https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-106-The-Secret-Manual-of-Dueling/12557119/
Chapter 105: Dueling Can Be Deadly
Chapter 105: Dueling Can Be Deadly
Beetle Armored Knight, LP 0
Duels in the Creature Dimension were different from the Shadow Duels in the outside world. Here, not only were the creatures and card effects physical, but the damage inflicted during duels was also real. However, if both parties were just sparring, they could intentionally hold back and end the duel with a single touch.
It wasn't like the Shadow Duels, where only one person would walk away alive at the end of a match.
Of course, there was no reason for You Xuan to hold back against the Beetle creature. Abyss Soldier's unrestrained slash directly cleaved through the beetle's head.
The beetle fell back, blood splattering across the floor, and as it died, its body disintegrated into particles of light that faded away.
It also dropped a deck of cards.
You Xuan walked over, picked up the deck, and surveyed the surroundings, frowning.
Damn, it didn't drop a Duel Disk.
That was one downside of the Creature World. Many creatures' Duel Disks weren't technological creations or crafted tools; they were more like extensions of their bodies, a part of themselves. So when the creature died, the Duel Disk ceased to exist as well.
It was a pity. You Xuan had been hoping to bring back a Duel Disk from another world, and even if he couldn't use it, selling it to Kaiba Corporation for research would have fetched a handsome price.
Oh well, at least he got a deck of cards out of it.
While he didn't have any immediate plans to play an insect-themed deck, and this deck wasn't particularly strong or versatile compared to the ones he already had, many of the cards would likely sell for a good price.
For example, he immediately thought of Watanabe Shuichi, his senior in the Duel Club. The older boy would probably be more than happy to pay a fair price for them.
Judai stood by, watching for a while before he finally spoke up, "Wait, where did that creature go?"
You Xuan froze for a moment, taking a few seconds to process the question.
Oh right, Judai was still an innocent and naive student at this point. Following the normal timeline, Judai would have still been earnestly debating the existence of Shadow Duels with Titan around this time.
A fine young man brought up in the Kaiba-esque education style and a firm believer in materialism.
"It's dead," You Xuan replied matter-of-factly. "That's how things work in this world. In many places, duels aren't just a game, they're a way of fighting, and they can decide the life and death of the duelists."
The materialist Judai was shocked.
His expression seemed to say, "I haven't read that many books, but don't lie to me. How could someone die from playing a card game?"
But You Xuan quickly added that there was nothing surprising about it. What was the big deal about someone dying in a duel? In the future, duels could even destroy the world and turn back time.
Judai's worldview was shaken to its core.
Everything he had been taught growing up told him that this was ridiculous, but deep down, a voice seemed to be telling him that it was true.
After all, they had traveled from the abandoned dormitory to this strange continent and encountered the creature duel monsters—these were undeniable facts.
And so, for the first time in his life, Judai had to confront this possibility.
Perhaps dueling really could be deadly.
Then he thought of something else, and his gaze toward You Xuan's back became complicated.
So, You Xuan had just dueled, risking his life?
And it seemed like he had known about this all along.
Even knowing the risks, he had still accepted this duel without hesitation.
Was it because, as a partner, he didn't want Judai to face such a cruel duel alone?
You Xuan, already humming a tune, walked ahead.
"Oh, it's nothing," Judai scratched his head, "It just feels a bit odd to use someone else's deck."
"Someone else's deck? Whose?" You Xuan asked, puzzled.
Judai paused, "Huh? Isn't it the deck of that beetle creature we just faced?"
"Then where's the beetle creature?" You Xuan inquired.
"Didn't you say it's dead?" Judai responded.
"Yeah, if the creature is gone, how can it still be its deck?" You Xuan countered, "It's ownerless, so I picked it up."
Judai frowned, deep in thought. "Hmm, that does make sense. If I left the deck here, wouldn't someone else pick it up anyway? What if an evil creature got their hands on it and used it as a weapon to persecute innocent people? That would be terrible!"
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," Judai conceded.
"What do you mean 'guess'? Of course, it makes sense!" You Xuan waved his hand dismissively and continued, "Besides, even if no one picked it up, leaving all these cards abandoned in the wilderness, exposed to the elements or being chewed on by wild animals—that would be a sad fate for them. As upright duelists, we just want to give these poor ownerless cards a home, don't we?"
"Yeah, yeah," Judai mumbled, gradually getting swayed by You Xuan's rhetoric.
"Right?" You Xuan patted him on the shoulder, his voice full of wisdom. "Judai, dueling isn't always just about having fun. Sometimes, it can get pretty heavy. You'll inevitably encounter such situations in the future, too. In the wrong hands, these cards can become dangerous weapons, and as righteous duelists, we can't stand by and watch our beloved monsters being misused!"
These words struck a chord with Judai, igniting his passion for dueling and his sense of heroism. "Yes!" he exclaimed.
"So, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember—do not hold back," You Xuan continued, his tone solemn. "The Duel Disk and deck are tools of evil in the hands of those villains. We must not give them the chance to cause more harm!"
You Xuan's words were filled with conviction. However, he paused briefly before softening his tone. "Of course, from a duelist's perspective, it's normal to feel guilty about taking someone else's deck, as if you're stealing their soul. But we have no choice; heroes sometimes have to make sacrifices to uphold justice.
"However!" You Xuan's voice brightened, "If you feel that this burden is too heavy to bear, Judai, I'll gladly take it upon myself."
You Xuan chuckled, his words meant as a lighthearted joke. But if Judai ever did offer to share an opponent's deck with him after a life-or-death duel, he supposed he'd reluctantly accept.
The waters of Shadow Duels ran deep, and he feared Judai might not be able to handle the darkness on his own. It was better if he took care of it himself.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen your new deck before," Judai remarked.
"Oh, I only built it a couple of days ago after I drew 'Abyss Soldier' during a duel with the Duel Club," You Xuan explained.
"Wow, that's so cool!" Judai exclaimed, his face filled with envy. "You and Mr. Kenpachi, I admire you guys. It's so easy for you to come up with these amazing combinations and builds."
You Xuan's heart whispered, "No, I admire you."
"If I had your talent, why would I bother assembling so many decks? I'd just put them all together and let them work their magic!"
(End of Chapter)
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