Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

Although she felt that her actions were correct, Kitamori Reiko was not entirely sure if they would work, so after casting [Magic Flower Pot], she checked with Jonouchi.

However, judging from the halo that appeared on her field, it was clear that Kitamori Reiko's [Magic Flowerpot] had been successfully activated.

After sending the now useless "Resurrected Soul" to the graveyard, Reiko Kitamori drew two more cards.

Jonouchi couldn't help but exclaim, "That's amazing! I never expected that you could even make use of cards that were no longer useful. And you've only been playing Duel Monsters for a month, yet you've already understood such complex descriptions on the cards. That's truly impressive."

"Hmm? Hmm... No, it's not that amazing, hmm~" Although still quite shy, Kitamori Reiko gave a bashful smile. Incidentally, she also drew a card from her hand. "Um, I'm going to tribute my [Puppet Queen] on the field and then Tribute Summon this monster from my hand, [Puppet King]."

The [Puppet Queen], who had been waiting on Kitamori Reiko's field, stood up and, imitating a certain Innovator pilot who said "I am Gundam," threw her shield to the side as a throwing weapon. Just like when the [Puppet Soldiers] turned into a chessboard when she appeared, the patterns on the [Puppet Queen]'s body also unfolded into a chessboard.

After the chessboard changed again, what appeared on Kitamori Reiko's field was yet another faceless monster, much stronger than the [Puppet Queen].

The scepter used by the [Puppet Queen] was replaced with a sharp sword. Moreover, the [Puppet Soldier]'s scepter, which was more like a dagger than a sword, evolved directly into a heavy sword almost as tall as the [Puppet King], which he used to support himself on the ground. The black and white checkered pattern on his shoulders transformed into two thick shoulder armors, weighing down the red cloak that fluttered in the wind behind the [Puppet King].

It has appeared—a powerful figure with proof of strength—a cloak!

【The Puppet King】【7☆/Location】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[2800/2600]

Compared to the defensively-oriented [Puppet Queen], the [Puppet King], summoned as a sacrifice, is more adept at attacking. However, even so, its defensive capabilities are still higher than those of the [Puppet Queen].

But that's not the point. The point is—

"No, Miss Reiko, you've got it wrong!" Jonouchi was now completely convinced that Kitamori Reiko had really only been free of Duel Monsters for a month, because she had made such a big mistake. "Level 5 and Level 6 monsters do only need one monster as a tribute, but from Level 7 onwards, 7☆ and higher level monsters require two tributes to be Tribute Summoned!"

"Huh? Eh? Hmm... But, but the card for the [Puppet King] says, 'Only one tribute is needed when summoning using the [Puppet Queen] as a tribute'..."

Reiko Kitamori said somewhat timidly.

Upon hearing this, Jonouchi scratched his cheek slightly, a little embarrassed, and remained silent. He had meant well by reminding her, but clearly, Kitamori Reiko wasn't so ignorant as to not know what level of monster required how many offerings; Jonouchi had made a blunder.

But then, something else suddenly happened in the castle—the [Puppet King], who had just been swaggering with his cloak fluttering in the wind and leaning on his sword, and who was known for his attack power, was now slowly crouching down in a defensive stance, just like the other monster on Kitamori Reiko's field, [Puppet Castle].

【The Doll King】【DEF2600】

"Uh, Miss Reiko, you're not planning to attack at all?" Not even a single monster that's supposed to attack?

Kitamori said somewhat timidly, "N-Can't I?"

“Well, it’s not impossible,” Jonouchi replied honestly, because there has never been a rule in Duel Monsters that “a monster loses if it doesn’t attack,” so Kitamori Reiko’s actions were perfectly reasonable.

The only question is—if Kitamori Reiko, who has no fighting spirit or desire to win, doesn't even launch an attack, how exactly did he achieve victory?

Could it be that in the KC Cup qualifiers and the previous round of the official competition, Kitamori Reiko actually won by constantly defending and wearing down her opponent's patience, causing her opponent to completely lose the will to continue the duel and give up?

Jonouchi couldn't think of anything for the time being, but Kitamori Reiko's actions continued.

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card, 'Tragic Battlefield'." Inserting her last card into the Spell & Trap Zone of the Duel Disk, Reiko Kitamori mustered her courage and said earnestly, "This card's effect is to make the negative consequences of the battle more apparent..."

"Players who have fought during their turn can send the top five cards of their deck to the graveyard during the End Phase of their turn."

"Then, my turn will end here."

[Kitamori Reiko: 4000LP, 0 cards in hand]

【The Doll King】【DEF2600】

【Doll Castle】【DEF1800】

[Gaika] [The Tragedy of the Battlefield]

Upon seeing this, Jonouchi suddenly understood. So that's it—they didn't want to discard cards due to their own card effects, which is why they were reluctant to use monsters to attack?

An effect that takes effect as soon as a battle is fought and discards cards from the deck? That must be a troublesome card.

Jonouchi glanced at his deck; in this duel, he had exactly 40 cards in his deck.

Some beginners of Duel Monsters might think that if there are so many powerful cards in Duel Monsters, then they could just stuff as many of the various powerful cards as they want into a deck, and wouldn't they be invincible?

However, this is not the case. As the number of cards in a Duel Monsters deck increases, the probability of drawing a card that is advantageous to the current conditions and environment in a single draw becomes less and less.

Sixty cards is the maximum for a deck, but obviously, apart from those novices who have already been eliminated in the previous Duel Monsters qualifiers, no one would keep their deck to the maximum.

He drew six cards in his hand on the first turn, three of which were consumed by "Ruby Treasure Card", and then one by "Black Dragon Paladin". After drawing cards on the second turn, along with "Dangerous Machine 6" and "Pot of Greed", Jonouchi has now spent a total of 14 cards, leaving him with 26 cards in his deck.

26 cards isn't a lot, but it's not a small number either. However, if you have to spend 5 cards to go to the graveyard after each attack, it can only support Jonouchi's attacks for five turns. Oh no, if you include drawing cards and using cards to replenish your hand each turn, it's estimated that you'll only have four or even three attack opportunities.

However, in the eyes of the optimist Jonouchi, it wasn't that he only had three chances to attack left, but rather that he had a full three more chances to win, which seemed more than enough.

"My turn, draw!" Jonouchi drew a card from his deck and pointed to his back row: "Then, during my Standby Phase, the effect of [Dangerous Gear 6] activates!"

"3!"

As if by magic, the [Dangerous Machine Type 6], which should have been completely random, rolled a 3 this time. With a 3, Jonouchi can draw a card from his deck.

Joey's deck: 26→24

"It sounds impressive, but all I need to do is win the duel before I run out of cards, right?" Jonouchi said confidently. "I'll use my Baby Dragon as a Tribute to Tribute Summon Magic Knight Giltia!"

The [Baby Dragon], with an attack power of only 1200, disappeared from the field. In its place was [Magic Knight - Giltia], who was holding a weapon that looked more like a baton than a magic wand and wearing armor that resembled both a robe and a suit of armor.

【Magic Knight - Giltia】【5☆/Light】

[Warrior/Normal]

[1850/1500]

"Yosh, here we go, Reiko-san!" Jonouchi exclaimed excitedly. "So, first, let's use [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] to destroy [Puppet King], we couldn't even get a proper hit just now!"

"Go! [Red-Eyes], Black Flame Bullet!"

The attack power of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon equipped with the Dark Dragon Claw is 3000. Regardless of whether the Puppet King is in attack or defense position, the attack power of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon is higher.

After all, 3000 attack power is a watershed in Duel Monsters. Once you reach 3000 attack power, it's almost like entering a second world. That's why many people like to compare monsters with an attack power of 3000 or more with the most famous one, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which has an attack power of exactly 3000.

This time, the attack of [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] was not interfered with by Kitamori Reiko's face-down card; the jet-black fireball shot straight at the defense indicator—

Ok? !

The black flame bullet changed direction in mid-air!?

Amidst the strange gaze of the castle, the black flame bullet spewed by the Red-Eyes Black Dragon drew an arc. Although it was clearly an attack aimed at the Puppet King, it veered towards the Puppet Castle on the other side.

The attack went so far as to miss without any intervention; it was as absurd as shooting at a net with no goalkeeper and then kicking it into the stands!

At this moment, Jonouchi, who was full of doubt, heard Kitamori Reiko's weak answer: "Um... as long as [Puppet Castle] is face-up on my field, any attackable monster of the opponent must attack this card."

"Then, once per turn, when [Doll Castle] is targeted for attack, I can Special Summon a Level 6 or higher Warrior-Type EARTH monster from my Graveyard to the field and transfer the attack target to that monster..."

At the end of the "U"-shaped trajectory of the Black Flame Bullet, a black and white monster appeared on Kitamori Reiko's field. It was no ordinary monster; after all, in Kitamori Reiko's graveyard, the only Level 6 or higher Earth-type Warrior-type monster was the "Puppet Queen," which had just been sent to the graveyard after summoning the "Puppet King."

"boom!"

Without a doubt, the 2500 DEF of the "Puppet Queen," Special Summoned in Defense Position by Reiko Kitamori's "Puppet Castle," was utterly insignificant compared to the 3000 ATK of the "Red-Eyes Black Dragon," and was easily sent to the Graveyard.

However, Reiko Kitamori thus successfully preserved the [Puppet King] and wasted the attack of [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] once again.

Chapter 427 Self-isolation?

An attack by a Red-Eyes Black Dragon was blocked, but there are still two other monsters on the field that have not yet launched an attack.

"Seriously, I've been tricked." Jonouchi glanced at the card in his hand, then waved his hand forward. "In that case, I'll use [Magic Knight - Giltia] to attack [Puppet Castle]!"

Because of the effect of the [Puppet Castle], no matter which monster attacks from within the castle, it will be directed towards the [Puppet Castle], meaning it is forcibly designated as the primary target.

The 1800 defense points of the [Puppet Castle] are enough to easily stop the attacks of low-level monsters. However, by sheer coincidence, the [Magic Knight - Giltia] summoned by Jonouchi this turn has exactly 1850 attack points, which is just right to break through the [Puppet Castle].

Although [Doll Castle] has the ability to revive monsters from the graveyard and redirect the attack when attacked, this effect can only be used once per turn, and it was just consumed by the attack of [Red-Eyes Black Dragon].

Therefore, despite the doll castle's best efforts to defend itself against the charging [Magic Knight - Kirtia] wielding a long blade, it was ultimately destroyed and sent to the graveyard.

However, because it was a defensive position, Jonouchi was unable to inflict combat damage on Kitamori Reiko.

"Alright, in that case, only the last one, the 'Puppet King,' is left." Jonouchi waved his fist and looked at the 'Puppet King' who was finally blocking Kitamori Reiko's way.

Looking at the imposing Jonouchi, Kitamori Reiko said nervously, "But, but, the [Puppet King] has a defense of 2600 points, which is higher than the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]'s 2400 attack points."

"Ah, that's right. A 2400-attack 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' attacking a 2600-defense 'Puppet King' will only cause me damage." Looking at the last card in his hand, Jonouchi's words seemed troubled, but a confident smile played on his lips.

"However, if a single monster's fighting power is insufficient, let the power of [Fusion] create a miracle!"

As Jonouchi spoke, he inserted the card in his hand into the magic trap area, and a green vortex appeared above his field.

"Huh? Fusion during the battle phase?" In Kitamori Reiko's memory, [Fusion] was a summoning method that could only be performed during the main phase. How could fusion be performed during the battle phase?

"【Instant Fusion】is a Quick-Play Spell Card that can be activated during the Battle Phase. Its effect is that I can select the Fusion Materials needed to create a Fusion Monster from my field and then perform a Fusion Summon."

"However, as a trade-off, the Fusion Monster summoned by the effect of [Instant Fusion] will be destroyed at the end of this turn."

Jonouchi knew that Kitamori Reiko didn't know much about Duel Monsters, so he patiently explained it to her. Then, he pointed to the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and [Magic Knight Giltia] standing side by side on his field.

"Although being chosen as fusion material before even launching an attack is a bit of a disadvantage, I can't worry about that now. I'll use my [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and the Warrior-type [Magic Knight - Giltia] as fusion materials for a fusion summon!"

"Come forth, [Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon]!"

The green fusion vortex sucked in the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and the [Magic Knight - Giltia]. After returning to the field from the vortex, the [Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon], covered in armor with sharp spikes, emerged from the vortex.

【Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon】【ATK2800】

"2800 attack power is enough to defeat the [Puppet King]!" Jonouchi waved his hand and ordered, "Since we are still in the battle phase, go! [Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon], attack the [Puppet King]!"

"Then, because of the effect of Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon itself, when a Red-Eyes monster declares an attack, I can equip a Warrior-Type monster from my Graveyard as an Equip Card that increases Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon's ATK by 200!"

After the Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon roared to the sky, a phantom appeared beside it. It was the fusion material of the Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon that had just been sent to the graveyard by Instant Fusion—the Magic Knight Giltia.

Just as the phantom was about to merge into the body of [Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon], Reiko Kitamori finally activated the card that had been face down in her back row.

"This is all I want, no thanks." Although Kitamori Reiko was still nervous, she was more resistant to the prospect of facing the monsters on Jonouchi's field after the destruction of [Puppet King] than to the tension she felt when activating the card. "I... I really don't want to, but if the card isn't used at the right time, it's meaningless."

"I activate my cover, [Explosive Armor]!"

"I...I will use this card's effect to chain the attack declaration of [Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon], causing the attacking [Red-Eyes Black Blade Dragon] to be destroyed instantly!"

"What?!"

Jonouchi genuinely hadn't expected that the face-down card on Kitamori Reiko's field would be a debuff like [Explosive Armor].

If Jonouchi remembers correctly, the card 【Explosive Armor】 wasn't set by Kitamori Reiko in the last turn, but the turn before that. Even though he launched so many attacks during that time, she didn't use it once, but only now?

Because Kitamori Reiko hadn't activated the face-down card, Jonouchi even thought that the card might be something like "Heavenly Punishment" or "Magic Interference Array" that could be used to hinder the deployment. But why was it "Explosive Armor," and why now of all times?

This attack by [Red-Eyes Blackblade Dragon] was clearly no different from the others—no, could it be that?