"Double Gate's effect, draw two cards."
Yugen drew the cards and immediately played one of them.
"Magic Card 'Demon Sanctuary', Special Summon a Metal Demon Derivative on my field."
The magic barrier opened, and a little metal demon figure composed of countless small spheres appeared on Yugen's field.
[Metal Demon Derivative, Attack Power 0]
"Then use the 'Metal Demon Derivative' as a tribute for an Upper-level Summon! Level six—
—Storm Summoner!"
The six-star telekinetic expert stirred up a green storm on the field with his telekinesis. His majestic form appeared in the storm and landed on the ground with grandeur.
[Storm Summoner, Attack Power 2300]
"Oh, summoning an Upper-Level Monster to attack right away?"
Keith chuckled, while secretly thinking to himself.
Good, the stronger the monster, the better. Attack immediately, come more fiercely.
Then you'll realize the treacherousness of our Elf Hunter duels.
Yugen seemed unaware of his opponent's thoughts and directly declared.
"Battle.
Use Storm Summoner to attack 'Bait Illusion'.
The summoner stretched his arms, and a telekinetic storm instantly rose. Green telekinetic winds charged with electricity swept towards the transparent illusion.
At this moment, Keith finally couldn't resist the tug at his mouth.
It's here.
"Hahaha, perfect timing!" Keith laughed, "At this moment, Bait Illusion's effect is activated!
When your monster declares an attack, return the 'Bait Illusion' on the field to the hand, making your attacking monster also return to the hand!"
Mina scoffed, "I knew there was something wrong with this thing..."
"It's not over yet!" Keith laughed, "Also activate the cover card, Counterattack Trap 'Capture Net'!
When the effect of returning your monster to your hand is activated, this card's effect instead captures it in my Magic Trap Zone, and places a 'Prey Indicator'!"
The trap activated, and the previously confused Storm Summoner suddenly froze, as a large capture net sprang from the trap card.
The massive net swiftly enveloped the summoner like a fisherman's net. The capture net tightened, being pulled back sharply, landing in one of Keith's Magic Trap Zones.
Zarug angrily exclaimed, "Stealing the opponent's monster! Such a despicable tactic!"
However, the words had barely left his mouth when Mina elbowed him twice, causing him to cough.
Only then did Zarug realize, thinking that in terms of despicability, none were worse than their own boss...
The Elf Hunter laughed, "They say the King's duel is extraordinary, but it seems they still struggle against us Elf Hunters. The rare Upper-Level Monster summoned so easily captured by me."
He chuckled twice.
"Well, if it's not an Elf, it's meaningless. Legend says the King can wield many powerful Elves, why not reveal them?"
"Hmm, you took my monster right away, a true and utter hunter indeed."
Yugen remarked calmly.
"Then I'll set a card face down in the back field, turn ends."
Keith grew even more arrogant.
"Ending like this makes your situation even more precarious...
My turn, draw!"
Keith drew a card.
"Normal Summon 'Vengeful Killing Puppet'!"
Like a cursed doll from a horror movie, the small doll held an axe larger than itself.
[Vengeful Killing Puppet, Attack Power 1600]
"Well, I'd love to attack you with your own monster, but unfortunately the captured monster must remain trapped in the Capture Net and can't attack...
Although the animation shows being trapped, the rules actually treat captured monsters as Magic Trap Cards placed in the backfield, akin to Jade Beasts in nature.
Keith declared, "Then use 'Vengeful Killing Puppet' for a direct attack."
The doll's crazed eyes whirled and its dislocated jaw opened and closed, wildly swinging the axe at Yugen.
"Activate Trap." Yugen stated, "Trap Card 'Battlefront Return', special summon a monster from the graveyard in defense position.
I revive this card from the grave..."
Yugen showcased the Monster Card retrieved from the graveyard.
"Special Summon 'Dragonfly' in defense position."
A green dragonfly with large eyes landed on Yugen's field, wings flapping rapidly like residual images.
[Dragonfly, Defense Power 900]
"Using miscellaneous monsters as a wall." Keith sneered, "Then the Killing Puppet, smash the Dragonfly."
With a single axe chop, the Dragonfly was split in two, its body scattered into golden dust.
"Dragonfly's Monster Effect." Yugen stated, "When destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard, Special Summon a Wind Attribute monster with 1500 attack points or less from the deck in attack position."
Yugen revealed the card that popped out from the deck.
"Special Summon 'Nephthys' Enlightened One' from the deck."
A whirlwind of emerald raged, igniting midway into flames, transforming into a burning storm. The storm dissipated, revealing a mage clad in gold armor, flames in her palms.
[Nephthys' Enlightened One, Attack Power 600]
"Nephthys?"
Keith frowned.
He had heard of Nephthys' Phoenix God, a rather powerful and rare monster. But he wasn't familiar with the cards with the Nephthys name.
Well, just a six hundred attack lower-level mage...
Keith: "Set a card face down, end turn."
Keith did not resummon Bait Illusion this turn. Firstly, he aimed to attack and deal damage, secondly, having used the Illusion once, its effect being unveiled made it less potent.
Bait Illusion is an ambush-type monster, triggering when the opponent attacks. It's more effective when the opponent is unaware, but once the opponent knows its function, they won't easily attack, thus diminishing its value.
But it doesn't matter.
His eyes glanced at the backfield face-down card, continuing to smirk inside.
We Elf Hunters have more than just that trick. He's already set a new trap, just waiting for the opponent to fall into it.
The hunter's duel is not merely about winning, but plundering. They are hunters, and elves are the targets. During the duel, capturing the opponent's elves, causing the opponent frustration, destroying bonds between duelists and elves to hinder their performance, at times achieving victory without combat.
"My turn, draw."
Yugen drew the card, paused momentarily, then slowly lifted his head.
"Since you're so fixated on elves... alright, fitting."
He squinted his eyes, smiled.
"Then I'll summon an ultra-rare elf, one-of-a-kind in the world, for you to see."
Keith: "!"