041 Game: Let Me Show You What Card Printing Truly Means! (≖ᴗ≖)✧

As the first match of the semifinal elimination round came to an end, the second match—Yugi versus Jonouchi—followed immediately.

To be honest, after watching the entire duel, Youyi was certain: this was exactly the same as the original anime’s semifinal showdown between Yugi and Jonouchi! The only difference was that, with his appearance here, the exciting semifinal duel between Yugi and Jonouchi had been shifted from its original “semifinal” place to the “second elimination match.” But this didn’t change the fact that Yugi would ultimately emerge victorious.

Although Youyi had caused some changes, they weren’t so drastic as to reverse the outcome between two duelists with such a large gap in strength, compared to the original anime plot. So, there’s no need to elaborate further. If you’re curious, you can search for the remastered version of “Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duel Monsters” on Bilibili and watch episodes 33 and 34, which cover the Yugi versus Jonouchi duel.

…

“Now, the semifinals begin! Yugi Mutou versus Youyi!”

The entire morning had been spent on the duels between Youyi and Mai Valentine, and Jonouchi and Yugi. After everyone had lunch, rested, and adjusted their decks, the semifinal match was scheduled to start around one o’clock in the afternoon.

“Yugi! How about we make a promise?”

After shuffling and cutting his deck, standing at the red side’s operation table, Youyi leaned forward, hands pressed against the table, and shouted.

Yugi: ?

“In this duel, both you and I must unleash our strongest power! What do you say?”

“You don’t need to say it—I’ll fight with everything I have!”

In Yugi’s mind, no matter who he faced, giving his all was the greatest respect to both duelists. That’s what makes a “qualified duelist!” (Of course, there are always exceptions.)

“I knew it!”

Facing the original protagonist—his favorite character from the orphanage days, watching the anime—Youyi couldn’t deny his excitement and anticipation! Not only was he facing Yugi, but he also had to complete the new task issued by the system. No matter what, he would give his utmost in this battle! If possible, he wanted to win—defeat Yugi at this point in time!

“By the way, as for the outcome: if you win, you’ll naturally go on to duel Pegasus and accomplish your purpose for coming to this island. But if I win, I’ll take over your ‘mission’!”

“Sealing souls, using family as leverage to force you onto this island! No matter what, I have to step in!”

“Youyi…”

Youyi’s promise resolved Yugi’s lingering worry about “what if I lose.” He wanted to rescue his grandfather personally! But he couldn’t deny that Youyi’s strength was formidable. Such a strong opponent—even he couldn’t guarantee victory!

Now, since Youyi had agreed to help rescue his grandfather even if he won, Yugi Mutou would respond with two hundred percent of his power, honoring Youyi’s resolve!

“Duel!”

Yugi: 2000 LP
Youyi: 2000 LP

“I get the first move! I’ll summon ‘Celtic Swordsman’ in attack position!”

The duel platform determined that Yugi got the first turn. After drawing his opening five cards, he placed the Celtic Swordsman onto the field—a monster with no effects, later known as a “fodder swordsman.”

(Celtic Swordsman, Level 4, Attack: 1400)

“Alright, Youyi! Your turn!”

[Yugi: 2000 LP, hand: 4, monster zone: Celtic Swordsman, spell/trap zone: 0]

“My turn!”

Glancing at his starting five cards, then at the Celtic Swordsman on Yugi’s field, Youyi didn’t hesitate: he summoned a monster stronger than the swordsman, Sparkman.

“Sparkman has 1600 attack, Celtic Swordsman has 1400! Let’s battle!”

From a distance, Sparkman didn’t choose close combat. He gathered lightning in his hands, forming it into a dazzling golden sphere, then pushed it forward with both palms, sending the electric ball flying.

Confronted with the incoming electric ball, Celtic Swordsman gripped his sword tightly, raised it overhead, and as the ball neared within a meter, he brought the sword down with all his might!

“Boom!”

The sword split the electric ball in two, but at that instant, the two halves exploded. At nearly point-blank range, the swordsman met a tragic end.

(Yugi: 2000 LP → 1800 LP)

“Yes! First blood!”

Celebrating briefly, Youyi set a card face-down and passed the turn to Yugi.

[Youyi: 2000 LP, hand: 3, monster zone: Elemental Hero Sparkman, spell/trap zone: 1 face-down]

“My turn, draw!”

Looking at the card he drew, Yugi’s lips curled into a smile. He slid the card to the left side of his hand and drew the card from his thumb side, slamming it down onto the operation table.

“Attack summon ‘Dark Knight Gaia’!”

‘Neigh!’

A purple horse neighed as a knight wielding twin crimson lances rode onto the battlefield.

(Dark Knight Gaia, Level 7, Attack: 2300)

“Gaia! Attack Sparkman directly!”

Once summoned, Yugi commanded his monster to attack. In response, Youyi activated his face-down card:

“Trap card ‘Hero Barrier’! Negate Gaia’s attack!”

A metal shield flew from the card, spinning rapidly and arriving in front of Sparkman just in time to block Gaia’s lethal lance!

“Heh! I knew your face-down would be that card!”

“What?”

Feigning a tactical smile, Youyi frowned. Yugi had guessed his face-down card?

But so what if he did? Gaia’s attack was destined to be negated!

Yet, in the next moment, the card Yugi played left Youyi stunned—

“At this moment, I equip ‘Spiral Spear Strike’ from my hand to ‘Dark Knight Gaia’!”

What?! Spiral Spear Strike? Isn’t that a continuous spell card? When did it become an equip spell?… Wait! The real question is, how is Yugi playing a spell card that won’t exist until much later, at this point in time?!

Under Youyi’s amazed gaze, Yugi explained:

“Spiral Spear Strike is Gaia’s exclusive equip card. Just like your previous ‘Bubble Launcher’ and ‘Cyclone Boomerang,’ it has incredibly powerful special effects!”

Youyi: ?

“It can break through all ‘defenses’! Whether it’s a monster in defense position, or magic/trap cards with defensive effects, with Spiral Spear Strike equipped, Gaia treats them as ‘paper windows’—pierced with a single thrust!”

Youyi: !!!

Damn! Since when did Spiral Spear Strike have such an effect? Yugi, did you print this card yourself?!

In Youyi’s speechless gaze, Gaia, equipped with Spiral Spear Strike, pierced the metal shield before him, then increased his strength, blasting Sparkman who had been hiding behind the shield.

“Sparkman, destroyed!”

(Youyi: 2000 LP → 1300 LP)

“Amazing, Yugi! He took back the advantage so quickly!”

Jonouchi shouted excitedly from the spectator platform. He’d lost 200 life points in the first turn, but the next round, with a Gaia combo, Yugi turned the situation right around!