Chapter 245: The Demon Formation
Chapter 245: The Demon Formation
"Welcome to the Link Arena."
Saito Tomoki stepped onto the circular arena, his feet treading on faint blue data streams. The arena took the form of a rippling blue expanse, akin to a flowing river, and Tomoki eagerly took his place at the center of this virtual stage.
His debut in the professional league was just around the corner—next week, to be precise.
The Professional Duelist League, a stage that countless duelists around the globe dreamed of stepping onto. After years of relentless effort, Tomoki had finally arrived at this expansive platform, ready to embark on a new chapter of his life as a professional duelist.
The title of a professional duelist often came with fame, fortune, and status—wealth and power beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
Having risen from a local Dueling Dojo, Tomoki now felt that the people around him could no longer provide him with the stimulation he craved.
He yearned for challenges that would push him to his limits!
The online Link system, recently acquired from the Kaiba Corporation, presented him with the perfect opportunity. He hoped to find motivation within this virtual arena, preferably by dueling against some of the veteran pro players who had also gained access to this closed beta.
However, the person he truly wanted to face was the shining newcomer in the professional league, "Aster Phoenix," an undefeated superplayer who utilized a Hero Deck. Only by facing off against such a high-caliber opponent could he truly improve himself.
Otherwise, Tomoki, confident in his status as a genius newcomer, believed that he wouldn't lose to anyone else.
The Link Arena found a match for Tomoki. He checked his opponent's ID: Happy Duel?
Tomoki's mind immediately conjured an image of a passionate young boy, brimming with youthful fervor and a burning passion for dueling.
This opponent was likely a fervent and enthusiastic duelist.
Online IDs were usually fictitious, but as a professional duelist, Tomoki had chosen to use his real name as his ID—a bold display of the confidence that came with being a genius newcomer.
As their virtual avatars materialized in the arena, Tomoki wasted no time and went straight to the point: "Are you from the pro league?"
Yugo, who had just logged in, was taken aback for a moment before smiling and admitting, "No, I'm not."
Tomoki frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of disappointment. "Then, are you an amateur?"
"Yes, purely amateur," Yugo confirmed.
"Alright then," Tomoki replied, his tone carrying a hint of resignation.
This duel was starting to look like another one-sided match, and Tomoki expected it to be rather uninteresting.
He activated his Duel Disk and said, "Let's get started then. No need to hold back. I want to see what you're capable of."
Tomoki thought to himself, "Even if I offer you a tip or two, it'll be beneficial for your dueling journey."
Meanwhile, Kei had also arrived and stood at the periphery of the arena to observe the duel.
"Hmm, right off the bat, his opponent is a professional duelist...or at least a semi-professional one," Kei remarked.
He proceeded to check his opponent's information.
"Saito Tomoki, a rookie signed with the professional league, making his debut next week."
After reading this, Kei's expression became somewhat complicated as he turned to look at Tomoki.
This guy's about to compete next week. I hope today's duel doesn't mess with his mindset, Kei thought to himself.
"Duel!" they both exclaimed simultaneously.
[Yugo: LP 4000]
[Tomoki: LP 4000]
The indicator light on the Duel Disk lit up, signaling that Tomoki had the right to decide who would make the first move.
The young genius glanced at his Duel Disk and said, "I won't underestimate my opponent just because they're an amateur. My turn, draw!
I activate the magic card 'Ancient Rules' from my hand, allowing me to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand!"
An ancient scroll appeared before him, unfurling to reveal a depiction of "Thunder Dragon" in a vintage artistic style, with golden light shimmering across the painting.
"I Special Summon a Level 6 Normal Monster from my hand!
The strongest member of the Fiend-type monsters, the Demon King himself, tamed by the King of Games—
—I summon the Demon King!"
Black clouds churned, as if stirred by an invisible hand, forming a massive vortex. Silver bolts of lightning crackled within the clouds, resembling a giant silver dragon weaving through the sky.
The colossal body of the Demon King emerged from the swirling darkness. Its body was covered in white bones, illuminated by the flickering lightning, creating a terrifying and gruesome spectacle. Every bone seemed to whisper tales of endless slaughter and bloodshed.
[Summoned Demon King: ATK 2500]
"Of course," Kei continued, "most of the ace cards used back in the day have now been proven to have evolution potential."
"Then, I'll Set a card in the backrow. My turn is over." Zhi Shu declared.
"My turn. Draw!" You Xuan drew two cards. "I'll Summon a monster in Attack Position and Set a card in the backrow. End turn."
Hmm? Zhi Shu raised an eyebrow, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.
Is that all?
"Such a lukewarm duel won't cut it in the cruel world of professional dueling. Let me teach you about the harsh realities of the professional scene."
Zhi Shu smiled confidently.
"Please, go easy on me," You Xuan politely requested.
"Of course. My turn, draw!"
Zhi Shu drew a card and immediately discarded one from his hand. "I activate the Spell Card, 'Cost Down'! By discarding one card, I can lower the Levels of all monsters in my hand by 2.
So, my 'Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage', a Level 6 monster in my hand, drops to Level 4, allowing me to Normal Summon it without any Tributes!"
Zhi Shu proudly held up the card.
"After a long evolution, the Demon King transforms into a new form, becoming the ruler of thunder and lightning! I Summon the Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage!"
A thunderous crash shook the arena as lightning bolts rained down from the dark clouds, exploding upon impact. The Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage emerged, its body wrapped in terrifying lightning, with skeletal armor that seemed to roar with thunder.
[Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage: ATK 2500]
"As expected, the evolved form of Demon's Summon," Kei thought. "Summoning two powerful demons at once, this newcomer isn't bad at all."
It was just a pity that he had met the wrong opponent.
"I hope today's duel doesn't affect his performance in next week's debut." Kei silently wished.
"And now, I activate my Set card." Zhi Shu's voice turned solemn. "I activate the Equip Spell, 'Raremetal Armor'! As long as this card is equipped to a monster, all card effects on the field can only target the equipped monster.
I equip 'Raremetal Armor' to my Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage!"
"Oh?" You Xuan nodded, stroking his chin. "That's an interesting move."
"The effect of Raremetal Armor isn't limited to monsters on the field," Zhi Shu explained with a cold smile. "It includes our Graveyards and banished monsters as well. Now, none of them can be chosen as effect targets.
Furthermore, activating an Equip Spell and targeting your own monster is also considered 'targeting', so you can't do that either. Even if you want to use an Equip Spell, you can only equip it to my Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage.
You can't even activate 'Monster Reborn' because it targets a monster in the Graveyard."
Zhi Shu's lips curled into a smirk.
You Xuan nodded. "And when the Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage is targeted by an effect, its additional effect is triggered, right?"
"Heh, you've got quite the knowledge there," Zhi Shu acknowledged. "Correct! When the Skull Archfiend of Thunder Rage is targeted by an opponent's effect, I can roll a die once. If I roll a 1, 3, or 6, that effect is negated and destroyed."
"So, it only has a fifty percent chance of success," You Xuan realized.
"Whoa, this newcomer's got some tricks up his sleeve," Kei exclaimed, his opinion of Zhi Shu improving.
"This means a lot of Xuan's card effects are sealed, doesn't it?"
(End of Chapter)
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