"What a terrifying duel." Kujaku Mai, watching from the stands, crossed her arms and commented, "Both sides summoned Level 6 high-level monsters in an instant and are engaging in such fierce offense and defense.
What's even scarier is that this is just the first round, and the battle is already so intense, with both players having lost nearly half their Life Points... In this duel, a slight carelessness could lead to an instant counter-attack."
Anzu looked worried, "Yugi..."
However, Dark Yugi showed no sign of tension on stage.
"You're right, Youyu." He smiled gently, "I was rushing; the duel has just begun. Now I'm going in!
My turn, draw! I use 'Pot of Greed' to draw two more cards from my deck!
Next is this card... 'Card Destruction'! Both players discard their entire hands and then draw the same number of cards from their decks!"
Watching Yugi insert this classic card into his Duel Disc, discard his hand, and draw cards, Youyu followed suit with a slight frown, feeling an ominous premonition towards the Set Card at Yugi's feet.
"Then activate the Set Card!" Yugi indeed pointed to that Set Card, "Trap Card - Disgraceful Charity! All cards discarded to the Graveyard by a Magic Effect this turn return to the owner's hand!"
Sure enough, Youyu had guessed it.
For a big shot like Yugi, resource scarcity is never an issue; his hand cards can always freely replenish according to the vibe...
But actually, this was profitable for Youyu too, because the combo effect of 'Card Destruction' and 'Disgraceful Charity' targets both players, meaning he also replenished his hand.
And since the card draw effect was activated on Yugi's side, consuming Yugi's resources, Youyu did nothing yet gained two cards for free, netting a profit.
...Of course, that's assuming things are normal.
However, if you think about it carefully, are two cards drawn by an average person really comparable to two cards drawn by the Pharaoh?
Can you guarantee every draw will be a perfect, god-like draw?
Even if you can draw perfectly, can you print the cards you're about to draw?
"Let's go!" The Pharaoh began his performance, "First, activate the Magic Card - Monster Reborn from my hand! Revive the 'Queen's Knight' from the Graveyard!"
A blonde, red-armored female knight appeared on the field, expressionless yet heroic with her longsword.
[Queen's Knight, ATK 1500]
Youyu understood; it seemed to be the card discarded to the Graveyard at the start of the last turn due to 'Disgraceful Charity'.
Indeed, Disgraceful Charity is literally a Divine Card...
"Then Normal Summon 'King's Knight' from my hand!"
Yugi slapped the Monster Card onto the Duel Disc, and a knight in splendid, golden armor, with even a golden beard, flew past in a flash of light and swung its longsword.
[King's Knight, ATK 1600]
"Activate the Monster Effect of 'King's Knight'!" Yugi drew a card from the deck in his Duel Disc, immediately picking one, "When 'Queen's Knight' is on the field and 'King's Knight' is successfully summoned, Special Summon from the deck...
...'Jack's Knight'!"
This time emerged a warrior in white armor, handsome, with a straight posture, strong physique, and holding a silver-white longsword.
[Jack's Knight, ATK 1900]
"Amazing!" Jonouchi expressed admiration, "As expected of Yugi, summoning three monsters at once!"
Kaiba said nothing, but crossed his arms and snorted inwardly, "I see, he quickly prepared a strategy to summon a god after taking Obelisk the Tormentor from me?"
Youyu also stayed vigilant.
It's here, Dark Yugi's famous combo from the anime, the Three Musketeers for the summoning of gods, or the ritual three-man team...
But Yugi's Normal Summon for this turn has already gone to 'King's Knight'. Even if he has three tributes, he shouldn't be able to summon further...
"Activate Magic Card from the hand... Double Summon!" Yugi waved his arm, and a Magic Card appeared on the field, "During the turn this card is activated, the player can perform two Normal Summons!"
Youyu: "..."
Okay, I really shouldn't have hoped for luck.
What kind of wishful thinking is that?!
Can't you see who you're up against? The opponent's duelist star level being revealed could probably scare you to pieces, and you still worry about them not having cards to play?
"You, Youyu, are one of the strongest duelists I've ever met. So with you as my opponent, I won't hold back—I'll unleash my full power and battle you in a fair fight!"
He cast a glance outside the ring, "Kaiba! I will borrow your strength!"
Kaiba snorted, seemingly very displeased.
Having his card taken by "recognized man" number one to use against number two, and the president could only cross arms and curb his card addiction while watching from the stands, suffering to the point it's just unbearable...
Youyu held his breath.
It's coming!
"I tribute 'Queen's Knight', 'King's Knight', 'Jack's Knight'! Descend upon the earth with overpowering strength, taking the form of the master of power!
The Destroyer God—Obelisk the Tormentor!!!"
As Yugi slapped the card onto the Duel Disc, a majestic and sacred blue light beam swirled and surged skyward! The intense light scattered the clouds as if piercing the firmament. The giant's image seemed to ride that beam of light, visiting the earth with a thunderous roar and earthquake-like tremors.
[Obelisk the Tormentor, ATK 4000]
This wasn't the first time Youyu had seen Obelisk. Strictly speaking, the Tormentor was the first Egyptian God he'd faced, although they didn't finish that battle as the president ran away...
But now, Youyu was entirely different from before. At that time, he only had the Dark Magician Girl, whereas now his deck housed both spirits and the powers of two Egyptian Gods, although incomplete. Even facing a god doesn't feel as powerless as before.
"Battle! Use Obelisk the Tormentor to attack Dark Magician Girl!" Yugi ordered loudly, "Fist of God Crush!"
The Destroyer God swung its massive blue fist, a spiral blue impact on it, bearing down like Mount Tai.
This time, Youyu had no means to keep Dark Magician Girl in play. The girl seemed a bit unwilling about her early departure, biting her lip and waving reluctantly to Youyu before being consumed by the blue light of the Fist of God Crush, disappearing.
But before the shockwave swept over, Youyu waved his arm: "Activate Trap Card! Damage Diet! During the turn this card is activated, all damage taken is halved!"
[Youyu, LP 2500 → LP 1500]
Though logically speaking, Life Lock is beneficial, it feels inappropriate to lock after just one round without running through the process. So here, Youyu decided to exercise a bit of restraint and adhere to the formal process.
...Though it has to be said, even without being a Dark Game, the impact of the Egyptian God is frightening. A single strike from Obelisk hits straight to the heart. If not for the Dark Magician Girl shielding him and Damage Diet softening the blow, Youyu might've been tossed about like a rag doll zonked by the Tormentor, just like a six-year-old in the cartoon.
With the original body sent to the Graveyard just now, the spirit of Dark Magician Girl floated out: "Master, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, how about you?" Youyu asked.
After all, she was the one directly punched by Obelisk... speaking of which, the Egyptian God really doesn't know how to hold back its strength, seeing such an adorable girl and not going any easier.
"I'm alright." Dark Magician Girl stuck out her tongue, then said with some concern, "But Master, it seems like you're in a bit of a predicament now. That Egyptian God looks really scary..."
"Don't worry, we still have a chance."
Hearing his words, Dark Magician Girl immediately felt reassured.
Yes, what's there to worry about?
My master is the best! And the handsomest (though it seems unrelated)!
Gods or whatever, we'll solve them in no time!
"Alright, my turn is over."
Yugi crossed his arms, the Tormentor behind him glaring fiercely.
"Come on, Youyu!" he said, "If you can defeat a god, let me see it!"