Hearing Zhongli's analysis, the spectators understood the situation.
If Hu Tao's second King of the Skull Servants landed its attack, she would win the Duel.
From their perspective, Luya was in dire straits.
Yet, Luya didn't look worried at all—his expression was calm, even carefree.
Hu Tao rubbed her hands together, fiddled with her rings, and was about to order her second King to strike directly when—
Luya exclaimed:
"Now's the time!"
"I activate [Witch of the Black Forest]'s effect!"
"When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, its effect activates!"
"I can add 1 monster with 1500 or less DEF from my Deck to my hand."
The phantom of the Witch in the Graveyard performed a ritual, turning her last strength into ether that flowed into Luya's Deck.
The Deck responded, surrounding Luya with a host of monsters whose DEF was below 1500.
Without hesitation, Luya declared:
"I add [Zombie Master] to my hand."
As he spoke, a card flew into his hand—showing a ragged youth commanding a horde of zombies!
This was the card in Luya's Deck perfectly suited to counter Hu Tao's strategy!
[Zombie Master] DARK│Level 4│Zombie│1800 ATK / 0 DEF
Luya revealed its DEF—0—meeting the Witch's condition.
This card could Special Summon one of Hu Tao's Level 4 or lower Zombies from her Graveyard onto his own field.
Effectively… Luya could steal her Skull Servants or even King of the Skull Servants!
Weakening her King's power in the process.
After adding [Zombie Master] to his hand, Luya smiled cheerfully at Hu Tao:
"Alright, Hall Master Hu, continue your turn!"
Hu Tao, undeterred, ordered her King:
"Go! King of the Skull Servants!!!"
Just like before, the King conjured bone spikes with its staff as the crowd looked on with bated breath.
If this hit, Luya would lose!
Regardless, their fears were needless.
"I activate a Trap Card!"
"[Spellbinding Circle]!"
As Luya flipped his Trap, everyone's eyes fixed on him.
At last, the Set card was revealed!
It was their first time witnessing a Trap Card in action, and all were eager to see its effect.
Even Zhongli, who knew the rules, had little knowledge of individual card effects—so he couldn't explain.
The whole audience watched, anticipation rising.
Luya explained:
"This [Spellbinding Circle] prevents one monster from attacking or changing its battle position!"
"I target Hall Master Hu's [King of the Skull Servants]!"
With that,
[Spellbinding Circle] manifested as a massive hexagram, trapping Hu Tao's King.
Just as it was about to unleash its bone spikes, it froze in place, as if time itself had stopped.
In an instant, the blazing light of the hexagram seared it like karmic fire, leaving the King writhing in pain.
It struggled desperately but could not move, pinned down as though under a mountain's weight.
Seeing her King bound tight, Hu Tao was exasperated…
"Ah!? My King of the Skull Servants!"
"You're playing dirty!!"
"This Hall Master is furious! You're despicable!!!"
Her King immobilized, and with nothing useful in hand but [Terraforming], Hu Tao had no way forward.
"If only I'd added something to break Traps!"
"Argh… I was so close to winning!!!"
With no monsters left able to attack, Hu Tao's Battle Phase ended.
Entering [Main Phase 2], she could only Set Spells or Traps.
Glancing at [Terraforming] in her hand,
she reluctantly Set it face-down.
"This Hall Master ends her turn!"
"Next turn, I'll defeat you for sure!" she declared fiercely, as Luya's turn began.
Luya smirked:
"My turn!"
"Draw!"
The card he drew depicted a grinning, green pot.
Luya couldn't help but chuckle inwardly:
"This card…
"A true classic~"
...
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