NOVEL WEB Chapter 16: DTCD [16]
As Kai spoke, his Life Points began to drop.
"[Power Bond]'s drawback activates."
"During the End Phase of the turn it was activated, you take damage equal to the amount gained."
[Kai, LP: 5900]
He instantly lost a quarter of his Life Points, but Kai paid it no mind, instead looking toward Gavin.
'Triple negates plus one disrupt—let's see how you break through my field.'
Gavin stared at the monsters on Kai's field, deep in thought.
Except for [Accel Synchron], he didn't recognize any of them. Even with [Accel Synchron], all he remembered was that it didn't have a powerful effect.
'Tch, should've studied more seriously back then.'
Otherwise, he wouldn't be so clueless about his opponent's cards. Regardless, it was too late for regrets. Gavin took a deep breath and declared:
"My turn! Draw!"
His current hand was perfect. He could bring out his ace monster in one go.
That said, the monsters on Kai's field definitely had effects. If only this draw gave him something strong!
Tension gripping him, Gavin flipped his drawn card—and his eyes lit up with joy.
'God draw!'
"You're finished!"
Gavin grinned and slid the drawn card into his Duel Disk.
"I activate the Spell Card [Lightning Storm]!"
"If I control no face-up cards, I can choose one of the following effects to activate:"
"● Destroy all Attack Position monsters your opponent controls."
"● Destroy all Spells/Traps your opponent controls."
Gavin's words caused a stir among the spectators.
"Gavin's luck today is insane!"
"He actually drew such a clutch card!"
"This is bad!"
Marina also frowned inwardly—but then Noir walked over and said calmly:
"None of the people on the field are panicking. Why should you?"
Unlike Gavin and Marina, Noir ran a Ritual Deck. So he knew the effect of the monster on Kai's field called [Herald of the Arc Light].
Marina quickly caught on and looked up.
Sure enough, even after hearing Gavin's declaration, Kai's expression didn't waver.
Gavin, however, was still reveling in his excitement.
"I have no cards on my field—All your monsters are in Attack Position—So I choose to destroy all of your Attack Position monsters!"
"Go! Unleash the storm upon my opponent!"
Orange lightning swirled behind Gavin, filled with destructive power.
At its peak, it pierced through the dark clouds and surged toward Kai's monsters, aiming to destroy them all!
Just then, rainbow-colored light flared.
A prismatic barrier blocked the terrifying lightning.
Kai's monsters remained untouched.
"What?!"
Gavin was stunned. This wasn't how it was supposed to go!
Kai lifted a card and said calmly:
"I chained to your effect. I activate [Herald of the Arc Light]'s effect."
"When a monster effect, Spell, or Trap is activated: Tribute this card to negate the activation and destroy it."
Kai sent the card from his field to the Graveyard promptly.
His move stirred up discussion among the spectators.
"What? That monster has an effect like that?!"
"He spent so long setting up for that summon, no way it wouldn't have a powerful effect."
"But this card is way too strong!"
"Yeah, a triple-type negate with no specific materials, just a Synchro Summon? It's cracked!"
"Who is this guy anyway, with so many powerful cards?"
All eyes turned toward Marina, hoping she would explain something.
Being able to summon these monsters meant Kai was gifted; even so, owning so many powerful cards also meant his background was extraordinary.
Faced with their stares, Marina pretended not to notice and gave no answer.
She looked down at the Duel Arena, at that upright figure. After all, she was even more curious than anyone else about Kai's identity.
He was simply too mysterious. An unknown background, overwhelming strength.
Suddenly appearing in a Trial, still so young, yet so immensely talented.
Seeing that his move had failed, sweat slid down Gavin's cheek.
At least he'd forced out one of Kai's monster effects. He looked at the three monsters and one Token on Kai's field.
Then back at his hand… he gritted his teeth. No choice but to go for it!
"I Normal Summon [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands]!"
Dark hands interlocked to form a twisted body.
[Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands] Level 4│LIGHT│Fairy│1400 ATK
"I activate its effect!"
"When this card is Normal or Flip Summoned: Add 1 Ritual Monster or 1 Ritual Spell from your Deck to your hand."
Gavin spoke with tense focus, watching Kai. If this effect went through, he could summon a powerful monster!
This monster was top-tier. Any Ritual Deck worth its salt included it.
Unlike Marina, Gavin had always been pampered at home, so he only needed to ask to get whatever card he wanted—that was one of the reasons Marina never thought highly of him.
"I chain to your effect. I activate [Therion "King" Regulus]'s effect!"
"When your opponent activates a card or effect: Send 1 'Therion' monster from your hand or face-up field to the Graveyard; negate that effect."
"I send [Therion "King" Regulus] on my field to the Graveyard to negate your effect!"
Kai sent another of his monsters to the Graveyard.
Another wave of gasps from above. Another triple-type negate!
They finally understood why Kai had summoned so many monsters unrelated to Cyber Dragons.
Now it made sense—they were all powerful effect monsters!
Easy to summon, insanely strong effects—they were jealous!
Gulp.
Gavin swallowed hard, staring at the last three cards in his hand.
He didn't know what to do.
That terrifying Cyber Dragon on Kai's field hadn't even activated its effect yet. Given the pressure it radiated, it probably had a triple-type negate, too.
He only had one more Summoning option left.
Right now, he should attack Kai's Token with [Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands], then end his turn, and next turn summon [Manju] again to search his Ritual Monster from the Deck.
Gavin looked up at the stands, clenched his fist, and slapped down a card.
...
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