Let's play cards! In a fantasy world of swords and magic

The phantom of a massive black dragon seemed to emerge from the yet-to-be-summoned card, faintly appearing behind Kevin.

Everyone watching the duel had the same thought—the outcome of this duel was no longer in doubt.

If Kevin Seto successfully summoned the legendary [Red-Eyes Black Dragon], no matter how hard Aisha Carlos struggled, it would be futile in the face of absolute power.

"What's coming will always come... No, I should say it's finally here. I've been waiting for you."

But compared to the spectators, You Ling, who was on the duel field, had a completely opposite view of Kevin drawing the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon].

From what You Ling knew, although this world's duel rules had simplified the timing mechanics and leaned more toward real combat, they still retained the original rules for tribute summoning.

Tribute summoning, also known as advanced summoning, required sacrificing monsters on the field to summon higher-level monsters.

For 5-star and 6-star monsters, one tribute was needed.

For 7-star and above monsters, two tributes were required.

On Kevin Seto's field, since [Lizard Soldier] had been destroyed by [Counter Punch] last turn, only [Valkyrie of Divine Power] remained.

Because normal summons, including tribute summons, could only be used once per turn, and with insufficient tributes, Kevin couldn't summon [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] this turn.

Kevin, of course, was aware of the current situation.

However, the two cards he drew using the A-rank spell card [Pot of Greed] included not only [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] but also a magic card that could push Aisha to the brink this turn.

Kevin immediately flung out the other card he had drawn.

"—Magic card activated: [Defense Seal]."

[Defense Seal - Magic Card Effect: Target 1 defense-position monster on your opponent's field and change it to attack position.]

"Stop hiding, weakling! Face me!"

With Kevin's roar, You Ling's face-down defense monster was forcibly flipped into attack position.

It was a strange angel-type monster.

[Hourglass of Life ★★ Light]

[Fairy Type ATK: 700 DEF: 600]

A strange angel with the shape of an hourglass but a pair of wings.

"Just as I thought, a weakling. Now you have no way out, Aisha Yuna Carlos!"

Using the effect of [Defense Seal], Kevin avoided the awkwardness of being blocked like last turn. With the fog of war cleared, he proceeded with his summon for this turn.

"I summon [Dragon Soul Statue] in attack position!"

[Dragon Soul Statue ★★★ (3 stars) Earth]

[Warrior Type ATK: 1100 DEF: 900]

A warrior statue imbued with the soul and form of a dragon materialized on the field. Although it didn't have the terrifying combat power of [Valkyrie of Divine Power], it was still far stronger than Aisha's weak monsters.

"It's time to end this. Unfortunately, Aisha, you don't even deserve to make me use [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]."

Leading his two monsters into the battle phase, the combined attack power of Kevin's monsters was more than enough to obliterate Aisha and her monsters in one go.

"Swing your sword and carve the path to victory, [Valkyrie of Divine Power]!—Radiant Holy Slash!"

With the boost from the equip card, [Valkyrie of Divine Power], with 2200 attack points, swung her radiant sword, slicing through the monster on Aisha's field. The impact didn't stop there—it sent Aisha's slender body flying backward.

To be precise, it sent You Ling, who was using Aisha's body, flying.

[Hourglass of Life] destroyed.

Aisha's LP: 2000 → 500

Although two monsters had been destroyed earlier, they were in defense position, so no damage was dealt.

But after being forced into attack position by [Defense Seal], the attack on the monster would deal battle damage equal to the difference in attack points to the duelist.

[Valkyrie of Divine Power]'s single slash dealt a terrifying 1500 points of damage.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Rubbing her bottom, which had made zero-distance contact with the ground, You Ling experienced the real impact of taking damage in a duel for the first time.

No wonder the characters in the anime screamed so miserably when they took damage.

Of course, it might also be because Aisha's body was too light and easily sent flying.

Aisha: "(╯°Д°)╯ Don't touch me like that, Mr. You Ling!"

Stop complaining, I'm touching!

As You Ling got up while still rubbing her bottom, before he could even steady himself, Kevin's follow-up attack was already coming.

"[Dragon Soul Statue], direct attack on the duelist!—Crushing Stone Sword!"

A direct attack from a monster with 1100 attack points. If You Ling took this hit, there was no doubt he would lose immediately.

"Activate the set card!"

At the critical moment, You Ling flipped over the trap card he had set last turn.

"—Trap card activated: [Cunning Strategy]!"

[Cunning Strategy - Trap Card Effect: Discard 1 monster from your hand and target 1 monster on the field. The targeted monster's ATK is reduced by the ATK of the discarded monster.]

A card with hidden potential that You Ling had discovered among the D-rank trap cards.

Although most D-rank cards were of questionable strength in You Ling's eyes, [Cunning Strategy], true to its name, had an effect that could turn the tide at a critical moment.

"I discard the monster card [Flame Demon] (ATK: 700) from my hand. Using the effect of [Cunning Strategy], reduce [Dragon Soul Statue]'s attack by 700 points!"

Crimson flames erupted from the discarded card, fiercely burning [Dragon Soul Statue] and slowing its deadly assault.

[Dragon Soul Statue ATK: 1100 → 400]

Even so, the sword slash across Aisha's defenseless flat chest still sent a sharp pain through You Ling.

Aisha's LP: 500 → 100

The number representing Aisha's life points plummeted, stopping just short at a precarious 100 points.

"Whew! That was close, too close. I almost got wiped out there."

Letting out a long breath, You Ling felt the tension of having narrowly avoided defeat.

The spectators felt it even more intensely.

"For a moment there, I thought my heart was going to stop," Ilin said.

"Really, for a second, I thought it was all over," Teacher Erin remarked, lighting another cigarette under the inexplicable pressure.

But no matter how dangerous the situation was, the fact remained—Aisha had survived.

"Still refusing to give up, huh?" Kevin said sternly. "Admitting defeat is also a form of dignity, Aisha Carlos. Your life points are hanging by a thread. The outcome is no longer in doubt."

"Oh, hanging by a thread?"

Do you know what it means to be hanging by a thread?

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