The underground Duelists, gathered before an open space, automatically parted to form two paths.
As the two Duelists entered, various sounds emanated from the crowd, many of which were cheers and shouts of encouragement for the Deepsea Duelist—Danker King.
In a corner of the Underground Duel Arena, people crowded around a gambling table piled high with valuables.
Seeing that the second duel was about to begin, many people clutching banknotes swarmed to it.
For them, this was a contest without suspense.
On one side was a seasoned Duelist who had frequented this place for years, boasting an overall win rate of over seventy percent.
On the other side, however, was a new face whose name no one had even heard of.
It was obvious who everyone would bet on.
“Didn’t expect it to be Danker’s turn so soon.
This old man is already ready to fill baskets with money!”
“Hehe, Danker’s odds are ridiculously low.
Even if he wins, how much money can he really get?”
“What’s with all that nonsense!
Then *you* go bet on that little brat?
Will you bet on him?”
“Not me.
Who’d waste time throwing away money?”
“I’m betting on Yusei!!” Suddenly, a completely different voice rang out.
It was Dikaide, rushing over with his satchel.
He slapped several rolls of banknotes onto the table and declared firmly, “All of this!!
On Yusei!!!”
The fat man, Tank, sitting on an old-fashioned sofa, strangely put down the toothpick in his hand, then chuckled and made a record.
After handing over the money, Dikaide strode away amidst a chorus of surprised glances, with a few scornful remarks trailing behind him.
“Heh, interesting, another one hoping for an upset!”
“Where do you find so many cheap thrills?
You won’t get an upset even in fifty matches!”
“Whatever, if they want to throw money away, let them.
Otherwise, how would we win?”
“Hahahahahahaha, you’re right.
Just wait and see that foolish kid cry later!”
Dikaide had just returned to the scene when the duel began.
“Duel!!!!”
Two loud shouts rang out, and Yusei’s opponent—Danker King—snatched the First Turn with lightning speed!
The method for deciding the First Turn here was very traditional: both players would Draw Cards after shouting “Duel”.
Whoever drew five Cards first would take the First Turn.
If the number of Cards Drawn was incorrect, or if any Cards dropped, the opponent would be granted the First Turn.
Therefore, the right to the First Turn was naturally seized by that calculating and shrewd foreigner across from him.
The white-skinned man, known as the Deepsea Duelist, sported a full beard and a robust physique.
He smirked triumphantly, his thick, slightly hoarse voice mocking:
“Looking at you, you must only be in your twenties, eh?”
“You’re still too green to make a living off dueling!”
“Once this old man knocks you down, don’t you dare cry, you little brat!!!”
Heh.
Yusei sneered inwardly.
This level of trash talk held no Attack Power.
Years ago, when he worked at the auto repair shop, he’d heard real vulgarities.
But after the Racing Team’s rules became too strict for too long, he stopped learning such foul language.
Hearing this foreigner’s taunts now, he felt like a university student watching a kindergarten child proudly declare that one plus one equals two; he found it merely laughable.
“Here it comes!
My First Turn!
Draw!” Danker King swiped with his hairy arm, and a Field Spell Card was slammed down.
“Field Spell Card—Legendary City of Atlantis!!!”
“As long as this Card exists on the field, WATER Attribute Monsters on the field gain 200 Attack Power and DEF!!!”
“At the same time, both players’ Hand and WATER Attribute Monsters on the field lose one Level!!!”
As the Card fell, the roar of ocean waves echoed around the field.
An ancient underwater city slowly emerged, and the entire Duel field filled with seawater generated by holographic projections.
Yusei’s gaze sharpened.
It’s this Card?
It seems this guy might not be a Turbo Duelist; he’s probably a traditionalist.
Because in a Turbo Duel, no Field Spell Cards can be activated.
And even in traditional Standing Duels, this Field Card lowers the Level of Monsters, making it unsuitable for a Deck centered around Synchro Summon.
Everything was as Yusei expected.
After playing the Field Card, his opponent utilized the Level Reduction Effect to Summon a Monster from their Hand that was originally Level five:
“Hehe, relying on the Field Card’s Level Reduction Ability, I Normal Summon this Monster from my Hand in Attack Position—Deepsea Warrior!”
“Then I Set one Card, Turn End!!!”
[Deepsea Warrior]
[Level 5]
[WATER Attribute/Warrior Type]
[ATK/DEF: 1600/1800]
The surrounding audience spontaneously and triumphantly commented:
Drawing a Field Card right off the bat!”
“Yeah, as I recall, as long as Danker King has a Field Card out, his win rate is never below ninety percent!!!”
“That kid across from him is done for!”
“Haha, what’s he got to cry about?
I heard some fool just bet a huge sum of money on him.
*That guy* is the one who’s going to be miserable!!!”
Dikaide, standing in the crowd, naturally heard these words.
He generally knew Danker King’s strength; the man was indeed formidable.
However, he trusted Yusei more!
“Swish————————”
Yusei drew a Card and announced loudly:
“Then it’s my Turn!
Draw!”
“I activate the Spell Card—Fissure!”
“This Card can destroy the Monster with the lowest Attack Power on your opponent’s field!!”
“Crackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk”
The ground cracked open, a fissure rapidly extending towards the opponent’s Monster.
But just as the fissure was about to reach the Monster’s feet, it abruptly stopped?!
Immediately after, the Spell Card on Yusei’s Duel Disk dimmed, having no Effect!
“It’s useless,” Danker King sneered triumphantly, “Legendary City of Atlantis is treated as the sea, and Deepsea Warrior’s Effect is: as long as there is sea on the field, it will not be affected by any Spell Card!!!”
But Yusei’s expression was calm: “I already knew that.”
“What?” Danker King was stunned.
Yusei said, “Although I cannot check the Effect of your Cards, your battle strategy has already revealed that Monster’s ability to me.”
“Legendary City of Atlantis can increase the Attack Power and DEF of WATER Attribute Monsters on the field.
But when your Monster appeared on the field, its values merely flickered before returning to their normal state.”
“This means it must possess resistance against Spell Cards!”
Danker King finally realized that this young opponent was not as simple as he seemed: “So…
activating that Card wasn’t a mistake?”
“That’s right!” Yusei nodded and continued to swing out a Card.
“I activate Spell Striker’s Effect from my Hand.
By banishing one Spell Card from the Graveyard, I Special Summon this Card from my Hand!”
“Then, using my Normal Summon opportunity, I Summon in Attack Position—Armored Blaster!!!”
“Armored Blaster’s Effect: Once per Turn, you can equip this Card to a Warrior Type Monster you control as an Equip Card.
When the equipped Monster inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent, you can destroy one Card on the field!”
“Next, in the Battle Phase, I activate Spell Striker’s special ability!!!”
“Direct Attack!!!!”
(end of chapter)