Chapter 799: Execution Duel

"You're wondering what the point of this is, aren't you?" Fujiki You Xuan asked with a smile.

Ying Qi frowned: "Even if this kind of weak monster's attack is boosted—"

"In the Duel Monster world, no monster is unnecessary, just as no person in this world is unnecessary," Fujiki You Xuan said calmly. "People's lives may differ in wealth, but their humanity should never be ranked."

At these words, every prisoner in the surrounding jail cells was moved.

In truth, not all of them were true criminals. Many, like You Xing, had been arrested simply for being born poor yet trespassing into wealthy districts forbidden to them.

Others had been imprisoned unjustly, with no one to appeal to and no one who cared.

They were like pebbles by the roadside, accustomed to being ignored. This was the first time anyone had stood before them and spoken such words.

Even if it was empty rhetoric, even if it was just for show, this was the first time anyone had bothered to do it.

Especially when the one speaking was the head of the Public Order Maintenance Bureau.

Ying Qi blinked twice, opened his mouth, and was momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.

Has the boss lost his mind today?

Fujiki You Xuan continued: "This monster you dismiss as trash will now teach you this lesson."

"Leaf Sprite's monster effect: by sending one equip card attached to this card to the graveyard, inflict 500 damage to your opponent!"

Ying Qi: "!!!"

What? Five hundred damage? That means—

【Ying Qi, LP 500】

The warden's face collapsed in horror as he stared at the tiny, insignificant Leaf Sprite.

How could—

Was he really going to be one-shot like this?

By such a trivial, worthless monster?

Yet before he could utter any sound, the boss's cold voice came again from across the field.

"Chain activate the face-down card: Trap Card—'Gift Card.'"

"Restore 3000 Life Points to your opponent."

【Ying Qi, LP 500→LP 3500】

Ying Qi: "???"

The onlookers: "???"

What kind of nonsensical card is this?

Why the hell are you healing your opponent?

"Aaaah—"

【Ying Qi, LP 3500→LP 3000】

Another electric shock hit him; Ying Qi trembled violently, knelt half-bowed, his breathing ragged and labored, yet his gaze toward Director Godwin grew increasingly strange.

Why?

"I've heard, Director Ying Qi," Fujiki You Xuan said coolly. "You frequently abuse your authority, inflicting unauthorized brutality upon your prisoners."

"I believe this violates the regulations and management protocols, doesn't it?"

Ying Qi shuddered, his eyes filled with fear and confusion as he stared at Director Godwin.

Confused—because wasn't this perfectly normal?

Yes, many of his actions broke the rules, but rules were just empty paper. For years, this had always been the way. Human rights in this city were merely a pretty slogan, spoken for show. The regulations were written, yet everyone in this city—citizens included—accepted that people were born into hierarchies, and everyone took it for granted.

City residents looked down on the lower districts. The ultra-rich in the top zones sneered at the working class. This was a universally accepted truth, so ordinary that no one even bothered to hide it.

And now, the director of the Public Order Maintenance Bureau—the man at the apex of this power pyramid—was accusing him of disregarding human rights?

Ying Qi opened his mouth wide, utterly speechless, not even knowing where to begin his protest.

"Therefore, given all your past violations, you may consider this duel—"

Fujiki You Xuan said, smiling mysteriously.

"—as your punishment."

As if it were an illusion, Ying Qi felt half the director's face was hidden in shadow, his voice like a demon whispering in his ear.

In that moment, he felt his soul was gripped tight, his body freezing, his chest blocked, struggling to breathe.

"The equip spell card 'Divine Sword—Phoenix Blade,' sent to the graveyard by Leaf Sprite's effect, activates." Fujiki You Xuan said calmly. "When Phoenix Blade is in the graveyard, ban two Warrior-type monsters from the game, then return this card to your hand."

"I banish from the game the Warrior-type monsters 'Seven Swords Warrior' and 'Ten-Hand Samurai,' and return Phoenix Blade to my hand."

Fujiki You Xuan revealed Phoenix Blade, retrieved from the graveyard.

"Then, I equip 'Divine Sword—Phoenix Blade' to 'Leaf Sprite' once more."

"Since Leaf Sprite was changed to a Warrior-type by 'DNA Surgery,' it can now equip Phoenix Blade, gaining 300 additional attack points."

【Leaf Sprite, ATK 900→ATK 1200】

"Leaf Sprite's effect activates again!"

"Send the equip card attached to it to the graveyard, and inflict 500 damage to your opponent!"

Ying Qi: "!"

Wait—

Doesn't your damn Leaf Sprite effect have a once-per-turn limit?

The instant he realized this critical flaw, the tiny Leaf Sprite had already hurled its sword—its blade like a silver meteor, piercing straight through Ying Qi's chest.

Another violent electric surge followed.

"Aaaah—"

【Ying Qi, LP 3000→LP 2500】

Ying Qi clutched his chest, swaying, face twisted in agony.

Then the demon's calm voice echoed again in his ear: "Phoenix Blade's effect: ban two Warrior-type monsters from the graveyard, return it to your hand."

Ying Qi's eyes widened; he stammered: "T-this sword's effect… doesn't have a once-per-turn limit either?"

"Indeed."

Fujiki You Xuan smiled, displaying the Divine Sword—Phoenix Blade now back in his hand.

Ying Qi began to tremble.

How could this be—

Ban two Warriors from the graveyard, return Phoenix Blade to hand—unlimited times per turn. Then Leaf Sprite's effect: discard one equip card, burn 500 LP.

It's not truly infinite, but the number of times it can trigger depends on how many Warriors are in the graveyard.

And in Fujiki You Xuan's graveyard—

"Your Chain Deck seems themed around 'Deck Destruction,'" said "Director Godwin," emitting a strange, possibly mocking chuckle. "How unfortunate to run into my equip-and-burn deck."

"Guess how many Warrior-type monsters you've sent to my graveyard so far in this duel?"

Ying Qi: "..."

Even counting the 3000 LP gifted by Gift Card, his total LP was only 3500. That means seven burns—fourteen Warriors needed.

Only now did Ying Qi understand why the director had just given him those extra 3000 LP.

Because, as the director had just said—

This duel was never just a duel.

From the very beginning, this was his execution.

"Aaaah—"

Then came a long, piercing scream.

【Ying Qi, LP 0】

(End of Chapter)