I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 443: Outplayed

Despite his grating mind, his voice resounded, determined and powerful.

"Destroy that fake dragon!"

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The ant chimaera blurred into motion, savagery gaining his eyes as he activated its effect.

In the blink of an eye, its dark silhouette reappeared behind the creature, mandible wide open.

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Before it could bite down, Mia’s snicker and the noise of a card being slapped disturbed the silence.

"I discard the netherworld’s protector. From the graveyard, he protects my monster from destruction once."

Her condescending tone and the superior wink she cast at him caused his lips to purse in annoyance. Yet, the reminder that followed made him slap the desk in rage.

"Of course, the spell field applies, too."

CLANG

A sudden ethereal barrier encased the dragon in a shimmering hue of dancing colors. Sparks flew on the field a split second later as the chimaera’s mandibles collided with it.

Unable to pierce through, the dark abomination leapt back and returned to protect his castle.

Face flushed, the crowd applauded the defensive manoeuvre, excited to see more strategies.

Meanwhile, Shepard’s brows creased.

He had set up the bet already. Yet, his joy after Edgar boldly retrieved a tier-six item melted, replaced by suspicion.

"Tell me, my dear Edgar. You didn’t teach her your own field spell by any chance?"

A smile not reaching his narrowed eyes graced his lips as he turned to Mia’s mentor.

"Hahaha. Why would I? Her raw talent is just that terrifying."

He scrutinised the chuckling man, his thumb pushing his lower lip upwards.

"That’s an interesting monster, too. Don’t tell me she summoned it from another plane and killed it herself before turning it into a card."

"Mhh. She did with the other disciples. Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet after seeing your champion in difficulty."

The other arcanists’ muffled laughter caused his brows to twitch in anger. But he couldn’t act without proof. And he knew he’d get them once Adam counter-attacked.

Unfortunately, even if he could void the bet and force him into an awkward situation, Adam’s defeat would not be cancelled.

"Hold on, boy. If the creature really reaches the fifth tier on the next turn, I’ll avenge you."

A determined mutter left his lips as he squinted at his disciple.

"I activate the Pontianak’s effect. Your monsters has to battle her during your turn."

Adam’s voice echoed, his fists trembling.

Yet, contrary to his expectations, Mia cackled.

"Keep struggling under my feet like the ant you are. I discard the netherworld’s spell weaver. My monster is unaffected by any effect during this turn. Twice!"

The air filled with the Pontianak’s sweet, enticing scent cleared, shattering his last trick.

Yet, her words bothered him more than his failure, forcing a disgusted grimace to distort his face. Still, he swallowed the curses threatening to fly out of his throat.

’She isn’t worth it. Beating her is the best thing you can do to shatter her arrogance.’

Wild flames ignited in his eyes as they narrowed into defiant slits.

Meanwhile, Mia continued her turn, voice dripping with arrogance.

"Destroy that useless Poltergeist. Its unbearable laughter annoys me."

At her command, the dragon’s mouth opened, its one thousand seven hundred attack points flashing before its head. Dense energies thickened in a bright light, eclipsing its glowing fangs before...

BOOM

A condensed beam radiating the four common elements shattered the air, collapsing on the laughing kid.

"ARGH!"

A brief agonising yell reverberated, chilling the spectators’ hearts before dust rose in a mushroom cloud.

The blast’s hot wind blew his hair and whipped his clothes but did nothing to undermine his unwavering resolve.

’I’ll win!’

However, his brows creased into a frown as Mia continued.

"I cancell this field spell to use another one."

After her chant, the ominous buildings and smoke swirled before a colossal mountain replaced them.

"Monsters with a trace of draconic bloodline gain five hundred attack points and are immune to monster effects targeting them."

’Her entire deck is articulated around this one card.’

He bit his nail, realising that drawing the haunted soul wouldn’t help. The duel just started, but his options to handle the creature diminished by the second.

"I end my turn."

As her dismissive voice lingered, the netherworld’s dragon grew again. Hornes sprouted on its head in a crown from which the elements danced, asserting its dominance as a terrifying beast. The numbers displaying its attack blurred, increasing by the second, and a thunderous roar echoed.

ATK 1700->2800->3300

’Shit! I can’t even summon Virgo’s lesser incarnation.’

He gazed at his deck, a worried frown creasing his brows.

His hand hadn’t been bad this time. Instead, her strategy was too well-rounded and formidable. For the first time, he believed he would lose because of his lack of skill.

"You can do it, big bro!"

Julius’ Qi-boosted yell pierced his growing anxiety. Then Arun joined in, followed by Asha and the teachers.

"Since when are you afraid of small lizards?"

"Shatter the dragon’s mouth, then hers!"

"If you win, I’ll give you something amazing!"

Warmth spread in his soul as their support overpowered the cheering crowd.

His arms trembled as he clenched his fist, the wood cracking under the pressure.

"I DRAW!"

With a thunderous roar, his arm blurred, and he snatched the deck’s top card.

’Luck won’t stop me. Cheating either!’

The card glistened as he turned it towards his face, revealing the Dullahan’s proud figure standing atop his mount.

"I sacrifice the Pontianak. Come out and rain curses on the field!"

NEIGH

Answering his call, hooves rumbled on the mountainous terrain as a dark stallion charged before his first castle. Standing on it, the Dullahan’s mighty figure drew his double-edged broadsword, making it gleam with a threatening obsidian sheen, whispering death in the spectator’s ears.

As terror gripped their hearts, they gazed at the attack value, feeling a little less threatened by his presence.

ATK 2800

Yet, his next words shattered their conception of the game.

"I use a boosting spell! Wrath of the Storm!"

Crackling electricity danced at his fingertips, engulfed by the desk before being projected on his monster.

The clangour of metal reverberated as the Dullahan’s breastplates shook. However, the two red beams glowing under his visor turned violet and crackled with power.

"RAAAH!"

With a roar of incredible mind, dust rose around him. The mountain wall cracked, and Mia frowned for the first time.

His attack leapt by five hundred points, making him equal to the dragon.

But he wasn’t done. He swiped his palm like a general commanding his champion.

"Activate your effect!"

Hushed whispers ensued. Even Shepard gazed at him, confusion twisting his lips.

Unable to hold himself, he leaned on the balcony, yelling.

"The Dullahan needs to destroy a creature to use it."

"He doesn’t need to! My spell amplifies its target’s effects!"

Echoing his words, the Dullahan’s lips parted, spitting ancient curses.

Soul-chilling dark spears surrounded Mia’s first castle before they fell on it like rain. In the blink of an eye, fuming rubles replaced it.

"Bring back the banshee queen!"

The dreadful evil ghost plunged his hand into the ground, shattering it before anyone could recover from the sudden turn of events.

Then he pulled back, clutching the silver-haired death herald.

"Any monster on the opposite side of the field loses two hundred attack points. Rid me of that bastard dragon!"

He swung his fist toward Mia, his victory in sight.

With her strategy, losing that monster would be a devastating blow.

Yet, the ominous feeling tugged at his soul again, screaming louder than ever.