"Duel!" x2
[Youyu, LP 4000]
[Great Shogun Shien, LP 4000]
"It's my turn first, draw!" Youyu took the first move, "Summon 'Elemental Hero Clayman', in defense mode!"
The Monster Card was projected horizontally onto the ground, and the sturdy-bodied Clayman emerged from the card, crossing its arms in a defensive stance.
[Elemental Hero Clayman, DEF 2000]
"Set one card face-down, turn end."
Youyu finished his move, eyeing the heavily armored Great Shogun in front of him.
Since his opponent is that Great Shogun Shien, his deck should naturally be...
"My turn, draw."
The Great Shogun drew a card—Youyu was still puzzled by how the black Duel Disc fit over his heavy armor.
He glanced at the card he drew and inserted it into the Duel Disc without hesitation: "Continuous Magic Card - Six Samurai United activates!"
As expected, it was the Six Samurai series deck.
Most monsters in the Six Samurai series are based on figures from the Warring States period, with some monsters combining features of famous historical samurai. The Magic Trap Cards in this deck incorporate historical allusions, military strategies, or legendary divine artifacts, making it a once highly unique and popular deck.
Shien continued his move, revealing a Monster Card in his hand: "Then summon 'The Six Samurai - Nisashi' in attack mode!"
The Six Samurai - Nisashi was a samurai clad in green armor, wielding two swords, supposedly modeled after the famous Miyamoto Musashi, known as the "Sword Saint."
[The Six Samurai - Nisashi, ATK 1400]
"At this moment, the Continuous Magic - Six Samurai United's effect activates!" Shien said, "Every time a Six Samurai monster is summoned, a Bushido Counter is placed on this card!
Then, I Special Summon from the hand, Grandmaster of the Six Samurai!"
The old man, with white hair and a black robe, appeared on the field, one eye blind, a long beard, supporting himself with a black sword, his lone eye exuding an unyielding killing intent.
[Grandmaster of the Six Samurai, ATK 2100]
Dark Magician Girl covered her mouth: "A Level 5 monster can be summoned directly..."
"Grandmaster of the Six Samurai can Special Summon itself from the hand when there are other Six Samurai monsters on the field." Shien said blandly, "At this moment, the Bushido Counter on 'Six Samurai United' increases to two.
Then the following effect of 'Six Samurai United' activates. I send this card to the Graveyard and draw cards from the deck equal to the number of counters."
Shien sent the Magic Card to the Graveyard, then drew cards from the deck: "With two counters equipped, I draw two cards from the deck."
Adding two cards to his hand, the Great Shogun swung his arm, and the heavy armor emitted a metallic rustling sound, as if poised to draw a sword and command thousands of troops on the battlefield.
"Battle! Grandmaster of the Six Samurai, attack Clayman!"
The one-eyed elder flashed forward, the black sword leaving an arc of light, fiercely cleaving through Clayman's body. The latter let out a light grunt and exploded with a boom.
"Next, The Six Samurai - Nisashi," Shien continued ordering, "Direct attack!"
The dual-bladed samurai stepped nimbly, crossing his swords and leaving two green trails of light, charging straight at Youyu's face.
Youyu, of course, had a countermeasure: "Trap Card - Counter Gate! Negate one direct attack from the opponent and draw a card from the deck!"
A rectangular blue barrier appeared in front of Youyu, blocking the samurai's sword light. Youyu promptly drew a card from the deck, stealing a glance at it; it was "Pot of Greed."
"Hm, you've withstood this level of attack, but a samurai's resolve is not limited to this," Shien swung his arm again, the armor rustling once more, "The effect of The Six Samurai - Nisashi!
When there is another Six Samurai on our field, Nisashi can attack again in the same Battle Phase!"
Dark Magician Girl exclaimed, "A samurai that can attack continuously!"
"Go, Nisashi, show them your dual-wielding!" Shien raised his voice, "Direct attack!"
The green Six Samurai once again leapt forward. This time, there was no barrier to protect against the attack, and the crossed sword light slashed down on Youyu, simultaneously taking away a large portion of his Life Points.
[Youyu, LP 4000 → LP 2600]
Youyu gritted his teeth.
It wasn't an illusion. The moment the sword light slashed through him, he genuinely felt the cold blade cutting through skin and flesh. Pain flared intensely as his Life Points waned, akin to a Dark Duel.
"The battles in this world aren't child's play. With a half-hearted mindset, you might lose your life." Shien's tone was indifferently calm, as if narrating the most mundane of matters.
"Set one facedown card, turn end."
It seemed, perhaps due to being in the Spirit World, the duel's damage was a real impact.
However, Youyu didn't back down, having wagered his life on cards more than once or twice before.
"My turn, draw!" Naturally, Youyu confidently played the card drawn from the Trap Effect, "Magic Card - Pot of Greed! Draw two more cards from the deck."
With a brief look at his drawn hand, Youyu swiftly decided on his attacking strategy.
"Summon 'Elemental Hero Blazeman'!"
The hero clad in fiery attire let out a crisp shout as he appeared on the field, spreading his arms, with golden goggles reflecting blazing flames.
[Elemental Hero Blazeman, ATK 1200]
"Blazeman's effect, when successfully summoned, adds the Magic Card 'Polymerization' from the deck to the hand." Youyu retrieved the Magic Card from the deck and immediately inserted it into the Duel Disc, "Magic Card - Polymerization activates!
Fuse the Fire Attribute 'Elemental Hero Blazeman' on the field and 'Elemental Hero Liquidman' in my hand!
The fusion condition is Elemental Hero plus any Fire Attribute Monster!
Fusion Summon! Elemental Hero Nova Master!"
The two heroes transformed into flames and water in mid-air, finally merging into a pillar of fire that crashed down to the ground. The armored hero, draped in red and gold, landed on the field with flames engulfing his body, and his cape fluttering in the air distorted by heat.
[Elemental Hero Nova Master, ATK 2600]
"Next, at this moment, it's the effect of Elemental Hero Liquidman!" Youyu raised his hand, "When Liquidman is sent to the Graveyard as Fusion Material for a Hero Monster, I can draw two cards from the deck, then discard one from the hand."
The Great Shogun Shien watched, somewhat enraptured, as the dashing hero with the fluttering cape appeared on Youyu's field, letting out a light chuckle.
"A hero, huh..." he murmured, "But being a hero doesn't just mean glory and style. Few can understand the weight that the word 'hero' bears?"
"Activate 'Magicians' Souls' effect from my hand!" Youyu flipped a card from his hand, "As the cost, send a Level 6 or higher Spellcaster, 'Dark Magician', from the deck to the Graveyard to activate the effect.
Discard 'Magicians' Souls' from the hand to the Graveyard to revive 'Dark Magician' from the Graveyard!"
A black vortex opened, and a green Magic Staff emerged, the tall red-robed mage flying forth from the swirling magic like a flowing stream. The staff did a quick spin in mid-air, expertly returning to his hand.
[Dark Magician, ATK 2500]
"Dark Magician, the highest-level magician... instantly forming a suppression with two powerful high-level monsters." The Great Shogun narrowed his red eyes and smirked, "Hm, interesting indeed."