You have my thanks.
You Ye smiled faintly, accepting the silver duel disk. Inwardly, though, he couldn't help but grow curious about Bai Yun'er's father.
Setting aside the obvious test hidden behind all this, it was hard to dislike a man who — whether You Ye accepted the duel or not — still sent him cards and even gifted him a duel disk. That level of composure and foresight was impressive.
Of course, being cautious was still necessary.
As for the worry of "data leaks" through their dual disk? Impossible. Every duel and every card was protected by the Duel System's laws. Unless the duelist themselves disclosed information, no one could access it. Duel disks made by major families were mostly about appearance and convenience, not secrets.
"Could you wait a bit? I need to adjust my deck," said You Ye, drawing out his card box and giving Wu Ping a polite smile.
"Of course." Wu Ping nodded respectfully, retreating to stand quietly behind Bai Yun'er once more.
"Ping Auntie, what's going on?" Bai Yun'er asked in a low voice, a hint of discontent flickering in her eyes.
"You Ye is my mentor in deck construction — I told Father he helped me, and he said to thank him. How did that turn into a test?"
Her upbringing kept her from raising her voice, but she couldn't hide her frustration.
Wu Ping merely bowed slightly. "Miss, the gratitude will be given, don't worry. But the Patriarch has his own considerations."
"I see. Just… try not to lose too badly, all right? You're representing my father—and our family."
Wu Ping smiled faintly. "Understood. I'll keep that in mind."
She looked up at You Ye with quiet focus. The Patriarch had been very specific before she left: Go all out.
He had even said this man — this "You Ye" — might be someone their Bai family, or perhaps even stronger clans, should consider befriending or recruiting. His strength and intellect were beyond measure.
Half an hour later, You Ye finished fine-tuning his deck.
Satisfied, he gave a small nod.
Because he still hadn't drawn the key Tearlaments cards he wanted in years, he'd spent the last four years using his reward selections to gather staples and generic tech cards. They were easier to trade and would serve him later, once he could finally complete a field of his choice.
"Let's begin!"
Although he hadn't actually used a duel disk in this world before, ten years of experience from Master Duel made the device familiar enough. He slotted his deck into the silver wristband, raised his arm, and issued the duel challenge.
Wu Ping nodded in response. "Understood. Please, show me your skill."
The duel began.
Bai Yun'er, Sheng Ning, and Mu Ning all stood together to watch.
As soon as they saw the field appear behind You Ye, Bai Yun'er's eyes widened slightly.
"Runick…?"
She'd only heard Sheng Ning mention that deck before — a field so frustrating that it could make one question their life choices. Now she wanted to see it for herself.
Sheng Ning and Mu Ning exchanged glances. Their expressions turned serious. Both of them were just as curious — which version of the Runick deck was You Ye using? Pure Runick, or a hybrid?
You Ye (8000 LP) vs. Wu Ping (8000 LP)
Wu Ping won the coin toss and chose to go first.
Turn 1 — Wu Ping
"I activate the Normal Spell Red-Eyes Insight!" she declared.
"I send one 'Red-Eyes' monster — I choose Red-Eyes Thunder Emperor – Malicious Fiend — from my deck to the GY, and add a 'Red-Eyes' Spell or Trap that isn't 'Red-Eyes Insight' to my hand. I choose Red-Eyes Fusion!"
She revealed the card and immediately continued,
"I activate Red-Eyes Fusion! I send Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Summoned Skull from my deck to the GY to Fusion Summon!"
A circle of red light erupted behind her.
"Descend, fusion of dragon and devil—Archfiend Black Skull Dragon!"
With a thunderous roar, a massive black-scaled dragon stood on its hind legs, crimson flames bursting from its fanged jaws.
Its presence alone sent waves of oppressive heat through the shop.
Archfiend Black Skull Dragon
[Dragon / Fusion / Effect / DARK / Level 9]
ATK: 3200 / DEF: 2500
"Oh? A Red-Eyes deck?" Sheng Ning's expression twisted slightly. "And she summoned such a powerful monster that easily? Even as a servant, this woman's strength isn't ordinary."
Bai Yun'er only smiled faintly. "Sister Sheng, remember who her opponent is."
She wasn't worried at all. After all, she herself had used the deck structure You Ye gave her and achieved twenty consecutive wins in Master Duel, leaping from Bronze to Silver in a single night.
If someone could build that kind of deck, then with a full Runick set in hand, could they really lose?
Mu Ning smirked. "Exactly. Think about it — You Ye, and Runick. He's not going to lose. The only mystery is how fast he wins."
Sheng Ning thought for a moment, then nodded. "Fair point."
Runick wasn't a deck known for its raw attack power, but for its relentless control and advantage generation. Against a straightforward Red-Eyes deck, You Ye had every edge imaginable.
Meanwhile, You Ye stood across from the roaring dragon, his pulse quickening.
After ten years in this world, this was his first real duel — his first time feeling the spiritual pressure radiating from a monster brought to life.
The difference between Master Duel and real-world dueling was staggering. The power, the atmosphere, the emotion — it was everything he'd dreamed of.
"So this is what it feels like…" he murmured, eyes shining.
Wu Ping, watching his trembling hands, realized it wasn't fear but excitement.
Choosing caution, she set two cards facedown.
"I set two and end my turn."
Turn 1 — You Ye
"My turn! Draw!"
He drew a card, glanced at it, then looked up. "Anything during Draw or Standby?"
Wu Ping shook her head. "Proceed."
"Then I enter my Main Phase One."
"I activate the Spell Upstart Goblin — I draw one card, and you gain 1000 Life Points."
(Wu Ping: 9000 LP)
"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Runick of Stormy Winds! I Special Summon one 'Runick' monster from my Extra Deck, then I skip my next Battle Phase!"
"Come forth — Runick Wings – Hugin!"
The radiant, blue-winged fairy dragon descended beside him.
"When Hugin is Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I discard one card to add the Field Spell Runick Fountain from my Deck to my hand!"
"I activate Runick Fountain!"
"And next—Quick-Play Spell, Runick of Golden Droplets! You draw one card, then banish the top four cards of your Deck!"
The golden runes whirled around Wu Ping, four cards vanishing from her deck into shimmering light.
But You Ye wasn't finished.
"I activate another Quick-Play Spell — Runick Dispelling! Since you added a card to your hand outside of your Draw Phase, you discard one random card, then banish the top two cards of your Deck!"
Two more cards vanished into nothingness.
"And now, the effect of Runick Fountain! Each time I activate a Runick Quick-Play Spell, I can target up to three Runick Spells in my GY, return them to my Deck in any order, and draw the same number of cards! I target Dispelling, Golden Droplet, and Stormy Winds!"
The fountain glowed brilliantly—
Wu Ping suddenly snapped, Chain 2! I activate my Set card, Raigeki Break! I discard one card and target your Field Spell — Runick Fountain — to destroy it!
The bolt of lightning exploded across the field.
Not good! Bai Yun'er gasped. If his Runick Fountain is destroyed, the chain will resolve, but the draw effect won't activate. He'll lose his resource loop!
Wu Ping smirked slightly. Let's see how your Runick performs without its fountain…
The chain was resolving — and You Ye hadn't chained anything else.