Actually, players like "Heart Flying with the Wind" are not many, but they're not unique either.
After all, it's just a game, just playing for fun. He doesn't browse forums, doesn't join any game groups, doesn't copy others' decklists. Since he created an account and logged into the game, he's been figuring things out on his own, taking it as it comes.
So naturally, he didn't recognize this idol-like NPC named Youyu...
But no matter how oblivious he was, with so many players enthusiastically watching around him, he realized it.
This NPC in front of him... seems to have quite a background!
Maybe an important character from the original work?
That's right, this guy not only doesn't browse forums, but hasn't even watched the original Yu-Gi-Oh! animation.
He plays this game firstly because of its fine craftsmanship and realistic experience, and secondly because he's interested in card games themselves.
"Heart Flying with the Wind" belongs to that rare type of player who has never been exposed to the original work and was purely drawn to the game for its card-playing mechanics.
Seeing the reactions of other players, Heart Flying with the Wind realized that he might have bumped into someone significant on the road!
His gaze returned to Youyu, eyes flickering, pondering for a moment.
Then, since we're playing a card game here, naturally we should...
"That's right, I am a Duelist." He finally answered Youyu's question, raising his Duel Disc, "How about a tense and exciting game of Yu-Gi-Oh!?"
Youyu: "..."
After briefly contemplating, he nodded: "Alright. As a duelist's challenge, I accept."
The nearby players passing by erupted in excitement.
Youyu-san actually accepted it!
You know, normally, even in Domino, he never accepts player challenges.
This is similar to important story characters like Muto Yugi and Kaiba Seto—if a player wants to duel these key characters, they must earn the corresponding opportunity through missions.
For example, by advancing in storyline tournaments like Duel City or the KC Cup.
Nobody thinks there's anything wrong with that. After all, if anyone could challenge important NPCs, players lining up in droves would tire them out.
However, what merits or abilities does this random player called "Heart Flying with the Wind" have to get such a rare opportunity?
Perhaps this is also a rare chance of triggering a hidden task?
Among those who stopped to watch, many felt it was a pity.
Because the username "Heart Flying with the Wind" is completely unheard of, and in everyone's eyes, he's probably an unknown player.
Not only has he never been seen in major events and activities, but his name hasn't appeared on the player leaderboard, suggesting there's likely nothing special about him.
Actually, Youyu also thought the same.
Even though, in his past life's Linked World, Heart Flying with the Wind once reached the top tier of the entire game, at least for now, Youyu hasn't seen his name in forums or leaderboards.
In a moment, both sides had taken their positions, maintaining a distance on the street.
The news was screenshotted and posted on forums, causing a huge sensation. More and more players rushed to the scene to watch.
"Duel!" x2
[Youyu, LP 4000]
[Heart Flying with the Wind, LP 4000]
"I'll take the first move, draw card."
The red light indicating the first move on the Duel Disc lit up, and without hesitation, Heart Flying with the Wind took the initiative.
Youyu smiled as he watched the other.
An unknown name, completely unfamiliar, indicated that Heart Flying with the Wind likely hadn't yet gained his future signature deck. So what he's using now is probably just one of the few mainstream decks among players, which should be easy to handle...
However, what followed was Heart Flying with the Wind drawing a card from his hand: "I summon... 'Gladiator Beast Dimacari,' in Attack Position!"
Youyu: "!"
Crowd: "!!??"
He said summon... what!?
When the bull-headed gladiator, clad in armor and with dark skin, appeared on the field, the players could no longer hold back.
[Gladiator Beast Dimacari, Attack Power 1600]
The Gladiator Beast deck originated from the Roman Empire's "Gladiatorial Arena" tradition. Most of the lower-level monsters in this deck are animal gladiators, symbolizing the endeavor of being gladiators and the ranks of army soldiers.
And the high-level powerful monsters in this card deck are all famous imperial rulers, such as the renowned Caesar, as well as the notorious tyrant Nero in the history of Rome and even Europe.
This card deck was also a mainstream deck that was all the rage at one time, enjoying considerable popularity among players.
Because at its peak, during its most glorious time, it once achieved the highest honor in this game.
In 2008, in Berlin, Germany, the "Gladiator Beast" deck once successfully claimed the title of "World Champion!"
The eyes of all the players looking at Heart Flying With the Wind suddenly changed, from looking at a passerby to worshiping a deity.
They were just puzzled, how come they never heard of such a master of Gladiator Beasts among players before?
Clearly, from the deck's theme, one can see this deck is closely related to Ancient Rome and has been passed down since long ago. Heart Flying with the Wind clearly completed the related task and unlocked this King card deck from the Ancient Roman Empire.
Youyu, along with other players, was equally surprised. Given that he has such a strong card deck and the capability to outshine others among players, why has he remained unknown until now?
Could it be that this guy not only doesn't visit forums but also doesn't engage in competitions, doesn't participate in events, and doesn't interact with others, always playing solo?
Youyu thought about it carefully and realized that it seemed… the only possibility was just that…
This made Youyu take things more seriously.
Although he didn't know how complete his opponent's deck was, it was once a champion deck, so it couldn't be dealt with lightly as before.
"Set two cards, turn end." Heart Flying with the Wind said.
"My turn, draw!"
Although deciding to be a bit more serious, Youyu didn't use his main card deck this time, but rather an old deck he hadn't used for a long time.
"Summon 'Skilled Black Mage,' attack position!"
The black-robed mage holding a Magic Staff appeared in front of Youyu, sporting three noticeable transparent magic counters.
[Skilled Black Mage, Attack 1900]
"The effect of Skilled Black Mage, whenever a magic card is activated by either player, a spell counter is placed." Youyu swiftly drew a card, "I activate the magic card 'Card Destruction,' both players discard all cards in their hands, then draw the same number of cards.
At that moment, a spell counter is placed on Skilled Black Mage."
Both players discard and draw cards, while the magician's central chest indicator lights up.
"Then Magic Card - Black Magic Veil!" Youyu said, "Pay 1000 Life Points to revive the 'Dark Magician' discarded to the graveyard by Card Destruction!
Come forth, Dark Magician!"
[Youyu, LP 4000 →LP 3000]
A pitch-black vortex opened, a green magic staff spinning and shooting out from the vortex. Surging magic carried the slender figure out, the staff spinning mid-air, returning to the mage's hand. The Dark Magician landed lightly, his robe fluttering in the dark torrent.
[Dark Magician, Attack 2500]
"At this moment, the spell counters on Skilled Black Mage increase to two!"
Skilled Black Mage remained silent, but the second indicator on his chest also lit up.
"Next is Magic Card - Bond Between Teacher and Student!" Another card floated in front of Youyu, "When there is a 'Dark Magician' on the field, special summon 'Dark Magician Girl' from the deck!
Appear, Dark Magician Girl!"
A beam of light flew out from Youyu's deck, shuffling the deck automatically. The light manifested a beautiful figure on the ground, a blonde girl, landing coquettishly before her master, causing the surrounding players to erupt in cries of "AWSL" and more.
[Dark Magician Girl, Attack 2000]
"The subsequent effect of 'Bond Between Teacher and Student.'" Another card automatically ejected from Youyu's deck, "After the success of this card, I set the magic card 'Dark Magic Attack' from the deck on my field!"
As he spoke, another set card appeared at his feet.
"At this moment, the spell counters on Skilled Black Mage reach three!" Youyu swung his arm, "Using the Skilled Black Mage with three spell counters as a tribute, activate the effect!
You can special summon another 'Dark Magician' from the deck!
Appear, the second Dark Magician!"
The black-robed mage chanted a spell silently, the three indicators in front of him lighting up simultaneously. A spell array emerged at his feet, and his body gradually became ethereal, turning into stardust and disappearing. Bursting magic from the array erupted as the red-robed mage spun and burst forth!
[Dark Magician, Attack 2500]
Players began to stir.
Calling forth two Dark Magicians and a Dark Magician Girl in the starting turn, totaling 7000 attack points!
Not only this. Youyu just drew from the deck and covered the magic card "Dark Magic Attack," which, when activated with a Dark Magician on the field, destroys all opponent's Magic Traps.
A special black magic to clear the backfield, capable of sweeping away all obstacles in an instant!
Youyu plans to strike a one-shot kill!