HPDBC Chapter 16: Nothing is Free
Chapter 16: Nothing is Free
Chapter 16: Nothing is Free
[Yuna POV]
"I will set a monster and two cards face down!" I yelled in a frustrated tone: "Then I will end my turn!"
The eliminator tilted his head: "That's it? Seems like the show's going to reach its finale."
Ludere drew his card and laughed: "Oh? Who'd've guessed it's the Axe of Despair? Then you already know what I would do with it?"
I ignored Ludere as he reequipped Terrorking Archfiend with the Axe of Despair, and the monster regained its mighty strength.
[Terrorking Archfiend: Attack: 2000 -> 3000, Defense: 1400]
"Now, Terrorking Archfiend, attack her monster!"
The Archfiend raised its axe and smashed it into my defensive monster. My card was turned face up, revealing a hiding Battle Ox that easily fell to the fiend's blow. I watched with bitterness as the attack killed Battle Ox, and I grasped my cards so tightly that they creased from the stress.
"After that! I will summon Shadowknight Archfiend and boost my power even further!"
[Shadowknight Archfiend: Attack: 2000, Defense: 1600]
When it was my turn, I sighed pathetically: "I.... will set another monster and end my turn..."
I glanced at Mokuba, and he stared back with concern. Guilt washed over me, and I couldn't imagine the consequences if I lost.
Can I defeat him?
This eliminator was strong, abnormally strong...
Was I too arrogant?
My chest heaved, and I felt anxious to continue to play. My fingers trembled, and my legs felt weak; my confidence wavered as doubt sprouted from my heart.
"Sano!" Mokuba yelled, and I instinctively flinched.
"You beat my brother, right?! So what's there to be scared of!"
"Wha..." I muttered in a daze, but his shouting made me close my mouth.
"So defeat him!" Mokuba ordered in a loud voice.
Yes, he's right...
I took a deep breath and calmed down. I'm so stupid. The match still wasn't over yet! Like the old saying, as long as you have life points, even a losing fight can become a winning one!
"I will set a monster and end my turn!"
Ludere frowned: "I will summon Vilepawn Archfiend, then attack!"
[Vilepawn Archfiend: Attack: 1200, Defense: 200]
BOOOM
I subconsciously covered my eyes as my monster burst into pieces. However, I didn't give up and drew my card. My mind went into overdrive, and I thought of the best solution for me to survive.
Wait...
I was reminded of a card within my deck that could turn this situation around. I glanced at my deck and gulped. Come on, Heart of the Cards, don't fail me now!
"Set a monster, and my turn end."
Ludere: "I will attack!"
I draw...
"I will set a monster and end my turn!"
Ludere: "Stop fooling around and destroy her!"
I draw again...
"Tsk." I clicked my teeth and set one more monster face down.
I don't know how long I can last. Only two more normal monsters were left in my hand. I know I'm running out of options, but I can't give up now!
The Ludere picked up a card from his deck and smiled: "Your strategy won't work now. Time to end this once and for all!"
"I activate my spell card, Checkmate! I will tribute one Archfiend monster, and my Terrorking Archfiend can attack directly!" Ludere announced.
Attack directly.....
I gritted my teeth. Normally, this wasn't possible. However, if a card says so... Vilepawn Archfiend was suddenly absorbed into Terrorking Archfiend's axe, and the metal shinned with a dark purple hue. The demon raised its weapon, dashed toward me, and ignored my set monster on the field.
My eyes widened in shock as the monster swung its axe, and I watched in slow motion as the blade gradually closed in on my face...
[3rd POV]
"NO!" Mokuba screamed as Terrorking Archfiend slashed Yuna with its weapon.
Mokuba covered his face with his hands, and he couldn't bear to watch the scene playing out before him. There was silence, and a minute had gone by. Finally, out of curiosity, the boy peaked through the gap of his fingers.
His jaw dropped to the floor, and he stepped back in shock. Why was Yuna still remaining in
the duel?!
[Yuna Sano: 400 LP]
Terrorking Archfiend's axe was an inch away from Yuna's neck, and the demon seemed to be suppressed by an invisible force.
"I... I will reveal my trap card, Negate Attack. If a monster declares an attack, I can target that monster, negate the attack and end the battle phase." Yuna explained while stuttering lightly.
Terrorking Archfiend slowly returned to its original position. The demon let out a low grunt as if dissatisfied with failing to kill its prey.
[Yuna POV]
I took a deep breath and leaned against the podium. I won. I still couldn't believe it. This fight
was way too close to my liking. I truly felt I would've lost if I hadn't drawn the correct card in
time.
Wingbeat of the Giant Dragon wasn't the only spell removals I have in my deck, but strangely
I haven't drawn a single one yet. Finally, at the last desperation, I managed to get what I
wanted.
Man... I should really rebuild my deck...
I was brought down from the podium, and Mokuba eagerly ran towards me: "You did it!" He
cheered.
Seeing him so happy made me feel excited as well. However, I tried not to show it on my face,
or else his image of me would be ruined further.
"You...."
We stopped celebrating and noticed the haggard Ludere staggering towards us: "You you
you!"
He approached us with a crazed expression, and I blocked Mokuba with my arm: "L...leave." I
declared.
Ludere's expression darkened, and he smiled: "No."
"What do you mean no?! Sano defeated you, so scram!" Mokuba yelled from behind. "You brat." Ludere cursed and clenched his fist: "You will pay for saying that!"
He hastily approached us and raised his fist. I closed my eyes and was fully expecting to be, for
the first time in my life RKOed for winning a duel. However, the punch never came, and suddenly a painful howl reached our ears.
I hesitantly opened my eyes and saw Ludere clutching his head while screaming in pain. A
strange golden symbol appeared on his forehead, and he collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
After a while, Ludere slowly rises, staring blankly at the ground: "Good evening." He said in an entirely different tone: "I have to apologize for my subordinate's unmanly action." "Pegasus..." I muttered upon realization. "Indeed," Pegasus responded with an amused smile. The dazed Ludered glanced at Mokuba:
"Please refrain from leaving so abruptly next time; you've caused me a lot of trouble."
"What are you on about?! You kidnapped me!" Mokuba yelled in anger.
"Ah, that's too crude of a way of saying it," Pegasus calmly replied: "I'm just simply
relocating you."
I stared at the expressionless Ludere with wariness. His empty pupils met mine: "You must be wondering what happened to this man, well it's simple, sometimes losing a game can cost you more than you imagine, you know?"
I quietly analyzed Pegasus's choice of words, and my eyes widened. No way, did he really turn
that duel into a shadow Game without me realizing it?! Since when!? I gulped; if I really lost
back there, I would've lost much more than my star chips...
"Well, as this man promised, I will leave you guys alone," Pegasus announced, and Ludere's body slowly wobbled deeper into the forest.
"Oh," he stopped: "I look forward to more of your duels, Yuna...."
Before I could reply, Pegasus left, and the forest became quiet once more. Mokuba tiredly fell
to the ground: "What in the world was that?"
I felt exhausted and followed Mokbua and sat on the ground. I was still creeped out by what
happened but wasn't on guard as before. Despite how crazy Pegasus was, he always kept his word, so we should be safe tonight...
I yawned and prepared the sleeping bag. Unfortunately, I only brought one, so I gave it to Mokbua. I'm not as heartless as to let a child sleep in the open so he could have it. Thankfully, I brought a spare blanket, so it wasn't bad. I decided to wash up tomorrow as it
was already very late, and losing sleep was a big no! That night, I fell asleep feeling content,
knowing I seemed to have a better relationship with Mokuba and my soul was still intact with my body
Next Morning...
The birds chirped energetically, and the bright sun shone on my face. I begrudgingly opened
my eyes. I sat up and stretched; the sleep was more comfortable than I imagined, so I felt refreshed.
Mokuba was still asleep, so I quietly stood up and wandered into the forest. I found a small
creek to wash my body. I dipped my toes into the water, it felt cold but soothing, and I bathed in a cheerful mood.
When I returned, Mokuba was still asleep, so I made breakfast with the rations from my bag.
*Click*
"Don't. Move."
However, contrary to the peaceful morning I had hoped. I found myself before the barrel of a
gun, pointing straight at the back of my head.
I hope you enjoy