Without that "black mark," to those two kids, Jack is simply the KING they've worshiped since they were small. Now that they're hearing Jack's classic yet fresh lines and his kingly declaration, they burst into cheers.
In this respect, for outsiders like Serena and Ruri, it's completely meaningless.
Of course, they're still really looking forward to Jack's Duel.
Paradox couldn't help but shake his head. "No… what I'm talking about is something completely different from all that…"
"Forget it, in that case, let's settle it with a Duel."
"Spell Card, Graceful Charity."
Jack Atlas frowned.
He actually managed to get his hands on an Ultimate Rare Card like Graceful Charity, one that's almost impossible to find?
"Draw three cards from the Deck, then discard two cards from the hand."
"I send Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Malefic Parallel Gear from my hand to the Graveyard."
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Malefic Selector. I banish two 'Malefic' cards from my own Graveyard to activate it. Add to my hand 2 'Malefic' cards with different names from the banished ones, except Malefic Selector itself."
"He's directly choosing two?"
"That card is insanely strong."
Paradox rifled through his Deck and picked out two cards. "I add Malefic World and Malefic Paradigm Dragon to my hand."
"Field Spell Card, Malefic World."
"Then, I banish Malefic Paradox Dragon from my Extra Deck to Special Summon Malefic Paradigm Dragon."
A massive pair of black mechanical wings spread out behind him, electric currents coursing across them. A black-and-white mechanical giant dragon spread its wings and roared as it appeared.
Malefic Paradigm Dragon, LV 10, Dark Attribute, Dragon-Type, DEF 4000!
"Defense Position?"
"It's the first turn after all; Defense is safer."
A lot of people have seen Paradox's Duels before, so they weren't surprised by a Monster with 4000 ATK.
What surprised them more was—
Paradox just ended his turn like that!
Looks like he didn't draw Skill Drain.
Quite a few people who were itching to see Jack crash and burn again felt it was a pity.
"I end my turn like that."
"Hmph… 4000 DEF really is a wall as tall as a mountain, Paradox." Jack looked at the massive Monster, but the confidence on his face was completely untouched.
"However, in front of me, Jack Atlas, a set-up like this is beneath notice!"
This time, even Dragan from the Nordic Team couldn't help but nod with a cold face and say, "He's right. That Paradox guy just made the worst possible choice."
Many people treat Red Dragon Archfiend as a blank vanilla Monster with only 3000 ATK, but in reality Red Dragon Archfiend has the effect that, after it battles a Monster in Defense Position and damage calculation is carried out, it destroys all Defense Position Monsters on the opponent's field!
Putting Paradigm Dragon in Defense Position is practically wasting its stats!
He was starting to think a bit less of Paradox.
Likewise, besides that "enemy," Jack's fans Yugo and Rin also knew this perfectly well, and couldn't help starting to fantasize.
It feels like the advantage is huge!
"My turn—Draw!"
Jack glanced at his hand and his lips curled up. "A nice opening hand—then, I Normal Summon, LV 3 Tuner Monster, Soul Resonator!"
"Soul Resonator's effect can only be activated when it is Summon·Special Summoned. Add to your hand from the Deck 1 Fiend-Type Monster of LV 4 or lower, other than Soul Resonator. After this effect is activated, until the end of the turn, you cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck any Synchro Monster that is not Dark Attribute.
I add Bone Archfiend from my Deck to my hand."
"I send Scarlet Security from my hand to the Graveyard to activate Bone Archfiend's effect, Special Summon it. After this effect's Special Summon, until the end of the turn, I cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck any Synchro Monster that is not a Dark Attribute Dragon-Type."
"Such a long self-restriction, Jack Atlas."
"Hmph, a king's Duel is precisely about binding himself and Duelling on equal footing, granting his opponent the chance to gaze directly upon the King!"
Jack raised his hand and pointed at Bone Archfiend. "Bone Archfiend's effect: target 1 face-up Monster on your field. Send 1 Fiend-Type Tuner Monster from your hand or Deck to the Graveyard, and increase or decrease the targeted Monster's Level by 1.
I send Crimson Resonator from my Deck to the Graveyard and decrease Bone Archfiend's Level by 1."
"I perform Tuning using LV 3 Soul Resonator and LV 3 Bone Archfiend!"
"Synchro Summon, LV 6, Red Rising Dragon!"
Red Rising Dragon, LV 6, Dark Attribute, Dragon-Type, Attack Power 2100.
"Red Rising Dragon's effect: when this card is successfully Synchro Summoned, target 1 Resonator in your Graveyard. Special Summon that Monster!"
"Rise again, LV 2 Tuner Monster, Crimson Resonator!"
Paradox came back to his senses and looked over at Crimson Resonator, then asked a question on behalf of the spectators:
"LV 6 and LV 2—are you going for it? Red Dragon Archfiend?"
"No, that's something the me of the past would have done. The me now has already surpassed who I used to be!" Jack Atlas pointed at the Crimson Resonator on the field. "Crimson Resonator's effect: it can only be activated when the only Monster on your field besides this card is 1 Dark Attribute Dragon-Type Synchro Monster. Special Summon up to 2 Resonators from your hand or Deck, other than Crimson Resonator!"
"I Special Summon LV 2 Vision Resonator and LV 2 Force Resonator!"
"Vision Resonator?"
Paradox turned his gaze to that Monster. Its appearance was unlike a normal Resonator, clad in a witch's robe.