-Toshiki Kai POV-
Seeing someone who was usually so aloof now looking so dispirited was something that I never expected from Tokura Misaki as I walked alongside the others while looking at her despondent figure.
Even though Aichi and the others were trying their best to comfort her, it appeared to be a meaningless effort.
"Misaki-san, it's just one fight. Don't worry about it."
"Yeah, that's right, Misaki-san! Next time when I meet this guy, I'm gonna blow that bastard away with my Nova Grappler!"
"But man, I never saw our banchou get depressed like this. I wonder if the guy who defeated our bancho is that strong…"
"How foolish, Ishida Naoki! I bet it was mere luck, just like your fight against Tatsunagi!"
"What did you say, four eyes!?"
Despite the usual commotions from Ishida and the short guy with glasses, Tokura didn't react in any way when usually she would have berated both of them for causing a ruckus.
From what I heard from Miwa, apparently she had a cardfight against someone from her school and lost terribly.
That's unusual.
Despite not fighting against her often, I knew that Tokura's ability as a Cardfighter is top-notch in our generation, including Ren and his group.
'For her to lose against this guy, and pretty one-sidedly as well...' I mused inside my mind while thinking about the person who defeated Tokura's name.
Jin Homura.
Someone I never knew or ever heard of before in relation to Vanguard, yet he's able to defeat Tokura while using a mish-mash Kagero deck that he made from leftover boosters.
That alone spoke about his ability to maximize each card from his unfinished deck.
It also intrigued me as a Kagero user.
I may have focused more on the Narukami clan recently, especially the sub-clan of Eradicator. But I have yet to abandon my old Kagero deck, keeping it as my other deck, which I can use anytime.
As the others were still discussing the recent events related to this enigmatic figure, the sight of Card Capital could be seen from afar.
Upon entering the shop, I stumbled upon an unusual sight.
One, the Card Capital's owner, and Tokura's uncle were currently playing Vanguard. It was a very rare sight since I never saw him play even once.
As for the second…
He was currently losing.
Even with a slight glance, I could tell from his empty field as opposed to his opponent's field.
"Dual-Axe, attacking Vanguard."
"... Damage check... Aahhhh, I've lost again," lamented the shop owner as he slumped on the floor with a defeated expression. "This makes ten consecutive losses. Why...?"
"That's because your deck is easy to play around."
"... I see, I will take note of it…"
No one from our group spoke, as we're currently enamored by curiosity over this figure who apparently beaten the show owner in a Cardfight.
"You-!" our attention quickly diverted the moment we heard Tokura's exclamation, pointing her finger directly at the red-haired guy who stared back at her with an aloof expression.
"Oh, it's you Tokura, sup."
"Don't just 'Sup' like that! Why are you here again?" said Tokura in an aggressive manner.
Seems like she wasn't really this guy, given from her reaction.
Then I would assume this fellow is the infamous guy who defeated her not long ago and the subject of our discussion before.
"Looking for cards," answered Homura while organizing his cards back to his deck. "I left a specific order to the shop owner before, so I came here to take it after the owner confirmed my order's arrival."
A valid reason I must say, even Tokura couldn't rebuke that since it was related with her shop's business and I knew how much she often stressed about her family business financial problem so she looked like she just swallowed a sour lemon, but ultimately accepted the explanation.
"... I suppose it's fair…" I faintly heard Tokura spoke, before she once again looked at Homura. "So you're upgrading your deck after our last fight?"
"It was performed quite well," answered Homura. "It fills what previously lacking from the mish-mash deck that I made before up to my standard."
"... A person like you has a standard…?"
"Absolutely."
… What kind of conversation is this? It feels like these two are talking on a different scope and with a hidden amount of animosity.
Well, it mostly came from Tokura. Whereas this Homura guy didn't show any side of answering with completely standoffish.
My eyes then met him, as he seemed recognized who I am.
"You're Toshiki Kai?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Ever thought about selling your DOTE?"
"Dote? What do you mean by dote?"I raised my eyebrow, wondering what he was talking about. And not just me, but the others also looked at Homura with confusion plastered on their faces.
Seeing our expressions, Homura just shrugged while apologizing. "My bad, I forgot that you guys didn't use acronyms for your cards. What I mean is, do you ever sell your complete set of Dragonic Overlord The End?"
"... What?" I muttered in perplexion. "Did you just literally ask me about selling my most prized card?"
"Exactly what I said." spoke Homura nonchalantly.
My hand went to my face as I facepalmed upon hearing such an outrageous question from a person whom I just met.
Asking about selling my prized card, my very own avatar in its strongest form, while being completely indifferent about it…
… Such a thing is completely unacceptable…!
"I am sorry, but I would never sell my precious card that I kept as my very own avatar…" I spoke calmly while internally trying my best to hold my anger.
"Yeah! What kind of person would just ask someone to sell his precious card like that!" Katsuragi bellowed while glaring daggers at Homura who stood apathetically.
To my own annoyance, he just shrugged while dropping the topic. "Well, it was worth a shot. Okay I guess."
"Hey! Listen to someone when he's speaking to you!"
"Yeah, right! The great Kamui is talking to you, mister!"
"Hell yeah, lil'yo!"
"Why so serious?" My eyes narrowed at the way he talked. "I am just asking if he is interested in selling his set of DOTE, since that card is so hard to find even after browsing many card shops, both offline and online."
"You-!"
"How about this then," I said while taking my Narukami deck out from my deck box. "You, and I. Let's do a card fight right now. And if you win, you can have my Dragonic Overlord The End for free."
My statement immediately brought a chorus of protests.
"W-wait the hell up, Kai!?" The most vocal, and the first one who immediately rebuked me is none other than Katsuragi. "What the hell are you doing!? Betting your cards for this jerk like that!?"
"That's right Kai-kun!" Aichi also joined the conversation as he stood in front of me with his hands stretched wide. "It's not worth betting your precious card like that! Why are you suddenly doing something like this?"
"That's right Kai, he's ain't worth it!" Miwa followed along while glaring at the unimpressed Jin who just stood while crossing his arms. Seemingly unbothered by the commotion and the jeers directed on him, which was something that deserved some recognition.
"I know what I am doing," I said while walking forward to the standing table, where immediately I put my deck on the deck zone, sending my direct challenge to this guy. "And trust me, I shall not lose. Not against this guy."
The challenge had been set.
And now the only thing which mattered was whether Homura Jin dared to accept my challenge or not. Though from what I observed, he didn't seem to get bothered by the pressure from my declaration, nor from the glares he received from the others. In fact he just took his deck to the table, then sprang forward to stand directly in front of me with a calm expression.
"You can just say you want to fight me for your pride or something," Homura said with an uninterested look, immediately shuffling his deck. "And it's not like I will just take it after I win, I will still pay you accordingly."
His bold statement brought my anger to rise, but I held it down while asking. "From the way you talk, you seem confident that you'll defeat me."
"It's not confidence," said Homura while dropping his deck in front of me, before he took mine, much to my surprise, and started to shuffle it. "It's plain truth."
I glared at him.
But instead of replying to me, he merely asked a simple question. "You're not going to shuffle my deck?"
"... Why should I?" I asked in between annoyance and curiosity.
"It's proper manners in this game." spoke Homura while dropping my deck in front of me. "I shuffle your deck, and you do mine for fairness in the game."
While it sounds weird, I did exactly what Homura just displayed, shuffling his deck for a while and then returning it back to him. "Usually we didn't do something like that."
"That's for you," replied Homura while starting to take cards from his deck. "But for me, it's the rule of fairness."
'… How odd.' I mentally thought while doing the same, looking at my opening hand and nodding in approval. 'Demolition, Vowing Sword, Zuitan, Pollux, and Red River. A decent start for me.
Meanwhile Homura took 3 cards back to his deck to mulligan, before drawing the same amount. Unlike me, he doesn't show any reaction other than stretching his hand towards his starter on the table. "I am ready."
"So am I." I answered while taking my right hand to my starter as well.
Our eyes met.
A disinterested ruby against my sharp emerald.
"Stand up, Vanguard."
"Stand up, the Vanguard!"
Homura's Vanguard revealed the familiar figure of Lizard Soldier, Conroe standing before my Eradicator, Strike Dagger Dragon.
I frowned at the lack of reaction from the unusually silent Conroe, as he just stood there without any reaction whatsoever, unlike when I used him as my Avatar, who bared his dagger in a fierce manner against any foes.
If it's that case, then I shall bring my might upon him. So he will be forced to show his true self in this fight.
The game begins with me taking the first turn. "My turn, I ride the Vanguard! Red River Dragoon! With Spark Dagger skill, I move it on behind my Vanguard, with that I end my turn."
Now then, show me the play that once defeated Tokura.
"I ride Bahr. Conroe skill." Homura just nonchalantly took his turn with an aloof manner. Riding a silent Bahr who replaced Conroe, where his starter now stood behind his Vanguard. "Conroe boost, Bahr attacks Vanguard."
"No guard."
"Check, nothing. End." and just with that, his turn immediately ended with Bahr striking my Red River with a rather unimpressive strike while revealing Cross Shot, Garp.
Even my Avatar looked at Bahr with a mortified expression, as if this was the first time he was being treated like this.
This guy-I seriously can't stand this guy at all.
"Draw. I ride, Supreme Army Eradicator, Zuitan." I declared as my vanguard was now replaced by a red-armored figure riding an enormous red dragon. "I attack with Zuitan!"
"Take." Homura responded by shrugging, which irked me but I didn't say that out loud.
"Drive check, no trigger." I said while revealing Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon.
"Damage check, Draw trigger. I drew one card." said Homura while placing Monica in his damage zone, while drawing one card. All while still with that nonchalant attitude.
"Turn end, now it's your turn." I announced while passing turn to Homura.
He nodded, standing his vanguard while drawing another card, which brought cards on his hand to eight.
"Ride, Bellicosity." Homura rode his next unit, which replaced Bahr with a fiery flame-breath red dragon. Upon closer inspection, I saw a similar case with Bahr, as Bellicosity also didn't show any emotion unlike when I usually play with my Kagero deck.
"Conroe skill. Fetching Bahr. Then call." with a swift motion, Homura swiftly took Bahr from his deck with Conroe's Counterblast, then immediately called Bahr who he just took on behind his Vanguard alongside with Garp on the left side.
"Garp attacks your Vanguard."
"I guard with Pollux." I said while putting Sacred Spear Eradicator, Pollux on the guardian circle, effectively making Pollux skillfully block Garp's barrage shot.
"Bahr boost, Bellicosity attacks your Vanguard."
"I don't guard." I declared, as Homura then performed a drive check, which revealed to be a heal trigger, effectively making Belicosity's skill useless as he heals one damage.
The attack goes through with a scorching breath from Bellicosity blew Zuitan several yards away.
"Damage check, I get a draw. It adds +5000 to my Vanguard, and I draw one card." My damage turned out to be Eradicator, Blue Gem Carbuncle, which worked perfectly for me, as it brought my hand to seven.
Homura just kept his neutral expression while ending his turn.
"... Damn, that heal trigger on this timing..." my ears perked as Katsuragi decided to comment on our fight after being quiet for a while.
"... The damage is two to nil, Homura has a lead." Tokura said as she also joined the conversation. "And Homura also got an extra shield with the trigger he just drew earlier…"
"Kai-kun is still in play," said Aichi with confidence in his eyes. "Don't worry about it guys, I am sure he'll win!"
I smirked.
That's Aichi that I know, always being positive and trying to reach out to his friends.
In that case, I shall start my assault, now.
"Stand and Draw. I ride the Vanguard! Hot-blooded, scarlet dragon! Eradicator, Vowing Sword Dragon!"
Zuitan let out a cry as his body was enveloped with a crimson light. A roar resounded as a mighty figure of Vowing Sword descended to the field with thunder rumbled surrounding him.
"Not just that, I call thee, Eradicators!" I declared as I call Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon on the front left side, Eradicator, Spark Rain Dragon on the right side, and lastly Eradicator, Demolition Dragon behind Spark Rain. "Roar! My fellow dragons!"
Their roar resonated across the battlefield, which created a huge soundwave which blew Bellicosity and Garp several meters away from their position. Both are doing well by taking a defensive stance to avoid being completely washed away by the roaring wind.
"It's time to battle! Thunder Boom, attacks Garp!"
"Take."
With a swift strike, Thunder Boom immediately eliminated Garp from the field with a powerful assault.
"Following that, with a boost from Strike Dagger, Vowing Sword attacks your vanguard!"
"Take."
"I check the drive trigger… First check, nothing." I said while revealing Sword Dance Eradicator, Hisen. My second check revealed Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle, which made me smirked in glee. "Second check, I got a critical! I give the critical to my Vanguard, and the power +5000 goes to Spark Rain!"
With a deafening Roar, Vowing Sword renewed his vigor while struck down Bellicosity using his enormous sword coated by rumbling thunder. It also cleaved the surrounding area with, creating craters in process.
Homura as usual being indifferent by it, taking his damage revealing Dual Axe Archdragon and Berserk Dragon.
But I am not done yet, as I still have one attack remaining.
"With boost from Demolition, Spark Rain attacks your Vanguard! With its skill, it gained an additional +3000 power! Bringing its power to 24000!"
Homura just wordlessly took his third damage in a row, which revealed to be Gatling Claw Dragon. Unfortunately, that trigger wouldn't help him as I already finished my turn, even though he did draw another card which brought his hand to
A series of cheers surrounded me as my fellow cheered as I turned the tide around.
"Awesome, he immediately dealt three damage at once!" cheered Katsuragi.
"That's Kai for 'ya!" His lackey number one also followed in an excited manner.
"That's a great turnover, Kai-kun!" I also heard Aichi congratulate me as he also joined in with the current jovial mood.
"Heh, take that! Redhead bastard!"
"You're also a redhead as well, stupid Ishida Naoki!"
"W-well mine is a bit brownish if compared with his vibrant ones!"
I am not surprised if that came from Ishida Naoki and his friend, Komoi Shingo.
For now, I am in the lead after dealing three damage at once, and I also prevented him from using any chance of turnover with Limit Break, and with six cards in my hand, I should've been able to keep minimum damage during his next turn.
"You did a decent job of keeping up with me," said Homura while staring directly at my face. "Keeping the damage slow in early game, then pressing quickly the moment you reach Grade three while I can't use my normal superior ride strategy to get the momentum. Not bad."
I snorted, stating the obvious.
With Tokura explaining your strategy thoroughly, and with how you kept me from dealing more damage, it's natural that our pace decreased significantly.
Not to mention I took a precaution by keeping your damage low so I wouldn't suffer from any surprise assault from his units.
With this pace, I am confident enough to finish him on the next two-three tur-
"But, I think you misunderstood something." spoke Jin again while calling two cards from his hand to the rear-guard in one right lane. "You were never once in control during this fight."
My eyes widened at the cards that he just called. "That card-!"
"Call, Vulcan. Counterblasts for skill." Homura stated, calling Breath of Demise, Vulcan in front of his Bahr, paying the cost while checking the top card from his deck, then dropping Monica into his damage zone.
"Damn..!" I quickly realized what he's about to do, but I couldn't do anything but cursed loudly for not realizing it sooner. "But again, it's impossible for you to do it since Yaksha only works on Grade 2-"
"Call, Berserk, Counterblast two. Retire your Spark Rain." Homura said while placing them.
Berserk did a quick work by unleashing a fiery breath which demolished Spark Rain into countless particles of light. I begrudgingly dropped my card to the drop zone, while inwardly tensed from his next move. The move that I didn't see but it's too late for me to make a countermeasure from previous turns.
But how?
Other than Yaksha, I never saw another Kagero unit that was capable of performing a superior ride without any components like the one I already had.
'Don't tell me he has something other than Yaksha to perform a superior ride in this turn? Except Blazing Flare and Aleph, I don't think I know other Kagero cards who could do that, unless-"
"I activate my card's skill from hand," declared Homura while revealing a Grade 3 Kagero unit that I had never seen before. "I put Dauntless on rest, then I Superior Ride Cruel Dragon from my hand."
'A new Kagero unit, one that I haven't heard about.' I mentally reprimanded myself, forgetting that a possibility like this existed considering he said it earlier about placing an order to the shop owner.
"A new superior ride unit Kagero?!"
"I never heard that a unit like that existed!"
And judging from the reaction from my comrades, they also never heard about this unit as well. Probably it comes from the latest booster pack which he managed to obtain early by placing a pre-order to the shop owner.
"Dauntless skill, +10000 power to Cruel. And Cruel cost, power -3000."
The image of Looming Dauntless Drive is covered by a raging torrent of flames. The winds raged, creating an enormous pressure which put me under an immense pressure. Not even Thunder Boom was able to withstand it, as he was thrown several meters away before regaining his composure. Standing in front of me while replacing Dauntless Drive was a quadruple Dragon whose size exceeded Vowing Sword. It's whole being radiated power thanks to the given strength from Dauntless Drive, as it's unleashing a gargantuan roar which shook the entire battlefield with invisible pressure emitted from its roar alone.
[Such pressure-!] I exclaimed while being inside my Avatar, desperately holding myself from getting thrown aback by its enormous bellow alone. My vision was visibly clouded by this guy's image, even if he didn't even bother to 'connect' himself with his avatar-!
Such a fact is-
"… I simply cannot accept this…!" I gritted my teeth while glaring at Homura who just stood with his blank expression. "For you to have this strength in your imagination! Why don't you even show it in our battle! For squandering such an imagination-!" I lashed out while completely ignoring my comrades' confusion from my statement, as my eyes bore heatedly on my opponent.
"W-what do you mean by that Kai?" asked Katsuragi who looked confused, to which I replied instantly.
"This guy is top-class fighter material, his imagination and his strategy is all top-notch…" I exclaimed, which instantly got a peculiar look from Katsuragi and the others. Tokura especially blatantly stared at Homura with her eyes widened. "...No wonder he defeated Tokura easily."
"N-no way! So you're saying that this bastard is actually that strong!?"
"Unbelievable!"
"Ain't no way lil'yo!"
"Yes… Probably his imagination is even stronger than mine…"
The spectators gasped upon hearing my statement, as their expression was filled with disbelief. But knowing me, they all knew that lying was never my forte, thus they're forced to acknowledge it.
And yet, despite having such prowess-
"-Why, why are you squandering such potential by playing like this? Playing without any passion and love on Vanguard, nothing but a dull fight-"
"The question is," Homura said while looking at us with a strange look on his face. "Why even bother about doing something like that? It's just a game, man. No need to get overreacted about something delusional like that."
… What?
What did he just say?
Did he just think that our passion in this game is nothing but a mere delusion-?
"Honestly, I couldn't care less about what you said. It's just a game, chill."
Shaking his head, Homura then continued his play, while completely ignoring cries of outrage from the spectators, particularly the louder ones like Katsuragi and his crews.
"What the hell did you just say!? I dare you to say that again with disrespecting us like that!"
"That was totally uncalled for!"
"Yeah lil'yo!"
Strangely, Ishida, who usually was a hot headed guy, stayed silent, as something in his eyes reflected a particular emotion that I vaguely recognized.
A look of understanding.
"... Tokura is right, you played like you never enjoyed this game…"
"Whatever you say, man. Call Bahr and Rolamandri. Counterblast for skill." said Homura while placing another Breath of Origin, Rolamandri behind Vulcan and Dragon Monk, Bahr behind Berserk. Like Vulcan, Homura also used Rolamandri's skill to check the top card of his deck, then placed Kimnara to his damage zone, which brought his damage temporarily in five.
"Bahr boost, Cruel attacks your Vanguard. Limit Break skill activates, I'm paying the cost, retire your Thunder Boom."
Not only did he manage to achieve both Break Ride and Limit Break earlier than me, he also used it to further crippled my line at the same time.
"No guard…" I could only take this damage, considering the Break Ride skill, it is meaningless for me to guard it now. My damage is still two, taking one or two damage right now is not a problem, unless he pulled a critical trigger in his first drive check.
"First check, no trigger. Second check, Crit. I give it all to Cruel." Homura casually said while revealing Wyvern Guard, Barri and Embodiment of Spear, Tahr.
I cursed at the worst possible outcome.
By obtaining that critical trigger, it brought Cruel Dragon's power from 18000 into 23000 in the next attack.
Images suddenly flashing before me, as Cruel Dragon with its terrifying vigor immediately struck a devastating strike aimed directly at my Avatar's face with its enormous claw.I grunted in mental pain, taking two damage straight away as I revealed Eradicator, Thunder Boom Dragon and Red River Dragoon, which immediately brought my damage into four.
"Dauntless skill, I restand Cruel."
Jin wordlessly just put three cards from his hand to his drop zone, paying the cost of Dauntless to activate the Break Ride skill which was inherited by his Vanguard.
The dragon that finished attacking had now stood once again with a resounding roar, signifying its second incoming of another brutal assault.
"Cruel attacks your Vanguard with 2 crit."
I can't let that attack go through.
"I guard with Eradicator Wyvern Guard, Guld! With its skill, by discarding one card from my hand, your attack is completely blocked!" A flash of light appeared in front of my Vanguard, as Guld appeared and used its ability to create a shield made of light, which completely blocked Cruel Dragon's relentless assault.
For now, I am saved from further damage, except if he checks another trigger…
"Drive check. First, no trigger." said Homura as he revealed Dragonic Lawkeeper, which made me sighed in relief.
One down, another to go.
But my hope completely crumbled as Homura then checked his second drive check, which revealed to be Blu-Ray Draco-Kid.
"Crit. All to Berserk."
Now he had another unit that could deal two damage at once. Combined with his current field and cards in my hand, I simply cannot let Berserk attack go through.
"Bahr boost, Berserk attack your Vanguard."
Not just that, He also immediately went straight with Berserk, which reduced my chance of getting a damage trigger from damage check.
"I guard with Yellow Gem Carbuncle and Hisen!"
I watched how Berserk's flame breath didn't get through thanks to the combined effort of Yellow Gem Carbuncle and Hisen blocked it with all of their might, even though they retired afterward after using all of their strength to stop any damage to my Vanguard.
[Thanks Hisen, Yellow Gem Carbuncle.]
[... Win… My Vanguard…]
[... Kyuuu…]
"Rolamandri boost, Vulcan attacks your Vanguard."
"... I don't guard."
Unfortunately, the second attack left me with no choice but to let it through, as I felt the painful sensation of my Avatar being assaulted by Vulcan's flame barrage.
"Check," I revealed the top card of my deck, and grimaced as it was revealed to be Worm Toxin Eradicator, Seiobo. "... A heal trigger…"
Something that I shared with my comrades, as they also lamented the fifth damage check.
"Why must it be a heal trigger…" lamented Katsuragi.
"Our damage is the same, that heal doesn't get activated." Homura stated with a plain tone. While I grunted in annoyance while putting Seiobo on my damage zone, which now brought my damage to five.
"Vulcan and Rolamandri skill, I returned two cards to my deck. End."
I stood speechless while painfully gazed at the board.
"... In just one turn, he managed to push Kai-kun to five damage…" Aichi whispered in barely concealed astonishment.
"Not only that, but he also crippled his formation as well, taking most of his attacker while reducing his hand to a mere two cards…" added Tokura who also couldn't believe what she just saw.
"...Are you serious…?" Ishida followed while unable to believe what he just saw.
"... I-I can comprehend what just happened, this shouldn't be possible…" His friend, Komoi, is also in the same state.
"Damn, I don't want to admit it, but this Homura guy is skilled!"
"... Can't rebuke that, for sure. It's a bad situation, you know, Kai."
Both Katsuragi and Miwa are taking this in a varied reaction, with both of them begrudgingly admit Homura Jin's skill as a Cardfighter, while Miwa added about the my current situation.
But they weren't wrong.
In just one turn, Homura immediately turned the tide of the battle. Not only he managed to use Break Ride first, but he also reduced my field into shambles, cutting off my attackers with his skillful use of Berserk and Cruel skills to punish me from using them as an extra defensive unit, which forced me to use most of cards in my hand, leaving me with just two cards remained.
I didn't want to admit it, but what he just did was incredible.
But at the same time-
"-I am not giving up yet. Not with what you just did and didn't even take any joy from it!" I declared with renewed determination.
"... Sure, I guess. It's your turn dude."
My eyes are blazed with anger and determination
"Stand, and Draw!"
I will tell you, Homura Jin. That my passion on Vanguard, is like any other Cardfighters who shared the same thing with me!
"O'Great Dragon of Ancient Glory, lLet your presence be known! As you crash onto this battlefield! With a Breakride! Eradicator, Dragonic Descendant!"
Thunder cracked, sky darkened, as the brilliant figure donning Crimson armor with golden highlights arrived on the scene. Slowly, he rose while grabbing the sword of Apocalypse, the proof of his rules with the mighty power it obtained, now led forward with its overwhelming presence. With a thunderous warcry, he announced his presence, barred his sword directly at the savage dragon who remained standstill.
"With Vowing Sword's Break Ride skill, I retired Berserk, and my vanguard gained +10000 power!"
A single stab in the ground was the only thing my Vanguard needed, as Berserk let out a painful roar after being hit with a lightning pillar which my Vanguard summoned, effectively retiring the twin-headed dragon.
"Call! Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion! Vowing Sword Dragon! Red River Dragoon"
Another flashes of lightning emerged as daunting figures of Vermillion and Vowing now stood in the battlefield, joining Descendant in fray, as Red River stood dutifully on sidelines alongside Demolition. The three thunder dragons held their sword together, showing the strength of unity from the Narukami's Dragon Empire.
"Especial Counterblast! It added another +5000 to Descendant!"
Descendant roared at response, as he grew even stronger.
"With the boost of Demolition, Vowing Sword attacks your Vanguard!" I announced, letting Vowing Sword taking the first strike.
"Guard." the figure of Genjo unfortunately blocked my dragon's path, as Vowing grunted in annoyance seeing his attacks didn't get through.
I am annoyed by the fact that it means that he could just let go of Descendant's next attack to go through, effectively blocking me from using his Limit Break.
But no matter what, I will go through. As my deck would answered my call.
"With the boost of Strike Dagger, Descendant attacks your vanguard!"
"Take."
"Drive check, I get a draw trigger! I give it all to Vermillion, and I draw one card!" I announced as I flipped a trigger which revealed to be Eradicator, Dragon Mage.
But it wasn't enough.
I needed another one.
Another which would changed the tide of the battle.
"Second check!" I declared as I flipped another, smiling in glee when the cards shone in bright yellow radiance. "Get! Critical trigger! I give the critical to my Vanguard, and the power goes to Vermillion!"
The crowds roared in anticipation.
"Hell yeah! A double trigger!" shouted Ishida while lifting both of his arms high.
"Incredible, he managed to pull a double trigger in this critical moment!" added Komoi while putting his finger to fix his glasses.
"That's Kai for 'ya!" added Miwa with a smile.
"Get him, Kai!" roared Kamui while lifting his fist forward.
"With boost from Red River, Vermillion attacks your Vanguard with 29000!" I announced with a loud voice, as Vermillion raised his signature Thunder Halberd upward while leaped forth, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
… If not because of a sudden appearance of Wyvern Guard, Barri who halted Vermillion's advance. Caused him to growled in sheer annoyance but accepted the result.
"Grrrr…! Why must he have a perfect guard in his hand at this timing!" snarled Kamui in annoyance for it being the main cause of my attack failing to get through.
"He had it during his first drive check," I explained to the younger man. "That's why he is bold enough to discard Tahr for Dauntless' Break Ride skill cost."
"Damn, even with a double trigger, Kai's attack still didn't get through…!"
"Kai-kun…"
As if ignoring the plummeting mood of my comrades, Homura just casually asked me. "Are you done?"
"... Tch," Unable to anything further, I merely nodded in response. "I end… My turn."
"Let me get this one straight," Homura suddenly said, while standing all of his cards, then drawing one from his deck. "Had you rode Vermillion instead of Descendant, then used its skill to get rid of Vulcan. The outcome would be different."
I looked at him in confusion. "What are you talking-"
"Ride, and I call." Homura just went ignoring me, riding a unit which was probably his hidden ace in sleeve. Considering the reaction that Tokura gave upon seeing the unit. "Lawkeeper limit break activate, I bind all of your rearguards."
I watched in grimace as Homura's newest Vanguard immediately wiped my entire field in one go, leaving only my Vanguard remaining. This must be the same skill which caused Shop owner's field to be completely decimated earlier.
But I still couldn't get it why he said about using Vermillion skill instead of Descendant-
-Wait, now that I am seeing the field once again, a morbid realization comes into my mind as my eyes widen in shock.
"A mere five thousand differences can change the entire outcome of the match. Rolamandri boost, Vulcan attacks your Vanguard." stated Homura, as he then proceeded to start attacking with a unit that I realized I should've gotten rid of in the previous turn.
"I guard with Dragon Mage!"
And now, I paid a hefty cost because of my negligence.
"Gojo boost, Dauntless attacks your Vanguard."
"I guard with Pollux!" I desperately block another one of his attacks with another card, leaving me with just one card in my hand.
I grimaced at the last card of my hand, which was Eradicator, Yellow Gem Carbuncle.
Had I retired Vulcan in the previous turn by riding Vermillion instead of Descendant and using its limit break to attack both of his Vanguard and Vulcan at the same time, I could at least force him to attack with two lines, instead of three lines.
"Bahr boost, Lawkeeper attacks your Vanguard. Lawkeeper's skill, power +3000."
I could only stared in a defeated manner as my last card is not enough to block his Vanguard attacks at 21000 power. Homura was right, a mere difference of five thousand weighed down a lot.
It decided the victor and the loser.
"... No Guard."
"First check, nothing. Second check, nothing." Homura just plainly stated his drive check which contained no trigger at all. All that remained now was just whether I checked a heal trigger during my damage check or not.
As per my declaration, the image of Descendant lowered his head in defeat flashed before my eyes, as he merely watched the flame of judgment from Lawkeeper loomed above him stoitically. He stood dignified even if the fiery orbs of scorching inferno struck him without any mercy, creating a massive explosion that completely engufled him.
"... His attacks actually go through…"
"Damn, a mere weak card like Vulcan actually decides the outcome of the fight!?"
"Not yet! If Kai-kun manages to check a heal trigger, he can still fight!"
"Please, Kai! Get that heal trigger!"
"... Damage check…"
Everyone drew breath, as I flipped the last card from the top of my deck.
"... No trigger…" I slumped in defeat, along with my comrades as they all reacted in various disappointments as the last card was revealed to be Dragonic Kaiser Vermillion. As if it was a clear sign of my failure.
In the end, even with all of my boast, I failed to deliver the message that I wanted to give Homura, as he triumphed over me.
"... I've lost."
"Good Game, Toshiki Kai."
"... Yes, it was a good game."
That was the only response I uttered as the leftlover dignity I have as a Cardfighter in order to respond to a kind gesture after the fight was over.
But that doesn't matter anyway.
I've lost, and he won.
That's all that matters.
-To Be Continued-
Author Note:
Beta: Axe
Author Note: It's just a random inspiration after reading Stand up, my waifu and getting mentioned for it kinda sparks my interest.
Partly beta'ed, as I wanted to post this asap.
Oh well. I blame you
Again, I am not promising anything if I would ever write another chapter, as this is just a wish fulfillment for me. That's all, and I'll see you on the next fic.
[Jin's Superior Ride Kagero Deck Mk2]
2 Cruel Dragon
2 Dragonic Lawkeeper
2 Dauntless Drive Dragon
2 Dual Axe Dragon
2 Dragon Knight, Nehalem
1 Cross Shot Garp
2 Bellicosity Dragon
3 Berserk Dragon
4 Breath of Demise Vulcan
3 Wyvern Guard Barri
3 Breath of Origin Rolamandri
3 Bahr
2 Demonic Dragon Mage, Kimnara
2 Gojo
2 Embodiment of Spear, Tahr (Crit)
4 Blu-Ray Draco-kid (Crit)
4 Gatling Claw Dragon (Draw)
2 Dragon Dance Monica (Draw)
4 Dragon Monk Genjo (Heal)
1 Lizard Soldier Conroe (Starter)