As the protagonist of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Yuuki Judai's deck had always been the [Elemental HERO] archetype, a consistently popular choice in the dueling world. Judai himself, before transmigrating, had genuinely liked HERO decks. While their strength was often questionable, what chuunibyou wouldn't want to be a HERO?
Leaving home, Yuuki Judai arrived at a card shop near his house. After so many years of development, the card game Duel Monsters was already a household name. KaibaCorp's prestige had spread globally. Now, it was almost an environment where everyone played cards.
Entering the card shop, he saw all sorts of cards, dazzling in their variety and differing widely in price. The relatively cheaper card packs, while much more affordable than single cards, were like opening a blind box; most people probably lost money. There were also pre-constructed decks that could be used immediately. As for their strength, that remained to be seen.
Yuuki Judai felt a bit conflicted. Although the System could exchange cards, to do so, he needed Duel Points. To get Duel Points, he had to duel. But to duel, he needed a deck. So, he was caught in this bizarre loop: "I want Duel Points — then go duel! — But I don't have a deck! — Then use points to exchange cards! — But I don't have Duel Points! — Then go duel!"
There was no way around it. His first deck would have to be self-assembled.
...
Soon, Judai found the pre-constructed HERO deck in a corner of the store. While HERO decks weren't exceptionally strong, the pre-con cards were quite complete, and the price was friendly. A forty-card pre-con deck cost only two thousand yen.
The moment he saw the HERO deck, it was as if the HERO soul deep within him began to burn. Judai immediately took a liking to this Elemental HERO pre-constructed deck. Without hesitation, he bought the pre-con and sat down at a card table near the entrance to unbox and inspect its contents.
As expected, cheap decks were cheap for a reason. This forty-card pre-con box was basically filled with vanilla monsters like the "Elemental HERO Fusions" (the 'five wastes' of Elemental HEROes), along with some Elemental HERO specific Spell and Trap cards. It was called a deck, but it was essentially just a pile of cards. The only thing truly worth the price was probably the Fusion card, which almost every duelist owned in the GX era.
"Without a lot of other HERO support, Elemental HEROes are a bit weak for actual duels."
"Even though I have a burning HERO soul, I'm still a card enthusiast. I need to win first."
"Hmm..."
Looking at his remaining few banknotes, Judai thought for a moment. Then, he began searching the card shop again.
Soon, Judai discovered that individual Trap cards in the shop were significantly cheaper. Especially some cards that were incredibly annoying in his previous life were, in this world, priced as cheaply as cabbage.
"That's right..."
"If HEROes aren't strong enough..."
"Then why not play 'Shadow HEROes'?"
With that thought, Judai immediately invested all his remaining money into Trap cards.
After an hour of pre-construction, the original "Shadow HERO" deck made its dazzling debut! Judai had significantly revamped the original Elemental HERO structure, giving the once justice-filled Elemental HEROes... well, an instant taste of "Shadow HERO" maliciousness.
"It's time to pick a dueling opponent and earn some Duel Points."
Judai turned his gaze towards the duelists playing around him. The main dueling area was mostly occupied by adults. In the children's section outside, there were kids around Judai's apparent age. But bullying children was not something Judai considered.
"Hey, big brothers over there, wanna duel me?" Yuuki Judai, with a smile, squeezed into a group of people playing cards.
"You?" Seeing the child squeeze in, a few adults exchanged glances.
"Hahahaha, kid, are you kidding me?"
"How old are you, trying to duel us? Do you even understand the rules?"
"Go home and drink your milk, kid. You're not even fully grown yet, and you're coming to the dueling area?"
"If you get beaten and cry, don't come screaming for your mom, hahahaha."
Immediately, mocking laughter erupted. When there were more people, unfriendly duelists naturally increased.
Seeing these adults shamelessly mocking him, Yuuki Judai's expression darkened slightly. He had originally approached with the friendly intention of testing his deck. But now, it seemed, he wouldn't be able to leave without making them cry.
Silently, he walked past them and sat down in front of the balding man who had laughed the loudest. Looking at the duel mat already laid out on the table, Judai placed his deck on it. A faint orange glow rose in his eyes.
"So, do you dare to duel me?"
"How about a card-gambling duel?"
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