The chamber fell into a brief deathly silence.
Then it erupted with the sound of indrawn breaths.
“3,500 attack…” “So this is the true strength of Class 5’s vice president…” Kujo stood in the shadow of the Tyrant, hands clasped behind his back, sweeping an arrogant gaze toward Grapha coiled atop the stone platform, undisguised contempt in his tone.
“There.
Worthy of speaking with you now, aren’t I?” Grapha’s crimson dragon eyes slowly settled on the Tyrant, falling silent for a moment before a low hum rumbled out from deep in its throat.
“Now this is somewhat interesting.” At that, the crowd was stunned.
A 3,500-attack monster, only somewhat interesting?
Don’t get ahead of yourselves.
This was only the beginning!
With that, Kujo barked.
“I activate the effect of [Clear Resonator], which was just sent to the Graveyard as Synchro material!
When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Spell or Trap card with ‘Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend’ listed in its text from my Deck to my hand.
I add the Continuous Trap [Crimson Lotus Domain] from my Deck to my hand!” “Next, I activate the effect of [Skull Demon] in my hand!
While this card is in my hand or Graveyard, I can activate it by sending one card other than this one from my hand or field to the Graveyard, then Special Summon this card.” “I send one card from my hand to the Graveyard.
[Skull Demon], descend!” A withered demon-specter, wreathed in the aura of death, emerged from the void, its skeletal joints clacking.
[Skull Demon] [Level 4 / DARK / Fiend / Effect] [ATK: 1000] “[Skull Demon]’s second effect activates!” Kujo pulled a card from his Deck and sent it to the Graveyard.
“I can target one face-up monster on my field.
I send one Fiend-Type Tuner from my hand or Deck to the Graveyard, and the targeted monster’s Level rises or falls by 1.” “I target this card itself and raise its Level by 1!” [Skull Demon] [Level: 4 → 5] “Next, I tune the Level 5 [Skull Demon] with the Level 3 Tuner monster [Soul Resonator]!” “Synchro Summon, Level 8, Crimson Lotus Demon!” Light flared once more.
A dark-red dragon-man monster, wreathed in eerie flames, shaped like a demon general, descended onto the field, its red eyes cold and deep, like a long-slumbering weapon roused from sleep.
[Crimson Lotus Demon] [Level 8 / DARK / Fiend / Synchro / Effect] [ATK: 2800] It wasn’t over yet!
Kujo revealed a card in his hand.
“[Synkron Resonator]’s effect!
When there’s a Synchro Monster on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!” As the words landed, a monster strongly resembling [Crimson Resonator] appeared on the field.
[Synkron Resonator, ATK: 800] The instant the monster appeared, he barked at once.
“Next, I tune the just-Summoned [Synkron Resonator] with the Level 8 [Crimson Lotus Demon]!” “The king’s pulse echoes in my ears.
Dragon-demon silent beneath the earth, wake now from your slumber, and sweep away every obstacle in my path!
Awaken, Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss!!!” The instant the words landed, the two monsters turned into two dazzling beams of radiance and shot toward the sky above the field.
The radiance of the Synchro crashed down like a waterfall, and the entire palace trembled faintly.
“Roar!” Along with an earth-shaking roar, a dragon-demon clad in crimson scales beat its wings and flew out from the Synchro radiance, blazing flames burning on its dragon claws.
[Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss] [Level 9 / DARK / Dragon / Synchro / Effect] [ATK: 3200] “Chain activation!” Kujo barked.
“First is the effect of [Crimson Lotus Demon], sent to the Graveyard as Synchro material, and chained to it, the Graveyard effect of [Soul Resonator]!” “[Soul Resonator]’s effect: while this card is in the Graveyard, I can target one Resonator monster in my Graveyard and add it to my hand.
I choose [Crimson Resonator]!” An orange-red soul-flame flew out from the Graveyard, tracing a warm arc through the air, lifting that crimson Resonator card into Kujo’s hand.
“Next is [Crimson Lotus Demon]’s effect resolution!
When this card is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro material, I Special Summon one [Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend] from my Extra Deck!” He raised his arm, dazzling crimson light blooming from the Duel Disk.
“Come forth!
Red Dragon Archfiend!” The instant the words landed, a wild dragon-cry exploded from the light, and a crimson dragon spread its wings within the radiance.
[Red Dragon Archfiend] [Level 8 / DARK / Dragon / Synchro] [ATK: 3000] “Finally,” Kujo drew a card from his hand and slotted it into the Spell/Trap zone of his Duel Disk, “I Set one card.
Turn end!” By now, on Kujo’s field: [Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend], [Hot Red Dragon Archfiend Abyss], [Red Dragon Archfiend].
“Got a good look?
This is the strength of Class 5!” Kujo sneered toward Nate’s direction, then turned his head and declared arrogantly to Grapha, “Witnessed my power now, have you?
Before my Deck, you’re nothing but a slightly larger lizard!” Hearing this, the onlooking students, especially the few from Class 5, erupted into a round of smug cheers.
“The vice president’s mighty!
Three monsters over 3,000 attack holding the board, I don’t even see how he could lose!” “Show that guy on the other side what our Class 5 is made of!” Rio Kastle folded her arms, her gaze sweeping across the three Dragon-Type monsters, no particular expression on her pretty face.
She tilted her head slightly toward Nate.
“This board, what do you think of it?” Nate’s gaze settled on the three imposing giant dragons on Kujo’s field.
The corner of his mouth curved up faintly.
“These three monsters he Summoned — one’s got negation, one’s got board-wipe, and the Set card should be that [Crimson Lotus Domain] he searched, giving him another wipe.
Looks solid, but against that guy across from him, it’s got zero advantage.” At that, Rio Kastle was taken aback.
“How do you understand these monsters’ effects so clearly?” Hearing this, Nate gave a couple of dry coughs.
Before transmigrating he’d played a lot of Master Duel, and seeing an opponent build a board, he’d instinctively analyze it.
Just as he was wondering how to smooth it over, Kai leaned in beside him, scratching his head, his face full of confusion.
“Nate, you say there’s no advantage…
but this board looks pretty strong to me?
Three monsters over 3,000 attack.” Nate seized on the opening.
“A monster’s strength isn’t measured by attack,” he said calmly.
“This Dark World Deck’s monster effects have basically no once-per-turn restrictions, and it’s got plenty of ways to wipe the board.
As long as the other side’s hand is even a little decent, it can end the duel this turn.” The words had barely landed when Grapha’s voice came pressing down from the stone platform with a roar.
“If this is the extent of your strength, then this duel can end right now.” A low, muffled grunt rolled from the giant dragon’s throat, its crimson eyes looking down on Kujo from on high, the disdain in them utterly undisguised.
“Those three monsters before you — in my eyes, they don’t even count as small fry.” The smile on Kujo’s face stiffened for a moment, then he sneered.
“A duel isn’t won with words.
Here’s hoping your strength is at least half as impressive as your boasting.” Grapha fell silent for a moment before its low voice rang out again.
“So be it.
Let me show you the true strength of the Dark World.”