Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator, summon!
The Elf Soga was still a half-transparent ghostly body, watching helplessly as the complete projection of itself, summoned by a card, jumped to the opposing side, crossing its arms while sizing him up.
What made him even angrier was the feeling that his doppelgänger on the other side seemed to exude a hint of disdain.
The Royal Palace's suppression was also one of the main rewards Yugen acquired on this trip to Kaiba Company. As mentioned earlier, suppression wasn't highly regarded in the early stages of Yu-Gi-Oh!; in a slow-paced environment, many card decks weren't bothered by its suppression, and its effects could easily backfire if used by the opponent.
But Yugen just happened to have a card deck that complemented suppression well.
It was the same Abyss Control he used before.
There were actually many different builds of Abyss Control back then. Later, some duelists even specifically referred to the build incorporating "The Royal Palace's Suppression" as "Suppression Abyss" to distinguish it from the prototype, viewing it as a special variant.
Though there were adjustments in the build, the deck's core concept of unilateral lockdown — "not letting the opponent play" — remained, as seen from the intensity of the opponent's reactions.
For instance, the Elf Soga, upon seeing its doppelgänger summoned, was flickering more frequently, seemingly gasping for breath.
Could it also be admiring this brilliant tactic?
Soga: "@#*%!"
"Enter the battle phase," Yugen said, "First, 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator' attacks 'Dark Mad Dog'."
The Artificial Human crossed its hands, with telekinetic energy balls forming in its palms amidst a surge of electricity, as if roaring sharply, instantly shredding the Dark Mad Dog to pieces under the electric current.
[Artificial Human Soga, LP 4000 → LP 3500]
The spirit body was starting to flicker, suffering from both physical and emotional pain.
Moreover, having its doppelgänger on the field turned its powerful defensive traps into mere paper. It was probably Soga's first time feeling disgusted by its own effect...
"Direct attack by Abyss Soldiers," Yugen continued the onslaught.
The Abyss Soldiers' tridents, entwined with flowing water, pierced through Soga.
"Ugh..."
[Artificial Human Soga, LP 3500 → LP 1700]
"How dare you humiliate me like this..." Soga gritted his teeth. "Unforgivable!"
Yugen: "Then I'll cover a card in the backfield and end my turn."
Soga's voice became thick and heavy, sounding like he was gasping for air.
"My turn, draw."
A new card image appeared in his hand card area.
Having been fully suppressed last turn, with life points halved, and being humiliated by having his doppelgänger taken to the other side. But as long as his doppelgänger was on the field, he temporarily needn't worry about the opponent's backfield.
When Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator is on the field, neither side can activate trap cards, including suppression, which gave him a chance to counterattack.
"Summon 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Plugger'!"
[Artificial Human - Telekinesis Plugger, Attack Power 600]
"The effect of Telekinesis Plugger, by sacrificing itself, allows adding an 'Artificial Human' monster from the deck to the hand!" Soga shouted, "Become the sacrifice that guides my appearance!"
The body of the Artificial Human disintegrated and disappeared from the field, quickly transforming into a new card image, falling into Soga's hand card area, momentarily flipping over to show Yugen.
Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator, Unit Two.
"And following the effect of 'Telekinesis Plugger,' afterward, you can confirm the opponent's Covering Card in the backfield," Soga continued, "If there's a trap card present, you can special summon up to that number of 'Artificial Human' monsters from your hand!
Let me confirm your cover card!"
Yugen's cover card in the backfield flipped over. As expected, it was "The Royal Palace's Suppression" recycled last turn.
"Heh, I'll borrow the power of your trap," Soga said gloomily, "Since a trap card was confirmed, I can special summon an 'Artificial Human' monster from my hand.
Thus, I special summon myself—
—Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator, summon again!"
When the words fell, Soga Elf's figure flickered and vanished from the duelist's position. Electricity crackled around the powerhouse, like a thunderbolt on his front field, revealing the tall, splendid steel body within the lightning.
Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator, descends!
[Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator, Attack Power 2400]
"Finally! This feels alive!"
Soga clenched his fist, seeing himself turn from transparent to corporeal, and if he weren't a robot, he'd probably be overwhelmed with tears.
This duel can't be lost for anything!
"I attack 'Abyss Soldiers' with myself!"
The soldier with the trident was the one he disliked the most, a flip of the hand gathered an unbelievable electric glow in the palm, brewing a massive energy ball with thundering power.
"At this moment, activate Speed Attack Magic from the hand!"
As Soga spoke, a card image flipped over in his hand card area.
"Restriction Removal!
Doubling the attack power of myself, the Mechanical Race on the field!"
[Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator, Attack Power 2400 → Attack Power 4800]
The Intimidating Shock Wave shattered Abyss Soldiers' body. The Water Race warrior temporarily left the field, as Yugen raised his arm in front of him, the figure covered by the incoming impact smoke screen.
"Ah, Yugen!" Judai instinctively wanted to step forward.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
The smoke cleared, Yugen remained calm and stood still, motioning for Judai to halt.
[Yugen, LP 3200]
Soga was startled: "Why didn't it cause damage?"
"By discarding 'Chestnut Ball' from my hand, I could make the battle damage zero." Yugen smiled, "Looks like someone's sacrificial attack didn't work, what a pity."
"Tch, again with this low-tier stuff..."
Yugen glanced sideways.
Goodness, did you just call it "low-tier stuff?"
In the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, to call Chestnut Ball low-tier is truly bold.
It's widely known that in the anime, calling Chestnut Ball low-tier is almost as taboo as calling something "a candle in the wind;" anyone who dared touch this forbidden phrase has met their downfall.
Among the notable examples is President Kaiba, who has a famously complicated relationship with the Chestnut Ball. Ever since Duel Kingdom, it has persistently tormented him until Atom's departure...
"At the end phase when Restriction Removal is activated, the one whose attack power was boosted by this effect self-destructs," Soga said coldly, "But before that, in Main Phase 2, I will sacrifice myself!"
Yugen narrowed his eyes.
Mm? You're going to sacrifice yourself too?
On the field, Soga was immediately engulfed in a massive current, energy and electric light surged around him, and his entire body seemed to evolve rapidly in the electric glow.
"Psychic waves from the far end of the cosmos, accept the mysterious power to complete the ultimate evolution, now let you witness the king's stance!"
The Artificial Human spread its arms, body size rapidly growing, as its form seemed to be covered in new alloys, swiftly upgrading its appearance.
"Artificial Human - Telekinesis King, summon!!!"