My anime-style card deck is fine!

Wu Shanyu rubbed his temples in frustration, and seeing this, he could only use one hand to massage Ai Ke: "This is what happens when you lose a duel. It's not like it's your first time. Get used to it."

The champion duel is a variation of the regular duel.

Because it was a form of bullying to some extent, the counterattack was all the more intense.

If it weren't for the fact that Amon and the others weren't completely devoid of hostility or malice, and that this was within the examination hall of the Myriad Realms Corridor, if it were outside, any duelist with even a hint of malice would have left the loser unconscious for at least three days.

"well enough?"

Although Amon asked this question, it was clear that his words did not convey much concern.

They're all seasoned duelists; isn't defeat a common occurrence? Although he's never lost a single one, he hasn't reached the point where he needs comforting after every loss.

A certain player, whose mind was filled with nothing but cards, offered a perfunctory expression of concern before directly saying, "One card for each of you, hand them over now!"

"Wow, Amon, you're so cold and heartless!"

Aiko's headache vanished instantly, and she looked at Amon with shining eyes: "But I love it!"

That's exactly how it should be!

Eko was annoyed by those opponents who were always lenient with her because of her appearance. A duel should be bloody and bloody!

"..."

Wu Shanyu was speechless at the antics of the two of them. Looking at the lively Ai Ke, she said, "Weren't you feeling unwell just now?"

"Huh? I'm used to this level by now."

As a card player who constantly challenges others to duels, Eiko has suffered countless defeats.

This little girl even challenged a Gold Card Master, though she was easily defeated and suffered a headache for three days... Compared to that, her current level is child's play.

Although her eyes were brimming with tears, it was just a natural bodily reaction.

Aside from her personality, this Eko fits all the characteristics of a loli in every way.

"As expected of you." Wushan Yu also recovered his senses, searched through his deck, and then handed the Mist Mountain God to Amon: "A bet is a bet, so you can have this card."

"This is your core card, isn't it?"

Amon glanced at it, then pulled a card from Wushan Yu's deck with his other hand: "I'll take this one, as a souvenir."

"Are you sure? This is just an ordinary Mist Beast."

Wu Shanyu glanced at it, somewhat surprised.

“A card that can’t be added to a deck is just a decoration; they’re all the same.” Amon shook his head. This world places great importance on the purity of a deck.

Because it involves many aspects.

It's not just a problem of clogged hands; the main issue is that when the deck is mixed to a certain extent, cards can even conflict with each other, causing a perfectly good card to be unable to activate its effect and becoming a large blank card.

(I try to avoid writing mixed timelines, otherwise the situation will be too chaotic and my brain won't be able to keep up.)

"...Never mind, I'll take your favor."

Wushan Yu smiled and withdrew the Mist Mountain God: "You don't need to return that card after the duel. Wait until next time. If I win the next duel, then you can return it to me."

“Okay.” Amon nodded, then looked at Wushan Yu: “Your smile this time is much more genuine.”

"Huh? Was my smile fake before?"

Wu Shanyu's expression froze.

"Fake!"

Aiko nodded in agreement.

“It looks fake at first glance,” Amon added.

"It's too much!"

Wushan Yu pouted cutely, but Amon and Ai Ke had no intention of paying attention to her anymore.

Aiko drew her deck and placed it in front of Amon: "Since you don't want Wushan Rain's Mist Mountain God, then I don't know what you want. Just draw one yourself, and take whichever one you want."

"Then I won't be polite."

Without any hesitation, Amon snatched the "Zootopia Black Shopping Carnival" card—he had been eyeing this card for a while.

Even if you don't need it, it's still good to keep it as a collectible.

"Tsk!"

Ai Ke couldn't help but click her tongue: "Wushan Rain is just an ordinary mist beast, but you're different with me, right? — Men are all the same, they only like big ones!"

"Aiko!" Wu Shanyu said, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

But before she could get angry, Amon replied, "No, I simply don't like her other cards."

Amon spoke the truth.

Chapter 121: The Card Master's Declaration

"..."

Wu Shanyu felt a little upset and didn't want to talk to this jerk.

However, Amon and Eko chatted happily by themselves, especially Eko. Although she kept calling the pink minions "little fish," she was surprisingly interested in Clefairy: "I heard you're planning to start a company. Do you intend to sell pre-built Pokémon sets?"

"of course."

Amon said directly.

Most Pokémon moves, items, and berries are designed to be effective against themselves, making them the kings of internal battles. In fact, if only Amon owned Pokémon, many fun and interesting Pokémon would not receive the glory and excitement they deserve.

—Pokémon battles shouldn't be like this.

That's what Amon thought when he created Pokémon.

"Pokémon's advantage is that it can be added to any deck," Amon explained directly to Eko. "Pokémon's advantage lies in its overpowered individual cards. Although it requires time to train, card players don't lack time."

A Pokémon minion is like a cheat code.

You don't need to have a bunch of skill cards like Amon; Pokémon itself comes with four skills, as well as various items and berries.

Any deck can easily include one or more Pokémon.

And Pokémon can come to the card player's hands at any time, whenever the card player needs them, through self-checking.

You can always trust your Pokémon.

Amon smiled and said, "They will never let you down, never."

Indeed, about six months after Amon finished his exams, Amon's company officially launched the Pokémon series, which became an instant hit across the country and a must-have for everyone's deck.

There are even quite a few players who have abandoned their own decks and opted for pure Pokémon decks.

Pokémon is just so useful.

High five, Toxic Spikes, Protect, Wide Guard, Heal Wish, Baton Pass... Whether it's offense, restriction, resistance, defense, graveyard control, or special moves, you can find a Pokémon that suits you.

Its excellent system, once cultivated, allows for easy summoning, making it an essential item for everyone.

To some extent, Amon used Pokémon to divide the entire Chinese nation into two types of people.

People who use Pokémon, and people who fight against Pokémon.

—But that's a matter for the future.

When the topic turned to Pokémon, Amon became very interested and started reviewing the duel with Eiko.

Then Ico discovered the blind spot!

"Ugh! Amon, you secretly used the effect without declaring it! That's so cunning!" Eko was furious when she talked about it. If it weren't for the sudden appearance of Gardevoir, she wouldn't have planned to summon Manhattan Street.

She still has several other venue cards she can use.

I was originally planning to give Amon a surprise!

But there was no other way. If he didn't use Manhattan against Gardevoir, he wouldn't last until the next round—Gardevoir's HP had already been reduced to almost nothing.

Such a big Gardevoir, it can't withstand it, it can't withstand its teeth at all!

"Who said I didn't? You just didn't notice. I announced the effect very loudly."

Amon smiled smugly.

Cards are products of personal fantasy, and personal fantasy and consciousness are very private things—just like two people having delusions of grandeur, each thinking they are the strongest, but you can never convince the other.

Unless the other party agrees with your fantasy.

Like a painter, you might create an amazing, legendary painting, but if you keep it locked up in a room, no one will know just how amazing it is.

You need to showcase it, hold an art exhibition, and open it to the world!

The so-called "manifesto" is just that—a way and behavior to showcase one's own fantasies and gain the approval of others.

This is why Amon and the others shouted out the effects during their duel without feeling ashamed or embarrassed at all.

Unfortunately, the cards won't take effect unless they're declared.

However, it's one thing for the card artist to make a declaration, but whether others are paying attention is another matter entirely!

(Adding some settings)

"...Look at me!"

After a moment's thought, Ai Ke immediately realized what was going on.

The effect of that skill left a deep impression on her. Without this card, Eiko's five consecutive cannon shots once per turn would be enough to kill any opponent!

Normally, a card player is considered strong if they can summon two minions in one turn.

Three amazing ones.

But Ico can fire five shells!

After taking down three minions, there are still two shots left, which can be used to fire five more shots in the next turn—even a super tanky card master with 10,000 health would perish on the spot under this endless barrage!