"... My turn."
Although it feels more troublesome than expected, the duel continues. Even knowing that the opponent has a "Mirror Force" set in the backfield, Paradox can only brace himself and go for it.
"Draw phase, I activate the effect of Field Magic - Sin World." Paradox said, "By foregoing my normal draw, I add a random 'Malefic' monster from my deck to my hand."
His deck automatically shuffled, and after a moment, a card was ejected face down.
Paradox added that card to his hand.
"At this moment, the effect of Super Magician - Dark Magician's Disciple triggers. When a Magic Trap effect is activated, I can draw a card from my deck."
The magic staff of the magicians in front of Yugi crossed, casting a spell onto their master's deck.
"The card I drew is a Magic Trap Card, which can be set directly on the field thanks to the effect of the Dark Magician's Disciple." Yugi waved a hand and set the card, saying, "And the card set by this effect can be activated this turn."
Paradox glanced at the card and couldn't help frowning.
Last turn, Yugi had drawn a "Retort" with his eyes closed, which had caught Paradox off guard, so he dared not set any strange flags this time...
But what he needed to do remained unchanged.
"I activate the effect of 'Malefic Cyber End Dragon' from my hand." Paradox said calmly, "Send a 'Cyber End Dragon' from the Extra Deck to the graveyard, and this card can be special summoned from my hand without cost.
Come forth! Malefic Cyber End Dragon!!"
Overflowing electricity, a steel body, accompanied by the roar of engines and the friction of metal, the three-headed metal dragon raised its heads high, letting out a deep roar!
[Malefic Cyber End Dragon, ATK 4000]
Yugi's starfish hair and the cloak-like school uniform behind him blew straight, and he couldn't help being surprised as he looked at the immense iron king, "Can you summon a monster with attack power equal to 'Obelisk' in an instant?"
"The power of the Malefic is beyond your imagination."
Paradox smiled coldly, his gaze then falling on the set cards in Yugi's backfield, especially on the card set before the end of the last turn.
"Is that card still 'Mirror Force'?" Paradox sneered coldly, "Let me take out that card first.
Quick-Play Magic - Mystical Space Typhoon! Destroy that set card!"
A black whirlwind arose, unapologetically sweeping up the set card in Yugi's backfield—it was indeed that Mirror Force.
Even a mighty holy shield is just an ordinary trap before activation, powerless against the Mystical Space Typhoon. In the gusts of wind, as if by an invisible hand, the card was tossed into the air, and a bolt of lightning from the sky instantly blackened it.
"Now, that troublesome trap no longer exists." Paradox said calmly, "Battle. Malefic Cyber End Dragon, attack Super Magician - Dark Magician's Disciple!"
The steel dragon's three mouths opened, and with jet-black currents, scorching flames blasted forth as if to ignite the air!
Yet Yugi... smiled again!
"You just said you were going to attack, right?"
"What!?" Paradox's face changed dramatically.
"Of course, you'd guard against my 'Mirror Force'." Yugi said, "That's why I set this card!
Activate set card! Trap Card - Trap of Darkness!
When your Life Points are below 3000, pay 1000 Life Points, banish a trap card from the graveyard, and gain the same effect!
I banish 'Mirror Force' from play, gaining its effect—when an opponent declares an attack, destroy all opponent attack position monsters on the field!"
[Yugi, LP 3000 → LP 2000]
As he finished speaking, the trap in front of Yugi flipped, transforming with a golden visual effect into the card image of "Mirror Force".
"Nani!!??"
Paradox was dumbfounded.
Am I really... up against Mirror Force today!?
"Beautiful, as expected from Mister Yugi!" Judai praised.
"Indeed impressive." Yusei nodded genuinely.
A classic powerful trap like Mirror Force is famous even in the distant future, known even by Yusei from that era.
But having heard of it is one thing; to see someone masterfully wield a Mirror Force like this, besides the legendary King Muto Yugi before him, there really was no second person!
But fortunately for Paradox, he still had a countermeasure!
"Quick-Play Magic - Forbidden Dress!" A Magic Card swiftly manifested before Paradox, "Select a monster on the field; by reducing its attack by 600, it cannot be destroyed by card effects or targeted by effects until the end of the turn.
I choose, Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"
[Malefic Cyber End Dragon, ATK 4000 → ATK 3400]
The mechanical king let out a low growl, each part of its body seemingly operating in overload, components clashing, sparking bursts of electricity.
With the support of the Magic Card, the Cyber End Dragon temporarily gained immunity from destruction effects. The energy reflecting from the Mirror Force scattered like arrows, exploding before the Cyber End Dragon as if striking an invisible barrier, rippling into countless pale blue waves.
"The attack continues!" Paradox shouted, "Crush that troublesome Magician's Disciple!"
The Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl resisted with all their might, but ultimately could not withstand the obliterating force. The magic array the duo conjured was easily shattered, and the figures of both mages vanished in the overwhelming brightness.
[Yugi, LP 2000 → LP 1400]
The impact of the duel in the Malefic World caused real damage. Despite the buffer of the magic array, the power of the Cyber End Dragon made Yugi stumble slightly, as if he might be knocked down at any moment.
But he quickly shouted, "The effect of Super Magician - Dark Magician's Disciple activates! When destroyed, revive 'Dark Magician' and 'Dark Magician Girl' from the graveyard!"
The profound magic array unfolded, and the power of Black Magic summoned back the Magician and his Disciple from the Netherworld once more. However, upon this reentry, they had dissolved their fusion, each occupying a separate spot on the field.
[Dark Magician, ATK 2500]
[Dark Magician Girl, ATK 2000]
"So, it's them again, truly persistent magician and disciple duo aren't they?" Paradox sneered, "But a mere magician can't defeat the power of the Malefic.
I set two cards, ending my turn!"