Jotunheim was the home of giants in Norse mythology. In the game, it was also the largest of the nine continents, with most of its wilderness consisting of dark forests and mountains.
The Duel King finals were held in Jotunheim's largest city. The rules of Duel King were based on a concept proposed by Mu Fengyu and adapted to the evolving YGGDRASIL environment.
The gameplay was more or less the same as Yu-Gi-Oh!, except that it included an additional type of card: the Race Card. Every player received one of these for free.
A Race Card represented the player's own race. Most human players, however, gave theirs up. Compared to cards for elves and dwarves, which came with racial bonuses, the Race Cards for ordinary humans were rather unremarkable.
Race Cards for heteromorphic and monster players came with various bonuses. Take Mu Fengyu's race, for example.
Traptrix had an effect that made them immune to Trap Cards once per turn. Combined with the Traptrix cards from the cash-shop bundle, it could produce unexpected results.
Mu Fengyu entered the finals arena in Jotunheim at the same leisurely pace as if he were taking a stroll, relaxed and unhurried.
Records of the two finalists' past matches covered the surrounding walls, showing the players just how daunting the upcoming challenge would be.
But Mu Fengyu didn't seem to care. A relaxed, confident smile played on his face, as though everything was under his control.
The moment he stepped into the arena, a shadow flashed past. A human player clad in black armor was already standing before him.
The player's name was Rebel, the champion of the Svartalfheim regional Duel King qualifiers. He was no pushover.
As soon as they met, Rebel launched into a taunt, sneering as he spoke.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't our famous 'Nine's Own Goal,' Mu Fengyu. I thought you wouldn't show up."
"Your group leader quit halfway through the match, after all. If you don't have what it takes, just forfeit. At least you'd save some face."
"Rebel, did your girlfriend dump you today? Why are you so worked up?"
"That was just because it happened to be Touch Me's wife's birthday. He went to spend time with her. Otherwise, Touch Me and I would be standing here together."
Mu Fengyu didn't hold back, firing right back and taking the opportunity to explain his companion's absence.
Rebel clearly wasn't buying the excuse. He taunted him.
"Giving up such an important match for a woman? What an idiot."
"Oh? Do you have a wife? Or a girlfriend, or anything like that?"
"Hmph. Women would only slow down my gaming. Besides, I'm an important employee at a certain corporation, and I hold several other key positions as well. The whole company would have trouble running without me."
Rebel proudly listed his jobs, as if he were single for the sake of the company, as if he were indispensable. Mu Fengyu simply asked,
"So, what are your positions?"
"Regional security system inspector, close-range transporter of alkali-resistant heat-curing materials, and automation mechanical engineer."
Faced with so many impressive-sounding job titles, Mu Fengyu was speechless for a while. It took him a moment to figure out what they actually meant.
It was as if a pair of devil's wings had sprouted from Mu Fengyu's back. In the most innocent tone, he delivered the most cutting words.
"I see. Then your salary must be pretty good, right? You must have plenty left over after paying for the game?"
"Then why not try finding a girlfriend? Or do you just not like women?"
Mu Fengyu's words had clearly struck a nerve. Rebel angrily pointed at him and snapped,
"Whether I've found someone is none of your damn business. Just wait until I wipe the floor with you."
Rebel's words were full of provocation, but Mu Fengyu seemed unfazed.
He strolled toward the competition area and replied casually,
"Rebel, you know, life isn't just about work and games. Maybe you could try experiencing something different, like..."
He paused, a mischievous smile curling his lips.
"Like finding a girlfriend and experiencing what it's like to be loved."
The words were like a fuse, instantly igniting Rebel's fury. He glared so furiously he looked ready to breathe fire.
But Mu Fengyu didn't care. He continued onward with a light step, as though enjoying the match that was about to begin.
"Mu Fengyu, you bastard!"
Rebel roared, but his voice sounded especially feeble amid the noise of the competition area.
"Rebel, don't get angry. We were just joking around. The match is what matters most, isn't it?"
With that, he turned and walked into the competition area, leaving Rebel behind to fume.
And thanks to Mu Fengyu's joke, the match had become all the more entertaining—and anticipated.
The Duel King competition venue consisted of four small platforms, allowing four matches to take place at once.
Only one enormous platform remained for the finals, a sign that only one person would walk away from it victorious. Several camera devices floated around it, ready to broadcast the highlights of the final.
The two players walked onto the platform from opposite edges. Once they stood at their designated spots, the platform beneath them automatically rose into a tabletop with recessed slots. The center of the platform split in two, revealing a field that lined up perfectly with the slots on each player's side.
The two players wordlessly took their Duel Cards from their backpacks and placed them in the slots at the lower-right corners of their tables. Once both were ready,
a coin suddenly sprang out of the field between them. It spun through the air again and again before landing heads-up, meaning Rebel would go first.
Five cards flew out of the slot at the lower-right corner and hovered in front of the two players. Rebel eyed his hand with a sinister smile.
"Mu Fengyu, I suggest you surrender now. Looks like this victory belongs to me."
Clap, clap, clap.
"Oh, wow, amazing. Then hurry up and start."
Mu Fengyu offered him an extremely perfunctory round of applause, urging him to get on with it.
"Hmph. I tried to warn you, but you wouldn't listen. Don't blame me, then."
"I Normal Summon White Shrine Maiden, Erisid, from my hand."
Rebel placed a card into the slot before him. In an instant, cherry blossoms drifted across the field below, and a girl dressed in an off-white shrine maiden's robe appeared there.
"I Release White Shrine Maiden on the field to Special Summon Sword Smith, Saron, from my Deck."
"Wait! I have something to say. Maxx C! I send Maxx C to the Graveyard and activate its effect: whenever my opponent Special Summons, I can draw one card from my Deck."
Mu Fengyu interrupted Rebel with a cheeky grin and casually placed a card into the slot at the upper-right corner.
Countless cockroaches appeared on the field below. Black mist billowed from their bodies, and they vanished in an instant.
"Tsk."
Rebel clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had no way to deal with that card, so he continued his play.
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