Chapter 348: The Strange Insect
Chapter 348: The Strange Insect
"Kaiba Seto!?"
As the man spoke, the person on the other end of the communication immediately became agitated.
"Wait, Luca. Don't make a move. He's mine; I must be the one to deal with him."
"Sorry, pal, but it's finders keepers. Since I encountered him first, it has nothing to do with you anymore." Luca drawled, a lazy smile on his face, "Looks like I'll be taking him down first."
"No, Luca, you..."
The voice on the other end of the communication was finally cut off as he ended the call. The man put down the communicator and looked at Kaiba Seto, anticipation flashing in his eyes.
"Whoa, so eager to become my defeated subordinate?"
Kaiba crossed his arms and smirked.
Thunderclouds still churned in the sky, threatening an impending downpour, and the wind continued to pick up, blowing fiercely along the pier, causing Kaiba's windbreaker to billow like a cape.
"Interesting." The man stood up, "Kaiba Seto, the strongest duelist second only to Mutou Yugi in legend. I've wanted to test my skills against you for a long time, too."
Kaiba's smile vanished as he narrowed his eyes, sizing up his opponent.
The man's words seemed to describe the facts, but they also seemed to deliberately emphasize "second only to Mutou Yugi." And it seemed impossible to refute.
"Your name is Luca, right? One of the remaining two of the Three Swordsmen of Doma." Kaiba stated flatly.
"I'm flattered that Kaiba Seto knows me," Luca replied, taken aback.
"Heh, of course, I know. You're about to be defeated by me, making you the second of the so-called Three Swordsmen of Doma to fall." Kaiba said nonchalantly.
"Just a rat that sneaked in."
"Hahaha, as expected of President Kaiba, you're indeed as arrogant as the legends say."
Luca unfolded his Duel Disk and chuckled.
"But be careful. Even a rat might have its moments and take down a fierce beast."
"Heh, is that so? Then I can't wait."
Kaiba unfolded his Duel Disk with a flourish. In the same instant, a transparent wave emanated from him, like a digital ocean, gradually materializing into a cerulean arena that enveloped both duelists.
"Hmm?" Luca raised an eyebrow.
Dressed in a suit, Kyupei appeared behind Kaiba, offering an explanation with a beaming smile.
"Kaiba Corporation's latest Duel Disk, equipped with a function to materialize images. It's similar to your supernatural styles."
Kaiba scoffed, "This way, you won't be able to escape from here until the duel is over."
"Hahaha, what thorough consideration. Alright then."
Luca shed his lazy demeanor and turned serious.
"In that case, let's decide not only who's stronger but also who lives and who dies."
"Duel!" x2
Kaiba: LP 4000
Luca: LP 4000
"I get to move first. Draw!" Luca declared, "I'll set a monster in face-down defense and another card. My turn is over."
"My turn, draw!"
Kaiba drew a card.
"I summon 'Ax Raider'!"
Ax Raider: ATK 1900
A common low-level monster in Kaiba's hand in the anime, it even made a few cameo appearances in the GX era.
"Ax Raider, attack the face-down monster!"
The beast warrior roared, swinging its battle axe at the face-down monster. The sharp blade cleaved through the cover card, splitting it in two, and a creepy insect-like monster emerged from the shattered card projection.
"Hey, looks like you took the hit, President."
Just before its death, the Man-Eating Bug lashed out with its blade, piercing through the Blood-Axe Fiend's chest with immense force, causing it to explode into fragments.
A trade-off, blow for blow.
"Hmph, this little bug," Kaiba scoffed, "is indeed a fitting monster for insects."
"Don't underestimate the power of bugs, President Kaiba," Luca said darkly. "Insects are terrifying creatures. Despite their small size, they often exert strength several times greater than their bodies. Even the most powerful beasts can easily be taken down by an insect's cunning."
"Oh? Then take a look, has your little bug succeeded in its ambush?" Kaiba countered with a cold smile.
Luca: "Your monster has indeed been defeated by the Man-Eating Bug. What are you talking about?! Nani?!"
His eyes widened as he saw a purple dragon roaring and baring its fangs in Kaiba's field, through the empty space where his monster once stood.
"Why?" Luca frowned. "That dragon is..."
[Purple Thorn Dragon from Another World, ATK 2200]
"Effect of Purple Thorn Dragon from Another World: If a monster on your field is destroyed by battle or effect and sent to the graveyard, you can special summon this card from your hand."
Kaiba declared.
"The duels of true strong duelists are always one step ahead. Such petty tricks are within my expectations!
Purple Thorn Dragon, direct attack!"
The impact of the virtual image felt like being struck by a flying heavy hammer. Luca felt his body almost fly backward, and the blood in his chest churned as he barely held back a mouthful of blood.
[Luca, LP 4000 → LP 1800]
"I set two cards, end turn."
Kaiba set two cards on the field and said expressionlessly.
"So this is the level of the new Doma Swordsman? That's quite a bit worse than before. I slightly expected more, but it seems I was wrong."
Luca caught his breath, stood up, and dusted himself off.
"As expected of Kaiba Seto, impressive... Hmph, but it's frustrating to be looked down upon so easily.
Well then, let President Kaiba experience the true power of the Three Swordsmen."
Luca said, his expression turning serious.
"My turn, draw!"
He revealed a card in his hand.
"Normal summon 'Xex Insect'!"
A monster card appeared in his front field, and a viscous green liquid slowly flowed out, as if coated with a layer of eerie silver by the moonlight. It squirmed and transformed, struggling as if it had a life of its own, until it condensed into a bizarre entity.
It resembled a four-cornered sea star, with a mouth-like structure at its center, as deep and abyssal as a black hole, writhing like a worm.
[Xex Insect, ATK 1800]
"An insect-type?"
Kaiba showed a hint of interest.
Although insect-type cards could occasionally be found on the market, a complete insect-type deck was quite rare.
However, since Luca was a Doma Swordsman, it wasn't surprising for him to have access to such a unique deck, given the organization's resources and influence.
"Ugh, what a disgusting monster," Kyupei commented with a frown.
"Hah, it's a shame that you can't appreciate the beauty of the Xex Insect."
Luca smiled but narrowed his eyes.
"However, it doesn't matter. Soon, you'll all understand the beauty and power of the Xex Insect."
(End of Chapter)
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