A deck made entirely of Cyberse monsters?
Tian Nan muttered under his breath — and as he muttered, the corners of his mouth rose higher and higher, overflowing with excitement.
Multiple sub-archetypes fused, maximum information gap advantage…
This was way too satisfying — and way too strong!
They might have a few surprise tech cards.
But he had an entire extra deck's worth of hidden engines.
How could any opponent not be terrified?
He couldn't wait to bring this Cyberse Goodstuff deck to the next tournament and let the other King's Path duelists and the top Heavenly-tier duelists get a taste of what true Cyberse elegance looked like.
"You have a way to obtain the Code Talker archetype, too?"
Seeing Tian Nan struggling to suppress a grin wider than an AK recoil pattern, Touya immediately realized —
Tian Nan was confident he could obtain the Code Talker engine to perfect the Cyberse Goodstuff deck.
"I've got a Heavenly-tier duelist friend — his main deck is Code Talkers."
Answering Touya's question, Tian Nan patted his chest confidently:
"Don't worry, Touya. I'll definitely introduce you to him so you can obtain the Code Talker cards ASAP and complete Cyberse Goodstuff. I won't hog the archetype alone."
"Alright." Touya narrowed his eyes slightly, smiling without commenting further.
If it were just for Yingye, he wouldn't mind giving her the entire full build.
But Tian Nan? That was different.
Whether or not Tian Nan actually meant the promise he just made, Touya wasn't planning to hand over everything so cleanly.
Firewalled tech, non-Code Talker engines, Mathmech jump-starters — it was normal not to give those away casually.
Cyberse Goodstuff might be a "pie-chart deck," but it was still a powerful meta contender.
Touya wouldn't let Tian Nan hold a perfectly optimized version without precautions.
Even though Touya now possessed the full Runick archetype and wasn't afraid of anyone, until he got stronger Tearlaments tools or other meta decks, Cyberse Goodstuff still posed a threat.
Being careful costs nothing.
Seeing that Touya wasn't objecting, Tian Nan secretly sighed in relief.
He had been worried Touya might retract the deck entirely if he also wanted to use it.
If Touya said no, Tian Nan, as a self-proclaimed "upright man," would have no way to force him.
Just as Tian Nan was about to suggest moving to Master Duel so Touya could demonstrate Cyberse Goodstuff's strength, he sensed something, frowned, and looked toward the door:
"Hmph. What wind blew you degenerates over? Gambling duelists!"
As soon as his words fell, a young man — looking under twenty—entered, accompanied by a blue-hatted spirit holding a mirror.
The young man ignored the insult and simply smiled:
"Hahaha, isn't it natural we'd show up? A god-tier deckbuilder is here — how could we miss it?"
"But Eternal King, it's been five hundred years. Could you at least remember our organization's name correctly? It's Duel Gamblers, not gambling trash."
After that jab, he turned toward Touya, smiled politely, and gave a respectful bow:
"Honored Master Touya, greetings.
I am Zhang Ji, one of the leaders of the Duel Gamblers of Dragon Nation.
A humble King's Path duelist.
This is the spirit, Imitation Magician."
"Duel Gamblers? First time I've heard of that."
Touya glanced briefly at the spirit, then focused on Zhang Ji, curious.
"That's normal. We are a neutral organization that follows the rules of dueling. For the hundreds of thousands of years we've existed, only duelists at Earth-tier or above generally know of us. Lower-tier duelists rarely encounter us."
Zhang Ji naturally noticed Touya's interest and continued explaining.
"So you follow the rules… Meaning, if both sides agree, you conduct wager duels?" Touya asked.
"It seems Master Touya is unaware of the other side of duel rules," Zhang Ji said with narrowed eyes.
"When both parties agree, we can wager more than cards and archetypes. Knowledge… even life."
"Oh? Even knowledge and life?"
Touya raised an eyebrow.
He knew about cards and archetype wagering — but not this.
"It's possible," Tian Nan added reluctantly.
As an inspector, he hated talking about this.
If everyone started gambling with their lives, what would the Inspection Bureau even do?
"But if Zhang Ji is about to talk, it hardly matters who explains it."
Since Tian Nan confirmed it, Touya grew more curious.
Because wager duels had a big loophole:
Both sides must agree.
Refuse, and the wager duel doesn't happen.
"So you're never worried someone will simply refuse?"
"Master Touya, may I use you as an example?"
"You may."
"If we placed before you a Tearlaments lower-rank card you desperately need — would you refuse?"
"…Ah. I see."
Touya understood instantly.
In simple terms, the Duel Gamblers offer something irresistible.
Once the duelist accepts, the duel proceeds.
"So you have my Tearlaments lower-level cards?" Touya asked with sparks of hope.
"Uh… no."
Zhang Ji's smile froze.
Awkward silence.
New archetype cards were extremely rare.
They could create one using a Rule-Generated Card — but those were priceless.
And Tearlaments wasn't even the top priority to them; it wasn't as threatening as some other rumored archetypes like Floowandereeze.
"You gamblers brag about having everything — so why can't you produce one lower Tearlaments card Touya needs?"
"Five hundred years ago, you were bragging the same way when you wanted my archetype," Tian Nan chimed in sarcastically.
"Now look at you. Stumped by one card."
"Eternal King, we can't produce Master Touya's cards — but we can produce yours. Don't act superior."
Zhang Ji snapped back, veins bulging.
"Oh? Then give me Giant Soldier of Stone – Ancient Vanguard."
"…"
Zhang Ji frowned.
No such card existed in their archives.
Tian Nan smirked.
"What's wrong? Never heard of it? It's from the Netherdepths archetype."
"Netherdepths? Wait — isn't that Master Touya's archetype!?"
Zhang Ji immediately realized he had been tricked.
Tian Nan taunted him intentionally to force an overpromise — so Touya could benefit.
"Trying to show off using a card Touya needs? Who are you fooling?"
"Come on, name any card Touya doesn't need, and I'll produce it instantly. If I fail, I'll work for you once. If I succeed, Eternal King shuts up."
Now it was Zhang Ji's turn to sneer.
"Fine. Do you have No.86? I won't even say the full name. Produce it, and we skip the duel — I hand over my archetype directly.
If you can't, do a task for my brother Touya."
Tian Nan's grin sharpened like a hunter watching prey bite the hook.
"NO.86? Do you take me for an idiot? The Number archetype has no such—"
But he stopped.
Touya silently lifted a card and held it out.
Zhang Ji froze.
Sweat trickled down his face.
"Master Touya… you have No.86?"
He already knew the answer.
If Touya was offering it, then the Number archetype did include 86 — and the card in front of him proved it.
Touya confirmed with a smile.
Zhang Ji swallowed.
"Then… no need to see it.
Master Touya, once this duel is settled, please notify us of your requested task.
We will complete it."
Then, after a deep breath, he spoke more respectfully than ever:
"Although I know you will refuse, I still ask… would you consider joining the Duel Gamblers?
As long as it is a card we know of, we will obtain it for you unconditionally.
We will even request that the Rules exclude us from any dangerous tasks, so you may focus solely on dueling advancement.
All we ask — only when our organization faces a threat it cannot defeat — is that you lend your strength once."
Even Tian Nan was dumbfounded.
This offer was insane.
Yingye turned pale.
A King-tier duelist, bowing this low?
Unprecedented.
"Speak the real business."
Touya declined gently.
Before Bai Yun'er, he might've accepted.
But now?
He didn't need them.
Zhang Ji looked disappointed but nodded.
"It's a mission request from a client.
They want you to forget a certain archetype's knowledge.
This is the payment."
He presented a purple-gold card.
"A Rule-Generated Card: Instant Fusion."
"Holy— You guys are that generous?!" Tian Nan gasped.
Even used, Rule-Generated Cards were priceless.
Instant Fusion was practically unobtainable except by Rule creation.
"Not from us. From the client."
Which meant someone feared Touya knowing their archetype's secrets — and wanted that knowledge erased.
Touya understood.
If he obtained someone's biggest trump card, they had two safe solutions:
Make the knower disappear,
or make the knower forget.
The Duel Gamblers were the latter route.
"Will you accept?" Zhang Ji asked formally.
"Of course I will." Touya nodded.
Instant Fusion → Aqua Sprite → extra Fusion → extra bait → additional interaction.
Only an idiot would refuse.
"Then forgive us."
Zhang Ji signaled the spirit to begin the process—
But Touya stopped him.
"Can we duel in Master Duel? I want to demonstrate Cyberse Goodstuff to Tian Nan first."
"…No."
Zhang Ji shook his head firmly.
For wager duels, Master Duel wasn't recognized.
Touya sighed, disappointed he couldn't kill two birds with one stone.
Seeing this, Zhang Ji hesitated… then gritted his teeth:
"Master Touya… if you want to use any deck you desire… I brought a Duel Space Scroll.
Inside its space, both duelists may use any cards — provided the Rules recognize them."
Touya's eyes brightened.
"A thing like that exists?"
"Very rare. If you require one, I can request another from headquarters."
Touya smiled.
"Then, as repayment, if you ever need a deck modification or new archetype development, I'll do one for free."
Zhang Ji internally cried.
Touya gave back nothing but labor.
But he forced a smile, took out a golden scroll, and tore it open.
Brilliant golden light swallowed everything.
When Touya opened his eyes again—
He was already on a duel platform.
Imitation Magician stood opposite him.
Tian Nan and the others watched from the sidelines.
A voice sounded in Touya's mind:
"Please select the cards you wish to use."
A holographic catalog of every card Touya knew appeared.
"…Good stuff."
He noticed all Netherdepths and Tearlaments main-deck cards were available in triplicate.
With a grin, he began constructing Cyberse Goodstuff.
Thirty minutes later, he finished.
Touya faced his opponent.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No need. This time… the one cheating is me."
A woman's reflection appeared in the mirror.
Touya squinted slightly.
"Then let's see it."
Touya (8000 LP) vs. Imitation Magician (8000 LP)
Touya chose to go first.
Looking at his opening hand, he immediately activated Circular God Mode:
"I activate Circular's effect from hand — send Sigma from Deck to GY to Special Summon Circular!"
But the opponent instantly responded—
"Upon successful Summon, I activate Arianna's Silver Castle Clock from my hand.
Once per turn, I can discard it — and for the rest of this turn, if I control a 'Labrynth' monster, I may activate 1 Normal Trap the turn it was Set."
Chain 2:
"I activate Labrynth Chandraglier. Once per turn, send this card and 1 card from hand to GY — Set 1 'Labrynth' Spell/Trap from Deck."
She sent Chandraglier + Arianna to GY, Setting:
Big Welcome Labrynth.
"Labrynth…?"
Touya narrowed his eyes.
A top-tier trap-heavy archetype.
Once a meta-era tyrant.
"WHAT?!"
"You gave him the Labrynth Princess's archetype?!" Tian Nan yelled.
"That's insane!"
Zhang Ji shrugged.
"Yes, but only partially.
Imitation Magician can only reproduce up to Earth-tier power.
Nowhere near the true Princess's strength."
Labrynth's engine continued:
The Clock revived itself from GY due to discarding for a Labrynth effect.
Touya chained Maxx "C".
The opponent winced but couldn't stop it.
Touya drew a card.
Then Big Welcome Labrynth Special Summoned Lovely Labrynth, forcing Touya to draw again.
Lovely Labrynth's effect activated — destroying Circular.
Touya blinked.
"A two-for-one just to destroy Circular?
You know my engine well."
"I do. I refuse to let you reach Superfactorial."
Touya smirked.
"Then you won't be pleased with what happens next."
He Normal Summoned Diameter, revived Circular, revived Sigma —
Xyz Summoned Primathmech Alembertian, searched Superfactorial,
Link Summoned Splash Mage, revived Circular again,
Link Summoned Code Talker Heatsoul (Burning Soul), paid 1000 LP, drew another card.
The hand was weak.
Only one extender.
But backrow was strong — negation, interruption, and even a counter trap.
"I set four cards. End my turn."
Everyone went silent.
Tian Nan and Yingye exchanged looks.
Circular start…
into FOUR BACKROW?!
Even the Labrynth user hesitated.
"You're… not a combo deck?
Why are you more trap-heavy than me?"
Touya didn't reply.
Only smiled.
The narrator closed with commentary:
Yes, Lava Golem and Sphere Mode can break boards.
But they're not always applicable — self-locks, Normal Summon cost, etc.
Sometimes Kaijus or Dark Ruler are simply better.
Everything depends on the situation.