"Intruder, state your purpose." Black Luster Soldier looked at the two, speaking once more.
"Ah, well, hello Black Luster Soldier!" Yuki Judai, having some experience, quickly began explaining, recalling how he was almost trapped in a mummy before.
"... Dimensional Duel... I see." Black Luster Soldier nodded.
Surprisingly, Black Luster Soldier seemed quite reasonable!
Black Luster Soldier put away the weapon in his hand and began to introduce himself: "I am the envoy safeguarding this world against invasion. Also, I am one of the guards of the Netherworld.
In this land of warriors, countless warriors aim to become the strongest warrior. They come here, seeking to become the strongest through relentless training."
He pointed to the distance, where countless warrior monsters were competing in martial arts—essentially playing cards.
"Oh, oh, oh! I'm all fired up!!" Judai shouted excitedly.
"I will arrange opponents for you," Black Luster Soldier continued, "Most warriors do not necessarily wish to leave this world, but if there are those who truly desire it, it's their choice.
Here, promotion and training are determined by the oldest combat rituals. So, you need not worry."
Tenjo Hikari nodded.
As long as it's a duel, there's no issue.
"However—" Black Luster Soldier turned back to continue, "if you lose, you must stay here to train until the so-called dimensional exploration ceases. Or until you defeat me."
"How can this be!" Judai jumped up immediately, quite dissatisfied.
"You have mentioned, haven't you? Your Spirit Duel with the Broken Dimension is to provide energy." Black Luster Soldier's handsome stoic face showed no expression, "But our world does not need such things."
"For me, I stand here, guarding my king's eternal slumber, protecting the gate of the Netherworld, allowing no outsider entry!"
He spoke softly: "This is the greatest concession I can make."
Judai wanted to strive for more, but Tenjo Hikari tapped his shoulder, shook his head: "Tenjo?"
"We're intruders after all." Tenjo Hikari shook his head, "Besides, we just have to win."
It seems that this Black Luster Soldier might be the guardian of the resting place of the Nameless Pharaoh—the very entrance to the Netherworld gate that even Kaiba Seto yearns desperately to find!
There's no need to provoke such a spirit, because he is absolutely "lawful." Even for intruders like them, as long as they don't overstep bounds, he won't engage them.
In fact, Tenjo Hikari was quite keen to establish a good relationship.
This is a genuine top-tier spirit!
"Hmm... haha, indeed so!"
"Alright then, Black Luster Soldier, find us a worthy opponent!" Judai shouted at the top of his lungs.
Black Luster Soldier looked deeply at Judai and Tenjo Hikari, nodding slowly: "I will find warriors suitable for you."
Afterwards, some warriors came over to tidy up the environment, making Tenjo and his companion more comfortable.
After a while, under the watchful eyes of many, two warriors with incredibly familiar attire approached them.
"Wow! Avian, it's actually real, Tenjo look—" Judai was beside himself with joy, holding onto the prison bars excitedly leaning out.
Red mask, white wings, covered in green feathers, who else could it be but the Elemental Hero Avian?
Seeing his favorite monster come to life before his eyes, how could he not be excited?
Beside Avian was a knight riding a horse who seemed rather dignified, somewhat resembling Black Luster Soldier.
Gaia The Fierce Knight.
Two normal monsters?
"Do not underestimate our warriors." Black Luster Soldier spoke as a referee from afar, "They are the elite among my warriors."
The elite?
Gaia The Fierce Knight may be fine, but Avian, with only 1000 ATK and still being considered "elite," means caution is needed despite them being normal monsters.
"The rules for the match are a dual duel, each side starts with 8000 Life Points, sharing the same field. The intruders go first, while the second can attack." Black Luster Soldier explained the rules once more.
Standard tag duel rules.
Tenjo nodded.
"Then. Warrior Ceremony—begin!"
"Duel!" ×2
Yuki Judai & Tenjo Hikari, LP: 8000
Avian & Gaia The Fierce Knight, LP: 8000.
With Black Luster Soldier's opening, Yuki Judai and Tenjo Hikari spoke in unison, and immediately after Judai drew a card, he swiftly operated, "Summoning in Defense Position, Elemental Hero Clayman!"
Elemental Hero Clayman, LV 4, Earth Attribute, Warrior-Type, DEF 2000. Normal Monster.
It's part of the Elemental Four Junk!
"I'll then Set a card and end my turn!"
Tenjo Hikari pressed the Duel Disk, checked Judai's Set Card, then blinked, feeling dizzy.
Judai, why did you set such a thing!
"Haha, don't worry, Tenjo, my Defense Position also has a trap set, it's a perfect defensive round—"
"My turn. Draw." Avian drew a card.
For some reason, he didn't look well, his complexion was dark.
Avian showed no expression, even somewhat cold as he glanced at his hand, directly activated a card: "I activate Spell Card, Dark Fusion!"
What!?
Tenjo Hikari widened his eyes.
What kind of fusion!?
"This is a Fiend-Type exclusive Fusion Card. I will fuse Burst Lady from my hand with myself."
"Dark wings, transform into blades, and tear through everything before me!"
"Fusion Summon, Evil Hero Inferno Wing!"
In shock and awe, a slender female demon slowly descended before the two, with graceful white wings.
Evil Hero Inferno Wing, LV 6, Fire Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 2100.
"Evil... Evil? From Elemental, became Evil? This... and it's a Fiend-Type!" Judai still disoriented, muttered unclear understanding, "The ATK is exactly the same as Flame Wingman, but transforming from Flame Wingman into a beautiful female demon also seems cool..."
"Attack, use Inferno Wing to attack Clayman—"
"I activate Trap Card!" Seeing the opponent's attack, Judai quickly reacted, hurriedly preparing to activate the Set Card.
"Wait, Judai—" Tenjo Hikari tried to block but was too late.
"Trap Card, Sakuretsu Armor!" Judai wiped his nose with his finger, he explained carefully, "Tenjo, rest easy! The effect of Sakuretsu Armor, during the attack declaration of the opposing monster, can be activated targeting that attacking monster. Destroy that attacking monster!"
Seeing this Trap Card, Tenjo Hikari slapped his forehead covering his eyes. Avian shook his head helplessly, Gaia couldn't help but laugh, not far away, Black Luster Soldier spoke directly: "Warriors of the Otherworld, monsters summoned using Dark Fusion in that turn cannot be destroyed by effects." (Note 1)
"What!!"
Boom—
Clayman was directly destroyed.
Judai & Tenjo LP: 8000→7900
"And there's a piercing effect?"
"Moreover," Avian proudly explained, "When Inferno Wing battles and destroys a monster, it can engage. Inflicting damage equal to the higher of that monster's ATK and DEF to the opponent!"
"Ah? Isn't this a stronger version of Flame Wingman—" Judai was saying, and the female demon approached them, charmingly smiled, then released dark flames.
"Oh, hot, hot, hot—" Judai, loyal, knowing he poorly handled this round, stood directly in front of Tenjo, endured the blister meant for both.
In this true Spirit Duel, each battle damage is truly existent!
Judai & Tenjo LP: 7900→5900.
"End of turn." Avian crossed his arms, posturing as a master.
"Sorry, Tenjo, dragged you into this!" Yuki Judai was still beaming, apologizing with words, "Must face such a formidable monster!"
Tenjo Hikari rolled his eyes.
Did you not know what a debuff "Sakuretsu Armor" is!
No good outcomes for those in the original using this stuff!
Never expected such a rough start in this world's first tag duel!
He glanced at his hand.
Fine, Mystic Study it is, watch me turn it around with skill!