Yu-Gi-Oh! Your Friends Are Fighting Out of the Underworld

Chapter 286 Stalemate
Instantly, a suffocating atmosphere enveloped the dueling arena.

After an almost eternal silence, it seemed someone was finally willing to speak:
"No...no attack?"

Looking at the battlefield that had suddenly fallen silent, the city felt somewhat at a loss.

"He clearly had a chance to win by attacking, so why did he back down at the last moment...?"

"That's impossible."

Before the mindless speculation within the city could fully unfold, some people loudly objected.

"A celestial horse gallops through the night"—at this moment, he merely looked at the daydreaming duelist with an angry yet disdainful expression.

"That lord's control over the battle situation is beyond the comprehension of people like you."

"That esteemed person or something..."

Hearing Tenma Yagyō's clearly humble address, Jōnei was momentarily at a loss for words.

"You Ming seems quite kind, there's no need for him to act so humble, is there?"

"Hmph, only someone like you would take that lord's kindness as a bargaining chip to push your luck."

'Snapped'

Hearing Tianma Yexing's words, which sounded like those of a fanatical believer, the people in the city felt a chill.

He was obviously not used to this kind of thing, so he couldn't help but take a step back.

However, it must be said that after being reminded by Tenma Yako, Jonouchi, whose brain had resumed functioning, also realized it.

"On the field of Yugi, there are monsters with an attack power of up to 3000, and on the field of Yugi, there are the last face-down cards."

This situation means only one thing:

"They're completely frozen in place."

For the attacking side, that backcourt block was, in a sense, a death sentence; the price of the probing was the LP, which was left hanging by a thread.

For the defending side, an attack power of 3000 also brings enormous pressure.

Ultimately, the question is, what exactly is that face-up card...?

"Tsk."

At that moment, Yugi Muto couldn't help but close his eyes and gently place his hand on the Duel Disk, touching the last face-down card.

That was a card called "Dimensional Wall," a card that could return battle damage to the opponent.

However, the other party did not seem to fall for the trap directly.

"Did they notice it, or are they just being cautious...?"

A strange dizziness echoed in his brain, making the Pharaoh feel tired.

"another me……"

"Don't worry, partner."

He glanced at the worried look in her eyes and a smile crept onto his lips.

"In fact, I'm very happy right now."

"happy?"

"Yes, after returning to the role of a challenger, I realized that I had been ignoring so many things all along."

Meeting his somewhat questioning gaze, the Pharaoh couldn't help but laugh.

"But it's okay now."

"another me……"

"Even if the road ahead is uncertain, I hope my partner can stay with me until the end."

"Well, of course!"

Beneath that warm smile, the Pharaoh felt an immense sense of peace.

The former champions of justice and judges thus embarked on an unknown journey:
"My turn, draw a card... 'Monster Resurrection' activated! I revive 'Super Magical Dragon Knight' on my field!"

"Red-Eyed Dragon Rider"

"atk/3000"

"Then, I'll end this round directly."

"...It seems my caution was justified."

Yu Ming frowned as he stared at the unmoving face-up card.

"Since he didn't attack directly, it means he also wants to take the initiative."

"But what should we do now?"

"Of course it's ready."

As for how to prepare it, it's very simple.

“Draw a card—I activate the Spell Card ‘Primordial Seed.’ While ‘Chaos Warrior - Messenger of the Beginning’ is on the field, I can add two banished cards to my hand.” “The banished cards… could they be…”

"That's right, it's 'Warbreaker' and 'Rough Guy's Dagger,' then I set a trap card in my backfield to end this turn."

"My turn, draw a card, turn over."

"My turn, draw a card, I continue to set one card in the back row, end of turn."

"It's my turn, draw a card..."

Compared to the series of actions, continuous summoning and attack/defense battles that once took place, the duel has now fallen into an eerie silence.

Drawing cards and ending the turn quickly without any battle, the two duelists who fought to the very end in Duel City and were practically at the pinnacle of the world both gave up taking the initiative in the match that would determine the world's strongest.

It's just like being a beginner—that's the thought that comes to many people's minds.

But like the calm before a storm, a thick, sticky feeling had already begun to spread through the air.

3000 points—Monsters with the same attack power stand in the duel arena, like two cowboys dueling.

It seems that all it takes is one more opportunity for the war to reignite.

But that’s why…

"I cover a card in the backcourt, and the round ends."

When both sides in a duel choose to solidify their defenses, the resulting sense of oppression becomes unbearable.

"500 points... In this game, a difference of only 500 points in attack power is needed to launch an attack, and Yumei's side also has 'Rough Man's Dagger' and 'Warbreaker' to release monsters."

Jonouchi tried to analyze the situation, but just looking at the two figures standing on the ground made him feel dizzy.

"So what exactly is going on now..."

"Hmph, that's why mediocre people can't understand the mindset of the strong."

"what?!"

That signature disdain made Cheng Nei turn around, only to see that dashing figure walking calmly towards them:
"Seahorse, what are you saying... wait, when did you get here?"

"Humph."

However, the president clearly had no intention of responding to that low-level topic; he simply gazed at the perilous battlefield with his pale, gleaming eyes.

In some ways, he sees things more clearly than Jonouchi:

"For Yugi, he now not only needs to consider 'Rough Man's Dagger,' which can unleash monsters at any time, and 'Warbreaker,' which can even withstand attacks from gods, but also, due to the special ability of 'Chaos Soldier,' he can hardly summon a second monster with a limited hand. He can only pin his hopes on his 'Super Magician,' but his 'Super Magician' seems unable to use any equipment, making it incompatible with conventional methods of increasing attack power."

"That means the game is currently at a disadvantage..."

"Hmph, only a mediocre person would rush to make a judgment."

"Tsk, a seahorse..."

"I'll mercifully tell you, but Yumei's situation isn't much better. That coward was wary of Yugi's face-down cards from the start. Meanwhile, having missed his chance to attack, he had to face the most terrifying effect of 'Super Magical Dragon Knight'—that ability to negate card activation and increase attack power only needs to be triggered once, and then the initiative will completely fall into Yugi's hands."

"So that means the game requires using the 'Dragon Knight's' special effects to increase attack power, and Yumei is avoiding that... So whoever attacks first is at a disadvantage?!"

"Hmph, at least you're not completely stupid. Generally speaking, that's correct."

After grinning unconsciously for a moment, the seahorse's expression turned serious.

"Now, those two guys have completely given up on the element of 'luck'..."

Watching the surge of energy that seemed to be witnessed by only a select few, he couldn't help but clench his fist.

Jealousy, resentment, but what surfaced most in my heart was a longing!
"They have evolved to the point where they need to understand the opponent's objectives and master their tactical thinking in order to ensure victory!"

"Doesn't that mean we'll have to stay in a stalemate until they fill their backcourt?"

"No, that kind of thing won't happen."

Before the voice in the castle could finish, another, relatively gentle voice rang out.

"Miss Isis?"

“You red-eyed messenger, you can take a closer look at the current state of the Pharaoh and that gentleman.”

Under that gentle persuasion, Jonouchi's gaze unconsciously darted between the two duelists.

He then realized something was wrong.

"Why are they sweating? The game's face is turning pale... This isn't a dark game, is it?"

"Because even the strong cannot take control of their own 'destiny' without paying any price."

"Pick the card."

The moment he drew the card, Youming's fingers began to tremble involuntarily.

"I see, so your body is nearing its limit..."

Yu Ming narrowed his eyes as he stared at the card in his hand.

"Then let's give it a try—in the main phase, I activate the equipment magic 'Divine Sword - Phoenix Sword'..."

(End of this chapter)