"Eh, both contestants seem quite motivated before the match—"
The MC lightly coughed, maintaining control over the scene.
This strange duelist was a genius officer personally selected by the Elder Council, a typical elite upper-level duelist who looks down on everyone except Jack Atlas. Unexpectedly, this time he's trash-talking with people from another dimension.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, he quickly shifted the focus back.
"The Friendship Cup is a duel that promotes peace and friendship between two worlds. Today is the second day of the Friendship Cup—
The contestants are…
From Sector Security, the genius officer, Reo!
And, from another dimension, the duelist who commands various elemental heroes—Yuki Judai!"
"Hero? Pfft, hahaha, isn't being a hero way too childish?"
Not only Judai, but even Ed, who watched the broadcast specifically because Saiou predicted Judai would appear today, couldn't help but frown.
"Hey… take back that statement." Judai was thoroughly enraged, "Don't crush a child's dream!"
"Hmph—" Reo sneered casually, saying no more.
Elemental Heroes in their world are nothing but a 'trash deck' that nobody uses!
"Duel!"
Elite officer, genius officer, Reo LP: 4000.
Duel Academy, Yuki Judai LP: 4000.
"It's my turn, summon in Defense Position, Giant Rat, set a card, end turn!"
Giant Rat, LV 4, Earth Attribute, Beast-Type, DEF 1450.
Reo quickly ended his turn.
"What's that, is that all?"
Many viewers from this world shook their heads at this move.
Hiding Giant Rat in defense to wait for death—this isn't an uncommon sight, can this really be called an elite duelist or genius officer?
"Be careful, Judai, he might have some strange trap."
"Ah, I understand." Judai nodded lightly upon hearing Wingman's words, but paid little mind.
"Normal Summon, Sparkman, attack with Sparkman!"
Elemental Hero Sparkman, LV 4, Light Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 1600.
This experienced warrior was summoned and attacked directly by Judai on the stage of another dimension for the first time. As per Judai's intention, he wanted to test with Sparkman's attack to see if there were any traps. Unexpectedly, Sparkman's attack went smoothly, crushing the Giant Rat instantly.
"Giant Rat's Monster Effect, when this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon one Earth Attribute monster with ATK 1500 or less from the Deck. I will Special Summon a second Giant Rat!"
Another giant rat appeared on his field.
Judai furrowed his brow, puzzled.
Is that all?
Could it be, he's simply using Giant Rat to block attacks, then preserving monsters for Synchro Summoning?
"Set one card, end turn."
Today's opening is a very simple monster face-off.
"Hmph, so even you, who struggle against rats from the Lower Area, can only fight rats." Reo continued his trash talk.
"Hey, you," Judai, so angry at this point, calmed down instead, feeling more puzzled, "From what I've heard from Mr. Yusei over the past two days, the differences between the Upper Area and Satellite Area are merely due to a reversal explosion in the Satellite Area. Otherwise, there would be no difference. Why use such a reason to demean equal people?"
Because Tenjo Hikari was hanging around Yusei's place these past few days, occasionally watching him fine-tune his D-wheel; Judai would also check in out of curiosity, wanting to experience everything there, even to duel with Yugo and Yusei during this free time. He naturally asked questions like why the Satellite Area exists and why there's an Upper Area.
From what he learned, this city originally had no distinction between nobles and commoners. Everyone lived in one city, but due to an experimental incident, this demeaning and hostility arose, which seems absurd.
"Equal?
Don't be mistaken; everyone has a place they should be in. Some are born to be in the sewers, while others can enjoy everything—that's the world."
"Like this so-called 'Hero' of yours, have you considered those ordinary people who have no opportunity to enter this world and can only watch you on TV, and the gap between them and you?"
"You…"
Judai's face darkened further.
Watching the broadcast, Ed subconsciously struck the table.
One's 'place'?
How similar is that to the notion of 'destiny'?
But—what Reo says is simply unacceptable.
"Do you think, by boasting here, saying heroic words, and throwing a few words at me, an elite from the Upper Area, you are doing some heroic deed? No, this changes nothing!" Reo sneered, "After you leave, those from the Satellite Area will still be chased underground by the police, while the people from the Upper Area will use new technology gained from communicating with you to make the Upper Area even better.
In fact, your presence might even take over the rare buildings Satellite Area worked hard to preserve—"
"This is reality; you're no hero, just a student of dueling! You can't do anything."
Reo continued pointing fingers.
He had just graduated from the academy and became an elite of Sector Security, attaining the 'genius' title, supported by the Elder Council, achieving great success in 'hunting' Satellite Area trash.
This gave him a sense of superiority, feeling entitled to lecture Judai, still a student, on the real 'truth of life.'
"Now, I'll show you where a so-called 'Hero' should be!" He drew his card and revealed his hand, "Normal Summon Jutte Fighter.
Use the LV 2 Jutte Fighter and LV 4 Giant Rat for Tuning!
Synchro Summon—LV 6, Goyo Guardian!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, the whip with Steel Lock continually spun in the air, and a samurai resembling a traditional Japanese guard appeared in the field, laughing.
Goyo Guardian, LV 6, Earth Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 2800.
"LV 6 with 2800 Attack Power!?"
"Oh oh oh! Our contestant Reo has unveiled his Synchro Monster, a powerful monster with 2800 Attack Power!"
"Battle, Goyo Guardian, attack Sparkman!"
Goyo Guardian whipped its chain towards Sparkman, with a resounding bang, causing Judai's Life Points to drop sharply.
Duel Academy, Yuki Judai LP: 4000→2800.
"Next, Goyo Guardian's effect: when this card destroys a monster by battle, Special Summon that monster in Defense Position on my field!"
Upon speaking, Sparkman was entangled by the chained steel lock, dragged to his field under the shock of the Electric Shock Chain. Though attempting to struggle, Sparkman could only submit, waiting in defense.
Elemental Hero Sparkman, LV 4, Light Attribute, Warrior-Type, DEF 1400.
"Elemental Heroes need Monster Cards for Fusion Summoning, right? Now that your monster is sealed on my field, how will you Polymerize? Honestly, this type of deck has long gone out of style in our world." Reo crossed his arms, shaking his head, "For such a common deck, I suggest you give up soon."
"… when you activate your Monster Effect, I'll activate my Trap Card—Hero Signal, activated when a monster on the field is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard. Special Summon a LV 4 or lower Elemental Hero from the Hand or Deck. I Special Summon, Elemental Hero Bubbleman."
Elemental Hero Bubbleman, LV 4, Water Attribute, Warrior-Type, ATK 800.
Judai watched the card of The Shining Hero be placed onto the opponent's field, followed by summoning Bubbleman onto his field, then sent Hero Signal used to effect to the Graveyard.
"Bubbleman's Monster Effect, activated upon successful Summon·Special Summon·Flip Summon when there are no other cards on your field. Draw two cards from the Deck."
Judai drew two cards with a blank expression.
"What's going on, that aura from Judai." Manjome swallowed.
Frightening—extremely frightening!
"Cut, futile resistance." Reo shook his head, "Then I'll end my turn like this."