Saiou felt quite complicated right now.
He wondered if it was an illusion that ever since the Light of Destruction descended and Saiou Takuma's original personality was wiped out, giving rise to this current persona, he had never felt so unlucky...
Since the birth of this destructive persona, destiny was merely a toy in his hands. Everything always proceeded in the way he desired, his plans executed with the precision of a script, and everyone was just a pawn in that script.
But why were things spiraling out of control now?
Why was he repeatedly encountering unexpected interruptions beyond his designs?
Was it because in the last duel, he absorbed Duel King Youyu's Life Points due to the effect of the "Light Barrier"?
Was it the absorption of an ill-fated fortune that caused Lady Luck to disdain him...(strikethrough)
"Ah!" Jonouchi clapped his head in realization. "You're that...that who again? Wait, don't remind me, I can recall...Saiou! That crazy divination master who wants to destroy the world!"
Another tic mark appeared on Saiou's forehead.
Is this how that shameless Duel King described me to you all?
I, a dignified Light of Destruction, am being portrayed like some lunatic from an asylum!
Saiou squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the renowned top duelist before him, and a cruel smile appeared on his lips.
At that moment, he might have had the chance to abandon the mission and flee, but he didn't. Instead, a hint of battle intent flashed in his eyes.
Jonouchi Katsuya, known for being heavily favored by fate, with an otherworldly amount of luck that doesn't seem human, some even suspect he holds superpowers that subtly sway destiny.
The exact opponent Saiou needed at this moment.
Saiou's pupils contracted, and with a flick, his white robe revealed the uniform beneath...and the Duel Disc on his arm.
"Jonouchi Katsuya!" Saiou sneered coldly, "Since you've seen me, don't expect to leave alive today. Come! Let's see who is truly favored by destiny between your dice and my 'Arcana Force' in a duel to the death!"
"Nonsense!" Jonouchi looked exasperated.
Damn it! Just like that punk earlier, and now this random boss, why do all of you only remember me for my luck? Am I dressed up like a dice or what?
I am the Legendary Duelist! Legendary!
Even without dice, my card skills are top-notch, okay?
"Alright!" Jonouchi activated the Duel Disc, "In that case, let's do this!"
"Duel!" x2
[Jonouchi, LP 4000]
[Saiou, LP 4000]
"I'll go first, draw!" Jonouchi shouted, "I'm in a hurry on my end, so let me wrap this up quickly!"
Tonight, he got too absorbed in a deep sparring session with his good buddy Valon, and before he knew it, this became the situation. Mai's phone call already hinted at her bad mood, and if he dragged it out further...
Jonouchi shook his head, not daring to imagine that scene.
In any case, he must win quickly!
"Magic Card 'Cards of the Red Stone'!" Jonouchi declared, "Send a Level 7 'Red-Eyes' monster from my hand to the graveyard to activate!
Draw two cards from my deck, then send a Level 7 'Red-Eyes' monster from the deck to the graveyard!"
He discarded a card, drew two, and displayed a card ejected from his deck: "Send 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' from the deck to the graveyard!"
"Red-Eyes, truly an invaluable Rare Card Deck, the legendary black dragon full of infinite possibilities," Saiou sneered coldly, "Not planning to rely on fate's power, but simply attacking me with the legendary black dragon?"
Jonouchi bristled again: "Annoying! I swore off gambling for life, I'm going to defeat you honorably with my Red-Eyes and skill!"
Saiou laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! With skill? Interesting. In the context of this duel, perhaps that's the wiser choice," Saiou chuckled, "For destiny is on my side, even when facing you, Jonouchi Katsuya!"
"So much drivel," Jonouchi rolled his eyes and swiftly drew two cards, "I'll use 'Red-Eyes Wyvern' from my hand as a tribute for a special summon!
Through a lengthy evolution, the new form of the black dragon's soul—
—Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon, descend!!!"
The 3D projection simulated the image of glowing red rocks, which shattered as the dark dragon emerged from the magma, with lava flowing over the beautiful yet menacing black body, the steel-forged wings slowly extending.
Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon, summon!
[Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon, ATK 2400]
"Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon can be special summoned by using a 'Red-Eyes' monster from the hand or field as a tribute," Jonouchi stated, "Set one card face-down, and I'll end my turn!"
"An alternative form of Red-Eyes Black Dragon, as expected from a Legendary Duelist, a truly rare and powerful monster in hand indeed."
Saiou muttered, then raised his voice, "My turn, draw!"
Glancing at the drawn card, his expression subtly flickered before he squinted and murmured to himself, "Just right, let me show you first, Jonouchi Katsuya. In the torrent of fate, even you are as insignificant as other humans!"
He revealed a card from his hand: "Magic Card 'Cup of Ace', activate!"
A green Magic Card appeared above Saiou's head, spinning in a clockwise motion.
The "Cup of Ace" is famously known among card players as a test of luck. Its effect is simple and blunt, coin toss—heads for Pot of Greed, tails for The Gift of Greed.
The Gift of Greed allows the opponent to draw two cards.
But for Saiou, such a minor test posed no challenge.
"Naturally, a positive position!" Saiou shouted, "Stop!"
The Magic Card "Cup of Ace" halted in mid-air, landing as heads as expected.
"Hahahaha! See? This is the power of destiny!" Saiou laughed, "With the positive position effect, I'll draw two cards from my deck! The wheel of fate begins to turn once more, unstoppable now..."
As if this positive position restored the confidence severely diminished by Youyu, his facial muscles twitched, leading to another display of exaggerated expression.
Jonouchi squinted at him, silently mocking.
Isn't it just heads on a coin flip? Look how happy you are, like you've never seen heads before in your life...
Unexpectedly, Saiou's Cup of Ace drew yet another Cup of Ace, and he activated it again without hesitation.
"Naturally, another positive position!"
Witnessing another successful positive position, Saiou fully regained his confidence, laughing boldly as if revitalized.
"With the positive position effect, I'll draw another two cards!"
Even Jonouchi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Damn, this guy might actually have something going on?
Two successful heads in a row, that's quite impressive...
"Field Magic 'The Mausoleum of the Emperor', activate!"
The scenery transformed, dust surged, terracotta soldiers lined up in neat formations within deep pits on either side, and a brightly lit grand hall emerged from the ground.
"The Mausoleum of the Emperor allows me to pay 1000 Life Points to Tribute Summon a monster without sacrificing any resources." (anime effect)
Saiou held a card high above.
"Using this effect, I pay 1000 Life Points, to Tribute Summon this card—
—Arcana Force XV - The Fiend!!!" (anime card)