Chapter 72: The Darkest Hour
Yami Marik gave Yu Miao a task.
That was for Yu Miao to duel Joey using his real identity and take his Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
It wasn't that Yami Marik coveted the power of the Red-Eyes; he just wanted Yu Miao to draw a clear line between himself and Yugi's group.
Yami Marik already knew about Yu Miao's activities during the school festival. He wasn't like that soft-hearted Yami Marik who could be swayed by emotions.
Under these circumstances, Yami Marik absolutely needed Yu Miao to give a "proof of allegiance."
Defeating Joey, the Pharaoh's best friend, and seizing his Red-Eyes Black Dragon would be that proof of allegiance.
If Yu Miao could do it, Yami Marik would fully trust him and even hand over Odion's position to him.
Faced with this overt scheme, Yu Miao accepted.
Because the advancement quest needed to progress.
For the quest's fourth stage, Yu Miao had to become the leader of the Rare hunters.
So, what's the fastest way?
Without a leader, Yu Miao would naturally ascend the fastest.
By the time Duel City arrives, Yu Miao plans to personally finish off this six-year-old brat.
There's another important reason.
During the Duel City period, Joey losing his Red-Eyes Black Dragon was a crucial turning point.
Only by losing the Black Dragon would this blond-haired guy truly confront his own strength, then defeat one opponent after another and grow stronger.
Originally, that villainous role should have been the Exodia user's task.
But now, Yu Miao has been placed at this critical juncture, and he has no choice but to play the villain.
"Why... why are you a Rare hunter?" Joey's expression was furious. Because of Téa, he had actually considered Yu Miao half a friend.
"Why not?" Yu Miao's expression was calm as he retorted, "I never said I wasn't."
"Argh, you... does Téa know?" Joey almost wanted to summon his fist in attack position.
"I'm here to duel, not to discuss this," Yu Miao said, activating his Duel Disk first.
"Fine! Let Joey-sama knock some sense into you and pull you out of the Rare hunter!" Joey raised his Red-Eyes Black Dragon high. He would stake this card on the duel!
With his opponent declaring as such, Yu Miao drew Silent Swordsman LV3 and said, "Come, let me see what you've got."
DUEL*2!!!
Joey: 4000 LP
Yu Miao: 4000 LP
"Draw." Yu Miao drew a card from his deck and placed a monster face-up on his Duel Disk.
Ding~
The entry of the bull.
[Bull Blader, 1600 ATK, Warrior-Type]
"I end my turn." Yu Miao's play was simple, even without a shred of setup.
Joey looked pleasantly surprised!!
He knew Yu Miao was strong, but if it was just a 1600 ATK monster, then it should be easy to handle.
"Heh, draw card!" Joey drew arrogantly. He would use his overwhelming strength to make Yu Miao see reason.
Normal Summon!
Ding~
A hero emerging from darkness appeared on Joey's field.
[Zombyra the Dark, 2100 ATK, Warrior-Type]
A Level 4 monster with 2100 ATK was indeed a rare, powerful card for this era.
"Too late! Activate Spell Card, Double Summon!!"
This Spell Card allowed Joey a second Normal Summon opportunity, a very DM-era appropriate card.
Joey summoned a second Monster Card from his hand.
Ding~
[Hayabusa Knight, 1000 ATK, Warrior-Type]
"Attack, my monsters!"
"Zombyra the Dark, attack that Bull Blader."
Joey chose to enter the Battle Phase. Since Zombyra had the restriction of not being able to attack directly, having it destroy Bull Blader first was the best choice.
At this moment.
Bull Blader emitted a dark mist. Its ability activated!
"The battle damage from this battle becomes 0, then that opponent's monster is destroyed," Yu Miao activated Bull Blader's effect.
"But your monster is being attacked, so it will still be destroyed," Joey pointed out immediately.
Boom~
And so, Bull Blader, using its effect, dragged the 2100 ATK Zombie with it into the Graveyard.
"Argh, my Hayabusa Knight hasn't attacked yet."
"Direct attack on you!"
Joey seized this opportunity to deal significant damage to Yu Miao.
Right at this moment, he activated a Quick-Play Spell Card from his hand.
Rush Recklessly!!
[Rush Recklessly: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; that target gains 700 ATK.]
Hayabusa Knight's power began to soar.
[Hayabusa Knight: 1000 → 1700 ATK]
"Yu Miao! Hayabusa Knight can attack twice. Take this 3400 damage!"
However!
This move was destined to fail.
Yu Miao simply revealed a Monster Card in his hand. It was... the little brother's card (Kiteroid)!
"Discard this Kiteroid. The damage from this direct attack becomes 0." Yu Miao sent the Monster Card to the Graveyard, and a shield appeared.
Falcon Knight's first attack was blocked.
"But there's still the second attack!" Joey, seizing the advantage, wouldn't let up. He had to land at least one hit.
"Is that so? Activate Kiteroid's effect. Banish this card to continue making the battle damage become 0." Yu Miao took the Monster Card ejected from his Duel Disk's Graveyard and finally put it in his pocket (Banished Zone).
A second shield appeared, blocking Falcon Knight's attack once again.
Joey's face completely darkened. He muttered, "How can this be?"
Reluctantly accepting this reality, Joey Set one card face-down on the field and ended his turn.
"..."
Looking at Joey's annoyed expression, Yu Miao spoke:
"I'll give you some praise, but this level of strength isn't enough."
"Draw card!!"
Yu Miao drew for his turn. He revealed the monster in his hand for a Normal Summon.
Ding~
[Silent Swordsman LV3, 1000 ATK, Warrior-Type]
"Activate Spell Card, Level Up."
"This Spell Card allows Silent Swordsman LV3 to evolve directly."
"Come forth, Silent Swordsman LV5!"
The tiny Silent Swordsman began to receive nutritional supplements. His body transformed from "Conan" into "Shinichi Kudo."
His body's growth also greatly increased the combat power of a "certain part."
That's right, it's the sword!
[Silent Swordsman LV5, 2300 ATK, Warrior-Type]
"It's actually a super rare LV Monster?" Joey was surprised, as the prices for LV Monsters had been soaring recently.
Battle!!
Yu Miao chose to attack with Silent Swordsman LV5.
"I won't let you succeed!" Joey activated his face-down Quick-Play Spell Card.
[Book of Moon: Target 1 face-up monster on the field; change that target to face-down Defense Position.]
"Hehe, Yu Miao, fighting and killing isn't good. I advise your monster to read more books." Joey looked triumphant. This was a rare card he just pulled from a pack.
Book of Moon!
However, when Book of Moon was placed before Silent Swordsman LV5, this swordsman remained completely unmoved.
"Fool. This card is unaffected by the effects of your opponent's Spell Cards." Yu Miao waved his arm, letting Silent Swordsman LV5 do as he pleased.
Thus, Book of Moon was promptly torn apart by Silent Swordsman LV5, who said irritably, "I hate reading."
With Book of Moon unable to stop Silent Swordsman, the Hayabusa Knight on Joey's field was sliced in two.
"Wahhh!!" Joey took the battle damage.
[Joey: 4000 LP → 2700 LP]
(End of Chapter)
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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