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

Since the great battle with the Dark Markers, the Black Witch, who had nothing to do while Yuki was hospitalized, quickly became corrupted by modern civilization and turned into a complete homebody.

She was completely engrossed in all sorts of phantom thieves and legendary adventure movies and TV shows, spending every day in Yuki's bedroom watching them on a projector. Even when Yuki and Hoshino Mai were going out, she would insist that Yuki leave the cards in the living room—that way she wouldn't have to go out with Yuki and could watch TV from morning till night.

If it weren't for the exhaustion of physical manifestation, Youxi suspects she would likely have developed a gaming addiction and a phone addiction, rather than just being limited to movies and TV shows.

why?

He was clearly a prominent figure in the Katu story, but he ended up like this.

Youxi couldn't help but sigh at the Black Witch's fall from grace, and while lamenting, he didn't stop talking.

"Miss Belle, have you forgotten what we agreed on? The Star Cup main tournament has already started, and we need your help."

"Huh? It's already started?"

The Dark Witch was taken aback by what she heard, and only then did she come to her senses from her morning grumpiness at being woken up, realizing what was going on.

"But this isn't a duel, so why did you call me out like this?" the Black Witch asked, puzzled.

According to You Xi, the Star Cup competition is related to her possibility of returning to her original world, so she will also do her best to support You Xi in this competition.

The dark witch didn't object, but she couldn't understand Yuki's intention in calling her out outside the duel.

"Even though it's not in a duel, it can still be useful."

Yu Xi said, "I hope Miss Bell can serve as my bodyguard, helping me to guard and investigate everything around me. If we encounter enemies or anything unusual, please notify me."

Duel Spirits cannot be captured by the naked eye, at least not by someone like Yuki.

This means that elves themselves are the best scouts.

"Huh? Oh, so that's what it is. You want me to run an errand for you?"

Despite her reclusive lifestyle, the Black Witch's mind didn't become useless. Yu Xi's brief explanation was enough for her to understand what the former wanted her to do.

"You've got some nerve, kid. You dare to order around a legendary thief like this outside of a duel."

Even legendary thieves need to exercise occasionally.

Yu Xi was already very familiar with dealing with the Black Witch, and calmly said, "Besides, this is also within the scope of our contract. Of course, I won't let Miss Bell do this alone. Mana and Zero will also help."

"Hmph, that's pretty much it."

If she were doing all the work herself, the Dark Witch would definitely go on strike. But since there were others working with her, she couldn't voice any complaints.

Hmm...maybe I can find a chance to take a little break.

"Then it's up to you."

"Leave it to us, Master! We'll bring you good news!"

"Order understood, Boss."

Seeing that the Black Witch had agreed, Yuki summoned several spirits, including the Black Magic Girl, who were willing to venture into the outside world. The former loudly pledged her loyalty, while the latter nodded slightly, and together with the Black Witch, they flew into the sky, heading in several different directions.

Before Yu Xi could wait long, one side sent back a signal from the enemy.

Chapter 177 On the Romance of Fusion Summoning

"Brother Tae-il, is guarding this place really useful?"

"Nonsense, when have I ever lied to you? As long as you stay here obediently, a little white rabbit will come to your door sooner or later."

In a secluded corner near a main road leading down the mountain, two boys were exchanging questions.

They were wearing the same uniform, and one of the older men, with dyed blond hair and an earring, was impatiently answering another.

Meanwhile, he would occasionally peek out from the corner to check the situation on and below the mountain, preparing to rush out and strike first the moment he spotted a fat sheep.

"We're really lucky. We were paired up right from the start. It would be a huge waste not to take advantage of this."

Unfortunately, we're still one person short of completing the team, but oh well.

"Listen up, Tai-er! We must seize this opportunity and gather all ten puzzle pieces as quickly as possible. Ideally, we should send at least one of us into the next round of the competition today."

Hearing Sakamoto Taiichi's words, the boy who looked similar to him and was called Taiji asked in confusion, "Huh? Only one person can advance? Not all three together?"

"Idiot! Do you think I don't want to? But things aren't as simple as you think."

Sakamoto Taiichi scolded his younger brother in an annoyed tone, finding the clear stupidity in the latter's eyes almost unbearable.

Unlike the Star Cup qualifiers, the teams that made it to the main tournament through that rigorous selection process were all formidable opponents. Putting over 200 teams and more than 600 people on one stage would undoubtedly turn it into a brutal and fierce battleground.

No matter how confident he was in his abilities, Taiyi didn't believe that his team could advance and clear the game so easily.

Even though their academy is called the Monster Academy that only accepts monsters, he knows all too well what real monsters are like, having participated in the Star Cup twice.

"Taiji, you better remember this. This main competition isn't about determining the strongest player; it's about testing speed."

Sakamoto Taiichi held up one finger, emphasizing the key points of his team's mission in this competition.

"There are only 32 spots available for advancement, but there are over 600 participants. What does this mean? It means that even if everyone manages to collect ten puzzle cards, more than 30 people will still be eliminated. So it's first-come, first-served. If we waited for everyone to collect ten puzzle cards, we might have already lost our chance."

"Ah, that's how it is."

After listening, Sakamoto Taiji suddenly realized: "That's why Taiichi wanted one of us to advance first, just to secure at least one spot."

"That's it, you finally understand."

Version Taiyi nodded with satisfaction, feeling that all his efforts had been worthwhile.

"If you understand, then keep your eyes wide open and observe your surroundings carefully. If you spot any lone, easy targets, tell me right away. We don't have much time to waste."

Sakamoto Taiichi was certain that there were other contestants who had been teleported up the mountain; the only question was how many there would be. Regardless, he needed to use his numerical advantage to grab as many puzzle cards as possible in the early stages.

Even if that doesn't meet the requirements for advancement, it's enough to guarantee a certain level of safety.

As Sakamoto Taiichi was thinking this, Taiji's voice came from beside him.

"Brother Tai, it seems like the kind of 'fat sheep' you mentioned has arrived."

"What? They're here? Where are they?"

As he uttered a series of questions, Sakamoto Taiichi followed Sakamoto Taiji's gaze and looked towards the mountain path leading up the mountain.

There, a dark-haired boy was walking slowly down the stone path.

The boy had a baby face, regular features, and a somewhat delicate appearance. He was also rather thin, making him look like someone who would be easy to bully.

Judging from the team uniform, he seems to be a member of the team from Kiyosumi High School.

I've never heard of that name before.

"Okay! He's the one!"

Without thinking for too long, seeing the boy slowly approaching him step by step, Sakamoto Taiichi made a decisive move and jumped out from the corner.

Sakamoto Taiji was a beat slow, but he caught up immediately after realizing what was happening.

"stop!"

Taiyi and Taier, positioned on the left and right respectively, formed a pincer movement, blocking the boy's path.

"What a pity, kid. You just happened to run into the Sakamoto Duo. So just surrender obediently and hand over the puzzle cards!"

Taking advantage of his taller stature, Sakamoto Taiichi looked down at the baby-faced boy, trying to intimidate him with his imposing presence and fierce tone.

Unfortunately, this move did not achieve the effect he had expected.

"The Sakamoto Duo? So they're from Slime Academy."

Upon seeing the Sakamoto brothers' team uniforms, Yuki immediately matched them with the information in his mind.

—Slime Academy, a newly established dueling academy in recent years.

Located in Stormwind City, which is on par with Dawn City, it is known for only recruiting monster-level genius duelists and providing these students with the most elite education.

At first, everyone just took it as a joke.

After all, if there really were students with that level of talent, they would be aiming for established dueling academies like Star Peak and Beacon Fire, not some run-down school with no achievements.

However, people's opinions changed after the son of the academy's principal defeated Stormwind's top dueling academy a few years ago and made it into the Star Cup main tournament.

Even if it can't compare to Xingfeng and Fenghuo, Slime Academy is still worth visiting just for the headmaster's educational level.

Since then, Stormwind students have had a new option.

However, Slime Academy has consistently adhered to its policy of recruiting very few students each year, but it has successfully advanced to the main competition of the Star Cup every year, making its reputation grow bigger and bigger.

However, this has nothing to do with Yu Xi, and the so-called "Sakamoto Duo" title doesn't scare him at all.

All he needed to know was that these two guys would become his prey.

"Want a puzzle card? Then come and get it yourself."

Yuki had already set up his deck. He activated his Duel Disk and challenged the Sakamoto brothers, saying, "You should know the rules, right?"

"Tch, I guess I still have to go through this process."

Sakamoto Taiichi scoffed, knowing things wouldn't go so smoothly.

"But it's no use. You're just dying in a different way, kid. Let's go, Taiji!"

"Okay! Big brother!"

"--Duel!!"

【Yu Xi LP: 8000】

vs

[Sakamoto Taiichi LP: 8000] & [Sakamoto Taiji LP: 8000]

As the Sakamoto brothers unfurled their duel disks, the feeling rose, and the three-way battle officially began on this mountain path.

As the duel began, everyone's puzzle cards were projected onto the side of their heads in 3D. Naturally, they all stopped at the number 1.

"Each of us bets one puzzle card, right?"

Sakamoto Taiichi asked the question as required, and seeing no objection, drew his starting hand: "Then I'll go first! I'll activate the effect of 'Shadow Ghoul of the Hidden Labyrinth' from my hand!"

"Discard this card from your hand, and add 1 'Labyrinth Wall' card from your Deck to your hand. Then activate this Field Spell: 'Labyrinth Wall Shadow'!"

A rumbling sound resounded, and walls rose from the earth, surrounding Yuki and the Sakamoto brothers.