Chapter 1203: Never Give Up

"Is it really... impossible to beat this guy?"

Just as Jack had sunk deep into self-doubt, a clear voice suddenly rang out.

"Don't give up!"

Jack snapped out of it, whipping his head around to look at Yusei.

He saw that Yusei's eyes were still bright and unwavering as he firmly met his gaze. "Don't give up, Jack. Maybe we're still inexperienced. Maybe our power isn't enough.

But no matter how many times we fall down, as long as we get back up again, what does it matter?"

Jack: "Yusei..."

"Yusei's right!" Crow chimed in from the side.

"Think back, Jack. Since we were kids, growing up in the Satellite District at Martha's orphanage, how many setbacks did we face before the Enforcers was formed? How many times were we beaten down?

But no matter how many times it happened, didn't we always manage to get back up again?"

Jack: "Crow..."

"Us folk from Satellite are like weeds by the roadside—anyone can step on us. We've faced more setbacks than we can count.

But in the end, we always stand back up, right? We fall down again and again, only to help each other back up, which is how we became as strong as we are now—isn't that true?

Or have your two years as the King in the city made you forget how we got here?"

Jack: "!"

The proud King gently closed his eyes.

That's right—they had always survived this way, hadn't they?

Why did he forget all this after becoming King?

Even if he couldn't win decisively this time, he'd at least tried his best. Even if he failed, he could leave his teammates with hope and possibilities.

Jack looked down at the remaining cards in his hand.

His turn wasn't over yet—neither was his battle. Even if there were no more cards in his deck, even if he didn't have another turn, he could still pass along hope to his teammates.

Jack: "I set one card and end my turn!"

At the same time, the gigantic dragon before him, which seemed to be ablaze in crimson flames, started to glow even brighter. Throwing its head back, it let out a thunderous dragon's roar.

Then, Majestic Red Dragon spread its wings, leaping into the sky like a fiery meteor and disappearing from sight.

Jack spoke in a low voice: "Majestic Red Dragon is powerful, but it can only remain on the field for one turn. At the end of the turn, it returns to the Extra Deck, and 'Red Dragon Archfiend' is Special Summoned from the Graveyard!"

The Majestic Red's radiance faded away, and columns of flame erupted toward the sky again. It was as if molten lava had taken the shape of a dragon—its crimson wings of bone unfolded, and the dark red demon dragon returned to the field once again.

"Once more, resurrect! My soul—Red Dragon Archfiend!"

[Red Dragon Archfiend, DEF 2500]

Of course, this time it was in Defense Position.

No matter how much Jack emphasized offense, emphasized power, he wasn't a fool. Goodwin had a 4000-ATK Lord of Phantasms on the field—Red Dragon Archfiend couldn't match up.

Kira smiled faintly. "The hope granted by the Crimson Dragon—Majestic Red Dragon—was but a fleeting dream, gone in an instant, wasn't it?"

"No, it hasn't vanished!" Jack declared, voice unwavering.

"Hope still exists, and it will be passed on. Even if I fall, others will carry on its light!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Kira inclined his head slightly.

Impressive spirit—this was how it should be.

He felt that Jack's presence in this duel had grown a little stronger along with his determination. Maybe Jack was leveling up. He wondered if Jack could keep surprising him.

"But since you Special Summoned 'Red Dragon Archfiend' at your End Phase, the effect of 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel' triggers again."

Kira said calmly.

"When your opponent Summons, Special Summons, or Flip Summons a monster, you can Special Summon a Phantasm Token.

Come, I'll Special Summon another 'Phantasm Token'!"

[Phantasm Token, DEF 1000]

The previous three Phantasm Tokens on the field had all been destroyed by Majestic Red Dragon's attack, but now a new one appeared courtesy of Lord of Phantasms's effect.

"My turn. Draw."

Kira drew, glanced at his card, and raised his hand almost immediately.

"Once again, I activate the Field Spell 'Fallen Paradise'. Once per turn, if I control a Sacred Beast, I can draw two cards from my deck."

Since 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel' was still on his field, Kira drew two more.

Seeing Kira draw again, the spectators felt even more uneasy.

Those Sacred Beasts—no matter how many times you beat them down, they always come back. All three Sacred Beasts are Level 10 monsters with strict summoning requirements. Yet, so far, no matter how many are defeated, Kira revives one every turn. His field never lacks a Sacred Beast, so every turn, he gets Fallen Paradise's draw power.

Crow: "Those three Sacred Beasts are a real pain. No matter how many times you defeat them, they keep coming back..."

"No, rather than blaming the Sacred Beast, I think the real problem is Goodwin himself," Yusei said. "Lord of Phantasms Raviel, Lord of Searing Flames, and Lord of Striking Thunder: all are Level 10 monsters that can't be Normal Summoned, only Special Summoned in limited ways.

Normally, it'd be very hard to use all three in one deck, but Goodwin can wield them as easily as his own hands."

Yusei took a deep breath, his tone grave.

"This guy... is dangerous."

Kira continued, "Once more, I activate the effect of 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel – Shimmering Scraper' in the Graveyard.

Once per turn, if this card is in the Graveyard, I can Tribute one of my monsters to return it to my hand.

I tribute my 'Phantasm Token' and return 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel – Shimmering Scraper' from my Graveyard to my hand."

The Phantasm Token, which had come back the previous turn with Red Dragon Archfiend's revival, vanished again in a shower of light, absorbed into Kira's Graveyard. In exchange, a card exited the Graveyard and returned to his hand.

"I've retrieved Shimmering Scraper again." Kira chuckled.

Crow groaned, "He's even recycled that troublesome card again..."

Now, they couldn't help but regard Lord of Phantasms as a terrifying threat with up to 8000 ATK and the ability to attack all monsters.

"Now, Lord of Phantasms Raviel."

Kira ordered lazily.

"Attack Red Dragon Archfiend."

He spoke with interest, glancing at whatever Jack had set in his back row.

Let's see what you call the hope you're passing to your teammates now.

…