"Direct attack of Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes!!!"
The Snake God opened its mouth, spewing a chaotic vortex, like a pitch-black river crashing towards Yugen's field.
"Even knowing Yugen's setup, he's still attacking?" Keihei was shocked.
"Because of 'Combat Maniac's effect, he has no choice but to attack," Judai remained as optimistic as ever. "This means Yugen is going to win!"
In Yugen's graveyard, cards were removed, and a fluffy little creature jumped onto the field with a string of "Kurikuri" cries.
"The effect of Clean Chestnut Ball!" Yugen said, "When the opponent declares a direct attack, I can banish Clean Chestnut Ball from the graveyard and draw a card from the deck.
If it's a monster, special summon that monster!"
"Haha, of course, you have to activate that effect! The top card of your deck was just returned by the 'Electronic Mutant Dragon' effect, which is the Winged Divine Dragon. If this draw results in pulling the Winged Divine Dragon, the instant the Divine Phoenix descends, I would lose."
The Judge paused, raising his tone.
"But will it be that easy?"
"What?"
The spectators were all taken aback.
What method does he have in facing this deadly combination?
"Activate trap!" the Judge shouted, "Trap Card 'Both Sides' Misfortune'!
Both sides must send the top card of their decks to the graveyard!"
"Nani!?"
The entire audience was shocked and lost color.
Yugen's killer combo, at the very last moment before completion, suddenly uncovered a counter trap!
"Oh no, the later activated trap will resolve first before 'Clean Chestnut Ball,'" Marufuji Ryo said, "In that case, when Clean Chestnut Ball resolves..."
"The Winged Divine Dragon at the top of the deck has been sent to the graveyard," Judai also frowned.
Yugen's killer Chestnut Ball Winged Divine Dragon formation was broken.
The top cards from each deck popped out and flew to the graveyard. As Yugen's card was sent to the grave, everyone seemed to hear an awe-inspiring roar in mid-air, as if the Winged Divine Dragon was lamenting and regretting this missed opportunity.
"Alright, now for the effect resolution of Clean Chestnut Ball," the Judge announced loudly. "Draw your card."
With the imminent attack of the Snake God, the infinite attack pressure loomed. Yugen, under the divine might, was shielded by the golden radiance of the Sealing Artifact on his chest, forming a spherical shield against the Evil God's might.
Yugen drew a card.
"...I drew, Feathered Chestnut Ball!"
With a wave of Yugen's hand, a small Chestnut Ball with white wings jumped onto the field.
"Kurikuri!"
[Feathered Chestnut Ball, Defense Power 200]
The attack of the Evil God swept over, rushing past Feathered Chestnut Ball. Against the infinite attack power, the mere 200 defense was negligible, but the dark impact swept through, and although the Chestnut Ball's body was destroyed, it left a tenacious transparent barrier that protected Yugen from the entire attack.
Even after its dissolution, the barrier steadfastly remained on the field.
"In the turn Feathered Chestnut Ball is destroyed, all battle damage to me becomes 0," Yugen stated.
"Ha, so you just barely managed to hang on with a miscellaneous monster," the Judge sneered, "But how long can you delay with such tactics?"
He waved and set another card face down.
"Set one Covering Card, ending the turn."
Judai was quite dejected, "Ah, Yugen's beautiful counterattack was cracked..."
The others, though silent, shared a sense of regret.
Vennominaga the Deity of Poisonous Snakes was of the Divine Race, enhanced with the Triple Barrier bonus, its stats absurdly infinite. And because of its bizarre victory condition alteration effect, any attempt to bypass Vennominaga, like burning life points or directly attacking duelists was all nullified.
Such a terrifying monster, 99% of duelists might concede the moment it was summoned, right?
Yet Yugen not only battled on but also devised a clever strategy to create such an opportunity. Even Kaiba, who seldom acknowledges others, secretly admired this.
But obviously, he had to face not only that invincible Snake God but also the Judge who manipulated it.
The Snake God was formidable, and its operator was extremely challenging.
In the face of such an opponent, such a combination, is there truly a way to win?
"Yugen, he hasn't given up," Judai suddenly said.
He then smiled.
"Don't worry, because he is... Yugen."
Marufuji Ryo remained silent, merely looking back at Yugen.
Indeed, until now, regardless of the opponent or seemingly insurmountable barriers, the Master of the Yellow Robe always proved that "nothing is impossible."
Even in such a scenario, against such an opponent, you likely have a way... right?
"Activate the Magic Card 'Celestial Treasure Scroll,' both draw cards until we have six cards in hand,"
"Then activate Magic Card 'Weapon Cave,'" Yugen said, "Send the top card of the deck to the graveyard and select an Equipment Magic Card from the deck or graveyard to add to the hand."
He sent the top card of his deck to the graveyard.
The Judge frowned, "Searching for Equipment Magic..."
"I add this card from the deck," Yugen drew the card auto-searched by the Duel Disc, "Equipment Magic 'Premature Burial' to my hand."
As expected.
The target is still the Winged Divine Dragon!
This duel seemed to have evolved into an extreme effort to revive the Winged Divine Dragon, and prevent its appearance. Although the Winged Divine Dragon wasn't present, the battle core had shifted to the duel between the Phantom God and the Evil God.
"Activate Equipment Magic 'Premature Burial'!" Yugen declared, "Pay 800 life points to revive a monster from my graveyard in attack position!"
[Yugen, LP 2800 → LP 2000]
Flames churned in mid-air, materializing the body of the divine bird. The Winged Divine Dragon, restless even before appearing, manifested in a spiritual form, unfurling its wings towards the Snake God, eager to emerge and teach its past inferior a lesson.
"I said, the deceased should stay put!" the Judge yelled, "Discard 'D.D. Crow' from my hand, activate the effect!
Discard this card, and banish one card from the opponent's graveyard. This effect can be activated during the opponent's turn as well!"
With the card discarded to the grave, a black ominous crow flapped its wings, seemingly flying from beyond the shattered void in mid-air. It came from the other side of the dimension, charging directly towards Yugen.
A green light flashed in his eyes as he raised his voice.
"The one I choose, of course, is... banishing 'Winged Divine Dragon of Ra' from your graveyard once more!"