Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

Presumably because two people were selected as trial candidates at the same time, the trial content was switched to a matching mode.

"Only the victor who performs exceptionally well in a duel can gain the recognition of 'No. 11' and become its wielder... Not bad. I was wondering if the trials would be extremely difficult. This seems quite humane."

Ranpo's expression was eager and full of fighting spirit.

He looked at his opponent in this battle: "To be honest, I don't even know your name yet."

Although they had already exchanged quite a few words, apart from Hoshino Mai and Kaiba Mashiro calling him by his nickname a few times, Jonouchi Ranpo really didn't know what Yuuki's full name was.

"My name is Izumi Yuki, you can just call me Yuki."

Upon hearing Ranpo's question, Yuki snapped out of her reverie and gave a standard self-introduction.

"You Xi? That sounds like a very ordinary name."

Ranpo Jounouchi stretched out his hand, and a cool duel disk appeared on his arm.

"Well, none of that matters. Yuki, let's compete fairly from now on. I'm determined to get the 'No.' card this time, and I won't let you have it!"

"No, I wasn't planning on taking it from you..."

Seeing Ranpo's unwavering fighting spirit, and knowing he couldn't escape this trial duel, Yuuki also unfolded the Duel Disk on his arm and placed the deck he always carried with him—

"Duel!" x2

【Yu Xi LP: 8000】

【Jouchi Ranpo LP: 仯8000】

"I'll strike first!"

As soon as the duel declaration was made, Jonouchi Ranpo drew his five starting cards. He glanced at his hand and decided on his tactical strategy in less than three seconds.

"First, activate two Spell Cards: 'Golden Goblin,' draw one card, and increase your opponent's Life Points by 1000. Next is a Normal Spell: 'Red-Eyes Foresight'!"

Before Ranpo Jōnei, a vibrant green card materialized, depicting a jet-black dragon with its crimson eyes wide open in fury.

—"Red-Eyes," this is also a fairly well-known series. Due to its naming convention, it's often compared to "Blue-Eyes White Dragon." However, unlike "Blue-Eyes White Dragon," which only has three copies worldwide, "Red-Eyes Black Dragon," like "Ancient Machine" and "Cyber ​​Dragon," is a long-established dueling style. Ranpo Jonouchi is likely a disciple of the current "Red-Eyes" dojo, similar to Akabane Ryo.

As for Yuki, seeing the card that Jonouchi Ranpo played gave her a feeling of "I knew it."

"So they really are using the 'Red-Eyes' deck."

Just like the combination of seahorse and blue eyes, the surname Jonouchi is indeed inextricably linked to "red-eyed".

"Based on the effect of 'Red-Eyes Foresight,' I send 1 'Red-Eyes' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, and search for 1 'Red-Eyes Field' Spell/Trap Card. Then I activate the Spell Card 'Ruby's Treasure Card,' send 1 Level 7 'Red-Eyes' monster from my hand to the Graveyard, and draw 2 cards. Then I send 1 Level 7 'Red-Eyes' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard."

Ranpo Jounouchi had no idea what Yuki was thinking. Seeing that the latter didn't react to the cards he played, he continued to play.

"Then comes the Normal Spell: 'Dragon's Shrine,' which sends 1 Dragon monster from my Deck to the Graveyard. If the sent monster is a Normal Monster, you can add 1 more Dragon monster to your Graveyard. Now I have 5 Dragon monsters in my Graveyard. Activate it, Spell Card: 'Soul Replenishment'!"

After burying five monsters in one go, Ranpo Jonouchi finally began his next move.

A vibrant green magic card appeared, and the holy light of resurrection frequently shone before it, causing Yuki's gaze to turn serious.

"It's actually 'Soul Replenishment'!?"

"I cannot enter battle the turn this card is activated. Its effect is to Special Summon any number of monsters from my Graveyard, and then I lose 1000 Life Points for each monster I summoned. I revive all 5 monsters I just sent to the Graveyard!"

【Jouchi Ranpo LP: 8000 → 3000】

His base score plummeted by more than half in an instant, but this did not change Jonouchi Ranpo's expression at all. After all, as long as his health points are not zero, they are just a simple number, but the reward he can get in return is unparalleled.

The roars of dragons echoed throughout the high sky above the platform, and the dark dragon horde filled the view.

As far as the eye could see, there were only black dragon shadows and crimson dragon eyes.

"Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Level 7/Dark/Dragon" "ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000"

"Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon, Level 7/Dark/Dragon/Dual" "ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000"

"Crimson Soul, Level 7/Dark/Dragon" "ATK: 900/DEF: 2000"

"Blacksteel Dragon, Level 1/Dark/Dragon" "ATK: 600/DEF: 600"

"Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon, Level 10/Dark/Dragon" "ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400"

Aside from "Dark Steel Dragon," which I met once in a duel with Mashiro Kaiba, the other four monsters have very similar designs. The first one is "Red-Eyes Black Dragon," which is the counterpart to "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" and is known as the "Dragon of Possibility." "Red-Eyes Soul" and "Red-Eyes Black Dragon" have similar designs, while "Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon" has wings that are closer to the style of a bat.

The "Black Steel Dragon" looks like a juvenile form covered with a layer of steel.

Five colossal dragons lined up in front of Yu Xi, their immense dragon might pressing down on him.

"Let's use this first strike to pave the way for victory!"

Ranpo Jonouchi was clearly excited at having summoned so many "Red-Eyes" so easily, saying, "I'm going to use 'Black Steel Dragon' and 'Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon' in a Link Summon! L-ink2, 'Celestial Mark of the Celestial Sphere'! If 'Black Steel Dragon' is sent from the field to the Graveyard, add 1 'Red-Eyes' card from your Deck to your hand. Then I'll build a Light Network with 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' and 'Red Soul,' two Level 7 monsters!"

"Unleash the power of crimson! Burn away the very edge of the sky! Xyz Summon, Rank 7! 'Red-Eyes Steel Flame Dragon'!!"

"Red-Eyes Steelix, Rank 7/Dark/Dragon/Xyz" "ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400"

"2 x 7-Star Monsters"

The nebula vortex expanded, and a black steel dragon with flames wrapped around its wings soared out from it, flying above the two people's heads.

Just its presence made Youxi feel the temperature around her rise.

"As long as you have 'Red-Eyes Steel Flame Dragon' with Xyz Material on the field, it cannot be destroyed by card effects. Furthermore, if your opponent activates a Spell/Trap/Monster, inflict 500 damage to them. Then I will immediately use its third effect: Once per turn, detach 1 Xyz Material and Special Summon 1 'Red-Eyes' Normal Monster from your Graveyard."

Ranpo Jonouchi said, "Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon is a Gemini Monster, and it's also treated as a Normal Monster in the Graveyard. Revive it in Defense Position, then use the effect of Dark Steel Dragon to revive Red Soul. Use Red Soul and Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon to create a superimposed light effect, and appear, Red-Eyes Steel Flame Dragon Unit 2!!"

"what?"

Seeing yet another "Steel Flame Dragon" summoned by Jonouchi Ranpo, Yuuki exclaimed in surprise, "There's a second 'Red-Eyes Steel Flame Dragon'?"

Generally speaking, those who graduate from a particular school of thought should only have one additional set of skills.

"What's so strange about that? I'm a master of the 'Red-Eyes' style, a true master of all techniques. Of course, I can't only have one copy. And this isn't the end of it!"

Ranpo Jounouchi pulled down the brim of his hat and took a picture of the card he had just retrieved.

"Activate the effect of 'Red-Eyes Black Star Dragon' in your hand, send 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' from your Deck to the Graveyard, Special Summon this card in Defense Position, and increase its Level by 1."

"Red-Eyes Black Star Dragon, Level 6→7/Dark/Dragon" "ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000"

Crimson patterns flowed through the gaps in the jet-black dragon scales, and a giant dragon with blood-soaked wings flew out of the car, roaring softly.

With the appearance of this monster and the creation of graveyards, Ranpo Jonouchi's graveyard now has another monster that fulfills the effect of "Steel Flame Dragon".

"The effect of 'Steel Flame Dragon' has no limit on the number of times it can be used. Unit 2's effect activates, detaching 'Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon' material to revive 'Black Flame Dragon' itself. Then, using 'Red-Eyes Black Flame Dragon' and 'Red-Eyes Black Star Dragon' to Xyz Summon 'Red-Eyes Steel Flame Dragon' Unit 3!"

Amidst the orbiting stars, the super-quantified "Red-Eyes" of Trisolaris flew side by side above Ranpo's head, creating considerable pressure.

As long as these dragons exist, Yuuki will lose 1500 health points every time she activates a card effect. This means that Yuuki can only use card effects a maximum of 6 more times; the 7th use will end the duel.

This number isn't insignificant, but it's not so many that one can freely unleash their full potential. If Yuuki is playing a Synchro deck, this will likely restrict her actions.

Moreover, Ranpo Jounouchi did not intend to give Yuki such ample room to maneuver.

"I set three cards face down, and my turn is over."

"It's my turn, draw a card."

As the turn changed, the moment Yuki drew her card, Jonouchi Ranpo, who had previously faced down all his cards, suddenly spoke up: "During the draw phase, the trap card is activated: 'Hope for Survival'!"

"This card can only be activated by paying 1000 LP when your life points are more than 1000 lower than your opponent's. For every 2000 life points difference, I can draw one card. Now your life points are 10000. After paying the life points, my life points will be 2000, so I can draw four cards."

Jonouchi Ranpo, further reducing his LP, drew cards from his deck, instantly restoring the cards he had just used up. Immediately afterward, the second face-down card at his feet stood up.

"After the effect of 'Hope for Survival' resolves, activate the Trap Card 'Life Transfer'!"

Chapter 166 Three-Move Block! The Destruction Sword's Super Fusion! (Bonus Chapter!)

[Life Transfer (Normal Trap): Can only be activated when there is a difference of 8000 or more in life points between the two players. The life points of both players become 3000.]

If we're talking about which card on the banned list is the most unjustly included, Yu Xi feels that it has to be "Life Conversion".

As can be seen from the effect description, this card is rarely useful, and it is even difficult to activate, making it extremely unpopular.

But the situation is different now.

Because of the two consecutive "Golden Goblin" events, Yuki's LP rose to 10000 points, which is at the opposite extreme of Joey's current HP, perfectly meeting the conditions.

After this card's effect is activated, Yuki will find herself in a very bad situation.

[Yu Xi's LP: 10000 → 3000]

【Jouchi Ranpo LP: 2000 → 3000】

"You now only have 3000 health points left, and you can only use this effect once more. Cherish this opportunity, Yu Xi!"

Ranpo Jounouchi clearly stated Yuki's predicament in simple and easy-to-understand words, but Yuki did not seem to intend to take any action in this turn.

"I set 3 cards in my back row, then set 1 monster, and end my turn."

After taking four cards from his hand and placing them into the Duel Disk, Yuki announced the rotation.

This swift maneuver surprised Jonouchi Ranpo: "Is it over already? Looks like your hand isn't very strong. Well then, at the end of your turn, I'll activate the effect of 'Steel Flame Dragon' Unit 3, removing 'Red-Eyes Black Star Dragon' as material, and reviving 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' in my Graveyard in Defense Position."

Amidst the burning flames, the primordial black dragon's form flapped its wings and flew out, filling the last empty space in the chaotic city.

"Now it's my turn, draw a card!"

Drawing a card from his deck, Jonouchi Ranpo said, "I activate the effect of 'Red-Eyes Black Star Dragon' that was sent to the Graveyard. Banish this card and add 'Red-Eyes Fusion' from my deck to my hand."

"Then activate 'Price of Horse Bones,' send 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' to the Graveyard, and draw 2 cards. Then activate the Spell Card: 'Red-Eyes Fusion'!"

He held the retrieved card high, and a dazzling spiral fusion effect bloomed behind Jonouchi Ranpo.