A chill of foreboding shot through Kreiger.

What was he planning to do to my minion?

Soon, Kreiger saw.

The [Medusa Warrior] hadn’t died after falling—her chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, clearly exhausted.

Just as she lay dazed, two scrawny goblins trotted out from the [Goblin Nest].

Kreiger’s eyes widened as they hoisted the snake-woman and dashed toward the cave. “Hey, wait! What are you doing to my [Medusa Warrior]?!” he yelled in panic.

The snake-woman, realizing something grim, struggled to gasp:

“Ghk… Kill me!”

The goblins ignored her, tossing her straight into the cave.

*Now for a grand vanishing act!*

A brilliant flash erupted. The snake-woman vanished into Kreiger’s graveyard. In her place, a goblin emerged, hoisting a flag scribbled with chaotic symbols.

Simon drawled calmly, “Second effect of [Goblin Nest]: when our goblin minion destroys an opponent’s female minion, summon up to one goblin minion from the deck.”

Honestly, Simon hadn’t wanted to use it.

Even simplified into near-comedy, the implication was… questionable for younger audiences.

But for Kreiger? Zero guilt.

*Trying to play dirty? I’ll play dirtier.*

“MEDUSA!!” Kreiger’s eyes blazed with fury.

He knew the [Medusa Warrior] had painlessly returned to the graveyard—yet he felt his minion had been… tainted.

“I’ll kill you!” His glare promised to tear Simon apart.

“Whoa, whoa! Card game only—no personal attacks!” Simon protested.

The duel timer hit ten seconds.

Simon drew the auto-dealt card, hand resting on his deck.

“Earlier, I summoned the [Goblin Seer]. While active, I can check the top card anytime and summon goblin minions directly from the deck.”

Kreiger’s pupils shrank. “What?!”

Simon jerked his wrist—the top card flew. Goblins materialized one after another, roaring excitedly.

“Stop it!” Kreiger snapped. “Cast [Shadow Bolt]! Deal five damage to the [Goblin Seer]!”

[Shadow Bolt ★★★ (3-Star) Grade C]

No [Sacrificial Goblin] in deck or hand. A shadowy arrow struck the Seer, reducing it to ash.

But before it fell, Simon had pulled five goblins.

“Whatever. These are enough. Everyone—attack!”

With the Seer gone, the Centurion joined the charge. Six goblins surged forward. Kreiger scanned his hand desperately, teeth clenched.

“You forced this! Summon the [Six-Armed Snake Demon]!”

[Six-Armed Snake Demon ★★★★★★ (6-Star) Grade C]

[Naga 7/5]

If the [Medusa Warrior] was slender, this demon was a three-meter titan—tungsten-scaled, four extra arms gripping curved blades that radiated icy menace.

The goblins froze mid-charge, awaiting orders.

Simon smirked at Kreiger’s fully depleted mana crystals.

“Using all your mana… not the wisest move.” A clear jab at Kreiger’s earlier taunt.

“Less talk. Prepare for defeat,” Kreiger growled.

His single-target spells were too slow. Only one card left.

Thankfully, the [Six-Armed Snake Demon] was perfect for this.

“Eliminate them!”

The demon shot forward, tail whipping.

Simon ordered two goblins to intercept; the rest fell back. *Six arms… probably multi-target.*

Exactly. One goblin swung at its tail—unharmed. Recoil sent the goblin stumbling.

Kreiger’s voice turned glacial: “First effect: reduce combat damage taken by two.”

“Second effect: when fighting multiple minions, distribute damage freely.”

Blades flashed like guillotines—two goblins fell.

Simon’s tension eased. “Hiding a big one, huh?”

No wonder the stats were modest. A swarm-slayer.

Rushing all goblins earlier would’ve left only the Centurion standing.

“But… time’s up.”

Kreiger: ?!

Simon raised a card. “I cast [Dragon Ritual]!”

[Dragon Ritual ★★★★ (4-Star) Grade C]

The four syrup-drenched goblins formed a circle, chanting, dancing wildly.

A crimson streak flashed—*poof*—they vanished.

“Gone?” Kreiger muttered.

“Look up!” Tidelys cried.

The sky dimmed. Wingbeats swelled.

Viana gaped upward. “A… dragon?”

[Red Dragon ★★★★★★★★ (8-Star) Grade C]

[Dragon 8/8]

A sleek red dragon hovered, swallowing the last bite. Then—

“ROAR!”

Kreiger collapsed under the draconic aura.

“How… how can a mere commoner Cardmaker summon a DRAGON?!”

“No need to explain. Red Dragon—reduce him to ashes!”

The dragon inhaled deeply. Simon raised his hand.

“DIVINE WRATH FLAME CANNON!”