NOVEL WEB Chapter 18: DTCD [18]
"This is Kai's true power..."
Marina muttered dazedly.
The last time he summoned [Cyber End Dragon], its ATK had reached 16,000—but that had required the support of two Spell Cards.
And it came with heavy drawbacks—if the Duel wasn't ended in a single blow, he'd suffer serious consequences himself.
Meanwhile, this current monster… it was summoned with just one card!
9600 ATK!
Kai gazed at the towering [Chimeratech Overdragon] with satisfaction.
The best part of playing Cyber Dragons was fusing all your ancestors and kicking your opponent into the stratosphere.
Step one was done. Time for step two!
Kai raised his hand and shouted:
"Battle!"
"[Chimeratech Overdragon], attack directly!"
A white energy beam gathered in the mouth of the central mechanical dragon head.
"Evolution Overburst!"
At Kai's command, the beam of white energy launched, engulfing Gavin in a blinding flash.
Staring at the oncoming light, Gavin's knees finally buckled—he dropped to the floor.
How could such terrifying power exist?!
[Gavin, LP: 0]
[Kai: Victory]
As the smoke slowly cleared, the monsters on Kai's field vanished, signaling the Duel's end.
And the victor… undeniable.
No one knew who started clapping first.
Then came a second. A third. A fourth...
Applause echoed in Kai's ears—a show of respect and gratitude.
Respect for Kai's strength, and thanks for letting them witness such a brilliant Duel!
On the other side, Gavin struggled to his feet, looking despondent.
Everyone who came to Sea-Skye Pavilion was wealthy or influential, and there were often guests who wanted to test new cards they'd just bought.
To ensure safety, the Pavilion's Dueling Arena had special safeguards.
Normally, a Duelist's LP corresponded to their mental stamina—Summoning monsters cost stamina, and taking damage drained it too.
A sudden blow strong enough could knock someone unconscious from shock.
Gavin still standing meant he had the protective systems to thank. Otherwise, he'd be spending the next ten days in a VIP hospital bed.
The two returned to the second floor via elevator.
Unlike earlier, Kai was unchanged… while Gavin looked completely defeated.
The murmured chuckles in the air pricked at Gavin's nerves.
Yet despite that, he stepped in front of Kai.
"You won. Just treat her well."
Kai furrowed his brow. What was that supposed to mean?
"Her"?
Marina?
They hadn't even known each other for a full day!
Even if something was going on… what did that have to do with him? Who even was he to her?
"Gavin, can you stop acting insane already?"
Marina's voice was biting.
That line just now made it sound like something was going on between them.
She had rejected Gavin the first time he confessed. Yet he kept pestering her—and now he was saying stuff like that to someone else.
Kai also spoke coldly:
"Marina and I are just friends. Nothing more. And even if there was something, it has nothing to do with you."
"You're not her anything."
"You don't have any right to speak on her behalf."
In Kai's past, he'd met guys like Gavin: Arrogant. Self-righteous. Acting like they had the right to meddle in other people's lives. Pretending to care, but never thinking about whether that care was wanted or needed.
People like that only ever managed to move themselves—never anyone else.
Marina stared at Kai, rainbow light flickering in her eyes.
It was the first time someone had actually spoken up for her.
Usually, all she heard was:
"He treats you so well—why not just give him a shot?"
"He's got good conditions. Handsome too. He's more than enough for you."
So that was it? A relationship was just about background and looks?
She wasn't that shallow.
Whenever she pushed back, people called her spoiled or said she was just used to getting special treatment.
It was insane—she had already clearly rejected Gavin. So why did she have to suffer the consequences of his failed confession?
Her opinion of him had only worsened with time.
They might have barely passed as friends before, but now he was basically an enemy.
The problem was that Gavin always chose to ignore her rejection.
…Finally, someone was on her side.
And for reasons she couldn't quite explain, Marina felt a little moved.
Gavin looked at her expression, then thought back on his actions these past few years… His head, already bowed, sank even lower.
He muttered:
"You're right."
...
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