Yugen swiftly retreated along the path out of the cave, encountering almost no obstacles.
Almost.
The ghosts in the cave were just as unyielding as when he entered, but near the exit, a burly figure suddenly blocked his way.
"You really found the 'Sealing Artifact'...?"
It was the Demon Realm Overlord. He was somewhat surprised upon seeing Yugen again.
He originally thought those who entered first were merely cannon fodder, essentially sacrificial lambs. He himself was still entangled at the cave entrance, battling illusions and ghosts, while this kid managed to go in and come out with the goods?
"Lucky bastard... Heh, not bad, very good. Finding the 'Sealing Artifact' is a major merit, it's not impossible to be directly promoted to serve under the Three Musketeers..."
The Demon Realm Overlord's gaze sharpens, stepping forward with a menacing expression.
"But unfortunately, I was the one who found it alone. Although as my subordinate, you exerted some insignificant effort in the process, it's regrettable that you won't leave this cave alive.
But don't worry, the great gods will remember your sacrifice..."
Yugen: "..."
The intention was quite clear. This person wanted to double-cross, eliminate the true hero, and monopolize the credit for promotion.
The Orichalcos sect was composed of lackeys from Elf Realm, scattered with little discipline, and with mutual distrust, such a thought was not unusual.
Only his choice of target might be a bit problematic.
Think you can leave here without killing me today?
"If you're smart, hand over the 'Sealing Artifact', at least I can let you die without suffering." The Demon Realm Overlord rubbed his hands, "Oh, right, and your card deck.
Haha, after all, it's also a deck blessed by the gods, can't let it go to waste. But don't worry, I'll make sure your cards have a good successor."
Yugen just chuckled at the words: "Interesting..."
"Hmm?" The Demon Realm Overlord paused, "What's interesting?"
"It's the first time someone has said that to me... Since you sincerely asked, then let's go."
Blue light dots gathered, a stream of data transformed into the form of a Duel Disc on Yugen's arm.
"Three minutes to wrap you up."
The Demon Realm Overlord frowned: "Hmm, it seems you've chosen the painful way. Heh, challenging me to a duel, don't tell me you think you have even the slightest chance?"
He said and unfolded his Duel Disc as well.
"Then let me show you the absolute gap between us!"
"Duel!" x2
[Yugen, LP 4000]
[Demon Realm Overlord, LP 4000]
"I'll go first, draw a card!"
The Demon Realm Overlord waved to cover two cards.
"Face-down Defense Position monster in the front field, cover a card in the back field, turn ends."
"Then my turn, draw a card."
Yugen drew the card, glanced at it quickly, but did not take any aggressive action.
"Face-down Defense Position a monster in the front field, cover three cards in the back field, turn ends."
The opponent's two-cover set directly ended the first round, but Yugen's side was even cooler, four-cover set in the second round, leaving the Demon Realm Overlord a bit puzzled for a moment.
"Couldn't draw a monster to launch an attack, huh?"
The Demon Realm Overlord laughed.
"I won't hold back. My turn, draw a card!" The Demon Realm Overlord said, "First, flip the monster covered in the last turn.
Flip Summon 'Scapegoat'!"
[Scapegoat, Attack Power 0]
Yugen raised an eyebrow.
Hmm, adjusted monster...
He remembered in the real world this card was indeed an adjusted monster, a card released during the Synchro Era.
Of course, Synchro Summoning was developed in the 5DS era in Yu-Gi-Oh! world, but the elves of adjusted monsters naturally could not have suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the 5DS era.
Thus, Yugen had noticed earlier. In this era, there were not completely no adjusted monsters, just no concept of them.
Like this 'Scapegoat', he knew this card should be an adjusted card in the future, but currently, the card didn't have the word "adjusted" written on it, just simply an effect monster.
He hence speculated the spirits of adjusters should have existed since ancient times, possessing undeveloped potential, which in the eyes of current Duelists was merely a plain effect monster.
This was also one of his research directions. If Yusei Particles were discovered entering the Synchro Era one day, he might quickly gain an advantage in the related research field.
"When 'Scapegoat' flips, Special Summon any number of 'Black Sheep Derivative' to your field." The Demon Realm Overlord said, "I Special Summon four 'Black Sheep Derivatives' in Defense Position!"
[Black Sheep Derivative, Defense Power 0]x4
"Then use 'Scapegoat' as a sacrifice." The Demon Realm Overlord shouted, "The strongest blade master in Demon Realm, lend me your power to descend here—
—Tawa Scimitar Demon, summon!"
A dense green body, like a swamp shrouded in poison. Curved and sharp demonic horns, like sharp daggers protruding from the sides of its forehead. Huge blue wings unfolded behind, gripping a large scimitar in its hands, shimmering with a cold gleam.
[Tawa Scimitar Demon, Attack Power 2400]
"Tawa Demon possesses the most exquisite blade technique in Demon Realm! Crush the wall monster!" The Demon Realm Overlord ordered, "Attack the covered monster!"
The Scimitar Demon flew into the air, the black wings sweeping up dust and leaves around, forming a dark vortex. A gleaming scimitar struck out, the moment it sliced as if tearing the air, forming minute fissures. Blade light swept across, and the covered monster was sliced into two halves.
[Swift Flying Squirrel, Defense Power 100]
"The monster you destroyed is 'Swift Flying Squirrel'." Yugen stated, "When the monster is battle-destroyed, activate the cover card, Trap Card 'Companions'.
When a field monster is sent to one's own graveyard, select a monster on the field and destroy it."
He pointed to the Scimitar Demon on the Demon Realm Overlord's field.
"Destroy Tawa Scimitar Demon."
Boom!
A light beam shoots out from the flipped Trap Card, flying straight towards the demon. The demon frantically raised the scimitar to defend, but ultimately failed to resist. The beam hit its chest, a fireball erupted, the demon instantly exploded and turned into ashes in the flames.
"Tawa Demon!" The Demon Realm Overlord gritted his teeth.
A rare summoned demon friend, only to fall right after one strike...
"And 'Swift Flying Squirrel' is a Beast Race monster." Yugen further revealed a hand card, "When a Beast Race monster on one's field is destroyed, pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon the 'Forest Guardian - Green Baboon'." (Old version effect)
[Yugen, LP 4000→LP 3000]
"Pay 1000 Life Points, Special Summon Green Baboon to the field."
A robust Green Baboon leaped onto the field, its body covered in thick green fur. A strong and solid physique, muscle lines faintly visible under the green fur. Its powerful forelimbs repeatedly thumped its chest, letting out a long string of wild roars from its throat.
[Forest Guardian - Green Baboon, Attack Power 2600]
"Then is the 'Swift Flying Squirrel' effect." Yugen continued, "When this card is battle-destroyed and sent to the graveyard, recover 1000 Life Points. And from the card deck face-down Defense Position Special Summon any number of 'Swift Flying Squirrel'."
[Yugen, LP 3000→LP 4000]
He drew two more cards.
"Special Summon two more 'Swift Flying Squirrel', face-down Defense Position."
Two more covered monsters appeared on the front field of Yugen.
"Tch, the attack triggered a counter move, huh." The Demon Realm Overlord grunted unhappily, "Then cover another card, turn ends."