Jinzo was depressed.
It shouldn't be like this.
When he'd first joined his master, he'd been full of ambition, determined to make his mark. Watching his master's repeated, superhuman feats only deepened his admiration—he felt destined to climb with him to the summit, to be remembered like Dark Magician or Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Yet so far, much as he hated to admit it, his appearances were… mostly cannon fodder.
That can't be right.
Something must be off.
"Pharaoh truly is formidable," Kira praised. "Even with your plan sealed, you still found a way to crack the board."
The pharaoh frowned.
He didn't know this opponent well yet, but somehow, his praise felt… off. Not pleasant.
Still, he had broken a dire position—fact.
"With this, the seal is lifted," the pharaoh said. "First, I activate my set Trap, the Continuous Trap 'Dark Factory of More Production.'
Once per turn, I can send 1 monster from my hand or face-up field to the GY; draw 1 card—"
"A draw engine, huh. That's not great for me."
Kira snapped his fingers.
"I activate the Continuous Trap 'Royal Decree.'
While this card is face-up, all Trap effects… are negated!"
The pharaoh: "…"
The genius duelist of ancient Egypt, the God of Dueling, the undefeated pharaoh—fell silent at the sight of that Trap.
This duel was a new experience for him in too many ways.
First time his infallible three-axe routine required everything just to activate the first coffin.
First time a duel felt less like hot-blooded combat or a battle of wits and more like doing time.
First time he felt…
Less like commanding monsters, and more like rolling up his sleeves to throw hands himself.
He exhaled a long breath.
So this is how twisted the minds of duellists are three millennia hence—so obsessed with victory it's terrifying?
No—I just want to open one coffin. Is that so much to ask…
"Then I activate the Spell—
Heavy Storm!"
"Oh?" Kira arched a brow. "You've got that, too."
"Heavy Storm—destroy all Spell/Trap cards on the field."
A typhoon howled; a tornado ripped skyward. The Xing Zhen Hu shattering over his back row, along with the long-sealed Mirror Force and coffin lids, were blown away.
"Impressive," Kira smiled. "But… is that really wise?"
"By doing that, you destroyed both of your 'First Sarcophagus' with your own hand, didn't you? Weren't those your most important coffins?"
"Spare me."
Cold as ice.
It was a bad trade, yes, but he had no choice.
In fact, Qardan the Clear-Sighted also has "if it leaves the field, your face-up Continuous Traps can't be destroyed by your opponent's card effects"—but only against the opponent's effects. Heavy Storm, his own card, was irresistible.
Which made the trade worse.
Furious…
"However, compared to a moment ago, counting field and GY, there are now three more Continuous Traps—'Royal Decree,' a new 'First Sarcophagus,' and 'Dark Factory of More Production.' Three more Traps means Pharaonic Advent gains another 900 ATK."
[Pharaonic Advent, ATK 2600 → 3500]
"But Pharaonic Advent has another effect.
By tributing a Fairy monster I control, I can add 1 Continuous Trap from my Deck to my hand."
He pointed at his face-down angel.
"This effect applies even if the Fairy is face-down. I tribute 'Shining Angel' and add a Continuous Trap from my Deck."
"Fetching any Continuous Trap, huh," Kira said, intrigued.
That's pretty good.
From time immemorial, floodgates—seals—have been the core of stun players. And among those seals, Continuous Traps take half the pie—"stickers," as players lovingly call them.
Plenty of old, degenerate stickers still aren't outdated; many have ruinous pressure on modern decks. Their main weakness is consistency—hard to find when you need them.
Being able to search any Continuous Trap—that's a solid effect.
Kira narrowed his eyes.
Pharaoh, I think this card and I are destined…
"Off that effect, I add my third 'The First Sarcophagus' to my hand!" the pharaoh declared.
Kira: "…"
Any Continuous Trap in the game—and he chose… another coffin.
Right. His Majesty's devotion to his coffins had been made abundantly clear.
"I set two and end my turn!"
One was obviously The First Sarcophagus.
Pharaoh narrowed his eyes.
The other was "Trap of Darkness." With LP 3000 or less, by paying 1000 LP you copy the effect of a Normal Trap in your GY.
With that, he could snag the effect of "Mirror Force" in his GY to blow away the opponent's whole field—his strongest shield.
Plus, since he tributed "Qardan the Clear-Sighted" last turn, until the end of the next turn his face-up Traps couldn't be destroyed by the opponent's effects.
Which meant this time, his First Sarcophagus even had destruction protection.
With a mighty Pharaonic Advent up front and the strongest shield in the back, the tide had turned. His beloved coffin engine could finally operate. Things were looking up…
"My turn. Draw," Kira said, revealing a card with unhurried grace. "I activate the Spell 'Giant Trunade.' Return all Spells/Traps on the field to their owners' hands."
The pharaoh: "…"
You couldn't see it—but somehow, Kira felt the face under the golden mask twist.
Na… nani!?!
Not destruction—bounce to hand?
That meant Qardan the Clear-Sighted's protection was irrelevant. Even if he chained the First Sarcophagus now, it would still get scooped back to hand…
The gale surged; the low-pressure front swept his two back-row Traps up and away, depositing them in his hand.
He glanced at the two new cards in hand—and his face twitched again under the mask.
Apparently, the coffin that should've progressed at his opponent's End Phase… wouldn't.
Don't tell me… is it really this hard to open my coffin?
He took a deep breath.
No rush.
Though the back row was broken, he still had Pharaonic Advent up front.
His coffin was at least in hand; he could still activate it next turn.
"The effect of 'Jinzo the Machine Menace' in my hand," Kira said. "If there's any Trap on the field or in either GY, Special Summon this card from my hand."
[Jinzo the Machine Menace, ATK 2400]
A new Jinzo skin—another product of Kira's lab.
But though it wears Jinzo's skin, this one doesn't have the Trap lock.
"Jinzo the Machine Menace's follow-up: during the Main Phase, by tributing this card, I can Special Summon 'Jinzo' from my hand or GY."
Kira reached toward the GY.
"I tribute Jinzo the Machine Menace. From the GY—rise again—
—Jinzo!"
Summoned yet again, Jinzo puffed out his chest, thumped it at Caius, full of swagger as he hit the field.
[Jinzo, ATK 2400]
The pharaoh froze.
Again.
This thing—again—
Seriously.
Can't you just stay in your grave and stop popping back up!?
Which meant… Traps were sealed once more.
But fine.
"Even if you re-summon that android, its ATK is no match for Pharaonic Advent," he said evenly. "Next turn, I'll smash it, and my First Sarcophagus—"
"Assuming there is a next turn," Kira smiled.
The pharaoh: "!"
"I tribute 'Jinzo' to evolve—upgrade!"
Kira raised his arm high.
"The crystallization of technology evolved over ages—the manufactured king—
—Jinzo - Lord, come forth!"
[Jinzo - Lord, ATK 2600]
"It evolved!?"
A worse feeling pressed in on the pharaoh.
"The evolved Jinzo - Lord inherits Jinzo's effect: all Traps cannot be activated, and all Trap effects on the field are negated.
Battle."
He went straight to the Battle Phase.
"Jinzo - Lord attacks 'Pharaonic Advent.'"
"A weaker monster? Courting death!?"
"During battle, from my hand—Quick-Play Spell 'Limiter Removal,'" Kira said. "All Machines I control have their ATK doubled!"
[Jinzo - Lord, ATK 2600 → 5200]
"Fifty-two hundred!?"
The pharaoh reeled.
[Pharaonic Advent, ATK 3500]
Lord spiked in power, roaring as it briefly surpassed even gods. The pharaoh could no longer resist—he was pierced by a tyrannical psychic beam.
"Graaah!"
[Pharaoh, LP 1800 → 100]
He staggered, dropping to one knee.
Waving his attendants back once more, he kept his chin up: "That effect lasts only until the end of the turn. Next turn, its ATK returns to normal…"
"True. But like I said,"
Kira's smile was gentle.
"If there is a next turn."
The pharaoh's pupils shrank.
"Jinzo - Lord—its further effect.
Once per turn: reveal all cards in your opponent's hand and their Spell/Trap Zone; destroy all Trap Cards among them. This card inflicts 300 damage to your opponent for each card destroyed by this effect." (original effect)
"NANDATO( what did you say?!)"
The pharaoh finally lost his composure.
Sealing Traps on the field is one thing—but you won't even spare the ones in my hand?
This guy…
"Jinzo - Lord's effect: Trap scan," Kira crooked a finger. "Come, Pharaoh—show me your hand."
The pharaoh: "…"
"Heh—two Traps, just so. Lucky me," Kira said. "Destroy both. Three hundred each—six hundred damage total!"
Lord thrust both palms; telekinetic currents crackled forth. Two Trap projections rose and shattered in lightning.
[Pharaoh, LP 100 → LP 0]