NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 6: Climax!
Both Lin Yaxuan and Zhang Tiansuo followed the most common path for third-tier Magic Card Masters: one monster card paired with an armament card to enhance their main combat monster. This was the most cost-effective strategy for third-tier Magic Card Masters.
The reason for this lies in the rules of Magic Card Master duels in this world. These rules are vastly different from the fantasy card battle systems Su Chengyang had encountered in his previous life. The biggest difference? In those fantasies, the duelist had their own life points, and the monsters would battle each other. Only after defeating the opponent's monsters could the duelist attack the opponent directly, reducing their life points to zero for victory.
But in the real Magic Card Master world, the rules are not like that.
In this world, the most important element for a third-tier Magic Card Master is their main combat monster. If the main combat monster is defeated, the duelist loses. This is because every Magic Card Master in this world possesses magic card imprints, which are required to summon monsters, armament cards, or activate spell cards. When a monster is summoned, one of the duelist's life imprints is engraved into the monster's body. This monster, bearing the life imprint, is what Magic Card Masters refer to as their main combat monster.
During actual combat in various otherworldly battlefields, once a Magic Card Master summons their main combat monster, they enter a state of absolute invincibility. This invincibility only ends when the main combat monster is defeated. For third-tier Magic Card Masters, transferring life imprints is not a quick process, so the death of their main combat monster is essentially equivalent to their own death in real combat.
The rules of Magic Card Master duels strictly follow the logic of real combat. Therefore, in third-tier duels, if the main combat monster is destroyed, the duelist loses. The importance of the main combat monster is decisive.
Additionally, since third-tier Magic Card Masters cannot yet wield spell cards and only have two magic card imprints, the optimal strategy is to focus on a single powerful main combat monster enhanced by an armament card. As Magic Card Masters advance in rank, the definitions of monster strength and duel rules will evolve accordingly.
"Explosive Rock Beast," Su Chengyang murmured.
In the arena, the Explosive Rock Beast's rocky arms were wreathed in demonic flames. Its massive, dark stone hands opened, and the flames coiled around its palms, distorting the air with intense heat. The fiery glow illuminated the surroundings, casting light on the Drama Master – The Smiling Jester, who stood not far away.
The Smiling Jester was 2.5 meters tall, humanoid, cloaked in a black robe, and wore a red-and-white mask that looked as if it had been freshly splattered with blood. Beneath the mask, its eyes glowed faintly blue, and the red mouth on the mask curved into an eerie smile. A cluster of demonic flames danced on its right shoulder, burning brightly.
Suddenly, the Smiling Jester inhaled deeply and swallowed the flames. Its health dropped from 1290 to 1200 points.
This action made Lin Yaxuan uneasy. Why would a monster willingly consume flames to weaken itself? Unless… it needed to weaken itself to unleash a devastating attack.
"Impressive," Zhang Tiansuo remarked, spreading his hands and shaking his head. "The Smiling Jester's health is down to 1200 points. Lin Yaxuan, I never expected you to hide your strength so well, even though we've been desk mates."
Magic Card Masters on the duel platform could choose to broadcast their conversations to the audience or keep them private. Lin Yaxuan and Zhang Tiansuo had opted for the former, so everyone could hear their exchange.
"I never tried to deceive anyone. I just chose not to speak," Lin Yaxuan replied calmly.
"Choosing not to speak? Then I can choose not to speak as well, right?"
"Mm."
"Alright, then I'll keep my secrets to myself," Zhang Tiansuo said with a smirk. He raised his right arm, and a dark light erupted from his palm. "Activate my talent – Shadow Strike! Smiling Jester, become shadow!"
Shadow Strike was Zhang Tiansuo's innate talent, allowing him to imbue his monsters with dark attributes. But now, it seemed his talent had another purpose. Combined with the Magician's Cloak armament card, the Smiling Jester completely transformed into a shadowy figure, as if it were a living, standing shadow.
Lin Yaxuan's eyes glowed crimson as she activated her own talent. "Explosive Rock Beast, use your magma to melt your enemy!" A red beam shot from her pupils, enveloping the Explosive Rock Beast. Its rocky exterior melted into molten lava, radiating intense heat. Drops of magma fell to the ground, hissing and emitting sulfurous fumes.
This was the final clash!
With its rocky armor melted away, the Explosive Rock Beast's speed increased dramatically. Steam billowed from its body as it roared and swung its arms, forming massive magma axes. It charged at the Smiling Jester, axes sweeping in a wide arc.
"If that hits, it's game over!" Zhang Mingyun exclaimed, clicking his tongue. "Old Su, why aren't you saying anything?"
"The Smiling Jester… something's off."
"Of course it is! I figured it out a while ago. That thing isn't just a Shadow Clan monster—it's a disguised Aberration Clan monster!" Zhang Mingyun said with a snort.
Su Chengyang nodded. Aberration Clan monsters were notoriously difficult to deal with.
On the arena, the Smiling Jester dodged in a zigzag pattern, retreating with each step. As it moved, it consumed the lingering demonic flames on the ground. In the blink of an eye, its health dropped from 1200 to 1050 points. It consumed another flame, and its health plummeted below 1000, settling at 985.
"ROAR—!!" The Smiling Jester suddenly stopped moving, standing still as the Explosive Rock Beast charged with its magma axes. The Smiling Jester's shadowy arms transformed into massive fingers, and it let out a piercing shriek. The sound waves were visible, rippling through the air as its body trembled and disintegrated into a puddle of shadowy sludge.
Only its outstretched shadow arms remained, the massive fingers growing more solid. One finger blocked the Explosive Rock Beast's axe, while the other gripped its waist, squeezing tightly with a sickening crunch.
"Haha—you fell for it!" Zhang Tiansuo laughed. "After reducing the Smiling Jester's health to 1 point, I converted the rest into the Heart-Rending Scythe! Strike!"
From the shadowy sludge, a translucent scythe shot out, effortlessly piercing through the Explosive Rock Beast's body.
Splat! Blood sprayed from the Explosive Rock Beast's back, and its left arm shattered into rubble, scattering across the ground. A gaping hole the size of a bucket appeared in its chest.
The suddenness of the attack stunned the audience. First and second-year students gasped in shock, while even some third-years were taken aback. The Smiling Jester, which had been at a disadvantage, had unleashed such a devastating attack in an instant.
Zhang Tiansuo smiled faintly. "A small gift, nothing much."
"Such a technique… you're a member of the Aberrant Card Cult!" Lin Yaxuan exclaimed in disbelief.
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(End of Chapter)