A group of employees hurriedly cleared an open space, while others scrambled to call the company president.
No one quite knew how it had come to this, but the fact remained: the two were going to duel.
Originally, the company had intended to schedule a match between Hikaru Amagi and one of their contracted duelists. As long as the outcome wasn't too lopsided, the deal would be good as done.
But Rex Raptor? That was a different story entirely.
He might not have been the flashiest among the "legendary duelists," but he was still one of them. When the company first started out, Rex was practically unbeatable. Even against duelists who specifically teched against him, he could usually pull out a win.
As long as his opponent wasn't cheating, Mr. Rex was solid.
Letting a high schooler take him on directly? That was wildly risky.
"Buncha worrywarts," Rex muttered, shoulders slouched and hands in his pockets. "Real duelists—age doesn't matter. As long as you're strong, even a rookie can beat a veteran."
He was speaking from experience. Back in Duelist Kingdom, Rex had been taught that lesson the hard way by none other than Joey Wheeler's coin toss and dice roll shenanigans.
"You take the first move, kid." He pulled his hands free and glanced from the staff to Hikaru Amagi.
"Oh hoh, the legendary duelist's feeling confident, huh?" Tierra chuckled as she manifested beside Hikaru, clearly planning to whisper all kinds of commentary during the duel.
As a veteran of many duels herself, Tierra knew that going second put you at a disadvantage. The Fusion military types at Duel Academy always tried to take first.
So Rex giving up the first turn? Either he underestimated Hikaru… or he was just that confident.
She was stirring the pot on purpose.
Hikaru didn't bite. He simply drew his hand and played his card. "I Normal Summon Ancient Gear Hound!"
"Rrraugh!"
A metallic, snarling hound burst onto the field.
Ancient Gear Hound – Level 3 – EARTH – Machine – ATK 1000
"When this card is summoned: Inflict 600 damage to your opponent."
The hound howled again. Rex grunted slightly from the sting.
Rex Raptor LP: 4000 → 3400
"A monster card, huh?" Rex studied the creature on Hikaru's field. "So that means…"
"You got it. Once per turn, during my Main Phase: I can use Ancient Gear Hound's effect to Fusion Summon by using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials."
"The requirement? Two 'Ancient Gear' monsters!"
"I fuse Ancient Gear Hound on the field and Ancient Gear Knight from my hand—Fusion Summon!"
"Roar with madness, descend from the sky—Ancient Gear Howitzer!"
A clanking war machine, bristling with cannons and lined with pistons, thundered down from above.
Ancient Gear Howitzer – Level 8 – EARTH – Machine – DEF 1800
"Once per turn: During my Main Phase, inflict 1000 damage to my opponent!"
The Howitzer raised its cannon, charged up, and let loose a blast straight at Rex. The duelist shielded himself with one arm but barely flinched.
The guy lived up to the title of "legendary duelist," at least in presence.
Rex Raptor LP: 3400 → 2400
"That ends my turn."
"No way… He didn't just Fusion Summon a monster, he dealt 1600 damage in one turn?! That's more than a direct attack from a lot of beaters!"
"If he gets off that burn effect three times, he could win without even attacking!"
As the duel continued, more factory staff gathered around—some simply curious, others genuinely alarmed.
"Heh…" Rex Raptor smiled at the chatter.
For him, maybe the only time he didn't feel like a washed-up has-been was in a duel.
"Not bad for an opening. You dealt some damage and set up a wall. But if you think that's all it takes to win… you're dead wrong."
He calmly drew a card.
"My turn."
"I activate the Spell Card: Graceful Charity."
Whoa. Graceful Charity?
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. That was one of the most powerful draw spells out there. Draw three, discard two—it didn't increase hand count, but the filter and setup were insane.
Even in this world, the only time he'd seen it was in Dr. Crowler's ultra-rare deck.
"Draw three, then discard Two-Headed King Rex and Super Conductor Tyranno."
"Next, I Normal Summon: Armored Lizard."
A rather retro monster emerged onto the field.
Armored Lizard – Level 4 – EARTH – Reptile – ATK 1500
"Just a vanilla monster with 1500 ATK?"
"That won't even break through Howitzer's defense…"
"Why even play it?"
Rex just grinned. "Every duel needs rhythm. Setup, twist, climax—it's what keeps people watching. Gets 'em cheering. Makes 'em care."
"Next, I play the Spell: Ultra Evolution Pill!"
"I Tribute one Reptile on my field to Special Summon one Dinosaur from my hand!"
"I Tribute Armored Lizard, and Special Summon—Super Ancient Dinobeast!"
A massive silver-blue dinosaur, with tiny wings and laser-beam breath, emerged with a roar.
Super Ancient Dinobeast – Level 8 – EARTH – Dinosaur – ATK 2700
"!!"
"Whoa, 2700 ATK out of nowhere?!"
"But wait—why not revive the stronger Super Conductor Tyranno he just dumped?"
"We're not done yet!" Rex shouted. "I activate Monster Reborn! Revive—Super Conductor Tyranno!"
A mechanical colossus, thunder coursing through its frame, exploded onto the field.
Super Conductor Tyranno – Level 8 – LIGHT – Dinosaur – ATK 3300
"And now, Dinobeast's effect activates. When a Dinosaur is Special Summoned from the Graveyard while Dinobeast is on the field: I draw one card!"
He drew, glanced at it, and tucked it away.
"Battle phase—let's go!"