According to Kaiba's arrangements, the KC Cup is to be held within the entire Kaiba Land, with any corner of the amusement park becoming a tournament ground.
Contestants will be randomly assigned to predetermined duel locations in the park by the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" bingo machine.
The president seems to hope to increase foot traffic across various facilities in Kaiba Land, boost popularity, and ensure that visitors can witness wonderful duels in all areas of the venue.
The first phase is a qualifying round to determine the list of quarter-finalists. But because Youyu was given a free pass directly from the president, he can leisurely wander through Kaiba Land during the entire first phase without any obligations.
It wasn't until the end of the qualifying round, as the tournament moved into the quarter-finals stage, that the organizers sent him the location for his first KC Cup duel.
The duelists won't know who their opponents are until they arrive at their assigned locations.
Just like now—until Youyu arrived at the duel zone beneath the roller coaster track, he didn't know his opponent was...
...actually a player!?
The player was a cute and soft-looking girl with the ID "Cola Sprite" on her head.
Cola Sprite's eyes froze when she saw him.
In the very first round of the playoffs, she randomly got Youyu-san!
This luck is simply unmatched.
She has a premonition that this duel might make her famous!
The KC Cup duels attract great attention, and as the Duel King's Youyu's first match, naturally, there is even more focus.
Almost half of the card game enthusiasts had gathered to watch here, including players, NPCs, and even Youyu's professional recording assistant Lady Yue Hua.
Moreover, Cola Sprite isn't just any ordinary player.
The KC Cup had around seven or eight qualifying players, and so far only two have publicly made the final eight. One is Xue Lang who made it thrillingly by consistently leveling and the other is this Cola Sprite.
Though luck undoubtedly plays a part, it's clear her skill isn't lacking.
In fact, Cola Sprite is a well-known player from a certain card-playing guild.
Despite Linked World rapidly attracting many new players with its gaming prowess and current popularity, female card players are still in the minority.
Cola Sprite happens to be the guild's only female card player. With her decent looks and pure-style beauty, her matches naturally draw attention.
Sprite Girl took a deep breath and geared up for battle.
"Duel!" x2
[Youyu, LP 4000]
[Cola Sprite, LP 4000]
Though one of the only two players to make it to the final eight, Youyu only vaguely remembers this girl, thinking maybe they've met, but can't distinctly recall...
No chance to remember; he's interacted with far too many players to remember each one.
"I'm going first, draw!"
Cola Sprite took a deep breath, deciding to make this duel memorable whether she wins or loses, showcasing her style and flair.
"I'll set one monster in face-down defense mode, then set one Set Card, turn ends!"
With one Set Card in both front and back rows to start with, at least by current standards, it's a decent opening.
"Alright, it's my turn," Youyu announced, "Draw! I'm going to summon—Chocolate Magician Girl, attack position!"
The pure-looking magical girl descended lightly, flapping her devilish small wings, with lush dark green hair flowing from her magic hat.
[Chocolate Magician Girl, ATK 1600]
If the last street duel against Zigfried Lloyd was limited by its impromptu nature, the KC Cup's exposure this time is undoubtedly high.
The appearance of Chocolate Magician Girl instantly electrified the audience!
"Wow, she's so cute!"
"When are the developers releasing the new card box, I miss my waifus..."
"..."
"Chocolate Girl's effect, once per turn, discard one Spellcaster-Type card from hand," Youyu sent a card from hand to the graveyard, "Then draw one card from deck."
After drawing, he gestured: "Let's battle directly. Use Chocolate Magician Girl to attack the covered monster!"
The Chocolate Girl flew forward, raising her Small Magic Staff, and a pitch-black pulse wave shot forth like a tide, overturning the Set Card and revealing the hidden monster beneath.
It was a male angel in white robes, with large and full golden wings, a halo overhead, and his two gigantic wings crossed before him like shields.
[Radiant Angel, DEF 800]
The dark wave pierced through the layer of wings like a spear, also penetrating his figure. The angel groaned lightly, turning into a spectral light and disappearing from the field.
Youyu raised an eyebrow.
It's Radiant Angel...a Last Will Monster?
"Radiant Angel's effect!" Cola Sprite declared with a wave, "When he is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, special summon one Light Attribute Monster with 1500 ATK or less from the deck in attack position!"
She opened her deck, selecting the card she needed.
"Come forth, I special summon a second Radiant Angel!"
Golden light flew from her deck, transforming into the image of a second angel projected onto the field. The male angel fluttered his wings as he descended, golden feathers drifting in mid-air like snowflakes.
[Radiant Angel, ATK 1400]
"Set one card, turn ended," Youyu declared.
The magician girl's deck leans more towards defense instead of powerful assaults.
Despite her seemingly delicate frame and low attack power, the girls specialize in counter-attacks, growing stronger with resistance, akin to "using strength against strength," or "using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds."
As Youyu announced the end of the turn, he continued to observe the opponent.
Radiant Angel has an effect that retrieves any Light Attribute Monster with 1500 ATK or less from the deck after its destruction, which is a versatile ability. Just with this monster, Youyu cannot deduce the opponent's deck and strategy.
"It's my turn, draw!"
Upon seeing the card drawn, Sprite Girl's eyes lit up.
Here it comes!
"Activate Field Magic from hand—The Sanctuary in the Sky!"
A thunderous noise erupted, the ground shaking violently. A white palace rose from the ground, extending long stairways, with neatly arranged marble columns at the entrance.
The entire palace was veiled in a faint white mist, exuding an aura of solemnity and invulnerability.
"As long as Field Magic-The Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field, battle damage from Fairy-Type monsters to my side is 0."
She paused, drawing her next card.
"And this card," Cola Sprite now had a magic card appear before her, "Continuous Magic-The Fountain in the Sky!"
White mist ascended as the terrain within The Sanctuary was swiftly altered. In the middle of the field emerged the elemental spring, encircled by ornate white sculptures on either side, with the pond's water crystal clear and azure.
Youyu observed the field and the fountain, his mind quickly becoming active.
The Sanctuary in the Sky, huh...