this extremely dangerous Dark Duel, which concerned souls and life itself, Hara Shichi's tense expression relaxed slightly.

"I enter my Main Phase and Normal Summon Madolche Madeleine!"

The words, repeated countless times, echoed again. Miss Madeleine floated onto the field once more, riding her long silver fork.

"Next, I activate the effect of Madolche Madeleine, adding one Madolche monster from my Deck to my hand," Hara Shichi said, glancing at his opponent.

"A-Qi, you're overthinking it," Ai patted Hara Shichi's shoulder. As his partner, she understood his concerns. "Hand traps are rare monster cards possessed only by a few top Duelists. They aren't that easy to encounter."

Hara Shichi looked at the Ghost Ogre in his hand, offering no comment.

"If that's the case, I add Madolche Puddingcess from my Deck to my hand."

"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card—Emergency Teleport, to Special Summon Psychic Wheeled Warrior from my Deck."

"I tune the Psychic Wheeled Warrior on my field with Madolche Madeleine to Synchro Summon—Formula Synchron in Defense Position!"

Silver Synchro Particles flashed like lightning in the dark mist. With a blinding white light, Formula Synchron appeared on the Duel field.

"Next, I set one card and end my turn." Hara Shichi ended his turn.

"Tsk tsk tsk, to possess a Synchro Monster at such a young age. No wonder you had the leisure to care about your companion just now," the man opposite Hara Shichi said mockingly. "You show no fear or tension dueling within this black mist, and your movements are fluid. You must be very confident in your own strength, right?"

"However, I've seen plenty of talented kids like you," the man's mouth seemed to split open, his grin stretching to his ears. "Let me show you the gap between us!"

"My turn, Draw!" With a loud shout, the man drew a card from his Deck. "I enter my Main Phase and activate the Spell Card—Foolish Burial, to send a monster from my Deck to the Graveyard."

"Chain, activate Formula Synchron's effect," Hara Shichi declared. "Once per turn, when the opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card effect, you can activate this effect. This card's Level decreases by 2 stars, and that activation is negated and destroyed."

"We don't even know what deck they're running, is it really okay to use that so easily?" Ai worried.

"If I don't use it now, I'm afraid I won't get another chance," Hara Shichi explained.

The man let out a dismissive sneer. "Is that your monster's effect? It's certainly good, but unfortunately, once per turn isn't enough to stop me."

With that, he inserted another card into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell Card—Hand Destruction! Both players send 2 cards from their hand to the Graveyard. Then, each player draws 2 cards from their Deck."

Hara Shichi looked at the three cards in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and sent the newly searched Madolche Puddingcess and Rescue Cat to the Graveyard. He then drew two more cards.

"Next, I'll Normal Summon Gorgonic Guardian," the man summoned a monster Hara Shichi was very familiar with onto the field.

"Gorgonic Guardian? Is that a Zombie-Type too?" Hara Shichi frowned, regretting he couldn't check the opponent's Graveyard to know what he had sent there with Hand Destruction.

"Then, I activate Gorgonic Guardian's effect! Select one Zombie-Type monster from your Deck and send it to the Graveyard. I choose... Skull Prince!"

"Huh?" Hara Shichi thought he misheard.

"Hmph, that's right. Unlike your fancy Madolche deck that your noble lady uses for show, my deck is known for its high ATK with the Skull King series!" the man boasted, waving his hand dismissively. "Tremble before the high ATK of Skull King!"

"I activate Skull Prince's effect. This card can be activated when it is sent to the Graveyard. Send 1 'Skull King' and 1 'Skull Mother' from your hand and Deck to the Graveyard. Then, I activate its second effect: Banish this card from your Deck to Special Summon a monster from your Deck—Skull King!"

The Skull King, clad in purple, appeared on the field with its arms spread, exuding a chilling aura in the dark mist.

"Skull King's original ATK becomes the number of 'Skull King' and 'Skull' monsters in your Graveyard × 1000. Since I have Skull and Skull Mother in my Graveyard from the Hand Destruction earlier, the ATK of Skull King on my field is 2000!"

"..."

"It's not over yet! I activate Skull Nightmare's effect. Discard this card from your hand, select 1 of your banished 'Skull' or 'Skull Nightmare' monsters and return it to your Graveyard. Since this card's name is treated as 'Skull' while in the Graveyard, I now have a total of four 'Skull' monsters in my Graveyard, and my Skull King's ATK will become 4000!"