“Carn… Ahem. You from the Luminous Order—you’ve dealt with the Demonology Sect the most. How good are Simon’s chances?” The tall masked man turned to Carn.
Carn stroked his chin, gaze lowered. “A D-rank Cardmaker facing a C-rank Duelist is already at a severe disadvantage. Even if Miss Tidris traded off with that Xavier, Simon’s win rate barely reaches forty percent.”
“Worse, Demonology Sect members duel through excruciating pain daily. Simon isn’t used to it. Just two or three points of damage here and there, and he’ll lose focus.”
“Then… can we intervene in the Dark Duel?” The tall masked man leaned forward eagerly, ready to charge at the slightest nod.
“No.”
Carn shot down his hope with a shake of his head, eyes fixed on Simon’s retreating back.
“All we can do now is hope Simon’s new card is ready. Otherwise, C-rank cards alone won’t cut it…”
Before he finished, Simon’s voice rang out: “I activate the magic card—【Reckless Pursuit】!”
Another magic card?!
Did Simon switch decks?!
They exchanged a stunned glance. A flicker of anticipation sparked in both hearts.
【Reckless Pursuit ★★ (Two-Star) D-Rank】
“Draw two cards, then discard two.”
Simon drew two cards and, without hesitation, tossed two into the graveyard.
He made no further move—just stood there and crooked a finger at the robed figures.
“Go on. Show me what that lady’s deck holds. You might not get another chance.”
“Hmph. Putting on airs,” Xavier sneered. “Was your opening hand so trash you had to play a card-drawing spell that costs you net card advantage?”
“Xavier. Shut up.”
Anya cut him off, murmuring his name lowly.
“Haven’t you noticed? He’s not using the Goblin deck anymore.”
Xavier’s protest died on his lips. “Wh-what?”
“He’s already played two magic cards—impossible in his old deck. They seem targeted, but disrupt his own rhythm. Zero net gain.”
“So either he missed that… or he switched decks.”
Anya flicked a card forward sharply.
“I summon 【Calamity Vampire】.”
【Calamity Vampire ★★★★★ (Five-Star) B-Rank】
【Vampire Clan 7/7】
A vampire in elegant robes and rapier materialized. Instantly, he thrust twice through the air toward Simon and Tidelys.
“When 【Calamity Vampire】 enters the battlefield, deal 3 damage to all opponents and restore equal HP to me.”
Shhhk! Shhhk!
Two white streaks flashed. Simon and Tidelys clutched their shoulders and dropped to one knee. Blood seeped between their fingers, coalescing into crimson droplets that drifted toward Anya.
“Gah… hurts like hell. Dueling with this pain constant? I’d pass out before HP hits zero.” Simon winced—the sting felt like a real rapier piercing flesh. He glanced at Tidelys. “You okay?”
Tidelys’s voice held a hint of forced strength. “I’m fine, Master Simon. Watch out—she’s moving again!”
Simon turned back to Anya.
A card in her hand dissolved into light. Bats swarmed the field.
“My HP was full, so no heal—but it triggered 【Eternal Vampire】’s effect!”
【Eternal Vampire ★★★ (Three-Star) B-Rank】
【Vampire Clan 4/4】
Bats swirled into black mist. A white-haired man in a blood-red short robe emerged.
“This card summons itself unconditionally from hand or graveyard whenever I restore 3+ HP at once.”
Unbothered by secrecy, Anya stated the full effect plainly.
Wind swept the mountainside, billowing her robe like a dark cape—her presence merging seamlessly with her minions.
“I never expected the Vampire Clan to collude with the Demonology Sect,” Simon gasped, pushing himself up.
Truth was, this was his first real encounter with a non-human intelligent race. He’d glimpsed elves in the Royal Capital once—from afar. But from Anya, he felt genuine pressure from a higher existence.
Anya replied calmly, “The Vampire Clan has always been a core faction of the Demonology Sect. You ordinary humans simply didn’t know.”
“Xavier, hold your Dragon Skeleton Soldier. All minions—attack.”
Even in the attack phase, she upheld her “one-on-one principle.” She held every human present in utter contempt.
The two vampires lifted off, hovering before diving toward Simon.
“Well then… since you’re done summoning…”
Turn advanced to round two. Cards drawn.
Simon checked his mana—restored to eight—and smirked. “Perfect. Time to shatter your illusions.”
*He’s still smiling?*
Anya watched his hand settle on the rightmost card.
“Summon—【Ghoul Shepherd】!”
【Ghoul Shepherd ★★★★★ (Five-Star) B-Rank】
【Human 4/4】
“A B-rank card?”
Seeing the tattered-robed gravekeeper appear, staff in hand, Anya halted her minions’ dive. *They can fly. If this Ghoul Shepherd lacks anti-air…*
Then she froze.
“You… you used up *both* material sets?!”
Even Anya’s composure cracked—her voice sharp with shock.
Simon spread his hands. “Oops. Forgot to mention—I used both.”
“Should’ve inspected the deck before the duel.”
Xavier ground his teeth. *He tricked us… and mocked me with my own words!*
“I’ll make you regret ever being born, you scum!”
“Dragon Skeleton Soldier—attack!”
“Patience. You’ll see the second material soon.”
*Another?!*
Everyone—including Tidelys—stunned.
*Master Simon… this guy… crafted two B-rank cards in days?!*
Simon’s voice cut through the silence:
“Activate 【Ghoul Shepherd】’s effect! When it enters the battlefield, summon an undead creature from the graveyard—zero mana cost!”
The Ghoul Shepherd raised its staff as if chanting. Simon’s graveyard erupted in light.
Carn stiffened. His face paled, horror surpassing Xavier’s.
“This effect… resurrection?! Impossible!”
“This is blasphemy!!”
Beneath their masks, the two men stared blankly. “Necromancy materials achieving resurrection? Isn’t that the Luminous Order’s exclusive domain?”
Carn whipped around, hands thrown up. “Ask *me*? Your Cardmaker Guild invented this!”
“Your Luminous Order regulated this for millennia—who else should we ask?!”
