The walk back from the old railway station was quieter than Marcus had expected.
Usually, after winning a duel, he had plenty to say. He would recount his best plays, point out the mistakes his opponent had made, and occasionally exaggerate the difficulty of a victory if he thought Lazar wasn't giving him enough credit.
Today, however, even Marcus seemed content to let the silence linger.
Perhaps it was because of the way the Collector had looked at him after losing.
Or perhaps it was because they had all seen something at the station that none of them could comfortably forget.
Ren walked a few steps behind them, keeping his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket. Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder, checking the streets behind them.
Lazar noticed.
"You're going to wear a hole through the back of your head if you keep doing that."
Ren turned forward.
"I'm checking whether anyone followed us."
"And?"
"Nothing."
"Then either nobody followed us, or you're terrible at checking."
"Lazar," Marcus said, "let him breathe."
"I'm letting him breathe. I'm just suggesting he do it while looking where he's going."
Ren gave Lazar a tired look.
"You always talk this much?"
"Only when I'm awake."
Marcus snorted.
For a moment, the tension eased.
Then Ren spoke again.
"They won't forget what happened today."
Marcus's expression became serious.
"The Collectors?"
"The Collectors. The Kings. Anyone who thinks winning a duel gives them the right to decide what happens to someone afterward."
Lazar looked at him.
"You're talking from experience."
Ren didn't answer immediately.
"I used to think I understood how this world worked," he finally admitted. "If you had enough DP, you could eat. If you had a strong enough deck, you could protect yourself. If you won enough duels, people would leave you alone."
"And now?" Lazar asked.
"Now I think people just find new reasons to make you fight."
Nobody had an answer to that.
They continued toward the supermarket.
The shelter was waiting for them.
And so were the problems they had left behind.
Emily was the first to notice them.
She had been sitting near the entrance with two members of her group when Marcus walked through the doors. She immediately stood.
"Well?"
Marcus spread his arms.
"Do I look like someone who lost?"
"You always look like that," Lazar replied as he walked past him.
"That's because I have a winning personality."
"You have something, all right."
Emily ignored their exchange.
"Did you win?"
Marcus grinned.
"Of course."
Her shoulders relaxed.
"And Ren?"
"Still here," Ren answered before anyone else could speak.
Emily smiled at him, although the expression faded when she noticed how exhausted he looked.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"That wasn't convincing."
"Apparently, everyone in this group has decided to become an expert at judging how I feel."
"It's a useful skill," Lazar said. "You'd be surprised how often people say they're fine immediately before making terrible decisions."
Marcus pointed at him.
"That's rich coming from you."
"I'm an expert on terrible decisions. That makes me qualified to recognize them."
Emily shook her head.
For a little while, the shelter returned to something resembling normality.
People asked Marcus about his duel. He obliged them with a dramatic retelling, giving particular attention to Mystical Jackal King's attack and the final strike from Rampaging Rhino.
He was less enthusiastic about discussing the moment his Life Points had fallen to 1100.
"That part wasn't important," he insisted.
"It was the part where you were nearly defeated," Lazar observed.
"Which makes it unimportant to the story."
"An interesting philosophy."
"Thank you."
"It wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
Even Ren managed a faint smile.
But the moment didn't last.
A boy from Emily's group approached with a battered piece of cardboard covered in writing.
"Someone left this near the entrance."
Marcus took it.
"What is it?"
"An advertisement, I think."
The paper had been printed on one side and covered in handwritten additions on the other. Most of the text was difficult to read, but the largest words had been written in thick black marker.
THE UNDERGROUND CIRCUIT
DUELISTS WANTED.
WINNERS EARN DP.
LOSERS PAY THE PRICE.
Beneath the writing was an address.
And a symbol resembling a pair of crossed chains.
Marcus's expression changed.
Lazar leaned over his shoulder.
"That's subtle."
"It's supposed to be," Marcus replied. "Nobody advertises something like this openly unless they want people to find it."
Ren had gone completely still.
Lazar noticed immediately.
"You recognize it?"
Ren stared at the symbol.
"I've heard about it."
"From the Collectors?"
"No. Not directly."
He took the paper from Marcus and examined the address.
"People talk about an underground circuit. It's supposed to operate beneath an abandoned industrial complex. They organize duels for spectators, and the winners can earn more DP in one night than most shelters collect in a week."
Marcus's interest was immediate.
"How much?"
Ren looked at him.
"That's your first question?"
"It's an advertisement promising money. I'd like to know whether it's lying about the amount."
"It's not just money," Ren replied. "The circuit has a reputation."
"For what?"
Ren hesitated.
"Making sure people remember their losses."
Lazar took the paper from him.
"What does that mean?"
"I don't know all the details. I've heard stories about duelists being forced to wear shock collars. When they take damage during a duel, the collars deliver an electric shock."
Emily, who had been listening nearby, frowned.
"That's horrible."
"It's worse than that," Ren said. "The organizers deliberately choose people who need the money. They know those people won't walk away easily."
Marcus folded his arms.
"So it's an underground dueling ring with dangerous equipment and a questionable business model."
"That's one way to describe it," Lazar said.
"It's a stupid way to describe it," Ren snapped.
The sharpness in his voice surprised them.
Ren looked away.
"Sorry. I just—I've seen what happens when people start treating desperation as entertainment."
Nobody pressed him.
Lazar examined the advertisement again.
The promise of DP was tempting. Three hundred DP would settle the shelter's debt to the Kings, assuming the reward was large enough. Any additional money could be spent on food, medicine, and supplies.
But the warning at the bottom bothered him more than the promise at the top.
LOSERS PAY THE PRICE.
"What happens if someone refuses to participate?" Lazar asked.
Ren shook his head.
"I don't know."
"Then we find out before anyone enters."
Marcus looked at him.
"You're considering going?"
"I'm considering investigating."
"Those are usually the same thing when you say them."
"Then stop asking questions you already know the answers to."
Marcus sighed.
"Fine. But if we're going, we go together."
Lazar glanced toward Ren.
"You're coming too."
Ren's eyes widened.
"Absolutely not."
"You recognize the symbol, you know the rumors, and you understand how these organizations operate. I'd rather have you with us than have you disappear because you think running away is safer."
"You don't understand. I don't want to be anywhere near another organization that makes people fight for money."
"Neither do I," Lazar answered. "But if they're exploiting people who are desperate enough to accept those matches, ignoring them won't make the problem disappear."
Ren stared at him.
"You can't save everyone."
"I know."
"Then why keep doing this?"
Lazar folded the advertisement and slipped it into his pocket.
"Because knowing I can't save everyone isn't the same as deciding I shouldn't save anyone."
For once, Marcus didn't make a joke.
Ren looked down at the floor.
He didn't agree.
But he didn't refuse again, either.
They left the shelter the following afternoon.
Lazar had insisted on waiting until they had enough time to examine the area around the address before deciding whether to enter. Marcus had complained about the delay, but he hadn't argued strongly enough to change the plan.
Ren led them through several side streets, avoiding the main roads.
The industrial complex stood beyond an abandoned freight yard. Its buildings had once housed machinery and storage facilities, but the windows were broken and rust covered the metal shutters. Weeds grew between cracked sections of concrete.
Nothing about the place suggested that anyone would be operating a business inside.
Then they heard the noise.
A crowd roared somewhere beneath their feet.
Marcus stopped.
"That's a lot of people."
Ren nodded grimly.
"That's the arena."
They followed the sound to a service entrance concealed behind a row of rusted containers. A narrow staircase descended into darkness, illuminated by a string of industrial lights.
At the bottom stood two teenagers wearing black jackets with the crossed-chain symbol.
One of them stepped forward.
"Names?"
Lazar didn't answer immediately.
"Why?"
"Registration."
"For what?"
The guard gave him an irritated look.
"Do you want to enter or not?"
Marcus leaned toward Lazar.
"Very welcoming."
The guard looked between them.
"Spectators pay an entrance fee. Duelists register at the desk. If you want to compete, you need a Duel Disk and a deck. The circuit provides the rest."
"What does the circuit provide?" Lazar asked.
The guard smiled without warmth.
"An opportunity."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Ren stepped forward before Lazar could continue.
"We're here to watch."
The guard studied him for a moment.
Then he moved aside.
"Keep your hands where we can see them. Don't interfere with a match. And don't try to leave once you've accepted a duel."
Lazar stopped.
"Why would someone be unable to leave?"
The guard's smile widened.
"Because the rules are the rules."
Marcus muttered something under his breath.
They descended the remaining steps.
The noise grew louder with every step.
And then they entered the arena.
The chamber beneath the industrial complex had been transformed into something unrecognizable.
Metal walkways surrounded a central platform, with spectators packed along the railings above it. Floodlights hung from the ceiling, illuminating the dueling field in harsh white light. Cables ran along the walls, connecting generators to equipment whose purpose Lazar couldn't immediately identify.
A large display showed the Life Points of the current duel.
The duelists stood on opposite sides of the platform.
One of them had already fallen to one knee.
A sharp electrical crack split the air.
The boy screamed.
The crowd erupted.
Lazar's expression hardened.
The boy struggled to stand, one hand pressed against his chest. A thick collar encircled his neck, its metal surface flashing with small blue lights.
Across from him, his opponent stood almost motionless.
"Get up," the opponent said.
The fallen duelist shook his head.
"Please. I can't—"
"Then lose."
Another burst of electricity coursed through the collar.
The boy collapsed.
The display's Life Points reached zero.
A bell rang.
The crowd cheered.
Lazar stared at the platform.
He had seen duel damage injure people before. The rules of this world made every duel dangerous, but there was still a difference between fighting for survival and deliberately turning suffering into a spectacle.
Here, the pain was the attraction.
A man standing beside the platform raised a microphone.
"Another exciting victory! Remember, everyone, the next match begins in five minutes. Place your wagers now!"
The defeated duelist was dragged away by two attendants.
Nobody in the crowd seemed particularly concerned.
Marcus had stopped smiling.
"Those collars are connected to the duel systems," he murmured. "They're making the damage worse on purpose."
Ren's face had gone pale.
"We should leave."
Lazar looked at him.
"You knew it was bad."
"I knew the rumors. I didn't know it was like this."
"Then we leave," Marcus said. "We know what this place is now."
They turned toward the staircase.
A voice interrupted them.
"Leaving so soon?"
A tall man approached from the far side of the chamber. He wore a dark coat over a neatly pressed shirt, and a silver chain hung from his neck. Unlike the guards, he carried himself with the ease of someone who didn't need to prove he belonged there.
His gaze moved over the three of them before settling on Ren.
"Well, well. New faces."
Ren stiffened.
The man noticed.
"Relax. Nobody is going to make you duel unless you agree to a match."
Lazar glanced toward the platform, where attendants were replacing the equipment.
"Funny. That isn't how it looked a moment ago."
The man smiled.
"People come here voluntarily. They want DP. We provide it. What happens during a duel is between the duelists."
"You put shock collars on them."
"We make the stakes meaningful."
"You make the pain entertaining."
The man's smile didn't change.
"And yet you came all the way down here."
Lazar said nothing.
The man gestured toward the platform.
"You've seen what happens to the unprepared. But you don't strike me as the sort who would be satisfied with watching from the sidelines."
Marcus stepped forward.
"We're not interested."
"Perhaps you aren't."
The man looked at Lazar again.
"But one of you is."
Lazar disliked how confidently he said it.
The man extended a hand.
"I'm the manager of this circuit. You may call me whatever you like, provided you remember who runs this place."
Marcus ignored the offered hand.
"That's reassuring."
The manager withdrew it without appearing offended.
"Tell me, then. Are you here for the money, the competition, or the satisfaction of proving that you're stronger than everyone else?"
"None of those," Lazar answered.
The manager raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"We came to see what this place was."
"And now you have."
He gestured toward the platform again.
"So what do you intend to do with that knowledge?"
Lazar looked at the collars.
He thought of the boy who had been dragged away. He thought of the people at the shelter, of Emily trying to learn how to duel, of the Kings demanding payment and the Collectors treating people as assets.
He thought of how easily desperation could turn a person into a source of profit for someone else.
"I haven't decided yet," Lazar said.
The manager chuckled.
"Then perhaps you'd like to see a proper match before you decide."
He turned toward the platform.
"Ladies and gentlemen! It seems we have visitors!"
The crowd's attention shifted toward them.
"Perhaps one of our guests would like to demonstrate what they're made of?"
Marcus's jaw tightened.
Lazar immediately shook his head.
"No."
The manager looked almost disappointed.
"Not you, then?"
"No."
"Your friend?"
Marcus looked ready to refuse on Lazar's behalf.
But Ren moved first.
"Wait."
Lazar turned toward him.
"Ren?"
Ren's hands were trembling. He stared at the platform, then at the defeated duelist being carried through a side door.
For a moment, he looked like he was about to run.
Then he took a breath.
"I'll do it."
Marcus stared at him.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Probably."
"That's not an answer!"
Ren looked at Lazar.
"I spent too long running from the people who did these things. I'm tired of pretending that surviving means I have to keep looking away."
"You don't owe these people a duel," Lazar said.
"I know."
"Then don't let them pressure you into one."
"I'm not doing this for them."
Ren turned toward the manager.
"I'll accept a match."
The manager studied him with renewed interest.
"Excellent."
Lazar caught Ren's arm.
"If you change your mind, we leave. Understand?"
Ren nodded.
"I understand."
The manager gestured to an attendant, who approached carrying a Duel Disk and two metal collars.
One collar was placed around Ren's neck.
Lazar's hand tightened into a fist.
The metal locked with a sharp click.
The manager watched their reactions with quiet amusement.
"Don't worry. The equipment is perfectly functional."
"That's not what worries me," Lazar replied.
The manager ignored him.
"Now, let's find you an opponent."
The arena lights dimmed.
A spotlight illuminated the opposite side of the platform.
A figure stepped forward, carrying a Duel Disk on his arm.
The crowd began to chant a name.
"BIG BOBO!!!"
The manager smiled.
"Ren, meet one of our most reliable competitors."
The figure entered the light.
"Your duel begins now."
Ren raised his Duel Disk.
Across from him, his opponent did the same.
The two devices activated simultaneously.
DUEL!
TURN 1 — BIG BOBO
The arena lights swept across the dueling platform as Big Bobo stepped forward.
He was a broad-shouldered teenager with a thick neck and a heavy build. His sleeveless shirt stretched across his chest, and his grin revealed a row of uneven teeth. He looked less like a professional duelist and more like someone who had wandered into the arena, decided he liked it, and never left.
Big Bobo pointed a thick finger at Ren.
"BIG BOBO WILL CRUSH YOU!"
Ren swallowed but raised his Duel Disk.
"Let's just get this over with."
"BIG BOBO LIKES THAT ATTITUDE!"
The announcer's voice boomed through the chamber.
"DUEL!"
Both Duel Disks illuminated.
Ren LP: 4000
Big Bobo LP: 4000
Big Bobo drew his opening card and immediately held up a Spell Card.
"BIG BOBO STARTS WITH A BANG! BIG BOBO ACTIVATES HINOTAMA!"
The Spell ignited in a burst of fire.
A blazing sphere shot across the platform toward Ren.
"Watch out!" Lazar shouted.
The fireball struck Ren squarely in the chest.
500 points of damage!
Ren's Life Points dropped.
Ren LP: 4000 → 3500
But the damage didn't stop at his Duel Disk.
The shock collar around Ren's neck flashed blue.
CRACK!
Electricity surged through his body.
Ren's muscles seized as the current forced a cry from his throat. He staggered backward, one hand clutching the collar, before dropping to one knee.
"REN!" Emily wasn't there to call out, but Lazar's voice cut through the crowd's cheers.
Marcus grabbed the railing so tightly his knuckles whitened.
"That bastard…"
On the platform, Big Bobo threw his head back and laughed.
"HAHAHAHA! BIG BOBO LOVES THE SOUND OF A GOOD HIT!"
Ren forced himself back onto his feet. His breathing was ragged, and his hands trembled, but he raised his head.
"Is that all you've got?"
Big Bobo's grin widened.
"BIG BOBO HAS BARELY STARTED!"
He placed a card face-down on his field.
"BIG BOBO SETS ONE MONSTER!"
A second card followed.
"AND BIG BOBO SETS ONE CARD FACE-DOWN! BIG BOBO ENDS HIS TURN!"
He folded his arms and stared across the field at Ren.
"YOUR TURN! SHOW BIG BOBO WHAT YOU'VE GOT!"
The arena lights reflected off the metal collar around Ren's neck.
Lazar watched him carefully. The first turn had barely begun, and already the arena had made its point.
Here, every mistake would hurt.
And the people watching wanted to see how much pain Ren could take.
You're right. Cyber Energy Blast is a Continuous Trap, so it remains face-up on Big Bobo's field after activation. Big Bobo chains it immediately to Ren's activation of Polymerization, before Super Roboyarou is Fusion Summoned. Its effect then inflicts 300 damage when the Machine monster is Special Summoned.
Here's the corrected Turn 2.
TURN 2 — REN
Ren drew his card.
His fingers still trembled slightly from the shock delivered by his collar, but as he examined his hand, his expression began to change.
He had a plan.
And if Big Bobo thought one Spell Card was enough to break him, he was about to be disappointed.
Ren raised a card.
"Let's start with a bang! I activate Polymerization!"
The crowd's attention shifted toward the center of the arena.
Big Bobo tilted his head.
"FUSION SUMMON? BIG BOBO LOVES IT WHEN PEOPLE MAKE THINGS INTERESTING!"
Ren placed two cards onto his Duel Disk.
"I fuse Roboyarou with Mystical Sheep #2!"
A mechanical warrior appeared beside a strange, woolly creature. Both monsters dissolved into streams of light, their forms spiraling together as Polymerization's energy gathered above the platform.
But before the Fusion Summon could be completed, Big Bobo slapped his hand against his Duel Disk.
"NOT SO FAST! BIG BOBO ACTIVATES HIS FACE-DOWN TRAP!"
The card flipped face-up.
CYBER ENERGY BLAST!
Electric energy crackled around the platform.
"Cyber Energy Blast is a Continuous Trap! Every time a Machine monster is Special Summoned, your opponent takes 300 points of damage!"
Big Bobo threw his head back and laughed.
"AND BIG BOBO KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SUMMON!"
Ren's eyes widened.
"That's why you waited for me to activate Polymerization!"
"BIG BOBO IS A GENIUS!"
The Fusion vortex erupted.
SUPER ROBOYAROU!
The mechanical warrior landed on Ren's field, its metallic body gleaming beneath the arena lights.
Immediately, Cyber Energy Blast discharged.
300 points of damage!
Ren LP: 3500 → 3200
The shock collar flashed blue.
CRACK!
Electricity tore through Ren's body. His shoulders jerked, and he clenched his teeth against the pain. For a moment, his vision blurred beneath the harsh arena lights.
The crowd roared.
Big Bobo slapped his chest.
"HAHAHAHA! BIG BOBO LOVES A GOOD FUSION SUMMON! ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HURTS!"
Ren staggered but remained standing.
Lazar gripped the railing.
"Every time a Machine monster is Special Summoned? That's going to make every Fusion Summon dangerous."
Marcus's eyes remained fixed on Ren.
"Then he needs to end this quickly."
On the platform, Ren slowly straightened.
"You really like hearing yourself talk, don't you?"
Big Bobo pointed at him.
"BIG BOBO IS A MAN OF MANY WORDS!"
"Yeah. I noticed."
Ren turned toward his Fusion Monster.
"Super Roboyarou! Attack that face-down monster!"
The mechanical warrior charged across the field, its metal fists raised.
Big Bobo grinned.
"BIG BOBO REVEALS HIS FACE-DOWN MONSTER!"
The hidden card flipped face-up.
CYBER ARCHFIEND — 2000 DEF
The mechanical warrior's attack met the demon's fortified defenses. Cyber Archfiend braced itself, preparing to withstand the impact.
But Ren wasn't worried.
"Super Roboyarou has an effect that activates during the Damage Step when it battles a monster!"
His eyes narrowed.
"During that battle, it gains an additional 1000 ATK!"
Energy surged through Super Roboyarou's mechanical frame.
Super Roboyarou: 1200 → 2200 ATK
The sudden increase caught Big Bobo's attention.
"WHAT?!"
Super Roboyarou drove its fist forward.
The impact shattered Cyber Archfiend's defenses, and the demon dissolved into fragments of light.
2200 ATK vs. 2000 DEF
Cyber Archfiend was destroyed.
Because it had been in Defense Position, Big Bobo took no battle damage.
Ren lowered his hand.
"One down."
Big Bobo's grin returned, although it looked a little less effortless than before.
"BIG BOBO ISN'T WORRIED! BIG BOBO HAS MORE TRICKS!"
"Then I'd better be ready for them."
Ren placed one final card face-down on his Duel Disk.
"I'm setting one card. And I'll end my turn."
Super Roboyarou stood guard before him, its metallic fists clenched.
Ren was still in pain. His Life Points had fallen, and Big Bobo's Continuous Trap had already demonstrated how dangerous the arena could be.
But Ren had destroyed his opponent's hidden monster and established a Fusion Monster of his own.
For the first time since the duel began, he looked less like someone trapped in the arena and more like someone who intended to fight his way out.
TURN 3 — BIG BOBO
Big Bobo drew his card and immediately broke into a wide grin.
"Big Bobo has a plan! And this plan is going to hurt!"
He Normal Summoned Cyber Larva in Attack Position.
A small mechanical creature appeared on his field, its metallic body humming with energy.
Cyber Larva — 400 ATK / 600 DEF
Ren watched it carefully.
"That little thing?"
"Never underestimate Big Bobo!"
Big Bobo activated another Spell Card.
"Machine Duplication!"
The Spell's effect activated, and two additional copies of Cyber Larva appeared from Big Bobo's Deck.
Both were Special Summoned in Defense Position.
Cyber Larva — 600 DEF
Cyber Larva — 600 DEF
Three tiny machines now occupied Big Bobo's field.
Then the Continuous Trap behind him began to glow.
"Cyber Energy Blast!"
The trap unleashed a burst of electrical energy.
Because two Machine monsters had been Special Summoned, its effect triggered twice.
Ren LP: 3200 → 2900
The first shock surged through Ren's collar.
His shoulders jerked, and his teeth clenched against the sudden pain.
Before he could recover, the trap activated again.
Ren LP: 2900 → 2600
The second shock forced a strained gasp from his throat. His knees nearly buckled, but he managed to stay upright.
Lazar's hands tightened into fists.
"That's twice now…"
Marcus's expression darkened.
"And Bobo hasn't even attacked him."
Inside the arena, Big Bobo laughed.
"Big Bobo loves this trap! Every machine makes the little shock collar go zap!"
Ren forced himself to straighten.
The pain was real. There was no pretending otherwise.
But he wasn't going to give Big Bobo the satisfaction of seeing him collapse.
Big Bobo raised another card.
"Big Bobo activates Double Summon!"
The Spell granted him an additional Normal Summon this turn.
He pointed toward the Cyber Larva standing in Attack Position.
"Big Bobo offers Cyber Larva as a Tribute!"
The small machine disappeared in a flash of light.
A larger mechanical monster emerged in its place, its armored body towering over the remaining Larvae.
"Come forth, Cyber Ogre!"
The monster landed heavily on the arena floor.
Cyber Ogre — 1900 ATK
Ren looked from Cyber Ogre to the two Cyber Larvae still crouched in Defense Position.
Big Bobo spread his arms theatrically.
"Now Big Bobo has a real monster! And Big Bobo is just getting started!"
He ended his turn without declaring an attack.
Ren took a slow breath, trying to ignore the lingering pain around his neck.
His Super Roboyarou was still standing, and he still had one face-down card.
But with Cyber Energy Blast remaining active, every Machine monster Big Bobo Special Summoned could cost him another 300 Life Points—and another shock.
Ren looked toward his opponent.
It was time to turn the duel around.
TURN 4 — REN
Ren drew his card.
His fingers still tingled from the shocks delivered by the collar. Every breath reminded him that this wasn't an ordinary duel. If he lost too many Life Points, his body would pay the price.
Across the field, Big Bobo stood beside Cyber Ogre, looking pleased with himself.
"Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre has 1900 ATK! Your little robot doesn't stand a chance!"
Ren glanced at Super Roboyarou.
"Who said I was keeping it?"
He placed a monster card onto his Duel Disk.
"I Normal Summon Fierce Tiger Monghu!"
A powerful tiger-like warrior appeared on Ren's field, its striped body rippling with energy. It lowered its head and let out a fierce roar that echoed through the arena.
Fierce Tiger Monghu — 1700 ATK
Big Bobo tilted his head.
"A tiger? Big Bobo thought this was a Machine duel!"
Ren ignored him.
"Fierce Tiger Monghu's first effect activates! While it's on the field, every other monster loses 500 ATK!"
A wave of pressure spread across the battlefield.
Super Roboyarou's power diminished.
Super Roboyarou: 1200 → 700 ATK
Cyber Ogre's armor dimmed as its strength fell.
Cyber Ogre: 1900 → 1400 ATK
The two Cyber Larvae remained in Defense Position, their DEF unchanged.
Big Bobo's grin faltered.
"Hey! Big Bobo's monsters are getting weaker!"
"So are mine," Ren replied. "That's the point."
Ren pointed toward Fierce Tiger Monghu.
"And now I activate its other effect! Destroy every monster on the field with less ATK than Fierce Tiger Monghu!"
The tiger warrior sprang forward, releasing a thunderous roar.
A shock wave swept across the arena.
Cyber Ogre attempted to brace itself, but its weakened armor shattered beneath the force. Both Cyber Larvae were caught in the same blast and destroyed.
Super Roboyarou was struck as well. Its mechanical body broke apart, and its remaining components vanished into the Graveyard.
For a moment, the entire arena fell silent.
Every monster on the field had been destroyed except one.
Fierce Tiger Monghu — 1700 ATK
Big Bobo stared at his empty field.
"Big Bobo's monsters! All three of them!"
Ren looked at his own empty space, where Super Roboyarou had stood moments earlier.
He hadn't spared his own monster.
That was the price of clearing the field.
But Fierce Tiger Monghu was still standing.
Ren extended his arm.
"Fierce Tiger Monghu! Direct attack!"
The tiger warrior charged across the arena and struck Big Bobo with a powerful blow.
1700 ATK — Direct Attack!
Big Bobo staggered backward as his Duel Disk registered the damage.
Big Bobo LP: 4000 → 2300
Then the collar around Big Bobo's neck activated.
KZZZZT!
"GAAAAAAAH!"
A violent surge of electricity ripped through Big Bobo's body.
His entire frame convulsed. His arms jerked uncontrollably, and his knees slammed against the arena floor. The laughter vanished from his face as the current continued to course through him.
"BIG—BOBO—CAN'T—!"
His voice broke into a strangled cry.
The spectators fell silent.
Even Ren stared. He had already experienced the collar's punishment several times, but seeing the same electricity tear through his opponent made the cruelty of the arena impossible to ignore.
The current finally stopped.
Big Bobo collapsed onto one hand, breathing in ragged gasps. His fingers scraped against the metal floor as he struggled to steady himself. For several seconds, he couldn't even stand.
Lazar gripped the railing.
"They're doing this to everyone who loses Life Points?"
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"Looks like it."
Ren kept his eyes on Big Bobo. There was no satisfaction on his face, only a grim understanding of what awaited him if he lost.
Big Bobo slowly lifted his head. His usual swagger had been shaken, but his eyes still burned with anger.
"Y-you…"
He struggled back to his feet.
"Big Bobo… isn't finished!"
Ren lowered his arm.
"Then take your turn."
The shock collar remained around Ren's neck, and Cyber Energy Blast was still active. The danger hadn't disappeared.
But the battlefield had changed dramatically.
For the first time, Ren had seized control of the duel.
And Big Bobo would have to find another way to fight back.
TURN 5 — BIG BOBO
Big Bobo remained hunched over for another moment, one hand pressed against the arena floor.
The shock had left his body trembling. His breathing was uneven, and his usual exaggerated grin had disappeared.
But eventually, he straightened.
"Ghh… Big Bobo… draws!"
He pulled a card from his Deck and examined it.
Then his expression changed.
"Big Bobo activates Pot of Greed!"
He drew two additional cards from his Deck, studying them before his grin slowly returned.
"Now Big Bobo has options!"
Ren watched him carefully. Fierce Tiger Monghu remained on the field, its effect weakening every other monster by 500 ATK. Big Bobo would have to account for that if he wanted to turn the duel around.
He raised another card.
"Big Bobo activates Premature Burial!"
The Equip Spell appeared on his Duel Disk.
Big Bobo LP: 2300 → 1500
The payment sent a jolt through Big Bobo's collar. He flinched, but forced himself to remain upright.
Premature Burial's effect activated.
A familiar mechanical silhouette emerged from the Graveyard, its armored body reassembling as it returned to the field.
Cyber Ogre — 1900 ATK
But Fierce Tiger Monghu's effect was still active.
The tiger's roar swept across the arena, weakening Cyber Ogre as soon as it returned.
Cyber Ogre: 1900 → 1400 ATK
Then the Continuous Trap behind Big Bobo began to glow.
"Cyber Energy Blast activates!"
Electricity crackled across the arena.
Because Cyber Ogre had been Special Summoned, the Trap inflicted 300 points of effect damage on Ren.
Ren LP: 2600 → 2300
KZZZZT!
Ren's collar discharged.
His body seized as electricity surged through him. His shoulders jerked violently, and he clenched his teeth, fighting to remain standing until the current finally stopped.
Big Bobo pointed at him.
"That's right! Big Bobo's trap still works! Every Machine Special Summon means another shock for you!"
Ren drew a ragged breath but didn't respond.
Big Bobo raised another card.
"Big Bobo equips Cyber Ogre with Axe of Despair!"
A massive, sinister axe materialized in Cyber Ogre's hands. Dark energy coursed through its blade as the machine gripped the weapon.
Axe of Despair: +1000 ATK
Cyber Ogre's power surged.
Cyber Ogre: 1400 → 2400 ATK
Ren glanced at Fierce Tiger Monghu.
The numbers had changed. His monster was no longer the strongest on the field.
Big Bobo pointed dramatically toward Ren.
"Cyber Ogre! Attack Fierce Tiger Monghu! Big Bobo demands revenge!"
Cyber Ogre charged forward, swinging its enormous axe.
Fierce Tiger Monghu roared and met the attack head-on, but the difference in power was too great.
Cyber Ogre — 2400 ATK
Fierce Tiger Monghu — 1700 ATK
The axe struck with tremendous force, overwhelming the tiger warrior. Monghu shattered into fragments of light and disappeared from the field.
The remaining force of the attack struck Ren.
Battle damage: 2400 − 1700 = 700
Ren LP: 2300 → 1600
The collar activated again.
KZZZZT!
Ren's body convulsed as electricity surged through him. His knees nearly gave way, and for a moment he struggled to draw breath. He fought to remain standing, refusing to let the spectators see him collapse.
When the shock finally stopped, he straightened slowly.
Across the arena, Big Bobo stood beside his restored Cyber Ogre, the axe still blazing with dark energy.
He was injured, exhausted, and down to 1500 Life Points.
But he was smiling again.
"That's more like it! Big Bobo's back in business!"
He placed one final card face-down in his Spell/Trap Zone.
Then he lowered his Duel Disk.
"Big Bobo ends his turn!"
Ren looked at his empty field.
Big Bobo had paid dearly to bring Cyber Ogre back, and the machine was now a serious threat. Ren had taken another 1000 total damage this turn—300 from Cyber Energy Blast and 700 from battle—and every point had been accompanied by the collar's punishment.
But Ren still had cards in his hand.
The duel was far from over.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and prepared to draw.
He had survived another turn in the arena.
Now he needed to find a way to survive the next one.
TURN 6 — REN
Ren drew his card.
His body still ached from the shocks, but he forced himself to focus on the field. Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre stood armed with Axe of Despair, its mechanical body radiating power.
Ren placed a monster card onto his Duel Disk.
"I Normal Summon Sunlight Unicorn!"
A magnificent unicorn appeared in a flash of golden light. Its horn shone brightly as it landed on Ren's side of the field.
Sunlight Unicorn — 1800 ATK
Big Bobo glanced at the monster, then burst into laughter.
"Ha! Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre has 2900 ATK! That little unicorn is going to get trampled!"
Ren pointed forward.
"Sunlight Unicorn! Attack Cyber Ogre!"
The unicorn charged, golden light gathering around its horn.
Big Bobo threw his head back and laughed even louder.
"HAHAHA! Big Bobo knew Ren was desperate, but this is INSANE! You're attacking a monster with 2900 ATK using one with only 1800?!"
Ren remained calm.
"I'm not finished."
He pulled a Spell Card from his hand.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Shrink!"
The card flashed, and a wave of energy swept over Cyber Ogre. Its enormous frame rapidly shrank, its power diminishing with it.
Cyber Ogre: 2900 → 1450 ATK
The spectators gasped.
Sunlight Unicorn was now stronger.
Ren's eyes narrowed.
"Now, finish it!"
But Big Bobo's laughter returned before the monsters could collide.
"Not so fast! Big Bobo has another trick!"
He revealed a second copy of Cyber Ogre from his hand.
"Big Bobo discards another Cyber Ogre! Its effect activates! Big Bobo negates your attack, and my Cyber Ogre gains 2000 ATK until the End Phase of my next turn!"
A powerful pulse erupted from the discarded card.
Sunlight Unicorn's charge abruptly stopped as an invisible force disrupted its attack. The golden light surrounding its horn flickered, and it was forced to retreat without reaching its target.
Sunlight Unicorn's attack was negated.
Meanwhile, Cyber Ogre's body began glowing with renewed energy. Its mechanical armor expanded, and the power drained from it by Shrink was overwhelmed by the sudden surge.
Big Bobo spread his arms triumphantly.
"HAHAHA! Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre just got even STRONGER! You tried to weaken Big Bobo's monster, and all you did was make Big Bobo angrier!"
Ren stared at Cyber Ogre.
He had anticipated the Axe of Despair, and Shrink had temporarily turned the battle in his favor. But Big Bobo had protected his monster by sacrificing another copy from his hand.
The attack was over.
Ren had no further plays to make, so he lowered his arm.
"Fine. I end my turn."
As Ren's turn ended, Shrink's temporary effect wore off.
Cyber Ogre returned to its previous size and ATK.
Cyber Ogre: 1450 → 2900 ATK
But the power granted by Big Bobo's effect remained.
Cyber Ogre: 2900 → 4900 ATK
The spectators stared at the enormous machine.
Big Bobo threw his head back and laughed.
"HAHAHA! Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre has 4900 ATK! That's more than enough to crush your little unicorn!"
Ren said nothing.
Sunlight Unicorn remained on his field, but the difference in power was enormous. Ren had 1600 Life Points left, and another direct hit could leave him dangerously close to defeat.
He couldn't afford to make another careless move.
TURN 7 — BIG BOBO
Big Bobo drew his card.
The moment he saw Cyber Ogre standing on his field with 4900 ATK, his grin widened until it looked almost ridiculous.
"HAHAHAHA! Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre is unstoppable! There's no way Ren can survive this!"
Ren said nothing.
He kept his eyes on the monster, waiting for Big Bobo to make his move.
Big Bobo thrust his arm forward.
"Cyber Ogre! Attack Sunlight Unicorn! BIG BOBO WANTS GAME!"
Cyber Ogre charged, its enormous axe raised above its head. The machine's footsteps shook the arena floor as it prepared to bring the duel to an end.
But Ren's expression didn't change.
"That's what I've been waiting for."
He flipped his face-down card.
"I activate my Trap Card — Bunch of Beast Bodies!"
The card flashed, releasing a wave of energy across the battlefield.
"Its effect changes every monster that wasn't Summoned this turn into face-up Defense Position!"
Cyber Ogre's charge abruptly stopped. Its massive body shifted as the Trap forced it into a defensive stance.
Sunlight Unicorn was affected as well, lowering its head and bracing itself against the ground.
Sunlight Unicorn: Attack Position → Defense Position
Cyber Ogre: Attack Position → Defense Position
Big Bobo stared at the field.
"WHAT?! Big Bobo was about to win!"
Ren folded his arms.
"You were about to attack a monster that wasn't going anywhere."
Big Bobo gritted his teeth.
The effect of Bunch of Beast Bodies had turned both monsters into Defense Position, preventing Cyber Ogre's attack from going through as intended.
The difference in their defensive power was enormous.
Sunlight Unicorn — 1000 DEF
Cyber Ogre — 1200 DEF
But neither monster was destroyed, and Ren's Life Points remained untouched.
Big Bobo's grin slowly returned.
"Fine! Big Bobo doesn't need to win with one attack!"
He entered his Main Phase 2.
Then he raised another card.
"Big Bobo activates Chain Material!"
The Trap's effect spread across the field, creating glowing chains that connected Big Bobo's Duel Disk to his Deck and Graveyard.
"For the rest of this turn, Big Bobo can use monsters from his hand, field, Deck, and Graveyard as Fusion Material, as long as Big Bobo activates a card that performs a Fusion Summon!"
Ren's eyes narrowed.
He understood what Big Bobo was preparing.
Big Bobo held up a Spell Card.
"POLYMERIZATION!"
The familiar Fusion vortex opened above the arena.
Cyber Ogre, still standing in Defense Position, began to glow. At the same time, another copy of Cyber Ogre emerged from the Graveyard—the one Big Bobo had discarded earlier to negate Sunlight Unicorn's attack.
The two machines were pulled toward the vortex.
Their bodies dissolved into streams of light, combining within the swirling energy.
"Big Bobo fuses the Cyber Ogres on his field and in his Graveyard!"
The vortex erupted.
"Fusion Summon! Cyber Ogre 2!"
A new mechanical warrior emerged, its armored body larger and more refined than the original Cyber Ogre. Energy coursed through its reinforced limbs as it landed on the field.
Cyber Ogre 2 — 2600 ATK
But before Big Bobo could celebrate, the Continuous Trap behind him began to glow.
Cyber Energy Blast activated!
Ren's eyes widened.
He barely had time to brace himself before the collar around his neck unleashed another surge of electricity.
Ren LP: 1600 → 1300
KZZZZZZT!
"GAAAH!"
The shock tore through Ren's body.
His back arched violently, and his hands clenched around the edges of his Duel Disk. His muscles locked as electricity coursed through him, forcing a strangled cry from his throat.
For a moment, he couldn't even feel his legs.
Then the current intensified.
Ren's knees buckled. He dropped to one knee, his Duel Disk arm shaking uncontrollably as he fought to keep himself conscious.
Lazar lurched forward against the railing.
"REN!"
Marcus grabbed the railing beside him, his face twisted with anger.
"Damn it! That trap activates every time he Special Summons a Machine!"
The spectators watched with a mixture of excitement and unease. Some cheered. Others fell silent as Ren struggled against the collar's punishment.
Finally, the electricity stopped.
Ren remained on one knee, breathing in ragged gasps. His fingers trembled, and sweat ran down his face.
Ren had only 1300 Life Points remaining.
Across the field, Big Bobo spread his arms triumphantly.
"HAHAHAHA! Even Big Bobo's Fusion Summons hurt you! Cyber Energy Blast never misses a chance to make things exciting!"
Ren slowly lifted his head.
His body was screaming at him to stop.
But he pushed himself back to his feet.
"You talk too much," he rasped.
Big Bobo's grin faltered for a fraction of a second.
Ren steadied his breathing and looked toward Cyber Ogre 2.
He had bought himself another turn with Bunch of Beast Bodies, but Big Bobo had turned that reprieve into a new threat—and another painful shock.
Ren tightened his grip on his Duel Disk.
He wasn't finished yet.
Big Bobo ended his turn, satisfied with his play.
The arena erupted into cheers.
Ren remained still, studying Cyber Ogre 2.
He had survived another turn in the arena. Now he needed to find a way to survive the next one.
TURN 8 — REN
Ren drew his card.
His fingers trembled as he pulled it from his Deck. The shock from Cyber Energy Blast still lingered in his muscles, and every breath felt heavier than the last.
Across the field, Cyber Ogre 2 stood ready in Defense Position, its armored body radiating power.
Big Bobo grinned.
"HAHAHA! Big Bobo's Cyber Ogre 2 has 2600 ATK! Your little unicorn can't do anything against it!"
Ren glanced at his hand.
Then he stopped.
His eyes widened slightly.
For the first time in several turns, a genuine smile appeared on his face.
"Found you."
He raised the card.
"I activate the Spell Card — Acid Rain!"
Big Bobo blinked.
"What?"
The arena darkened as clouds of corrosive vapor swept across the battlefield. A sickening hiss filled the air as the acid descended over the mechanical monster.
Cyber Ogre 2 tried to move, but its armor began to corrode. Metal plates blackened, joints seized, and sparks erupted from its failing body.
Ren pointed toward it.
"Every Machine monster is destroyed by this effect. And Cyber Ogre 2 is a Machine."
The monster let out a mechanical roar as its body began to collapse.
Cyber Ogre 2 — DESTROYED!
The last of its armor dissolved into the corrosive mist before the machine disappeared from the field.
Big Bobo stared at the empty space.
"NO! BIG BOBO'S CYBER OGRE 2!"
Ren lowered his card.
"Should've brought something that doesn't rust."
For a moment, the arena was silent.
Big Bobo had spent several turns building his advantage around Cyber Ogre. He had paid Life Points, endured the collar's punishment, and sacrificed cards to protect his monsters.
Now his strongest monster was gone.
And Ren still had a monster on the field.
He looked toward Sunlight Unicorn.
Sunlight Unicorn — 1800 ATK / 1000 DEF
"Sunlight Unicorn," Ren said, "switch to Attack Position."
The unicorn lifted its head and returned to its fighting stance.
Ren raised his arm.
"Sunlight Unicorn! Direct attack! Finish this!"
The unicorn charged across the arena, its horn glowing with golden light.
Big Bobo's eyes widened.
"WAIT! BIG BOBO—!"
The attack connected.
1800 ATK — DIRECT ATTACK!
Big Bobo staggered as his Duel Disk registered the damage.
Big Bobo LP: 1500 → 0
The arena fell silent.
Then the Duel Disks announced the result.
DUEL OVER.
Ren had won.
But the moment the announcement sounded, his body finally began to give out.
His knees weakened. The pain from the repeated shocks caught up with him, and the arena seemed to tilt beneath his feet.
He tried to take a step.
His legs nearly folded.
Not now.
He had made it through the duel. He had survived the collar, the pain, and Big Bobo's relentless attacks.
He wasn't going to collapse now.
Then something surged through him.
Adrenaline.
His heart hammered against his chest, and a sudden burst of energy cut through the exhaustion. Ren straightened, drawing a deep breath as he forced himself to remain standing.
The crowd erupted.
Lazar let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"He actually did it…"
Marcus stared at the field, then shook his head with a disbelieving smile.
"He won with one monster left."
Ren barely heard them.
His eyes remained on Big Bobo, who stood motionless as the Duel Disk's lights faded. The shock collar still rested around his neck, a reminder of what this place had done to both of them.
Ren had won the duel.
But the victory didn't feel clean.
He looked down at his trembling hand and slowly clenched it into a fist.
"I'm still standing," he whispered.
For now, that was enough.