Red-Eyes

"Ugh…"

Perhaps it was the pain from the sword wound, or the exhaustion from the life point deduction.

After taking a direct hit from Paladin of Dark Dragon, the great demon suddenly seemed to lose all its strength, its bloated body sliding slowly down, leaning against the altar.

The lingering black flames on its chest continued to burn the wound, and the overflowing fluid dripped onto the ground.

Sizzle

Plop

However, it wasn't blood.

At least, the blood Yu Ming knew was never this chaotic color.

A mixture of yellow, purple, and red, it was unsettling to look at, not to mention the maggots writhing within.

But even so, Hades's withered hand still clung tightly to the grotesque altar.

"It's…it's not over yet."

Forcibly propping up his bloated body, he swayed, using the altar to stand up.

"I haven't seen him yet, and there are still so many things… I need to ask him clearly!"

"So, that's why you're emphasizing obsession and wishes?"

Yu Ming spoke, looking at Hades, who could barely stand.

In a way, Mr. Hades, in his current state, was indeed the perfect embodiment of all the chaotic things Yu Ming had spoken about earlier.

"Your body has become a nest for bacteria, viruses, and maggots. This is a state I've only ever seen in mindless zombies, yet you're driving your body purely through obsession."

"Ugh…"

"Honestly, I'm curious what that feels like… but I'm tired of all this."

Yu Ming took a deep breath.

"Aimless madness, riddles, and a tedious process—this is the kind of third-rate stuff a foolish author, eager to reveal plot points, would write. It's better to just end it quickly."

"But your Battle Phase is over, and next turn…"

"There is no next turn, Mr. Hades."

Instantly, a red glow shone.

Amidst a burst of flames, the silent black knight raised the sharp sword in his hand.

"After the Battle Phase, I activate the effect of 'Paladin of Dark Dragon,' Tributing this card to Special Summon a 'Red-Eyes' monster from my Deck."

At that moment, Hades's eyes seemed to be filled with different colors, his central eyeball appearing as if it would pop out.

"A Red-Eyes monster, could it be…"

"Yes, exactly as you thought."

Although later, the "Red-Eyes" archetype did indeed produce many other monsters, basically all the monsters Joey Wheeler used or fused with Red-Eyes were released.

But here, at least for now, its target was undeniably clear.

"The Red-Eyes that symbolizes possibility, a dragon that burns everything it sees with black flames."

A sudden inspiration, his finger quickly slid to the bottom of the deck.

But then, the scorching sensation almost made him retract his finger.

"Ah, so, are you angry?"

The moment it was drawn, winding black flames completely engulfed the knight on the field.

Amidst the chaos, eyes as beautiful as jewels, glowing red, appeared.

"Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

Red-Eyes Black Dragon (LV7)
Attribute: Dark
Type: Dragon
ATK/2400 DEF/2000

The pitch-black dragon roared skyward, its dark flames instantly replacing the demons' signature thunder.

Like a legendary dragon building its nest, it didn't land neatly on the field, but instead perched atop a sharp pillar directly above.

In that moment, what should have been the demons' paradise instantly became the black dragon's lair.

Roar

As the dragon's head lowered, the black dragon didn't look at its enemy, but instead turned its gaze to its master.

"Yes, yes, I know, it was my fault for having you appear so late… but I won't apologize."

Facing the black dragon's somewhat strange gaze, Yu Ming merely shrugged.

"After all, don't you think your stats are a bit awkward? As a Level 7 monster, your ATK is completely inferior to 'Summoned Skull,' and for the same number of Tributes, 'Tri-Horn Dragon' is much more useful than you…"

BOOM!

Suddenly, a dragon's breath exploded nearby.

The high-temperature black mist diffused, making Yu Ming's nose itch slightly.

Oh, so you get mad when I tell it like it is, huh? Well, never mind.

After staring at the dragon's visibly scarred face for a long time, he just shook his head.

Anyway, you'll probably have plenty of chances to appear in the future… even if it's just with this one card.

In the anime environment, some cards are simply overpowered.

For example, Five-Headed Dragon, which real-life players only see as graveyard fodder, or Blue-Eyes White Dragon in its early days, which was essentially a blank slate.

Of course, the card in Yu Ming's hand was no different.

"Magic Card – Inferno Fire Blast."

Although it had some activation conditions and self-restrictions, it was more than enough.

"Targeting Red-Eyes Black Dragon on my field, inflict damage to the opponent equal to its original ATK."

"Gulp."

Hades strained to look up, only to see the towering Black Dragon already staring at him.

On its scarred face, the single crimson jewel glowed with destructive light.

One-eyed…

There was no more time to think; the destructive flame had already erupted.

Black fire entwined, consuming almost everything.

In the darkness, Hades finally closed his eyes.

So that's it, you're the one who ended everything for me again… Paladin of Dark Dragon.

Hades LP: 1600→0

RUMBLE

As the bloated body fell, a crisp tearing sound echoed.

Starting from the central altar, Pandemonium began to collapse.

Thunder and black flames danced together, destroying everything around them. Cracks spread not only across the grotesque landmarks but also into the sky.

Gazing at the apocalyptic scene before him, Yu Ming took a deep breath.

The scorching heat gradually receded, and the familiar chill returned. When he looked around again, the surroundings had reverted to the desolate and empty landscape he knew.

In the midst of decay and desolation, Yu Ming looked behind him.

In this Undying World, which could only be described as silent, only the familiar roar of Machine Motor still surged.

"Yo, looks like you won?"

From its head, the free-spirited man wearing a bandana gave a frank greeting.

"Mhm."

"Then you can go count your spoils yourself. I'm not gonna help you with that."

Watching Keith's utterly boss-like demeanor, Yu Ming didn't know what to say.

If you called him a good person, his attitude was terrible, but he also didn't shamelessly jump out trying to get a share.

"Well then, I won't share these benefits with you."

"Yeah, yeah, take it all. I don't need any of that stuff anyway."

"Oh? Then I won't hold back."

Plop.

Suddenly, as Yu Ming walked away, he heard a crisp dripping sound.

"Huh?"

He instinctively looked over, only to see dark pus constantly dripping from his body.

Unbeknownst to him, the wound on his chest had already begun to fester.

Why is the wound still there?

Then, a dizzying blackout followed.

No, I should have won…

He couldn't tell which way was up, nor could he feel where the ground was.

"Yu Ming?"

Won…

Finally, he completely sank.

THUD!

"Yu Ming!"

Congratulations to the host for defeating Duelist 'Hades, the Awakened Demon King'. 0 Duel Points were obtained from this duel.