Yu-Gi-Oh!: This isn't a duel!

boom--!

Suddenly, a blazing red light erupted from the depths of the originally dark vortex.

The raging flames boiled at the center of the vortex, scorching and distorting the surrounding space.

Gustav's hoarse voice, at this moment, was chanting a fanatical incantation filled with religious ritual:

"The glutton will devour himself, while the betrayer will live forever!"

"Be reborn amidst fire and grease!"

"Defense Position Xyz Summon! Rank 4!!"

"Descend, [No. 59 The Rebellious Chef]!!"

A huge pillar of fire shot into the sky, instantly igniting and turning the abandoned cardboard boxes on both sides of the alley into ashes.

In the heart of that suffocating heatwave, a massive, imposing figure slowly stepped out.

He was a soldier wearing a heavy, brown, fireproof cook's uniform stained with grease.

His face was hidden beneath a thick gas mask, revealing only a pair of electronic eyes that flashed red light.

In his right hand, he held a modified, industrial-grade giant flamethrower, the muzzle flashing in the wind.

He carried a huge high-pressure oxygen tank on his back, and countless crimson oil pipelines were wrapped around his thick limbs like blood vessels. The tank was engraved with a bright red code name - "No. 59".

In his left hand, he held a flat pan that was burning fiercely.

Something was cooking in the pot, emitting a strange, mouthwatering aroma that was a mixture of burnt and engine oil smells.

This isn't some kind of chef; he's clearly an arsonist who walked out of Hell's Kitchen.

【No. 59 The Rebellious Chef】【Tier 4】【Fire/Warrior/Xyz/Effect】【Attack: 2300 / Defense: 200】

Looking at the steel chef standing motionless amidst the raging flames, Gustav's fleshy face bulged into a bright, greasy chrysanthemum.

He didn't panic because of the depletion of his hand. Instead, as if he had just completed a masterpiece, he slapped down the last card in his hand with a morbid sense of satisfaction.

"Hehehe... Now that the appetizers and main courses are all served, it's dessert time!"

"I activate the magic card from my hand—[Countdown to the End]!!"

As the card was forcefully inserted into the edge slot of the Duel Disk, Gustav's life points instantly began to jump wildly.

[Gustav LP: 8000 → 6000]

"For this, I will pay 2000 base points as a price!"

"But it was all worth it!"

Gustav raised his arms high, as if embracing an impending miracle, his voice hoarse and fervent:

"After this card is activated, the first turn will be counted from the turn in which it is activated."

"When the 20th round ends—I will automatically win the duel!!"

Rumbling--

A large, eerie purple fog suddenly appeared above the narrow alleyway that was already blocked by the light curtain.

The mist churned and roared, rapidly gathering at the top of the sky, eventually condensing into a huge and terrifying demonic face.

The giant face looked down at the battlefield below, its empty eyes burning with eerie green flames.

Around it, twenty clusters of eerie blue soul flames suddenly ignited, forming a giant death dial in mid-air.

One lamp is extinguished after each round.

When the last flame dies out, the duel will come to an end, and death will be the moment it wields its scythe.

Looking at the familiar recipe and the familiar taste, You Yang raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"【The Rebellious Chef】plus 【The Countdown to the End】..."

"Is it really the infamous 'slacker' tactic?"

As a seasoned duelist, he instantly saw through his opponent's sinister intentions.

At this very moment, the [No. 59 Reversed Chef] standing in the center of the field is emanating a force field that can even distort space.

Because of its effect—when this card is the only card on your field, it is unaffected by the effects of other cards.

This means that all magic, traps, and monster effects applied to him are like throwing mud into the sea.

But that's not the most difficult part.

You Yang's gaze fell on the faintly visible phantom of the [Starlight Chestnut Ball] that surrounded the chef.

That was the final piece of the puzzle for absolute defense.

"No." monsters Xyz Summoned using Starlight Kuriboh as material gain a continuous effect—they cannot be destroyed by battle or opponent's effects.

Left hand: "All Resistance", Right hand: "Battle Break Resistance".

At this moment, the "Rebellious Chef" is simply an ancient turtle that has retreated into its titanium alloy shell.

Even though its attack power isn't top-tier, this double absolute resistance is enough to make 99% of the decks in the world feel hopeless.

If he does nothing, doesn't play any cards, and just sits quietly on the field, after twenty rounds, the "Countdown to the End" will automatically declare him the winner.

"I never expected this..."

You Yang gently shook his head, his tone tinged with a hint of regret:

“You three look like nobody extras who just wandered out of nowhere, yet you actually possess ‘No. Cards,’ and such disgustingly powerful ones at that.”

"It seems I really misjudged him."

However, when he said this, there was not a trace of the fear or annoyance that Gustav had expected on his face.

On the contrary, a more playful smile curved his lips, and the light flashing in his dark eyes was less fear and more the excitement of a hunter seeing a rare prey.

If it were any other deck, even one that was once a mainstream deck, it might really just be waiting for a slow death when faced with this kind of "ultimate tanking".

But unfortunately—

The deck he used this time happened to be outside of the "most" decks that were countered!

This tactic was not an impenetrable wall for him; on the contrary, it was a huge, helpless sitting duck.

But the intricacies of the game are unknown to outsiders.

Lena, the girl in black, collapsed not far away, biting her pale lips tightly, her knuckles white from the force of her grip. Looking at the ghostly face of the end suspended in the air, her eyes were filled with tears of humiliation and resentment.

That nightmare... has come true again.

Back then, she was completely worn down by this utterly shameless tactic, watching helplessly as the twenty flames went out and her own strength was drained away bit by bit, yet she couldn't even harm a hair on the opponent's head.

"If...if only I could get the first move and interrupt him..."

The girl closed her eyes in despair. In her mind, once her opponent had completed this "absolute defense," the duel would be over.

That young man who stepped forward is now probably trapped in a hopeless situation.

"Hehehe... Scared now? Desperate now?"

Unaware of the change in You Yang's gaze, Gustav was currently lost in his fantasy of imminent victory.

He looked at his empty hand, yet acted like a king who owned the whole world, waving his large hand arrogantly:

"I have zero cards in my hand! But I don't need any cards!"

"This is a perfect strategy! I am now in an invincible position!"

"I'm ending my round!!"

"You brat! In this long torment, await your death! Hahahaha!"

"Hehehe... Now—it's my turn!"

Slink let out a dry laugh that sounded like two rusty pieces of iron rubbing together.

He extended his thin, somewhat deformed finger and pushed up the thick glasses on his nose, which were as thick as the bottom of a beer bottle. The lenses reflected a cold, eerie light in the dim alley.

"Draw a card!"

His movements were extremely fast and unpredictable, like a venomous snake peeking out of a cave.

After seeing the card he had drawn, Slink's smile widened, revealing his gums.

"Now that the eldest brother has served the main course, I, as the assistant, naturally cannot fall behind."

"I Normal Summon [Princess Amber] from my hand!"

wow-

A burst of clear water suddenly appeared on the cracked ground, standing out starkly against the surrounding filth.

As the bubbles dissipated, a cute, orange-yellow fish-like monster with big eyes—[Princess Amberjack]—joyfully leaped out of the water.

【Princess Shinobu】【1 Star】【Water/Fish】【Attack: 0 / Defense: 0】

"Although it's cute, it's just food."

Slink's eyes were cold as he waved his hand without a trace of pity: "Activate the [Princess Shinobu] entrance effect!"

"When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can banish this card to activate this effect."

Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Fish-Type monster from your Deck, except for "Amberjack Princess"!

Before the poor little fish could even see the world clearly, its body was forcibly peeled away, turning into countless specks of light.

Chapter 268 The Chef Summoned Again! An Unexpected Card! The Sealed One's Right Foot!

"Go! Nourishment for becoming a stronger being! I Special Summon [Right-Handed Shark] from my Deck!"

A deafening roar, like water being torn apart, echoed from the void.

The once calm puddle suddenly burst open, and amidst the surging waves, a huge, deep blue shark burst out with its gaping maw.

What's most striking is the mutated fin on its right side, which resembles a giant guillotine and gleams with a cold metallic light in the dim light. Its mouthful of jagged yellow teeth exudes a ferocious wildness.

[Right Hand Shark] [4-Star] [Water/Fish] [Attack: 1500 / Defense: 1300]

Seeing the shark reappear, You Yang couldn't help but frown, a sense of absurdity rising in his heart.