Kajiki let out a long sigh.
He was really foolish, truly.
He had watched yesterday's match, thinking that the Underworld Envoy would send his monsters to the Other Dimension just like against Chazz. But he never expected this time he'd take a different approach, going into a shell.
But why does this guy have so many different Underworld strategies?
Is there not a single straightforward duel tactic?
This time Kajiki finally realized that what stood across from him was a dog, not a person. His Perfect Mechanical King hadn't attacked yet, but even if it did, it would be meaningless.
The effect of Power of the Guardian doesn't say once per turn. Even if he could bring out five monsters in one go and attack, it would just keep repeating the cycle of "placing an indicator-removing an indicator-nullifying battle damage."
So, helplessly, he could only stare blankly and end his turn.
Then it was Yugen's turn again. Yugen didn't say much, didn't summon monsters, and directly entered the battle phase. Magic Attacker brazenly flew over the opponent's front row, launching a barrage of attacks.
And the effect of Power of the Guardian triggered again at the moment of attack, increasing the Mana Indicator by one. The effect of Magic Attacker returned to 1100, delivering a critical hit of 1100 damage.
[Kajiki Sei, LP 3400→LP 2300]
"I'll set a card and end my turn," Yugen said.
"Damn... it's my turn."
Kajiki's sense of crisis grew stronger. He had to find a way to deal with that infuriating combo; otherwise, he'd end up being whittled down to death.
"Draw!"
Kajiki drew a card, and upon seeing it, he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Combining Equipment Magic and Monster Effect to create an unbreakable combo is indeed a beautiful tactic. But! My countermeasure is even better!
I activate Speed Attack Magic - Tornado from my hand! It can destroy one magic or trap card on the field. I'm going to destroy the Equipment Magic 'Power of the Guardian'!"
A dark whirlwind rose, and the magic in Yugen's back row shattered into pieces. The golden shield on Magic Attacker dissipated, and its Attack Power returned to its original state.
Kajiki had already studied his opponent's matches, noticing that this Yugen might be a recluse, seemingly particularly fond of those life-ruining Red Pit strategies.
So he had filled his card deck with three Tornados and one "Great Storm," targeting reclusive players.
[Magic Attacker, Attack Power 1100→Attack Power 600]
"Nice tactic, but that magic itself is the weak point of the strategy," Kajiki said smugly. "Battle! Go, Perfect Mechanical King, crush that annoying little fish for me!"
Mechanical King, like him, seemed to have been enduring enough, and upon receiving the order, couldn't wait to fly forward, swinging its iron hammer intending to smash that detestable little thing to pieces.
"Flip the Cover Card."
Yugen snapped his fingers, and the back row activated.
"Continuous Trap - Super Gravity Net. Any monsters on the field of level four and above cannot attack."
Kajiki: "..."
Your mom (exclamation).
Kajiki now felt like a thousand Lava Demon Gods were charging through his heart. He had one Four-Star and one Eight-Star on the field, and the Tornado he just drew had been used on Power of the Guardian. This card had once again sealed all his attacks.
But he still had hope!
"I Normal Summon 'Dark Shooter', in defense position."
[Dark Shooter, Defense Power 1500]
"Turn end."
"I see, there's still that trick." Yugen understood.
He remembered this card too; it was used by Yuki Judai in the anime. Simply put, its effect was to destroy a magic or trap card on the opponent's field in the next turn.
So as long as this thing could survive until the next turn, it could blow up Yugen's "Super Gravity Net" blockade and initiate an attack.
It was also an adjustment Kajiki made for this match, a struggle as a Mortal World Duelist facing the reclusive tactics from the Underworld.
But it didn't matter.
"My turn, draw." Yugen drew a card, then without hesitation, "I activate Continuous Magic 'Level Restriction B Area' from my hand.
As long as this card exists on the field, all level four or higher monsters on the field... turn into defense position."
[Mechanical Sergeant, Attack Power 1600→Defense Power 1800]
[Perfect Mechanical King, Attack Power 3700→Defense Power 1500]
Kajiki Sei spat blood.
No way, brother, you have this stuff too?
Kajiki was now utterly amazed. He had never thought anyone could be this reclusive while playing cards. Wasn't this guy participating in the competition, isn't he here just to take revenge on society?
So, even if the effect of Dark Shooter activates next turn, he can only destroy one magic or trap card. But the situation now is, no matter if he destroys [Super Gravity Net] or [Level Restriction B Area], as long as one remains on the field, he still can't attack.
Moreover, he noticed that Magic Attacker is level three, precisely below the level four threshold. This means only he can't attack, whereas Yugen can attack freely...
Yugen: "But just in case, I'll activate the Magic Card 'Shield Shattering', choose one defense position monster on the field to destroy. Destroy 'Dark Shooter'."
Kajiki Sei: "..."
This isn't over yet.
"Next, I summon 'Alien Messenger' from my hand, in attack mode."
[Alien Messenger, Attack Power 700]
"This card's effect is the same as Magic Attacker's and can attack directly." Yugen paused, then smiled slightly, "By the way, Alien Messenger is also Level Three, so it's unaffected by 'Level Restriction B Area' and 'Super Gravity Net' effects."
Kajiki Sei: "......"
He wanted to say, no, that thing isn't an Alien Messenger.
It's an Underworld Envoy.
"Magic Attacker, Alien Messenger, direct attack!"
Double face assault!
Perfect Mechanical King and Mechanical Sergeant watched helplessly as these two solitary entities soared over their heads one after another, slamming their master to the ground in a frenzy.
Monsters breaking the law, so furious, yet helpless...
[Kajiki Sei, LP 2300→LP 1000]
Kajiki Sei remained silent, but veins bulged on his hand and forehead, the progress of redness estimated at 90%...
"Set one card, end turn."
"My turn."
Kajiki Sei took a deep breath.
Calm, stay calm.
Just like the master at the dojo said, the more critical the situation, the less you should panic. You can't know the outcome of a duel until the last second.
Trust your card deck, remember the daily drawing training.
And now is the time to test the results of that training.
Kajiki Sei closed his eyes, chanting in his heart.
Will I draw another wind card?
"Draw!"
The next moment, Kajiki Sei nearly jumped up on the spot.
This draw, created a miracle!
"I activate the Magic Card 'Great Storm' from my hand!" Kajiki held up the card as if performing a ritual, "Destroy all Magic and Trap Cards on both fields!"
Great Storm, the ultimate backfield clearing divine artifact, indiscriminately flipping tables.
"He really drew a wind card this turn..." Yugen muttered to himself, "In the anime world, even bystanders have divine draws in dire situations, huh?"
But...
Yugen snapped his fingers.
"Flip the cover card. Counterattack Trap - Anubis's Judgment."
Kajiki continued to cackle: "Kida! Great Storm is the ultimate nemesis of Magic Trap, in the face of the storm, nothing can stand... uh, wait, what is that?"
"Anubis's Judgment can only be activated when your opponent activates a Magic Card with the effect of 'destroying cards on the field including Magic Trap Cards.'"
Yugen explained calmly.
"Discard one card from your hand, negate the activation of that Magic Card and destroy it. Then, choose one face-up monster on your opponent's field, destroy that monster, and inflict damage equal to its Attack Power to your opponent."
Kajiki squinted his eyes.
Negate the activation of Great Storm, then choose a monster to destroy and inflict damage equal to its Attack Power...
"..."
Nani!???
In his shock, the storm had already dissipated under some invisible curse. Black mist spread over the field, manifesting the fierce visage of the god Anubis, staring angrily at Kajiki's field.
"By its effect, I will destroy your 'Perfect Mechanical King.'" Yugen waved his hand, "Take the Attack Power of 'Perfect Mechanical King', that is, 3700 damage."
The god Anubis opened its mouth, and a terrifying black breath spewed forth. The Mechanical King's body instantly melted away within it, the fierce dark flow continued unabated, swallowing Kajiki Sei as well.
"Ugh ahhhh!!!"
The sensation of impact equivalent to 3700 points of damage knocked Kajiki to the ground, his eyes wide open as he fell, as though he would not rest in peace even in death.
As if to say, even if nailed into a coffin and buried in the ground, he would use a decaying voice to shout——
——I've never seen someone take out societal revenge like this!
[Kajiki Sei, LP 1000→LP 0]