Chapter 365: Wang Hu Lockdown

"The combination of Wang Hu and Strong Pain is somewhat interesting."

Fujiki You Xuan agreed.

It was an unusual summoning lockdown combo—quite unexpected, since most players using this tactic usually come from his side.

But he certainly knew Wang Hu's effect; after all, this card had once been popular, especially in environments where mainstream decks relied heavily on low-attack Level 1-2 monsters.

"The 'Sea Otter Koala' destroyed by Wang Hu's effect just now was a Beast-type monster."

Fujiki You Xuan revealed another card from his hand.

"When a Beast-type monster on your field is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, pay 1000 LP to special summon 'Forest Warden·Green Baboon' from your hand!"

【Fujiki You Xuan, LP 4000 → LP 3000】

The Green Baboon pounded its chest and roared as it appeared on one side of Fujiki You Xuan's motorcycle, glaring fiercely at the opponent through the high-speed wind.

【Forest Warden·Green Baboon, ATK 2600】

"Huh? So you have a counter to Wang Hu's combo?" said the black-clad rider in a hoarse voice. "But even so, the Green Baboon still suffers the effect of Strong Pain—its ATK drops."

The Green Baboon is a Level 7 monster, so its ATK decreases by 700 points."

【Forest Warden·Green Baboon, ATK 2600 → ATK 1900】

"Enough." Fujiki You Xuan waved his hand. "Forest Warden·Green Baboon, attack Wang Hu."

The Forest Warden let out a furious roar, sprinted forward from Fujiki You Xuan's field, and slammed into the opponent's speeding motorcycle. One punch sent Wang Hu reeling, its head twisted sideways, then it tumbled to the ground, rolled away, and was left far behind by both speeding bikes—shattering into fragments.

【Black-clad Rider, LP 4000 → LP 3800】

"Excellent!" Yan Xiong took on the role of hype man. "Now Wang Hu's lockdown combo is broken!"

"Heh. Is it really that easy?"

The black-clad rider sneered. Just as he executed a drift around a corner, a massive black machine appeared beside him; its metallic chassis scraped the ground, leaving a long trail of visible sparks.

Strange mist poured from the machine, and when it cleared, Wang Hu had returned to the field.

【Wang Hu, ATK 1700】

"What?!" Yan Xiong was stunned.

"Trap card 'Time Machine'—returns a monster destroyed in battle to the field in the same position," said the black-clad rider. "Nice counter, but it won't be that easy to break through."

Fujiki You Xuan wasn't bothered—he simply waved his hand. "I'll set three cards face-down. End my turn."

Neither side slowed their motorcycles as they raced full speed toward the power plant, occasionally weaving skillfully through wandering zombies along the road.

Indeed, dueling really did improve physical fitness—he had already realized that the spirits and his Dark Game powers did enhance his stamina and reflexes.

Otherwise, no normal human could possibly duel while performing such high-speed, high-difficulty riding.

Of course, this also made it clear that his opponent wasn't human either.

"My turn, draw."

The black-clad rider drew a card; as he drifted around a corner, his rear wheel kicked a wandering zombie far off the road.

Zombie: "???"

"Activate my face-down card: Trap 'Sixth Sense.'" Fujiki You Xuan activated a back-row card. "Declare two numbers. The opponent rolls a die."

"If the die matches one of the declared numbers, I draw that many cards."

"If it doesn't match, I send that many cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard."

"Oh? Then which numbers will you declare?"

"Five and six, of course," said Fujiki You Xuan.

A virtual die appeared, rolled, and landed.

Number 4.

"Only a 4? Fine."

Fujiki You Xuan drew four cards from the top of his deck.

Sixth Sense was practically guaranteed profit—most of the time, it was just a matter of how much you gained.

"Send four cards to the graveyard."

Four cards went to the graveyard, but one of them immediately glowed golden.

"One of the sent-to-graveyard cards is 'Scholar Spirit,'" said Fujiki You Xuan. "When Scholar Spirit is sent to the graveyard, draw one card from your deck." (Original card)

"Only a 4? Looks like the goddess of fate isn't favoring you."

The black-clad rider chuckled, then slowly drew another card.

"You're racing toward the abyss of despair, though you haven't realized it yet. And this card will push you one step closer to that end."

"Activate Continuous Spell 'Strong Pain!'"

Even Yan Xiong, an outsider, couldn't hold back: "You've got a second one?! That's cheating!"

The Continuous Spell card materialized beside the rider as he threw his head back and laughed.

"Strong Pain—no need to explain, right? All your monsters lose ATK equal to their Level × 100. And this effect stacks!"

"The Forest Warden·Green Baboon is Level 7—so take both effects of Strong Pain!"

【Forest Warden·Green Baboon, ATK 1900 → ATK 1200】

"A Level 7 monster with 2600 ATK, reduced to this..."

Even Yan Xiong, an outsider, gritted his teeth.

"And with Wang Hu on the field, any monster with 1400 ATK or less is destroyed upon summoning."

"Exactly!" the black-clad rider laughed. "Any Level 7 monster loses 1400 ATK—meaning it needs at least 2800 ATK just to survive on the field without being destroyed."

"Heh, even if you somehow summon one with 3000 ATK, it'll still be weakened to 1600—nowhere near strong enough to beat Wang Hu."

Yan Xiong gritted his teeth: "What a filthy combo."

But the black-clad rider seemed to take this as praise—he was pleased with Yan Xiong's reaction. Then he glanced again at Fujiki You Xuan, and beneath his helmet, frowned slightly.

This man was too calm. It annoyed him a little.

"Heh. Still pretending to be calm in this situation?"

said the black-clad rider.

"Don't worry—I'll tear off that mask of yours soon."

"I normal summon 'Neut.'"

【Neut, ATK 1900】

"Neut, attack Forest Warden·Green Baboon!"

Weakened doubly by Strong Pain, the Green Baboon was now a fallen beast. Though facing only a Level 4 low-tier monster, it could only rage helplessly before being sent off the field.

【Fujiki You Xuan, LP 3000 → LP 2300】

The impact of the Dark Duel surged through Fujiki You Xuan's body as the Green Baboon was destroyed—his motorcycle shuddered violently, like a leaf caught in a torrent.

"Activate Trap 'Fellow Traveler.'"

Fujiki You Xuan waved his hand, activating a back-row card.

"When a monster is destroyed and sent to your graveyard, destroy one monster on the field," said Fujiki You Xuan. "Destroy Wang Hu."

The destroyed Green Baboon rose like a wraith, roared, and seized Wang Hu. The latter struggled desperately, but was ultimately dragged down into the underworld by the ghostly hand.

"So you used a trap to remove Wang Hu—removing the summon lockdown and avoiding my second attack, I see."

The black-clad rider raised his voice.

"But it's useless!"

"Continuous Trap 'Voice of the Undead'—revive a monster from the graveyard in attack position."

"Return to the field once more, Wang Hu!"

(End of Chapter)