Chapter 1090: The Despised Self
Chapter 1090: The Despised Self
Provocation.
Blatant provocation.
But Youxuan was speaking the truth. Everything on his field had been cleared away by the Black Rose Dragon, leaving nothing behind. The Volcano Queen he had just summoned this turn was also countered by the Spiked Wall, and he hadn't set any new cards to his back row.
To be precise, the only card left on his field was the Anti-Minotaur Pure Love Warrior "Brainwashing Elimination", which could return all mind-controlled monsters to their original owners. However, as long as Shizukanae Akira didn't revive the monsters in Youxuan's graveyard, "Brainwashing Elimination" was essentially useless, offering no defense during the opponent's turn.
A completely empty field. At this moment, Youxuan was like a naked figure, wide open and taunting, daring Akira to take the bait.
But this only made Akira even angrier.
"Just how much are you underestimating me? Don't you regret it!"
Akira first pointed to the small Phoenix Seed on her field.
"During your End Phase, the monster summoned by the effect of 'Enemy Attack Alert' returns to the owner's hand.
'Phoenix Seed' returns to my hand."
The tiny seed transformed into a beam of golden light, flying back into Shizukanae Akira's hand.
"Then, it's my turn, Draw!"
Akira drew a card.
"At this moment, the effect of the Trap 'Synchro Retreat' from last turn!
The Synchro Monster that was returned to the Extra Deck due to the activation of Synchro Retreat is Special Summoned back to the field during this turn's Standby Phase.
Return once more—
—Black Rose Dragon!!!"
A storm of roses swirled again, and countless blood-red petals coalesced into the dragon's wings. The Black Rose Dragon, with its long, sinuous roots, rode the storm that seemed to sweep everything in its path, returning to the field.
[Black Rose Dragon, Attack Power 2400]
"Next, I summon the card that returned to my hand at the end of last turn", Akira continued. "Normal Summon 'Phoenix Seed'!"
[Phoenix Seed, Attack Power 0]
"The effect of 'Phoenix Seed' allows me to send this card to the graveyard to Special Summon 'Phoenix Lycoris' from my hand.
Bloom once more—
—Phoenix Lycoris!"
The seed hit the ground and seemed to ignite, growing rapidly in a visible flame, until it transformed into the fiery Lycoris flower once again.
[Phoenix Lycoris, Attack Power 2200]
"Even a second one", Youxuan remarked. "It seems you really have a thing for this monster."
Well, it is a banned card, so its power is undeniable.
"Since you're asking for it, I'll give it to you!
Battle!"
Akira declared.
"Black Rose Dragon, direct attack!
Black Rose Trick!"
The Black Rose Dragon let out a sharp cry, and from beneath its petal-like wings, tendrils shot out. The swirling blood-red roses danced around the tendrils, whistling through the air as they headed towards the empty field of Youxuan.
Youxuan calmly revealed a card in his hand.
"In that case, I discard 'Kite Warrior' from my hand."
Youxuan said lazily.
"Kite Warrior can be discarded from the hand when the opponent declares a direct attack, reducing the battle damage to 0."
The full force of the Black Rose Dragon's attack, fueled by Shizukanae's psychokinetic powers and all her fury, struck the small, cartoonish kite, which instantly vanished without a trace.
Akira: "Any more hand cards with monster effects!?"
Youxuan chuckled: "Just that?"
Shizukanae Akira gritted her teeth. "Not over yet! Phoenix Lycoris, direct Attack!"
The Phoenix Lycoris received a mental power boost, its vines bursting forth in flames and thrusting sharply towards Youxuan.
"Then, I'll activate the effect of 'Kite Warrior' from the Graveyard", Youxuan said nonchalantly. "When Kite Warrior is in the Graveyard, it can negate one direct Attack battle damage to the player, reducing it to zero."
"What!?" Akira was stunned. "Even from the Graveyard, it can block?"
So this single card could block two attacks?
"Is that all?" Youxuan continued.
"Uh, not yet!" Akira retorted. "The monster effect of Phoenix Lycoris! When Phoenix Lycoris attacks, after battle damage calculation, it destroys itself!
Your 'Kite Warrior' reduces the battle damage to zero, but it doesn't negate the attack itself. Therefore, the battle still counts.
So, after the battle, Phoenix Lycoris will self-destruct!"
Flames erupted from within the plant, quickly consuming the entire body of the lycoris, reducing it to ashes.
"Then, the additional effect of Phoenix Lycoris", Akira continued, "When Phoenix Lycoris is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, it deals 800 points of damage to the opponent!"
Sparks of flame splattered from the exploding lycoris, raining down on Youxuan.
[Youxuan, LP 3600 → LP 2800]
Youxuan closed his eyes briefly, calmly absorbing the full force of Akira's anger and determination. But the damage was only 800 points, and even with her full strength, it seemed to do little more than ruffle his clothing.
Akira was taken aback. "You!?"
Having taken the damage, Youxuan slowly opened his eyes and drawled, "Is that all? Did you forget to eat?"
Akira: "..."
This was beyond provocation; she felt insulted.
Ever since she awakened her powers in childhood, Akira had lived in pain, suffering from the burden of her strength. She often hated her power, hated the uncontrollable force within her. Everyone feared her strength, including herself.
Today, for the first time in a long while, she had unleashed her full power without restraint, trying to overwhelm her opponent with her strongest attack.
But her all-out attack was dismissed with contempt!
This was a feeling she had never experienced before. No one had ever dared to challenge her strength. In fact, few people had ever faced her without fear. But this person not only showed no fear, he seemed to regard her power with utter disdain.
As if to say, is this what you call strength?
Attacking him was like hitting someone who hadn't eaten, so light and ineffective, it was as if she didn't understand her own struggles.
Akira: "You... you..."
"You what?" Youxuan cut her off mercilessly. "I told you, if you keep fearing and denying yourself, your power will always be this weak.
Without power, how will you take revenge? How will you protect what you cherish?
If you can't even protect the few things you don't want to lose, is this what you want?"
He paused, shaking his head.
"Throughout history, those chosen by the Red Dragon have always had exceptional qualities. The Dragon Mark Bearers were not just powerful; they were heroes willing to protect what they valued, willing to give everything.
And you..."
He paused again, feigning regret as he shook his head.
"Perhaps even the Red Dragon can make mistakes."
Akira: "..."
"Speaking of which", Youxuan said with a strange smile, "in fact, the Deck I've been using against you isn't the one I usually use.
Do you know why I chose to Duel you with a Plant-Type Deck?"
(End of Chapter)
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