NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 77: DSMW [77]
Don't be sad, girl. Even though your A+ rank can't compare to Nia's... um... "monster" tier, at least you've got one more plus sign than the
Don't be sad, girl. Even though your A+ rank can't compare to Nia's... um... "monster" tier, at least you've got one more plus sign than the guys.
After the ridiculous Mystic Mine rank test, the opened stone gate led into another space connected beyond the stalactite cavern.
A completely different style of area. The first thing the four saw after the stone door opened was a series of winding, twisting walls.
The area behind the stalactite cavern had already been huge. But this maze ahead... was downright jaw-dropping.
Everyone was stunned that such a vast space existed under Fusion Academy.
Why did the Academy build such a massive underground area?
Or perhaps... this underground space existed long before the Academy, and the school was simply built above it.
Regardless, the fact that the heavy iron door had been chained shut proved that the Academy definitely knew about this underground area.
"First Mystic Mine, now a maze?"
Miles stroked his smooth chin thoughtfully.
If this underground space was also the manifestation of a Field Spell like before...
Even digging deep through his not-so-complete Yu-Gi-Oh! memory, Miles couldn't recall any Field Spell that fit a maze theme.
But if you mentioned the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! anime... the most iconic maze setting was obvious. Though it was called a maze, thanks to the guiding light from the Dystopia God card, they didn't hit a single dead end. It only took them about ten minutes to reach the exit.
Aisha said to herself in her and Miles' mindspace, "This is totally my new personal best for clearing a maze!"
Well... most people wouldn't have a maze-clearing experience in their entire lives.
Hopefully, she wouldn't get lost in the real "maze" of life.
"Ai—"
"Miles, don't drop heavy life advice all of a sudden!"
At the exit, a huge platform awaited. Its floor divided into grid squares, much like a Duel Monster field.
Miles recognized it instantly—This was a Duel Arena. A relic of early Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, long since rendered obsolete by Duel Disks.
Regardless, the scene unfolding before him... perfectly matched what he remembered.
"Looks like a duel is about to start."
Miles voiced his hunch.
"Duel? Against who?"
Scanning the quiet yet complex surroundings, Kevin looked confused.
"There's a hint here, just like in the last room."
Rovik, again the first to spot it, pointed out a clue carved into the maze walls.
This time, the hint was simpler: just two lines.
"If you want to proceed, step onto the Duel Arena and win a Tag Duel against the Maze Guardians!"
"Remember, it HAS to be a Tag Duel!"
"Step onto the Duel Arena? What does that mean?"
"I think this is it," Miles said.
He stepped forward and slapped the duel table mounted on the platform.
A square-shaped Duel Arena, with space at each corner for Duelists to stand—perfect for a 2v2 Tag Duel.
"Hmph, so that's how it is. A Tag Duel on this arena. Interesting!"
Seeing Aisha already step onto the Duel Arena, Kevin immediately joined without consulting anyone, leaving no room for the other two.
Aisha asked, "But the most important thing... where are the so-called Maze Guardians?"
Miles wondered the same. This dim underground space, even with glowing microorganisms, didn't look like somewhere people would live.
Just as Miles was puzzling over it, the Duel Arena, triggered by their Spirit Eyes' magic, began to activate.
With heavy mechanical sounds and a projector-like device spinning up, two bald men in oriental robes appeared as holographic projections across from them.
"Welcome to the Duel of the Underground Maze!"
"We are the Maze Guardians, known as the Paradox Brothers!"
Though their semi-transparent images weren't physically real, the "迷" (mei) and "宮" (kyū) characters on their foreheads left Miles speechless at how perfectly they captured the original anime feel.
Whoever designed this underground setup had definitely seen the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series.
Kevin eyed the Paradox Brothers and nodded in understanding.
"I see... So we need to defeat the Maze Guardians in a duel. I like this kind of challenge."
Compared to the last "cup size measurement" trial, Miles had to admit—he preferred this kind of straightforward duel, too.
"Our first time fighting side by side... Is this fate, Aisha Carlos?"
Fired up about teaming with Miles for this Tag Duel, Kevin's fighting spirit surged.
But Miles had deeper thoughts.
The Paradox Brothers' duel was an absolute classic. And this battle had distinct differences from a normal duel.
"Either way, let's stay sharp, Kevin."
Miles pulled his Deck from the thigh-strapped case and loaded it into his Spirit Eyes Duel Slot.
"Hmph! I don't need your concern, Aisha!"
Kevin slotted his Deck, too.
[Paradox Brothers, LP: 4000]
[Aisha & Kevin, LP: 4000]
"Duel—!"
"I'll take the first turn! Draw!"
As expected, the Duel Arena assigned first turn to the "迷"-forehead brother (Para).
"I activate the Spell Card—Cost Down!"
He placed the Spell Card onto the Duel Table. Every card action would reflect in the holographic field atop the square arena.
[Discard 1 card; for the rest of this turn, reduce the Levels of all monsters in your hand by 2 (even after they are Summoned).]
"After discarding one card, I reduce the Level of my hand's monsters by 2! Now my Level 5 monster can be Normal Summoned without Tribute!"
He placed a monster card in Defense Position.
"Normal Summon without Tribute... Labyrinth Wall!"
[Labyrinth Wall] Level 5│EARTH│Rock│3000 DEF
As he summoned the 3000-Defense [Labyrinth Wall], the entire arena—no, the entire space—shook violently.
Then, from within the Duel Arena, a giant, twisting labyrinth terrain rose up, physically separating the Paradox Brothers from Aisha and Kevin.
"Even though it doesn't say so on the card text... [Labyrinth Wall] has the effect of transforming the Duel environment into a maze!"
"That's not written anywhere on the card! You're making that up!" Miles shouted without hesitation.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]