Chapter 71: Covering the Cover
Chapter 71: Covering the Cover
Today's duel was with Senior Hinata Hoshizora.
According to the established testing order for his decks, You Xuan had planned to test out the VWXYZ deck, which, with the addition of animation-exclusive support cards, he had found to be surprisingly strong.
However, since he would be dueling twice today, he decided to save this deck for his next duel with Asuka, as he expected that match to be more challenging and, therefore, more worthwhile.
For now, it was time to bring out the happy machine.
Hoshizora made the first move, seemingly opting for a Warrior-type deck. Following the customary show of respect, she started with a "Pot of Greed," then summoned "Wildheart Princess" in defense mode—a unique animation-only rule—a move that players often referred to as "giving your backside to your opponent."
[Wildheart Princess: ATK 0/DEF 1200]
She followed up by playing a Continuous Magic card, "United We Stand," which would boost the attack of all her Warrior-type monsters by 200 points for each Warrior- and Spellcaster-type monster she controlled. Finally, she set a card face-down and ended her turn.
You Xuan's turn began, but unfortunately, he seemed to have misplaced his key Field Spell during his card-drawing practice this week, as it was nowhere to be found in his hand.
But that was alright.
For now, he could make do without the Field Spell. He summoned the invincible "Submarineroid," ignoring the opponent's monster in the front and launching a direct attack on Hoshizora.
[Hinata Hoshizora: LP 4000 → LP 3200]
"Tch, petty tricks like that won't amount to much."
The spectators from other houses didn't seem too fazed, but the students from the Yellow Dormitory, who had suffered at You Xuan's hands these past few days, shuddered at the sight of the submarine.
Especially Yu, the first victim to fall to this strategy, who, upon witnessing the familiar scene, couldn't help but inwardly exclaim that Hoshizora was too naive. Her flag was flying high, just as his had been, and she would soon be dragged into the depths of despair, tortured, and corrupted.
After its cheeky assault, the submarine switched to defense mode. You Xuan set three cards and flashed a "your move, mate" gesture.
"It's time to show you that my pride goes beyond just looks. My turn, draw!" Hoshizora declared. "I activate the Magic card 'Angel's Charity.' I draw three cards and discard two cards from my hand.
Then, I summon 'Charge of the Brigade'!"
[Charge of the Brigade: ATK 1200]
"When 'Charge of the Brigade' is summoned, I can Special Summon another Warrior-Type monster from my hand whose Level is 4 or lower. I Special Summon 'Hatchet Man'!"
[Hatchet Man: ATK 1700]
You Xuan raised an eyebrow.
The invincible Hatchet Man, eh? My apologies.
"I switch 'Wildheart Princess' to attack mode! With the effect of 'United We Stand,' the attack of all my Warrior-type monsters increases by 600 points since I have three Warrior- and Spellcaster-type monsters on the field!"
[Wildheart Princess: ATK 1700]
[Charge of the Brigade: ATK 1800]
[Hatchet Man: ATK 2300]
"A passive strategy won't work against the united force of warriors! Battle Phase, 'Hatchet Man,' attack 'Submarineroid'!"
Hatchet Man charged forward with his axe, ready to cleave the submarine in two. And You Xuan, of course, returned the favor by showing Hatchet Man the respect he deserved.
"I activate my face-down Trap card, 'Sand Dust Storm Shield - Gust of Wind'! When an opponent's monster declares an attack, all Attack Position monsters they control become Defense Position, and those monsters cannot change their battle positions!"
And with that, the three warriors were sent to the great beyond to play a game of cards.
"What?!?"
The sandstorm swept through the field, carrying with it an eerie aura that flipped the three warriors onto their faces, neatly arranged in a row on Hoshizora's side of the field.
"It looks like Senior Hoshizora doesn't have any monsters to attack with now," You Xuan said with a gentle, sunny smile, followed by another "after you" gesture.
"Damn it! I activate my face-down Continuous Trap, 'Call of the Haunted'! It allows me to Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position! I Special Summon the monster discarded by 'Angel's Charity'!
Come forth, Level 6, 'Lady Warrior of the Waseland'!"
[Lady Warrior of the Waseland: ATK 2100]
Hinata Hoshizora: "!!!"
Another face-down card?! Are you the king of flip summoning or something?!
Powerless to stop him, her "Moonlit Lady Warrior" was sent to the graveyard as soon as it hit the field, joining the other four face-down monsters on her side of the field, each one a black hole from which no light could escape.
"Damn it, I still have this card! I activate my Quick-Play Spell Card, 'Quick Summon'! (An animation-only card) It allows me to Normal Summon one additional monster from my hand!" She drew another card.
"I tribute my face-down 'Ax Raider' and 'Charge into the Enemy's Camp' to Tribute Summon!
Level 7, 'Hunter Swordsman'!"
[Hunter Swordsman: ATK 2450]
"Hunter Swordsman can equip itself with monsters it destroys in battle!" Hoshizora declared. "Battle! 'Hunter Swordsman,' attack 'Submarineroid'!"
There was no way You Xuan would let his invincible submarine be destroyed, so he activated his face-down card. "I activate my Set Spell Card, 'Book of Moon'! Change one monster on the field to face-down Defense Position.
I choose your 'Hunter Swordsman'!"
And just like that, the "Hunter Swordsman," which had just made its grand entrance, was flipped face-down, joining its two other companions in the great beyond, leaving only their souls to play a game of cards.
Hinata Hoshizora: "."
Hmph, fine. Show off your skills.
You sure love to flip those cards.
At least the "Hunter Swordsman" covered by the "Book of Moon" could be flipped face-up next turn, and it had an effect that allowed it to absorb the monsters it destroyed in battle for extra power.
"I Set a card. End turn."
Hoshizora ended her turn with a heavy heart.
According to the intel, this guy had defeated Manjome and the legendary Dragonzaki. Could this be how he won all those duels?
Putting herself in their shoes, she suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for them. This was just a casual duel within the academy, with only a few credits at stake, and yet he was going all out.
She couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like to face him in a public tournament. She might just have a stroke on the spot.
And to make matters worse, he was even taunting her.
"Is that it, Senior Hoshizora?"
Hinata Hoshizora: "."
Hmph, what do you expect me to do when you've flipped all my monsters face-down?
And the way he asked was so polite, with that annoyingly bright smile on his face, as if his very radiance was a taunt in itself, raising her blood pressure to dangerous levels.
"Hmph," Hoshizora huffed. "Fine, your turn."
"Then I won't hold back. My turn, draw!"
You Xuan turned serious. "And as a sign of respect for your all-out duel, I will also show you my full power! Watch closely, Senior Hoshizora, for my soul, my ace monster!"
An ace monster?!
Upon hearing those words, Hinata Hoshizora tensed up. The entire audience held their breath, their eyes wide with curiosity.
Was he going to reveal his ace monster so soon?
It seemed the duel was about to reach its climax.
"Here it comes, Senior Hoshizora! I tribute your face-down 'Moonlit Lady Warrior' and 'Hunter Swordsman' for the Tribute Summon of my strongest ace monster to your field!
Arise from the molten abyss, power of destruction and rebirth—
Level 8, 'Lava Demon God'!
Hinata Hoshizora nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Are you freaking kidding me?! Your ace monster on my field?! Do you hear yourself?!
(End of Chapter)
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