The two Duel Disks activated, both Duelists' Life Points appearing in the air.
News that Morgan was about to duel the Frontline Club's ace spread fast. Other players who had been preparing their own matches gathered around. With the crowd swelling, those at the back couldn't see at all—some even climbed trees to get a better view.
Both drew their opening hands of five and declared in unison:
"Duel!"
The White Dragon‑engraved coin spun once more. When it fell, Zack won first turn. He gave Morgan an apologetic smile, then his eyes sharpened.
"My turn—draw!"
He glanced at his card. Unlike Warner, Zack was a front‑line veteran of pro tournaments. Morgan's name was legendary to him. He had come to this Hunting Duel precisely to face her, wanting to be her first opponent—only for Warner to snatch that chance. That had annoyed him greatly.
Watching Warner break down under Morgan's Underworld deck had lightened his mood, though.
Albeit as a Duelist, he could tell Morgan hadn't enjoyed that match at all. That was why he stepped forward now, eager for a real fight. Surrounded by so many duels, he could hardly hold back anyway.
"I activate the effect of Tri‑Brigade Kerass from my hand!"
"Discard one Beast, Beast‑Warrior, or Winged Beast monster other than this card; Special Summon this card from your hand."
"I discard Tri‑Brigade Kitt to the Graveyard and Special Summon this card!"
He pitched a card, and a hulking figure in a wasteland coat and horned gas mask appeared, wielding an enormous firearm.
[Tri‑Brigade Kerass] Level 2│EARTH│Beast│1200 ATK / 1500 DEF
Morgan stiffened. Then her eyes hardened.
So it was Tri‑Brigade.
In her past life's world, Tri‑Brigade had been tier one—powerful on its own, splashable into many other decks. For a time, dueling had been nothing except Tri‑Brigade mirrors.
Caution rose in her heart. This was not an opponent to treat lightly.
Isla, too, recognized the name. Her father had once told her: one of the top contenders for Duel King was Zack. Even before his rise, he had been formidable. After inheriting the Frontline Club's ace deck, Tri‑Brigade, his strength only grew.
Now Isla understood why her father had spoken of him so often. She began to look forward to this clash—it was bound to be fierce.
"I activate the effect of Tri‑Brigade Kitt, which was just sent to the Graveyard!"
"When this card is sent to the Graveyard: send one Tri‑Brigade card from your Deck to the Graveyard, except itself."
"I send Tri‑Brigade Nervall from the Deck to the Graveyard!"
A standard Tri‑Brigade move. Morgan wasn't surprised. But the spectators tensed at each step. Zack's pressure was palpable, his black leather vest only enhancing his aura.
"I activate the effect of Tri‑Brigade Nervall in the Graveyard!"
"When this card is sent to the Graveyard: add one Tri‑Brigade monster from your Deck to your hand."
"I add Tri‑Brigade Fraktall to my hand!"
This was the key. Fraktall could banish beasts from the Graveyard as Link materials to summon from the Extra Deck. The earlier dumps had been setup.
Milo narrowed his eyes. He had dueled Zack many times and knew him well.
What unsettled Milo most was that Zack grew stronger every duel. His moves now flowed smoother than ever. Zack had advanced yet again.
By contrast, Milo thought bitterly, he himself had stagnated—chasing after a girl to a remote island, failing even to meet her. He could only laugh at himself.
Still, he kept watching.
"I Normal Summon Tri‑Brigade Fraktall in Attack Position!"
Because Kerass was Special Summoned, Zack still had his Normal Summon.
A masked centaur appeared, its wild golden hair spilling down its back, carrying a massive crossbow with a quiver strapped at its flank.
[Tri‑Brigade Fraktall] Level 4│FIRE│Beast‑Warrior│1900 ATK / 1600 DEF
"I activate Tri‑Brigade Fraktall's effect!"
"Banish any number of Beast, Beast‑Warrior, or Winged Beast monsters from your Graveyard; Special Summon one Beast, Beast‑Warrior, or Winged Beast Link Monster from your Extra Deck with a Link Rating equal to the number banished."
He banished two, and a glowing circuit of Link Arrows appeared. A cold mechanical form stepped through.
"Link Summon! Tri‑Brigade Bearbrumm the Rampant Rampager!"
A beast‑shaped machine appeared, piloted by a beast‑girl inside its head cockpit.
[Tri‑Brigade Bearbrumm the Rampant Rampager] Link‑2│WIND│Beast│1700 ATK
Yet, Zack wasn't done. Just as Morgan was cautious of him, he, too, showed no mercy.
"I activate Fraktall's other effect on the field!"
"Send this card from your hand or field to the Graveyard; send one Level 3 or lower Beast, Beast‑Warrior, or Winged Beast monster from your Deck to the Graveyard."
He dumped another, refilling his Graveyard for more materials.
To Morgan, the combo was routine. Meanwhile, to the spectators, it was breathtaking—like watching a real pro match, not a Hunting Duel.
"I send Tri‑Brigade Nervall to the Graveyard!"
Now his Graveyard had fuel again. And other Tri‑Brigade monsters could summon directly from there. Even Kerass still had uses.
"I activate the effect of Tri‑Brigade Kerass!"
"Banish two from the Graveyard!"
"Link Summon! Ancient Warriors Oath – Double Dragon Lords!"
Two generals appeared—one armored like a warlord, the other robed like a strategist.
Morgan raised an eyebrow. Few in this world splashed outside archetype lines. But Zack clearly didn't care. She knew why: Double Dragon Lords could discard a card to bounce an opponent's card back to the hand.
Zack's Links weren't over.
"I use Tri‑Brigade Kerass and Tri‑Brigade Bearbrumm to set the Link circuit!"
"Link Summon! Tri‑Brigade Rugal the Silver Sheller!"
A werewolf warrior appeared, swathed in heavy leather and a gas mask, pale hair spilling free, double axes in hand.
[Tri‑Brigade Rugal the Silver Sheller] Link‑3│EARTH│Beast‑Warrior│2300 ATK
This card could Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Beast from the hand or Graveyard during the opponent's turn. A solid extender. And when Bearbrumm went to the Graveyard, it let him draw, then place one card back.
"I add Tri‑Brigade Revolt to my hand!"
He Set two and ended.
All eyes turned to Morgan, wondering what deck she would use—and how she would answer.
But to her, Zack's board wasn't all that threatening. He hadn't brought out Shuraig.
She smiled.
"My turn—draw!"
...
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