"Huh? I haven't even met that guy…"
Just as Youmi was about to complain that she'd never encountered Gansley, Noah had already ended the call.
Several glowing butterflies appeared, showing her the path toward the next member of the Big Five. "Don't tell me Yugi and the others beat me to it? How efficient."
She clipped the [Mikanko] Deck she'd picked up onto her belt.
Ever since entering this world, to avoid drawing unwanted attention to her connection with [Ten Thousand Dragon], neither [Sphere Kuriboh] nor [Ten Thousand Dragon] had made any contact with her.
As for where this Deck came from… Youmi honestly had no idea.
"Maybe it's just looking for some fun again? Whatever. Next up is [Judge Man]—Johnson, I think? A lawyer or something. Wonder if he's the type to talk in legal jargon."
Since [Knightmare Corruptor Iblee] belonged to the Cyberse type, she could make full use of the abilities unique to this data-based world. Just like when she had created her cloak earlier, she used the digital resources around her to construct a motorcycle.
It could only exist within this space, though at least it made for decent transport.
Riding her "D-Wheel," Youmi sped off toward Johnson's domain.
"Ah, good day. I'm Johnson, legal counsel for KaibaCorp. A pleasure to meet you." Like any typical office worker, Johnson handed Youmi a business card.
"Eh?" Caught off guard by such a mundane introduction, Youmi gave a small sound of confusion.
Then, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together, she produced a [Knightmare Corruptor Iblee] and handed it back. "Nice to meet you. I'm, uh… freelance duelist Youmi, from the World Legacy setting, desu."
Although they both exchanged business cards, neither actually accepted the other's. Adjusting his glasses, Johnson said, "Before our Duel, allow me to briefly introduce myself. I am Johnson, the lawyer renowned for my 'Absolute Innocence Defense.' So long as it's for KaibaCorp's interests, I'll turn black into white if I must—"
Before he could finish, seven-colored crystals slammed him to the ground, much like what had happened to Crump earlier. Youmi had no patience for hypocrites. A new Duel Field in Master Rule format materialized around them.
"Sorry, but if you were Shuichi Kitaoka or Phoenix Wright, maybe I'd humor you for a chat. As it stands, don't waste my time."
Five cards floated before her as she folded her arms and snapped her left fingers.
Pulling himself off the ground, Johnson straightened his suit, his form gradually shifting. "Heh heh heh… I had planned to pass judgment on you in my courtroom, but it seems you're an ill-mannered defendant indeed. Then allow me to become the [Judge Man]!"
"DUEL!" ×2
"By the way," Youmi asked as the Duel began, "is your Deck Master that [Judge Man]?"
"Exactly. My Deck Master is the embodiment of myself—[Judge Man]. What about yours?"
Confirming that her opponent's Deck Master matched what she remembered, Youmi revealed a card from her Deck. "Let's go with this one—[Artifact Lancea]."
Turn 1
"I'll take the first move. Draw."
Adding a sixth card to her hand, Youmi recalled her opponent's Deck Master ability—it seemed to involve paying 1000 LP to banish everything, dealing damage based on the number of cards banished.
Because of that, she'd prepared a few specialized cards in her build. "I Normal Summon [Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight]. When this card is Summoned or Special Summoned, I can send one [Orcust] or [World Legacy] card from my Deck to the Graveyard. I send [World Legacy - 'World Chalice'] to the Graveyard."
[Girsu, the Orcust Mekk-Knight] appeared in Youmi's center Zone, glanced at the figurine-like token in her hand, then at Youmi herself, nearly dropping his weapon in shock.
"If there are no other monsters on the field, each player Special Summons one [World Legacy Token] in Defense Position to their respective fields." Two miniature figurine girls appeared—one on Johnson's Zone 2, the other on Youmi's Zone 1. But before the one on Youmi's side could even find her footing, she was tossed straight into a glowing Link circuit. "I use a Normal Monster as material to Link Summon—Link 1, [Link Spider]!"
Like a heartless boss tossing away a loyal subordinate, Youmi flung the [World Legacy Token] into the circuit, transforming it into [Link Spider], while [Girsu] silently fumed beneath his helmet.
Tapping his gavel thoughtfully, Johnson remarked, "You even gave me a Token? I see… just like when you fought that penguin-obsessed Crump, your goal is a one-turn kill. Willing to sacrifice for the bigger picture… you're quite the strategist."
"Your compliments won't make me go easy. Field Spell, [World Legacy's Scars], activate."
The surroundings shifted into a ruined landscape filled with the remnants of [World Lance] and [World Shield].
Admiring the scene briefly, Youmi continued, "Once per turn, if there are two or more cards in the same column, I can Special Summon [Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse] from my hand. Then, [Indigo Eclipse]'s effect activates—I move it to another Monster Zone."
A cascade of azure crystals descended beside her, forming into [Mekk-Knight Indigo Eclipse] beneath [Link Spider].
After materializing, it shifted smoothly to a new position.
"Next, [Mekk-Knight Avram]—no, [Mekk-Knight Blue Sky]. Same column-based Special Summon, same effect. I Special Summon it to [Link Spider]'s Link arrow. When this card is Summoned, I can add one 'Mekk-Knight' monster with a different name from my Deck to my hand equal to the number of your cards in the same column. Since there's one thanks to your Token, I add [Mekk-Knight Purple Nightfall] to my hand."
"What do you mean, 'my monster'? You're the one who gave me that Token!"
Johnson grumbled, though he didn't seem worried. His Deck Master's ability could activate even on Youmi's turn, and since she was going first, there was no way she could pull off an instant win.
All he had to do was wait for her turn to end, then use his Deck Master ability to banish all her monsters.
The thought brought a thin smile to [Judge Man]'s face.
...
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