The Grand Finals in Jotunheim

Jotunheim, the homeland of giants in Norse mythology, was also the largest of the nine continents within the game. Most of the wilderness here consisted of dark forests and mountain ranges.

The grand finals of the Duel King tournament were held in the largest city-state within Jotunheim. The rules of Duel King were based on a concept proposed by Mu Fengyu, which integrated the environmental evolution of YGGDRASIL.

The specific gameplay was quite similar to Yu-Gi-Oh!, with the addition of a race-card category. Every player received one such card for free.

The race card corresponded to the player's own race, though most human players chose to abandon their race cards. After all, compared to cards with innate bonuses like those of elves or dwarves, the race cards for ordinary humans seemed rather mediocre.

However, the race cards for heteromorphic and monster-type players all came with various bonus effects, such as Mu Fengyu's own race card.

Traptrix had an effect that granted immunity to trap cards once per turn. When combined with the core Traptrix deck from the paid gift packs, it produced unexpected results.

Mu Fengyu stepped into the Jotunheim finals arena, walking at his usual unhurried, relaxed pace as if he were out for a stroll.

The surroundings were hung with the past match records of both finalists, intended to show the players just how severe the upcoming challenge would be.

But Mu Fengyu seemed not to care; his face wore a relaxed and confident smile, as if everything were within his grasp.

Just as he stepped into the arena, a dark shadow flashed by, and a human player clad in black armor was already standing before him.

This player was named Rebel, the final champion of the Svartalfheim regional Duel King qualifiers, and his strength was not to be underestimated.

Rebel went straight into taunt mode upon meeting him, sneering, "Oh, oh, oh, isn't this Mu Fengyu from our famous Nine's Own Goal? I thought you wouldn't show up."

"After all, your guild leader ran off halfway through. If you don't have the strength, you should just admit defeat obediently. That would be more dignified."

"Rebel, did your girlfriend dump you today? Why are you so hot-headed?"

"That was just a coincidence because it was Touch Me's wife's birthday; he went to accompany her. Otherwise, it would be me and Touch Me standing here."

Mu Fengyu didn't hold back and retorted directly, taking the opportunity to explain for his companion.

Rebel clearly didn't accept this reason and challenged him provocatively, "To give up such an important match for a woman is truly stupid."

"Oh? Then do you have a wife? Or a girlfriend or something?"

"Heh, women really affect the speed at which I play games. Besides, I am an important employee at a certain group, and I hold many important positions. The group would struggle to function without me."

Rebel proudly stated his profession, as if he were single for the sake of the company and as if he were indispensable. Mu Fengyu asked innocently, "Then what are your positions?"

"Regional security system inspector, alkali-resistant high-temperature curing material short-range transmitter, and automated mechanical engineer."

The sheer volume of high-sounding titles left Mu Fengyu stunned for a moment before he finally processed what those jobs actually were.

At that moment, a pair of devil wings seemed to sprout behind Mu Fengyu, and he delivered the most cutting remark in the most innocent tone.

"I see. Then the salary must be quite high, right? There must be a fair bit left over after expenses?"

"Then why don't you try finding a girlfriend? Do you not like them?"

Clearly, Mu Fengyu's words broke through Rebel's defenses. He pointed at Mu Fengyu, furious, and shouted, "Whether I find one or not is none of your business! Just wait until I finish you off."

Although Rebel's words were full of provocation, Mu Fengyu seemed not to care.

He walked toward the competition area while responding lightly, "Rebel, do you know? Sometimes, life is more than just work and games. Perhaps you could try experiencing something different, like..."

He paused, a mischievous smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Like finding a girlfriend and feeling what it's like to be loved."

This sentence was like a fuse, instantly igniting Rebel's anger. He glared, his eyes wide as if he were about to spit fire.

But Mu Fengyu remained indifferent, continuing his light-footed stride as if he were enjoying the upcoming match.

"Mu Fengyu, you bastard!"

Rebel roared, but his voice sounded exceptionally weak and powerless amidst the noise of the competition area.

"Rebel, don't be angry. We're just joking. After all, the match is what matters most, isn't it?"

With that, he turned and walked into the competition area, leaving Rebel standing there panting with rage.

And this match, because of Mu Fengyu's joke, became even more interesting and anticipated.

The Duel King competition arena consisted of four small platforms, allowing four matches to be held simultaneously.

Only a single massive ring remained for the finals, signaling that only one person could walk away victorious. Many camera props floated near the ring to broadcast the highlights of the finals.

The two walked up from the edges of the ring. Once they stood in their designated spots, a table with slots automatically rose from beneath their feet. The center of the ring split apart to reveal the field, which aligned perfectly with the slots on the players' tables.

The two tacitly took their duel cards from their backpacks and placed them into the slots at the bottom right of the tables. Once they were ready, a coin popped out from the field in the center. The coin flipped repeatedly in the air before landing heads up, indicating that Rebel would go first.

Five cards flew out from the slot in the bottom right and hovered in front of each player. Rebel looked at the cards in his hand and gave an insidious smile.

"Mu Fengyu, I advise you to surrender quickly. It seems the victory this time belongs to me."

Clap, clap, clap.

"Oh, oh, oh, how impressive. Then let's start quickly."

Mu Fengyu gave a perfunctory compliment, signaling for him to begin.

"Hmph, I tried to give you some good advice, 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, and instantly, cherry blossoms drifted across the field below. A young girl dressed in an off-white shrine maiden outfit appeared there.

"I tribute the [White Shrine Maiden] on the field to special summon [Sword Smith] Saron from my deck."

"Wait! I have something to say. One Maxx C. I send Maxx C to the graveyard to activate its effect: every time my opponent special summons, I can draw a card from my deck."

Mu Fengyu interrupted Rebel cheekily, casually placing a card into the top-right slot.

Dense swarms of cockroaches appeared on the field below, their bodies emitting a dark aura before instantly vanishing.

"Tsk."

Rebel clicked his tongue in annoyance, as he had no way to deal with this card, and continued his play.