Yugioh [363-365] (Patreon)

Chapter 363: Motorcycle Duel?

4 AM.

The city drowned in the darkness of night. The pitch-black streets had no lights, not a single gleam, only a few figures wandering about like the walking dead.

Then, a roar thundered.

It was the roar of motorcycle engines, exploding like thunder. Kira and Iwao, one after the other, riding their bikes, tires leaving deep marks on the pavement, shrieking as they tore through the streets toward the power station.

To be honest, Kira hadn't expected at first that Iwao's so-called plan was simply to go full throttle on their motorcycles and force their way straight into the power station.

This big guy even brought guns for the operation, handing one to Kira.

Kira was surprised then, thinking, "Why does someone with a Duelist's License need something like this?"

"Sure, you can't take down zombies with bullets, but in an emergency, you can use it to buy time,"

Iwao had said.

So Kira brought it along, even though he still didn't see what good it would do.

Their motorcycles sped down the street, each burst of speed leaving the indistinct roars of countless zombies behind. The two figures darted between them as if riding the wind.

"Hahaha, eat my dust!"

Iwao laughed heartily.

"Looks like you're getting excited a bit too early," Kira said.

"What?"

Iwao was stunned for a second, but soon realized what he meant.

A third engine roared from behind, drawing closer and louder.

Blinding headlights shot around the corner behind them, slicing through the darkness like a blade. Another motorcycle burst through the zombie horde and quickly caught up, almost riding side by side with them.

"What the hell?!" Iwao yelled at the top of his lungs,

"Zombies can ride motorcycles now?!"

High-level, high-IQ zombies?

But Kira thought, "They can play Duel Monsters, so why would riding a bike be weird?"

But looking back, he couldn't be sure if it was a zombie. The figure wore a black bodysuit, a helmet, and a pitch-black visor that hid the face entirely—no way to confirm who they were.

Then, the rider seemed to speak.

"Do you really think you can get away?"

No, it didn't sound like speech—it was more like the voice rang directly in their minds. Deep and resonant, booming in their ears like thunder.

Then, a burst of thick, ink-black darkness erupted from the rider's body.

Yes, pure darkness, but it seemed almost tangible, twisting and writhing in the air. That mass of darkness even seemed to morph into a devilish, grinning face.

"What the hell is that?!"

Iwao shouted in shock, one hand gripping the handlebars, gunning the throttle, while the other drew his gun to fire behind them.

Completely useless. The bullets went straight through the black chaos, like shooting into water—except not even a splash.

The darkness morphed into twisted claws, reaching for them at speed.

"Silent."

As Kira spoke, a white magic circle appeared, the black claws smashing into it and instantly shredding into pieces.

Silent Magician flew out from the circle, staff in hand, clashing with the mass of darkness.

"A Duelist who commands spirits..."

The black-clad rider seemed surprised, but then let out a cold laugh with that powerful voice.

"Interesting. To think I'd find such a rare prey at this stage."

The darkness in the air withdrew, morphing over his arm into the shape of a Duel Disk.

"In that case, let's settle this as Duelists. Come!"

Iwao was even more shocked:

"We're really dueling while riding motorcycles?!"

"Sounds fun. I'm in."

Kira activated his Duel Disk as well.

Riding bikes and playing Duel Monsters was a perfect match.

He could sense that the person catching up had considerable dark power, definitely a boss-level figure. Even if he wasn't the root cause of the town's zombie crisis, he was clearly a top-level player.

"Duel!" x2

[Kira, LP 4000]

[Rider, LP 4000]

Three bikes raced close together, drifting elegantly around corners, speeding down the town's main road.

"I'll go first. Draw!"

The black-clad rider drew a card.

"I activate the Continuous Spell 'Burden of the Mighty.'"

The spell card's image floated beside his speeding motorcycle.

So this was the so-called early version of Riding Duels. Truth be told, it was just dueling while riding motorcycles.

"'Burden of the Mighty' reduces the ATK of all monsters on your field by 100 times their Level."

The Rider let out a strange, low chuckle.

"The strong must bear the burdens of strength. The greater the power, the heavier the weight."

Iwao curled his lip:

"Tch, so the higher the monster's Level, the greater the ATK drop, huh?"

The black rider said no more, slapping another card on his Duel Disk.

"I Normal Summon 'King Tiger!'"

A white-furred tiger appeared from the card, its muscular body and white armor gleaming, fangs bared.

[King Tiger Wanghu, ATK 1700]

But the summoned monster had to run alongside the motorcycles at full speed, which looked rather exhausting.

"Set two cards. Turn end."

Two set cards hovered a few centimeters above the ground, one on each side of his bike.

"My turn. Draw!"

Kira glanced at his hand.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards."

"Then I summon 'Tree Otter.'"

[Tree Otter, ATK 1200]

"Heh, got you."

Just as Kira's monster landed, the Black Rider let out a strange laugh.

"You've fallen into my trap.

Look at your monster!"

King Tiger roared, and transparent sound waves spread toward Kira's field. Tree Otter, just summoned, couldn't withstand the pressure and exploded into fragments.

"NANI?!" Iwao was stunned,

"Why did the monster just summoned get destroyed...?"

"King Tiger Wanghu's monster effect."

"As long as this card is on the field, any monster with less than 1400 ATK summoned or Special Summoned by either player is immediately destroyed!"

"I see, Tree Otter only has 1200 ATK," Iwao nodded.

"So, in this duel, only monsters with 1400 ATK or more can stay on the field."

That's not too bad. Low-ATK monsters aren't favored by top duelists anyway. Most decks probably don't even have monsters with less than 1400 ATK.

Wait, not right...

Iwao's pupils shrank. He quickly looked at the Spell Card floating next to the Rider's motorcycle.

Burden of the Mighty—every monster on the opponent’s field loses ATK equal to its Level x100.

If Kira summons a 4-star monster, its ATK drops by 400, so unless it has over 1800 ATK, it can't survive.

The problem just got serious.

Chapter 364: King Tiger Lockdown

"The combination of King Tiger Wanghu and Burden of the Mighty is pretty interesting,"

Kira admitted.

A different kind of summon lock. That was surprising, since he usually played these kinds of tactics himself.

Of course, Kira knew King Tiger Wanghu's effect—after all, it was once popular, especially when the metagame relied on low-ATK monsters.

"The 'Tree Otter' destroyed just now is a Beast monster,"

Kira revealed another card.

"When your own Beast monster on the field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, pay 1000 LP to Special Summon 'Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest' from your hand!"

[Kira, LP 4000 → LP 3000]

[Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest, ATK 2600]

Green Baboon thumped its chest and appeared at Kira's side, glaring through the wind.

"Oh? So you have a counter for King Tiger,"

The black Rider rasped,

"But even so, Green Baboon is a Level 7 monster, so it loses 700 ATK from Burden of the Mighty."

[Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest, ATK 2600 → 1900]

"That's enough," Kira declared,

"Green Baboon, attack 'King Tiger Wanghu!'"

With a roar, the Baboon charged at the rider’s bike, landing a punch that sent King Tiger tumbling far behind, shattering into fragments.

[Black Rider, LP 4000 → LP 3800]

"Nice!" Iwao cheered,

"That breaks the King Tiger lock!"

"Hah, you think it's that easy?"

The black Rider sneered. As he drifted around a corner, a massive black machine appeared beside him, scraping the ground and sparking as it turned.

A strange mist billowed out. When it cleared, King Tiger was back on the field.

[King Tiger Wanghu, ATK 1700]

"NANI?" Iwao gasped.

"Trap Card—'Time Machine.' When a monster is destroyed by battle, it returns to the field in the same position,"

the Rider explained.

"Nice move, but looks like you won't break through so easily."

Kira wasn't upset, just shrugged:

"Fine. Set three cards, turn end."

Both sides continued racing full speed toward the power station, weaving through zombies as they went.

Playing Duel Monsters really was good for the body—Kira realized that his spirit training and dark game powers really did enhance his stamina and reflexes.

Otherwise, normal humans could never duel at this speed.

Clearly, the opponent wasn't an ordinary human either.

"My turn. Draw."

The black Rider drew, tail-sliding to knock a zombie off the roadside.

Zombie: "???"

"I activate my set card—Trap Card, 'Sixth Sense,'"

Kira declared.

"Declare two numbers. Opponent rolls a die. If it lands on a declared number, I draw that many cards. If not, I send that many cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard."

Rider: "Oh? Which numbers do you choose?"

"Five and six, of course," Kira replied.

A virtual die appeared and rolled.

Number 4.

"Only 4, huh... that’s fine."

Kira sent the top four cards of his Deck to the Graveyard.

Sixth Sense was nearly always a win, usually just a question of how much you gained.

"Among the cards sent was 'Learning Elf.' When Learning Elf is sent to the Graveyard, I draw one card."

"Only 4. Looks like luck isn't on your side,"

The black Rider chuckled, then drew another card.

"You’re racing toward the abyss of despair, you just haven’t realized it yet. This card will push you closer to that endpoint.

I activate another Continuous Spell—'Burden of the Mighty!'"

Iwao couldn’t hold back:

"You have a second one?! Isn’t that overkill?!"

The Continuous Spell appeared alongside the rider, who threw his head back, laughing.

"With two 'Burden of the Mighty,' your monsters lose ATK equal to their Level x200! Green Baboon is Level 7, so it loses 1400 ATK!"

[Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest, ATK 1900 → 1200]

"A Level 7 monster with 2600 ATK, weakened to this point..."

Even Iwao, watching from the sidelines, grit his teeth.

"And with King Tiger on the field, any monster with less than 1400 ATK is destroyed on summon."

"Exactly!" the Rider laughed,

"Now, any Level 7 monster needs at least 2800 ATK to survive summoning. Even if you get one out, 3000 ATK drops to 1600, no longer a match for King Tiger."

Iwao gritted his teeth:

"What a despicable combo..."

But the black Rider seemed pleased with the compliment, and studied Kira, frowning under the helmet.

"Hmph, still acting calm in this situation?"

"Don’t worry, I’ll rip off that mask of yours soon enough.

I Normal Summon 'Slate Warrior.'"

[Slate Warrior, ATK 1900]

"Slate Warrior attacks Green Baboon!"

With double Burden of the Mighty, Green Baboon was powerless, taken out by a Level 4.

[Kira, LP 3000→2300]

The impact of the shadow duel sent a surge of darkness through Kira as Green Baboon was destroyed, causing his bike to wobble like a leaf in a current.

"I activate the trap 'Michizure.'"

Kira revealed another set card.

"When your monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, destroy a monster on the field. I choose 'King Tiger WAnghu.'"

The spirit of the Green Baboon grabbed King Tiger, dragging it to the underworld.

"I see, using a trap to get rid of King Tiger, breaking the summon lock and avoiding my second attack,"

the Rider observed.

"But it’s useless!

Continuous Trap—'Call of the Haunted!'

Revive a monster from the Graveyard in Attack Position!

King Tiger, return!"

Chapter 365: Solve It in One Minute

Call of the Haunted—King Tiger revived!

"Too bad. Looks like my King Tiger is still here,"

The Rider gloated.

"If you want to break the lock, you'll have to try harder. Still, making it this far is better than the last few duelists."

His voice lowered, becoming cold and sinister.

"You're making me want to savor your flavor even more. The better the duelist, the richer the taste..."

Iwao suddenly realized something, pupils contracting:

"You—Haoki and Gantaro—did you..."

"Oh, you're their friend, too?"

The black Rider glanced at him, then grinned.

"Yeah, I took care of them personally. Not bad, but not quite first-class. Then again, this is a small town, so I can't expect too much."

He looked at Kira playfully.

"But those two were interesting. Even at the end, they kept saying 'can't fall here,' 'I made a promise with so-and-so' and such.

Hahaha, it's hilarious. Duelists fighting to the last second, burning their souls to the extreme—that's the best bait!"

Iwao's knuckles turned white on the handlebars, glaring at the rider as if he could spit fire.

"You bastard..."

"That's right, keep that momentum," the Rider laughed,

"It's more fun to break you when you're fired up.

But don't worry, I'll take care of the main course first. You... you're just dessert."

He turned his attention back to Kira, waving his hand.

"King Tiger, direct attack!"

King Tiger lunged at Kira.

"Then, I activate my trap,"

Kira flipped his final set card.

"Trap Card—'Pinpoint Guard.'

When your opponent declares an attack, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from your Graveyard."

A card slid out of Kira's Graveyard.

"From the four cards sent to the Graveyard by 'Sixth Sense,' I Special Summon 'Fire Princess' in Defense Position."

A swirl of flames appeared, a silver-haired girl in fire, crouched defensively.

[Fire Princess, DEF 1500]

"Not a chance!" the black Rider shouted,

"Fire Princess’s original ATK is only 1300. King Tiger's effect: Any monster with less than 1500 ATK summoned or Special Summoned is destroyed!"

King Tiger roared, sending soundwaves at Fire Princess.

But a transparent wall of flame blocked the attack.

"What?!"

The Rider frowned.

"'Pinpoint Guard'—the monster Special Summoned by this trap can't be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn,"

Kira explained.

"So, you blocked it, huh,"

The Rider smirked.

"You're definitely a first-class duelist. I can't wait to taste your flavor..."

"Don't be so eager,"

Kira said calmly,

"The duel isn't over yet."

"Hah? But King Tiger's lock is still up. You need a 2200 ATK Level 4 to survive. You can barely even summon monsters—how can you win?"

"Who knows?"

Kira weaved between swiping zombies.

"The power station's almost here!"

Iwao shouted.

"Fine, I'll finish him in one minute,"

Kira nodded.

"My turn. Draw!"

"Hah?"

The black Rider glanced at him in disbelief.

Even Iwao was shocked.

Finish in a minute?

With King Tiger and double Burden of the Mighty?

"I activate 'Foolish Burial' to send a monster from my Deck to the Graveyard,"

Kira announced.

He slid a card into the Graveyard.

"Send my second 'Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest' to the Graveyard."

"Then I activate 'Monster Reborn.'"

A green revival symbol appeared above Kira.

"I can revive a monster from the Graveyard."

"Your strongest monster in the Graveyard is Green Baboon, but even if you revive it, its ATK drops to 1200 and gets destroyed by King Tiger,"

the Rider said.

"No, I'm reviving another card milled by 'Sixth Sense.'"

Kira revealed his choice.

"Special Summon 'Ancient Crimson Ape.'"

[Ancient Crimson Ape, ATK 2600]

"But Ancient Crimson Ape is Level 7 too. Double Burden of the Mighty drops its ATK by 1400."

[Ancient Crimson Ape, ATK 2600 → 1200]

"I don't know what you're planning, but that ATK can't beat my King Tiger. Destroy it!"

King Tiger roared, sending soundwaves at Kira's field.

"Chain to King Tiger's effect, I activate Quick-Play Spell 'Concentrating Current.' Target one monster I control; it gains DEF as ATK for this turn. Other monsters can't attack this turn."

He pointed at the Ancient Crimson Ape.

"Ancient Crimson Ape gains 1800 ATK."

[Ancient Crimson Ape, ATK 1200 → 3000]

"King Tiger doesn't destroy monsters with 1400+ ATK upon effect resolution,"

the Rider said.

"So you saved your monster for now and can beat King Tiger. But next turn, its ATK drops back to 1200."

"No, there won't be a next turn,"

Kira smiled,

"I said I’d solve it in a minute, remember?"

"What?"

The Rider frowned.

Could he really wipe out 3800 LP from this position in one turn?

"Normal Summon 'Ojama Yellow.'"

[Ojama Yellow, ATK 0]

"Hah, all talk—this is the best you can summon?"

The Rider sneered, waving his hand.

"This weakling won't even see battle. King Tiger, destroy it!"

King Tiger roared, and Ojama Yellow shattered instantly.

"But 'Ojama Yellow' is a Beast," Kira said,

"When a Beast on my field is destroyed, the Green Baboon in my Graveyard’s effect activates. Pay 1000 LP to Special Summon it."

[Kira, LP 2300 → 1300]

"Green Baboon, revive!"

"What are you doing? Even if you revive Baboon, it drops to 1200 ATK and gets destroyed. You're just wasting LP..."

"Not at all,"

Kira replied,

"'Ancient Crimson Ape's effect: When a monster you control is destroyed, you gain 1000 LP.'"

[Kira, LP 1300 → 2300]

"It's still net zero,"

the Rider said coldly,

"Pointless."

"Is it, though?"

Kira smiled.

"And there's this card."

"Huh?"

Kira pointed at the Fire Princess on his field.

"Fire Princess' effect: Whenever I gain LP, deal 500 damage to you."

She cast a fireball at the black Rider's bike, flames swirling over him.

[Black Rider, LP 3800 → 3300]

"All that effort for just 500 damage,"

He scoffed,

"But your Baboon will be destroyed next..."

But then he froze, as if realizing something terrifying.

[Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest, ATK 2600 → 1200]

Baboon, summoned, is immediately suppressed by Burden of the Mighty, then destroyed by King Tiger.

"Of course, Baboon's ATK drops and it's destroyed on summon,"

Kira smiled.

"But remember, at the start of this turn, I sent a card to the Graveyard?"

"That Baboon... don't tell me—"

"Correct. Second Green Baboon. When a Beast you control is destroyed, pay 1000 LP to Special Summon from the Graveyard."

[Kira, LP 2300 → 1300]

"And 'Ancient Crimson Ape' again: when a monster you control is destroyed, gain 1000 LP."

[Kira, LP 1300 → 2300]

"And for every LP gain, Fire Princess deals 500 damage!"

Kira waved his hand.

Another fireball blasted the black Rider.

[Black Rider, LP 3300 → 2800]

"Urgh..."

He struggled to control his motorcycle, breaking into a cold sweat, unable to say "just 500 damage" anymore.

Even the slowest person would realize—

This was...

AN INFINITE LOOP!

Iwao realized it too, his mouth open in shock.

Kira was actually using the King Tiger lock against its owner, creating a self-sustaining loop.

He looked at Kira again, and suddenly felt that Kira's calm demeanor was saying—

"You want to play dirty with me?

You're about 20,000 years too early."

"That's right. Every time Green Baboon is destroyed, the other revives by paying 1000 LP. Every revival triggers Burden of the Mighty and King Tiger, so it gets destroyed again.

With two Baboons, this can go on infinitely.

Each cycle, 'Ancient Crimson Ape' restores 1000 LP, and Fire Princess inflicts 500 damage—endless."

"At the end of the loop, the damage you take is..."

Fire Princess raised her staff, gathering an enormous fireball.

The black Rider's visor reflected the blazing orb as he gritted his teeth:

"Infinite..."

"Correct,"

Kira smiled,

"Here's your reward: one infinite fireball."

The Fire Princess’s staff came down. Like a Spirit Bomb, crashed onto the black bike.

[Black Rider, LP 0]

PS; bro, help Kira create an infinite loop lmao.