Tania burst into laughter.
"Alright." She looked expectant, "You're different from those other guys, I can feel it. You have a strong aura on you.
Don't let me down."
"I'll do my best to satisfy you, sister," Yugen replied. "However, since we're having an underground duel, we should establish some rules beforehand. For example, if you win, what happens then?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Tania put her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest boastfully, and said boldly.
"If I win, then naturally you should obey my commands. I see a hint of kingly power in you, so if I win you must become my dragon-riding consort..."
"Stop right there."
Yugen made a halt gesture.
"What if I win?"
"You win?"
Tania's demeanor changed, suddenly appearing coquettish, batting her eyes enticingly. But with her muscular build, her flirtation felt out of place, causing not excitement but a strange feeling of unease.
"If you win, then I'll be yours. Naturally, I'd offer myself to you and stay by your side from then on..."
Yugen: "..."
So no matter what, you come out ahead?
You're invincible, huh.
"Hehe, let's skip the offering myself part," Yugen smiled.
Though Tania's type seemed to appeal to Mitsuzawa, Yugen wasn't particularly interested. Especially after knowing that she was actually a tigress.
This isn't a figurative expression but rather literal. After her duel with Judai, Tania revealed her true form after being defeated. She was indeed a tigress, possibly a Monster Spirit of the Amazon Race, hence she could gain wisdom and transform.
So, Yugen had always admired Mitsuzawa's choice, knowing the opponent was a tigress yet still unwavering. It showed the courage reminiscent of the hero Xu Hanwen from the past.
Perhaps this is true love.
"Let's skip the offering myself part," Yugen chuckled, opening his Duel Disc. "But if I luckily win, I might ask you for a small favor."
He knew Tania was a card enthusiast with a thought process similar to Judai's, and she joined the Seven-Star just for excitement, seeking strong men to fuel her card addiction.
She had no grand ambitions or evil plans and wasn't loyal to the Seven-Star Organization or the Master of Seven-Star. Approaching her from this angle wasn't a bad choice.
Tania giggled again: "If you beat me, we're like family; why talk about small favors? Why be so formal with family?"
Yugen: "..."
"No more words, I'm itching to fight. Let's duel!" Tania exclaimed.
"Duel!" x2
[Yugen, LP 4000]
[Tania, LP 4000]
"Then I'll start with the first move on my side."
"Okay~" Tania chuckled, "Mr. Revolver doesn't need to hold back; attack me with all your strength! I can take it~"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Yugen said.
"Then I'll summon a monster in Face-down Defense Position. Next, I activate this card.
The Field Spell 'Stone-Throwing Area'!"
The stone-throwing field unfolded, as if a river was stretching across, separating both sides of the field. A huge stone-throwing device landed on Yugen's side.
"Then I'll set a Covering Card and end my turn."
"A face-down monster and a Cover Card, what thoughts does Mr. Revolver hide behind his Cover Card?" Tania's eyes were full of electricity, "Tania is truly looking forward to it."
"Looking forward to it? Don't worry, you'll find out," Yugen smiled.
In the original story, Tania had the same reaction throughout her duel with Mitsuzawa, which completely shattered Mitsuzawa's resolve and caused him to lose his usual composure in the duel. The Duelist's "aura" was also affected.
Yugen understood this was part of her duel tactics. Trash talk was an effective weapon in a duel, just like how seafood heads could increase the probability of a Divine Draw when they persuaded opponents with Mouth Escape.
However, Yugen wasn't adept at Mouth Escape, so he wasn't comfortable using the traditional methods favored by seafood head players.
But that didn't matter; he had his own method. Disrupting the opponent's mindset to interfere with their "aura," though a different route, operates on a similar principle, achieving the same effect.
Tania's antics during the duel, being cute and winking, were similar tactics to mentally overpower her opponent's "aura."
"My turn, draw a card!"
Tania said.
"Activate the Magic Card 'Angel's Charity.' Draw three cards from your deck, then discard two cards from your hand."
"Next, I summon 'Amazonian Swordsmen'!"
The familiar red-haired swordsman swung his sword onto the field, but this time he was on the opposite side.
[Amazonian Swordsmen, Attack Power 1500]
"Amazonian Swordsmen can reflect battle damage when fighting." Yugen said, "Oh dear, starting with a troublesome monster indeed."
"As expected of Mr. Revolver, truly knowledgeable. Now, Tania will proceed."
Tania threw another flirtatious look, but the vibe shifted in the next moment, her voice suddenly turning rough. Like a general leading in battle, calling out orders with a valiant voice.
"Battle! Amazonian Swordsmen, attack the face-down Defense monster!"
The swordsman thrust forward with a long sword, leaping to chop. The cover monster flipped, revealing a small angel with wings.
[Skeleton Angels, Defense Power 400]
"When Skeleton Angels flip up, I draw one card from the deck."
Yugen drew a card.
"But your angel will still be destroyed by 'Amazonian Warriors.'" Tania said.
"Is that so? That's questionable," Yugen chuckled.
Tania frowned: "What?"
"The effect of the Field Spell 'Stone-Throwing Area.'" Yugen said, "When a monster on your field is destroyed in battle, as a substitute, you can send one Rock Race monster from your deck to the graveyard to prevent your monster from being destroyed in battle."
Yugen's Duel Disc initiated an automatic search, and a card quickly ejected. Yugen drew the card, and the deck shuffled automatically in the slot.
"I send the Rock Race 'Regenerating Stone Man' from the deck to the graveyard, so that 'Skeleton Angels' won't be destroyed in battle."
A rocky illusion appeared before the little angel, forming a transparent shield that blocked the Amazonian long sword. The Amazonian Swordsmen's attack was thwarted, returning unsuccessfully.
"Relying on the field to protect monsters." Tania remarked.
"That's not all; the effect of 'Regenerating Stone Man' is also activated."
Yugen calmly drew the card he just sent to the graveyard.
"Once per turn, when 'Regenerating Stone Man' is sent to the graveyard, I can choose to return it to my hand or Special Summon it.
I choose to Special Summon 'Regenerating Stone Man.'
[Regenerating Stone Man, Defense Power 2100]
"Oh, using defense and offense, turning my attack into a summon of a new monster?"
Tania's lips curled up, battle spirit flickering in her eyes.
"Interesting, looks like I've finally met a worthy opponent."