No, what's going on?

Honestly, Yu Ming felt like he was dreaming.

When he'd shot out of New Domino City in the shuttle, he'd been greeted by a chaotic battlefield.

The sight of machines, ghosts, and flesh grinding and crushing each other still left him somewhat shaken.

He even had a somewhat inappropriate thought:

Ah, this is what a fantasy world ruled by a Demon King should look like.

However, that thought didn't last long, and the stalemate, like a meat grinder, simply vanished into thin air.

There were no extra reinforcements, nor any organized legions of mages or anything like that.

Just one person, one Demon, one front-line commander, and an Evil Dragon under his control. This 'sandbox game' ended as if some self-destruct command had been activated.

It was... how to put it?

What exactly were these so-called armies even doing here?

Yu Ming didn't know. He didn't even know if his and Keith's actions at this point could still be considered the 'Decapitation Operation' they had planned earlier.

But it didn't matter. He was here now, and with the so-called war game over, it was time to get things back on track.

So...

"Care for a duel?"

As he said this, Yu Ming instinctively looked around.

Unfortunately, aside from Machine Motor Omega, the super-robot summoned by Keith, which somewhat fit his aesthetic, everything else was rather subpar.

Originally, Yu Ming quite liked the Undead Type. He'd even played with Undead decks before.

But now...

Creak

After seeing a worm crawl out of a zombie's eye socket, Yu Ming's scalp instinctively prickled.

The sound of something squirming and oozing within a soft mass was incredibly clear at that moment, almost giving him goosebumps.

Perhaps, the saying "distance makes the heart grow fonder" referred to this very situation?

"So, how about an answer?"

Shifting his gaze back to the tall Demon in front of him, Yu Ming couldn't help but speak.

"Let's completely sort out all this mess here. All this chaotic stuff looks pretty uncomfortable."

Meanwhile, Hades finally turned his gaze to the young man.

A putrid, bloody wind blew past, and Yu Ming could see its blackened, rotting teeth.

"So, that Holy Knight insists on being a coward?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"It's truly regrettable that even an 'old friend' coming in person isn't enough to warrant a meeting."

"So, who are you talking about?"

"But it doesn't matter. Since he's willing to place his hope in you, let me see if you have such worth."

"...So neither of you actually likes to listen, do you?"

Watching Hades' clearly arrogant and grim expression, Yu Ming sighed.

He wanted to say more, but a sudden, overwhelming sense of powerlessness surged through his mind, making him feel utterly exhausted.

"Fine, whatever. The main goal is pretty much the same anyway."

He slowly raised his Duel Disk.

Under the flickering green light, he saw the Demon raise its noticeably withered arm high.

As Hades moved, the wails of the undead and howls of despair swirled wildly, and visible blue flames permeated the air.

But...

You have a new challenger!

"Duel!"

After that sacred command flashed, the roars of the zombies and the rumble of the motor completely vanished.

On the silent battlefield, only the massive Demon seemed to stand.

Yu Ming LP: 4000

Hades LP: 4000

Swish swish swish

The moment Yu Ming drew a card from his deck, a materialized giant card also appeared before the Demon King.

A wisp of Red Magic burned directly above him, seeming to have some unclear significance.

But soon, Yu Ming realized what it was for.

'Boom!'

"My turn, draw!"

As the flames burst forth, a wisp of fire flew out, coalescing into a card before the Demon King.

Immediately, the card transformed into a flash of blood-red light.

"I shall summon my loyal servant. Come forth, loyal warrior of the Demon Type!"

From within a crimson vortex, a long spear spiraled out.

With a neigh, the fierce cavalry made a grand entrance.

"'Demon Cavalry'!"

Demon Cavalry (LV4)
Attribute: Dark
Type: Demon
ATK/1900 DEF/0

"As expected, it's a Demon deck."

Yu Ming narrowed his eyes, gazing at the somewhat familiar figure.

Although he had been complaining about the combat meetings before, he had actually gleaned some useful information from them—such as Hades's identity.

Unlike his previous life, where he could only piece things together from a few card images, the information the local residents here provided was much more complete.

For example… Hades was a Red Mage!

Red Magic was the magic of blood, an evil sorcery that allowed one to control, and even transform oneself into, a Demon Type. In other words, Hades frequently used this 'Demon' deck.

And the 'Demon' archetype… well, someone had actually shown it to Yu Ming before.

To be honest, even with the new cards Yu Ming remembered, it was hard to take seriously. It really seemed like the Demon Type would be better off sealed away in a coffin and used as a weapon.

Wouldn't you agree, unknown Light-attribute Demon Type 6-star red-haired big brother who kept jumping around in the toilet?

"Next, I will set two spells in the back row, waiting to be activated. I end my turn."

Suddenly, Yu Ming's eyes widened.

Leaving aside what exactly was meant by 'spell,' given the current situation…

"That's it?"

Under his astonished gaze, Hades's pale flame had already dimmed.

At the same time, the glowing green light on his Duel Disk symbolized that everything happening now was real.

Compared to his previous opponents, Hades's actions were so simple.

One monster summoned to the front, two cards set in the back!

Honestly, he hadn't seen this kind of dueling style in a long time.

Thinking about it, Yu Ming felt his eyes welling up.

This was the kind of duel he wanted!

Anime duels should be like this, shouldn't they?

No complicated maneuvers, no endless things to consider!

This way, he wouldn't feel pressured; this way, he would have room to maneuver!

"My turn, draw!"

With intense joy, Yu Ming looked at the card in his hand.

Then, his smile vanished.

"I… I summon 'Demon Soldier'."

Unconsciously, as his lips stiffened, Yu Ming felt his tongue tremble slightly.

"I set two cards in the back row."

And then…

"Turn end."

My apologies, after going out for lunch, I was running around and am only getting to this now. The second update is too late and might not happen. I'll do three updates tomorrow, orz.