Demon

"Summoned Skull (LV6)"

"Attribute/Dark"

"Type/Fiend"

"ATK/2500 DEF/1200"

Yu Ming couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the only monster on the field, then at his empty hand.

One Level 6 Normal Monster on the front field, three face-downs on the back.

He felt a little embarrassed, having used six cards from his hand to bring out such a bland monster.

However, it seemed others didn't quite see it that way.

"Tsk, a monster with 2500 ATK right off the bat, and a Greater Fiend of this caliber at that..."

His gaze swept forward, and he saw the solemn expression of the Dark Invader. Yu Ming could even discern a strong sense of apprehension in its crimson eyes.

"As expected, it can't be underestimated."

"..."

Buddy, it's really not that serious.

Watching the opponent's highly vigilant stance, Yu Ming couldn't help but feel a bit pressured.

But luckily...

"I can't believe you're even afraid of an enemy like this."

Across from him, the Pitch-Black King merely stood with its arms crossed, scoffing at its companion's caution.

Seeing that confident look, Yu Ming almost wanted to walk over and give it a hug.

Exactly, brother, what's there to be wary of?

"Isn't it just a regular Fiend with two thousand five hundred attack points?"

You're so right, brother!

"It has no special abilities, and its power is quite limited."

Yu Ming finally let out a sigh of relief as he watched the King's arrogant expression.

Honestly, he truly loved enemies like this.

Confident, proud.

More importantly...

"Watch me crush this guy right now!"

It's brainless!

"My turn!"

With a roar that seemed to shake the heavens, a red light glowed on the King's breastplate.

"Draw!"

Under the crimson indicator lights, like a pair of eyes, its grotesque hand violently drew a card from the deck on its sword hilt.

"Hmph..."

As its cruel eyes scanned the cards in its hand, a smile appeared on its already hideous face.

"Then, let me show you the true power of a Fiend!"

It shouted, tossing a card directly onto the wings on its back.

"Magic Card, Fusion!"

Black mist surged, gradually forming a vortex.

Within that vortex, the phantom of a Fiend slowly emerged.

Then, it gripped the grotesque, cloud-like creature beside it.

"I will use Mist Demon as nourishment, to evolve the Fiend in my hand to a new stage!"

Mist Demon gradually dissolved and vanished, causing the golden lightning to shift to a deep purple glow.

Finally, the vortex symbolizing Fusion dissipated...

"Demon Manifestation!"

A Fiend with an even stronger aura stood on the field!

"Demon Manifestation (LV6)"

"Attribute/Dark"

"Type/Fiend"

"ATK/2500 DEF/1200"

"Do you see? This is the evolved form of a Greater Fiend!"

Of course, "evolution" was just their way of putting it.

Yu Ming was more familiar with a different term...

"Just a reskin."

Yu Ming stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the demon across from him, which looked exactly the same, as if staring into a mirror.

Its appearance, star rating, and base stats were all identical.

The only noteworthy difference, if any, was its effect.

If he remembered correctly, this Reskin wasn't the Normal Monster it once was.

Crackle, crackle

In the center of the field, dark magic vibrated.

With a flash of menacing lightning, the King, standing behind the demon, bared its teeth.

"Don't think it's the same as the demon on your field, kid."

Against the backdrop of its dark armor and skin, its stark white teeth could even be described as dazzling.

"Though they share the same name, the demon on my field has the ability to boost its own power and that of its kin."

In layman's terms, it increased attack.

"Therefore, its attack will increase by 500!"

Demon Manifestation

atk/2500→3000

"See that, kid? This is the true power of a demon!"

The King gazed at the demon on its field, utterly captivated.

"Such pure darkness, isn't it beautiful?"

Yu Ming opened his mouth, watching the King's blissful expression.

But before he could speak, the crimson gaze swept over him.

"So, do you have anything to say?"

"..."

Yu Ming fell silent, facing the self-satisfied King.

How should he put it? He simply didn't understand why Mr. King was so proud.

It had no resistance, low level, and the monster itself was practically useless.

While it debuted with 3000 ATK, even boasting a continuous effect that radiated across the entire field, and, if he recalled correctly, a leaving-the-field effect, it seemed incredibly useful, right?

But the problem was, its so-called kin weren't "Fiend-Type" monsters; it referred specifically to its original single card—Summoned Skull.

It wasn't even a general Fiend-Type support card.

Slap

Thinking of this, Yu Ming couldn't help but slap his forehead.

He knew Mr. King might not be the brightest, but he never imagined it would be this bad.

"You're worse than Keith."

"What did you say?"

"Couldn't you at least summon an eight-star monster?"

"Huh?"

Perhaps genuinely not hearing what was being said, Yu Ming saw the guy even lean an ear closer.

"What are you mumbling about over there?"

Seeing this, Yu Ming silently looked at the other demon—Dark Invader.

As the Pitch-Black King's partner, it had already pulled its hood down.

In fact, the moment Mr. King started boasting, it had already averted its gaze.

Its normally bloodthirsty, ferocious eyes darted left and right, finally settling on the ceiling, as if a native from another world had developed immense interest in high technology.

"Forget it, why don't you just continue? Don't waste time."

Yu Ming glanced at the clock still ticking in the room and spoke.

"Huh?"

Meeting the King's astonished gaze, he merely sighed.

"You should at least finish your turn."

"Are you looking down on me?"

"..."

"You arrogant fool, you will pay for this!"

Alright, alright, so you're all going to play this game, huh?

Yu Ming instinctively wanted to retort something, facing the Demon King's twisted expression.

But…

"Forget it, at least things are finally moving."

"I summon Demon Cavalry!"

As the card flew into the slot on his wing, a bone spear tore through the mist.

「Demon Cavalry (LV4)」

「Attribute/Dark」

「Type/Fiend」

「ATK/1900 DEF/0」

With ghastly flames spewing from its eyes, the cavalryman grinned menacingly, as if it would charge at any moment.

But it would never get that chance, because its owner would never allow it to remain on the field.

Clack-clack-clack-clack

Amidst a tremor and a roar, the previously sealed ceiling suddenly shattered.

"ROAR!"

With a beast-like roar, a ferocious demon leaped into the center of the field.

However, it wasn't a helper in the traditional sense.

"Berserk Demon!"

Amidst the flying debris and wreckage, the Demon King slowly raised a card.

Then, he grinned.

"Witness this well. I will unleash its hidden ferocity and rage."

Rumble

Suddenly, the demon directly punched its 'comrade' beside it.

With a bizarre wail, the Demon Cavalry, rider and horse alike, was smashed into a pulp, leaving only a long spear stuck in the ground.

"It unleashes its berserker fury by destroying a Fiend-Type monster on the field, and then…"

Against the backdrop of the wreckage and blood, the card, which seemed to reflect an unknown abyss, spun and flew.

Finally…

Snap

It gently settled into the card slot in the Monster Zone.

"Special Summon!"

Dark green corruption spread, and the demon slowly stepped forward, walking into the front lines.

Then, it arrived.

"ROAR!"