Without hesitation, Zhongli handed his gold coin to the refugee holding [Skull Servant].
He chose to give Hu Tao [Skull Servant].
As the coin dropped into the refugee's hand, the man gladly passed [Skull Servant] to Hu Tao, who accepted it with a smile.
It was added to her hand.
The other four refugees, each clutching their cards, walked into Hu Tao's Graveyard.
Now, Hu Tao's Graveyard already held three [King of the Skull Servants] and one [Zombie Master].
The spectators quickly analyzed Zhongli's choice.
"Of those cards, he absolutely couldn't give her Zombie Master..."
"Zombie Master can revive Zombie monsters from the Graveyard."
"If Hall Master Hu got that, she could revive a King of the Skull Servants... for 3500 ATK."
"That would give her two monsters on the field, both over 2000 ATK!"
"She'd instantly wipe out Zhongli..."
"So… Mr. Zhongli could only choose to give her [Skull Servant]."
"Even if she uses the King's effect to Special Summon by banishing Skull Servants… She'd only get one King with 1000 ATK."
"Even with Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's boost, that's just 1500."
"Even so, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor lets her send two more Skull Servants to the Graveyard… King's ATK is still going to be huge..."
"Mr. Zhongli's situation... really looks grim..."
"His chances are slim."
They agreed Zhongli's choice wasn't wrong.
Regardless, Hu Tao's advantage was overwhelming—far beyond his reach.
Xingqiu and Keqing, though new to Duel Monsters, were already captivated by the atmosphere.
Just watching monsters being summoned and spells cast on the Duel Stage amazed them.
And now, Hu Tao had complete control.
"Next, I'll use Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's second effect."
[Wangsheng Funeral Parlor]
[Field Spell]
Effect 1: All Zombie monsters gain 500 ATK.
Effect 2: Once per turn, send 2 Zombie monsters from your Deck to the Graveyard.
Effect 3: Each time you summon a Zombie monster, place 1 Exorcism Counter.
"I send two Zombie monsters to the Graveyard!"
"I choose [Mezuki] and [Skull Servant]."
As Hu Tao made her choice,
The savage Mezuki—human body, horse's face, red demon beads at his neck—strode forth with axe in hand, alongside a tattered blue-robed Skull Servant, both walking into her Graveyard.
[Mezuki] Level: 4│EARTH│Zombie│1700 ATK / 800 DEF
╵Banish this card from your Graveyard to Special Summon 1 Zombie monster from your Graveyard.
The appearance of Mezuki shocked the crowd.
"Huh?!"
"Hall Master Hu actually has that card!"
"With Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, that combo is unstoppable… By banishing Mezuki, she can revive any Zombie from her Graveyard at will!"
"Mr. Zhongli doesn't stand a chance..."
"So this is what a whale's deck looks like… Every card she pulls is broken beyond belief..."
"Painful Choice was busted already, but Mezuki with Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is even more insane..."
"Absolutely broken... I'm never dueling Hall Master Hu!"
"+1."
…
"Now I activate Mezuki's effect!"
"By banishing Mezuki from the Graveyard, I Special Summon [Zombie Master]!"
As Hu Tao declared the effect, Mezuki's phantom hurled his massive axe skyward, then aligned his body with its blade.
The axe fell from above, cleaving him in two.
Suddenly, black-violet flames engulfed him.
The fire consumed Mezuki, then coalesced into black mist.
From the haze emerged a sickly gray-haired youth, tattered clothes hanging loose. A belt of skulls wrapped his waist, with a sapphire-inlaid silver dagger hanging from it. His eyes burned with defiance.
"Due to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's effect, Zombie Master gains +500 ATK."
"Place 1 Exorcism Counter."
Spirits swarmed into Zombie Master's body, as a grave marker appeared on the field.
[Zombie Master, ATK: 1800 → 2300]
"I'm not done yet!"
"I activate Zombie Master's effect!"
"Once per turn, discard 1 monster from my hand to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Zombie from either Graveyard!"
"I discard [Skull Servant] from my hand—And Special Summon King of the Skull Servants from the Graveyard!"
With her words, Zombie Master drew his dagger and slashed a deep cut across his palm.
Blood sprayed, forming a crimson hexagram. From within it emerged a King of the Skull Servants, clad in a tattered blue robe!
"Since my Graveyard holds 2 Kings and 2 Skull Servants, With Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's +500 and +1 Exorcism Counter—"
"King's ATK is 4500!"
Hu Tao finished her explanation.
With a chill wind and an anguished scream—
"Ahhhhhh!!!!"
"I was born of bones!"
"Destroy this world!!!"
The King rose atop a pile of shattered skeletons, which dissolved into light and merged into its body, the brittle bones growing thick, gleaming, and unbreakable.
[King of the Skull Servants] Level 1│DARK│Zombie│4500 ATK / 0 DEF
Hu Tao's signature combo had returned once more.
"Hall Master Hu dominates the field, Zhongli's finished~"
"Go, Hall Master! I've got 300,000 riding on you this time!"
"Classic combo, classic flavor."
"She's executing it smoother every time!"
"Hahaha, true!"
"Brothers, I just bought some Mondstadt Cider from a cute guy!"
"When Hall Master wins, let's drink together!"
"Hell yeah!"
"Let's go, hahaha!!!"
Seeing Hu Tao complete her combo, those who had bet on her were brimming with confidence—already cracking open their cider mid-match.
...
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