I activate Fountain first, then activate Eye of Magic . Because of its restriction, for the rest of this Duel I cannot activate monster effects from my hand — but once per turn I can draw 2 and Normal Summon 2.
"Next, I set 2 cards. Then I activate the Spell Card of Demise. Since I have zero cards in my hand, I can draw three. Afterwards, until the end of this turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters, and at the end of the turn I must send my entire hand to the GY."
After drawing three cards, You Ye looked over his hand, set three more cards, then declared the end of his turn.
"Five sets. Please take it easy on me~" You Ye smiled at Li Quanming.
Facing You Ye's full five unknown backrow, Li Quanming's expression became extremely serious.
According to the intel he received, Runick plays "Stun Stones" — cards like Rivalry of Warlords, Messenger of Peace, Dimensional Fissure, etc.
The latter two were not activated, so likely not drawn — but the first two? He could feel at least one was there.
On top of that, Runick's archetype has:
One destruction negates
one monster-to-GY protection
one monster-target negate
And the most dangerous: Runick Fountain, which recycles spells and draws cards, easily generating card advantage.
Even though he had a tech card specifically for the Fountain, he still felt pressure.
"My turn — draw!"
Li Quanming drew, glanced at the card, and immediately said:
"I pay 1000 LP to activate Cosmic Cyclone from my hand, targeting your Field Spell Runick Fountain!"
Li Quanming LP: 8000 → 7000
"Cosmic Cyclone? During Draw Phase?"
You Ye raised his eyebrows.
This move really was brutal. Unless he had the Runick elder or pre-set Lulu—or Dragoncaller—this hit was guaranteed.
Mu Ning requires chain activation.
Hu Ji, however, being Continuous, does not require chain timing.
Of course, the main issue was: Mu Ning had been in the human realm for long enough that she would've been researched by now if she existed publicly, which she doesn't.
Losing Fountain didn't bother You Ye too much.
Against pure Dark Magician, between his main deck and Extra Deck power, he could OTK with one card if he wanted.
But this reminded him: he needed to reach Profound Rank soon so he could collect at least two Runick Fountains, ideally three — or else one banish could cripple the engine.
Main Phase 1.
Li Quanming Normal Summoned Magician's Rod.
"Rod's effect — I add the Field Spell Magician's Salvation from my Deck to my hand. Then I activate it."
Just as the card hit the field—
"I chain it — Rivalry of Warlords!"
"You can only control 1 face-up monster of each Type."
"Rivalry, huh?"
Li Quanming's expression hardened.
With Rod on the field, he temporarily couldn't summon another Spellcaster unless he removed Rod.
After resolution:
Chain 2: Rivalry is active.
Chain 1: Salvation places the Eternal Soul face down.
"Senpai, watch carefully — I'll build my board through your Rivalry!"
You Ye smiled and gestured for him to continue.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Dark Magical Circle. On activation, I reveal the top 3 cards of my Deck; I add the Spell Thousand Knives, and return the rest in any order."
"Next — from my hand, I use Timaeus the United Dragon. To Special Summon him from my hand, I send a Spellcaster monster from my field or hand to the GY. I send Magician's Rod."
"Timaeus is Special Summoned."
"Then I use Magician's Souls. I send a Level 6+ Spellcaster from my Deck to the GY — choosing Dark Magician — then send Souls itself to the GY to Special Summon that Dark Magician."
"Because Dark Magician was Special Summoned, Dark Magical Circle triggers. I target your Rivalry — banish!"
Rivalry disappeared.
Li Quanming exhaled, relaxing a bit.
"Now it looks like I actually have a chance of winning, Senpai."
"That's not guaranteed," You Ye replied calmly.
"Then please allow me to experience what you're hiding."
He could feel that You Ye wasn't bluffing — so he grew even more cautious.
"Battle Phase! Dark Magician, direct attack!"
Dark Magician charged forward — and as he swung—
"I activate my set Quick-Play Spell Runick Dispelling, Special Summoning Runick Fangs — Geri!"
A violet hound leaped into the path of the Dark Magician, blocking the attack.
"As expected… Geri."
Li Quanming muttered.
He wasn't surprised. Then he declared:
"Since you Special Summoned a monster, Dark Magician's attack is cancelled. I end the Battle Phase and enter Main Phase 2."
He knew Geri had a death-trigger effect.
If Geri died in battle, it would destroy one of his Circles or Salvation.
He wasn't going to let that happen.
"Time for fusion. I use Timaeus' effect — he sends the fusion materials listed on any Fusion Monster requiring a Spellcaster from my field to the GY to Fusion Summon it."
"I chain Runick Destruction!"
You Ye interrupted instantly.
"I target your face-down Eternal Soul — destroy it, then banish the top 4 cards of your Deck."
Li Quanming froze.
Then, looking deeply at You Ye, he understood everything.
You Ye had waited.
Waited for him to nearly exhaust his unknown backrow, waited for him to commit resources, waited until he was about to summon Dark Magician the Dragon Knight, whose effect would make his backrow completely immune.
One step too slow — and You Ye would never be able to destroy his backrow again.
Since Li Quanming didn't chain, the resolution continued:
Runick Destruction pops Eternal Soul; 4 cards banished.
Timaeus then fused Dark Magician with itself.
A white dragon roared as Dark Magician, the Dragon Knight, appeared, looking at You Ye's side with mild surprise before returning to calm.
"Senpai, you really do hide things too well."
Li Quanming sighed helplessly.
Without the Eternal Soul, his frontline now lacked protection.
If You Ye drew Flaming Fangs or a monster to go into Red-Eyes Dark Dragoon, you'd be in serious trouble.