Chapter 1001

Fujiki You Xuan turned his head toward the sound, only to see behind him what appeared to be a special d-wheel used by the Public Safety Pursuit Team. The rider on the d-wheel was also an old acquaintance—dark-skinned, with a shocking knife scar across his face, a yellow scarf fluttering in the wind—none other than Niuwei Zhe, who else could it be?

"Niuwei Zhe?" Fujiki You Xuan exclaimed in surprise.

But he immediately understood something.

"Ah, so even Niuwei Zhe has a robotic replica—truly unexpected."

The "Niuwei" froze for a moment, seemingly not expecting to be seen through so quickly.

"Of course, you're not the first mechanical replica to appear before me," Fujiki You Xuan said. "But what exactly is going on? How can even someone like Niuwei have a replica?"

"I know your technology is strong and advanced—anyone can be replicated—but no matter how you put it, the demand for the original is far too low, isn't it?"

The fake Niuwei flared up in anger: "Who are you saying has low demand? Bastard, are you looking down on me?!"

He snorted and said: "Well, though I can't refute it, what you say is actually quite true. Someone like me, originally just a minor character, would probably never be reborn in the hands of a god."

"The reason even someone like me gets a second chance is simply because I am an important part of 'that guy's' life."

"What?" Fujiki You Xuan frowned.

The fake Niuwei shook his head: "Tch, why am I even telling you this? Doesn't matter! Anyway, you're a dangerous factor—I won't let you pass so easily!"

"Even if I have to stake my old life on it!"

Both d-wheels were locked on, and their speed was forcibly slowed. The displays on both d-wheels flashed "Duel Mode," and both entered riding duels.

"Ah, so you're using riding duels to slow my speed," Fujiki You Xuan said.

"Indeed, this is a common tactic in 5ds."

"Exactly," the fake Niuwei hehe-laughed, "listen up—I am very strong, and if you don't focus, I'll instantly kill you!"

Saying that, he twisted the throttle and shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, taking the lead ahead of Fujiki You Xuan.

"First strike—this old man takes it!" the fake Niuwei laughed loudly, "My turn, draw!"

The fake Niuwei drew first.

Fujiki You Xuan shrugged, already accustomed to it. Though this time he was caught off guard and lost the initiative, he had never really gotten the first turn in riding duels anyway—no matter.

Besides, he hadn't planned to linger with this Niuwei today; his plan was a quick, decisive battle, so going second was just fine.

The fake Niuwei had come here specifically to ambush and delay him, likely because the already-appearing fake Fu Dou Yu Xing hides the truth about their entire family of impostors. The other side judged Fujiki You Xuan a dangerous factor and didn't want him to get close, so they arranged this Niuwei to intercept him here.

"Activate Magic Card 'Double Summon'!" the fake Niuwei said, "This way, I can perform two normal summons this turn."

"First normal summon—I summon 'Assault Security Officer'!"

Wearing a blue long robe, the security officer's face was obscured by a metallic helmet, his arms replaced by two silver-white metal gun barrels, with wires connecting the cannons to his body.

【Assault Security Officer, ATK 1600】

"Then, using the effect of Double Summon, I perform a second normal summon!"

Niuwei raised his arm, and a second blue vortex appeared on his field.

"Summon 'Ten-Handed Warrior'!"

A tiny warrior leapt onto the field, wearing comical round-frame glasses, sporting a warrior's hairstyle, and wielding a pitchfork.

【Ten-Handed Warrior, ATK 700】

"Level 2, Tuner Monster 'Ten-Handed Warrior'!"

"Level 4, 'Assault Security Officer'!"

"Tune Stars!"

【2+4=6】"This is the ace of pursuit, the power of privilege! Synchro Summon——"

——Imperial Guardian!"

Accompanied by an ear-grating metallic screech, the Imperial Guardian stepped forth from the void with an eerie dance. His deathly pale face bore blood-red lips stretched into an impossible arc, revealing snow-white teeth. His eyes, painted a vivid red, flickered with an eldritch light in the darkness.

The rope coiled in his hand writhed like a living thing, slicing the air with sharp whistles. Each time the rope lashed, it left a blood-red afterimage in the void, as if weaving an invisible net.

【Imperial Guardian, ATK 2800】

"It has appeared, the Imperial Guardian."

Fujiki You Xuan smiled.

"Clearly a 6-star monster with 2800 ATK, and it can even steal the opponent's monsters—what a cheating ability."

"Oh? You seem to know quite a bit."

The fake Niuwei hehe-laughed twice.

"Well, I heard you're apparently the current Public Safety Maintenance Bureau Chief here. As a chief, knowing about the power of privilege isn't surprising."

"Not bad! The Imperial Guardian has the powerful ability: 'When it destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard, specially summon that monster from your own field in defense position'—truly the perfect ace for the Pursuit Team!"

Saying that, he glanced at another card in his hand, his inner cold laughter growing stronger.

Moreover, he was holding a card called "Explosive Armor"—a powerful trap that can directly destroy an attacking monster when the opponent declares an attack.

Imperial Guardian leads the assault, Explosive Armor strengthens the defense—this opening formation is nothing short of perfect.

"Set one card, turn end."

After declaring the turn end, the fake Niuwei chuckled inwardly.

In fact, when he volunteered to intercept and delay Fujiki You Xuan, his companions had all disagreed. Only after his stubborn persistence did they finally accept this arrangement.

But even so, not a single companion believed he could win—not even a sliver of chance.

Yet this fake Niuwei himself did not think so.

As a duelist, once you step onto the battlefield, you must carry the will to win. Besides, he felt his first turn showed no openings at all.

If the opponent attacks next, he'll counter with Explosive Armor; if they defend, he'll use Imperial Guardian to gain advantage. Whether advancing or retreating, he has a response—this is a perfect, balanced opening.

"My turn, draw."

Fujiki You Xuan said calmly.

"Let me guess—your so-called 'god' is Zone, right?"

You said the second chance. In other words, your dimension's zone created all these copies of you, and then let you invade our dimension?

But what is the purpose? What do you want to gain from this dimension?

Fake cow tail: "!"

He didn't answer directly, but from his wonderful reaction on his face, Fujiki You Xuan knew he seemed to have guessed correctly, or at least guessed part of it correctly.

But then, the fake cow tail gritted his teeth and said gloomily.

"What can a guy like you understand?"

(End of chapter)