"If my words stung you, I apologize… but I’ll still say it."
Simon’s lips offered regret, but his face dripped with contempt.
"A C-rank Duelist barely scraping by against an E-rank? And you dare boast? Trash."
Xavier’s face twisted with fury. "You’ve got guts, scum!"
Simon shook his head calmly. "Whether you’re trash will be clear soon enough."
"Fine! Fine! Since you’re so confident—let’s begin—"
"Wait. The wager." Anya, silent until now, finally spoke.
All eyes turned to her. "Our terms stay. Yours change: lose, and you hand over both B-rank materials from the auction."
The mysterious black-robed woman was terser than stone—no context, no explanation—but Simon understood.
"I see. Since I arrived early… no hostage needed?"
Simon smiled. "Accepted."
Anya fell silent, stepping back with Xavier. She drew her deck; it hovered midair.
Simon glanced at Tidelys. "Ready, Tidelys? Let’s go."
Tidelys lowered her head, fingers tightening around his hand.
"Master Simon… start a new duel."
Simon shook his head firmly. "I won’t let you lose this Dark Duel."
This whole thing reeked of a shady knockoff dark *game*. Simon couldn’t risk what losing might do to the Duelist.
That’s why he had to continue *her* duel.
Tidelys looked up, eyes glistening. "But I’m just a burden now!"
She couldn’t bear being useless—needing *his* protection in *his* duel.
"A burden? Believe in yourself."
Simon’s smile turned cryptic. "You gave me the perfect opening."
With a flourish, he drew five cards. In unison with Anya:
"Duel!"
…
Halfway up the slope, Carn froze mid-sneak upon hearing Simon accept.
*How reckless!*
He’d played poker for three days straight with the guys across from Simon’s shop—just to watch him 24/7.
Yet Simon still outpaced his vigilance.
No more hiding. Carn bolted onto the main path.
*I’m fully wrapped. He won’t recognize me.*
Then he stopped.
"You…"
"You…"
Two other fully wrapped figures emerged from the opposite woods, staring wide-eyed.
Both parties halted. Minds racing.
*Someone else is watching Simon? Which faction?*
A silent suspicion passed between them. Awkward chuckles. Then—all three sprinted uphill.
Some things need no words.
…
Darkness surged again. Simon and Anya’s hands reset to five. Tidelys and Xavier’s remained unchanged.
Xavier moved first.
"I summon 【Flesh Golem】!"
【Flesh Golem ★★★★★ (Five Stars) B-Rank】
【Undead Creature ATK 6 / DEF 5】
Tidelys’s emerald pupils contracted slightly. "Impossible! How can he still summon?!"
Simon’s eyes narrowed. "Not mana… HP!"
Xavier’s veins erupted. Blood soaked his clothes.
"Aaaaah!"
A shriek tore from his throat. Flesh chunks bubbled from the blood pool, assembling midair into a grotesque puppet.
"Hehehe… Sharp eye, Master Simon. 【Flesh Golem】 trades HP for mana."
Xavier clutched his forehead, face distorted, crimson eyes locked on Simon. "Impressed by my masterpiece?"
Simon deadpanned: "Nah. Entrance lacks style."
"Lacks… style?" Xavier blinked.
"Yeah. While others summon magical girls, harpies—mermaids (scratch that)—you burst blood vessels for *this*?"
"You lost the coolness contest before it began."
Xavier flung his arm. Fresh blood splattered. "Nonsense! Winning is all that matters to a Duelist!"
He glared at Simon’s deck. "We know your strategy. Block the goblin chain for the Red Dragon—you’re harmless."
"Really?" Simon flipped a card calmly. "I activate 【Undying Return】."
【Undying Return ★★★★ (Four Stars) C-Rank】
【Flesh Golem】 wailed, melting like hot oil.
"【Flesh Golem】?!" Xavier cried.
Simon’s voice cut through: "Effect: Destroy target Undead creature with ≤5 stars."
He smirked at the dissolving mass. "Guess your minion won’t save you."
"You… bastard!" Xavier whirled on the black-robed woman. "Still watching?!"
Arms crossed, she didn’t flinch. "I won’t gang up… until you’ve tried everything."
"But if the mission—"
"Hold." Anya raised a hand. "Little bugs crawled in."
She glanced uphill. Simon followed.
Three figures in terrorist-style cosplay burst onto the path.
"Made it! Simon—Dark Duels can’t stop mid-way! Only after the demon gets its offering!"
"Pain isn’t blocked!"
"Minion size has no limit—watch for giants!"
Simon: …
Grateful for the intel (like *why* HP cost hurt so bad), yet… *Why does this feel so familiar?*
He shook it off. "Don’t know who you are—but thanks."
The white-masked one added: "Guard your soul! If the demon takes it… not even resurrection brings it back!"
Simon struck a stance, grin wild.
"No worries."
"Today’s offering to the demon lord… is *them*."
