"Horus the Black Flame Dragon?"
Watching the Black Flame Dragon soar amidst the flames, Professor Crowler pondered whether he had ever heard of a card with similar effects before.
"Next, Qebehsenuef, Protection of Horus in my Graveyard. While King's Sarcophagus exists on the field, it can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard."
A ray of golden light shot out from King's Sarcophagus, taking the form of a monster clad in golden attire.
"A monster that can revive itself from the Graveyard as long as a designated Continuous Spell exists? Then discarding a card earlier can hardly be considered a cost at all. Instead, it actually helped enable his plays?!"
Abidos nodded and discarded another card from his hand.
"This effect of King's Sarcophagus can be activated up to four times per turn. I activate it once again, discarding Hapi, Guidance of Horus from my hand, and send Duamutef, Blessing of Horus from my Deck to the Graveyard."
"Both of these monsters also have effects that allow them to be Special Summoned from the Graveyard while King's Sarcophagus exists on the field. Awaken—Hapi, Guidance of Horus, and Duamutef, Blessing of Horus!"
Two more rays of golden light burst forth from King's Sarcophagus, adding two monsters to Abidos' field.
"The effect of Duamutef, Blessing of Horus. This card's original Attack and Defense are both 0, but for each Horus monster on the field, its Attack and Defense increase by 1200. Since there are four on the field, its Attack and Defense both become 4800!"
[Duamutef, Blessing of Horus, ATK: 0 → 4800]
Golden light flared around Duamutef, Blessing of Horus, the embodiment of jackals and hunting dogs, its overwhelming presence far surpassing that of the other monsters.
"A monster with Attack surpassing Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and it came out that easily?!"
Professor Crowler felt a chill run through him, but after glancing at his hand, he realized there was still a chance.
"And that's not all. Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8 has an effect that is not limited to once per turn, allowing it to negate the activation of Spell Cards and destroy them."
"Furthermore, as long as King's Sarcophagus remains in my Spell & Trap Zone, my Horus monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects that do not target them."
"So now, your Spells almost have no chance of breaking my field."
"I Set two cards. Turn end."
Zane looked at Abidos' field and muttered to himself, "So this is the terrifying strength of the legendary undefeated Pharaoh… I thought his flawless record might just be an exaggeration or mythologized by later generations. To think it's actually…"
TURN.2
"An activation-negate-and-destroy effect with no once-per-turn limit, huh? My turn. Draw."
Under the oppressive pressure of the field before him, Professor Crowler calmly considered his options and drew a card. "I activate the Field Spell, Geartown, from my hand."
"As long as this card exists on the field, the number of monsters required to Tribute Summon Ancient Gear monsters for both players is reduced by one, y'know."
Professor Crowler deliberately explained Geartown's continuous effect, clearly intending to bait Abidos into using Horus the Black Flame Dragon's effect to destroy it.
"Then I activate the effect of Horus the Black Flame Dragon, negating the activation of Geartown and destroying it!"
Black flames incinerated the cityscape built of ancient machinery. Yet amidst the ruins, something remained.
"The effect of Geartown activates!"
"When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can activate this effect. I Special Summon one Ancient Gear monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard. Appear now—Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!"
A finely crafted yet vicious green mechanical hound appeared on Professor Crowler's field.
"What?! A Spell Card whose effect activates in the Graveyard?!"
"Horus the Black Flame Dragon's effect negates and destroys the activation of Spell Cards. It can't do anything against the activation of a Spell Card's effect, right~?"
After explaining smugly, Professor Crowler activated Hunting Hound's effect.
"I activate the effect of Ancient Gear Hunting Hound. Once per turn, during my Main Phase, I can send Fusion Materials from my hand or field to the Graveyard that are listed on an Ancient Gear Fusion Monster, then Fusion Summon that monster from my Extra Deck!"
As he spoke, Professor Crowler revealed the remaining three cards in his hand.
"The Fusion requires four Ancient Gear monsters. I send Ancient Gear Wyvern, Ancient Gear Gear, Ancient Gear Golem from my hand, along with the Ancient Gear Hunting Hound on my field, to the Graveyard. Giants and demonic beasts of mechanical construction that inherit ancient souls! Combine your primeval powers into one and become overwhelming, chaotic might, y'know!"
"Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 10! The ultimate god of destruction that returns all things to formless chaos—Chaos Ancient Gear Giant!"
A purple glow flared around Professor Crowler as the enormous Chaos Ancient Gear Giant materialized in midair, its single eye shining as it stared down the comparatively tiny Abidos.
"So such a massive monster exists… And its Attack is a staggering 4500?!"
Abidos exclaimed in shock, but his expression quickly shifted to excitement as he gazed at the suddenly appearing Chaos Ancient Gear Giant, then turned to Professor Crowler.
"How exhilarating. I see now… so this is your ace?"
Youmi nudged Jaden with his elbow and said, "Jaden, I feel like you and him might have quite a bit in common."
"Yeah, maybe." Jaden rubbed the tip of his nose and nodded. "He seems like a pretty interesting king-sama."
Professor Crowler nodded. This monster, obtained during the incident at the old school building, was undoubtedly his greatest ace.
"As long as Chaos Ancient Gear Giant exists in the Monster Zone, it is unaffected by Spell and Trap Card effects, and during the Battle Phase, my opponent cannot activate monster effects, y'know!"
"Additionally, this monster can attack each of your monsters once, and when it attacks a Defense Position monster, it deals piercing battle damage! I declare the Battle Phase, y'know!"
Abidos revealed his set card, restraining Professor Crowler's actions. "Then, when you declare entry into the Battle Phase, I activate my set card, Threatening Roar. This turn, you cannot declare attacks!"
"Then I Set one card and end my turn."
With Duamutef, Blessing of Horus boasting a massive 4800 Attack, it would be easy to crash into it the moment the opponent entered the Battle Phase. Yet Professor Crowler was now fully immersed in the Duel, and even Youmi could not tell whether he had a concrete plan in mind at this point.
TURN.3
"I… I acknowledge you as a powerful warrior."
"However, in this Duel, I stand a step above. My turn, draw!"
"I discard one card from my hand and activate the effect of King's Sarcophagus, sending Imsety, Glory of Horus from my Deck to the Graveyard."
"Then, Imsety is Special Summoned by its own effect, and Duamutef's Attack rises once again as the number of Horus monsters on the field increases!"
[Duamutef, Blessing of Horus, ATK: 4800 → 6000]
Youmi nodded, finally understanding the design concept of this Deck. "I see now, so that's why it's a Horus Deck. Imsety, Duamutef, Hapi, and that one that looks like Peroroncino—Qebehsenuef. Those are the four sons of Horus."
"Now, we enter the Battle Phase. I attack Ancient Gear Chaos Giant with Duamutef, Blessing of Horus!"
Abidos the Third declared the attack, and at that moment, Professor Crowler broke into a smile.
"During damage calculation, I flip my set card, the Quick-Play Spell, Gravity Lash. This can only be activated by targeting one monster on the field. That monster's Attack is reduced by its own Defense until the end of the turn! I choose Duamutef, Blessing of Horus as the target, y'know!"
"Because Duamutef's Attack and Defense are exactly the same due to its own effect, they both become 0, and it battles Ancient Gear Chaos Giant—DE↗SU↘!"
"It's useless. Horus the Black Flame Dragon's effect can also be activated during damage calculation—wait, could it be?!"
Suddenly realizing the implications of their earlier exchange, Abidos sharply raised his head.
"That's exactly it, y'know!"
"Because of Ancient Gear Chaos Giant's effect, my opponent cannot activate monster effects during the Battle Phase. That means you can't use Horus the Black Flame Dragon's effect to negate and destroy my Gravity Lash during the Damage Step!"
"With that, Duamutef at 0 Attack will destroy itself, and your Life Points will drop to zero!"
Leaping down from above to crush Ancient Gear Chaos Giant, Duamutef instead plummeted straight into the ground as if its armor were too heavy, and was smashed into fragments under Ancient Gear Chaos Giant's foot.
The explosion's shockwave sent Abidos flying, dropping him heavily onto the ground.
[Abidos the Third, LP: 4000 → 0]
Rising to his feet, Abidos praised Professor Crowler. "To think you would dismantle my offense in such a manner and claim victory… Guardian of the Seven Stars Gate, you are truly formidable. Whether it is the power of your Deck or the favor of fortune, you possess both. A truly powerful Duelist."
From the back, Jaden leapt into the air and cheered, "Professor Crowler actually defeated the undefeated Pharaoh! That's amazing, Professor Crowler!"
"Oh? Do people of this era treat 'the undefeated Pharaoh' as a term of praise for me? How unexpected…"
As if amused by a joke, Abidos the Third covered his mouth and chuckled. "In my own time, that title was closer to an insult. Of course, the records in your era may have altered things somewhat."
Youmi and the other students stepped forward, full of questions. "Why would it be an insult? Isn't 'undefeated' synonymous with strength?"
Abidos the Third shook his head and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"How should I put this… It's true that I am an undefeated 'Pharaoh,' but that is only when I appear in the role of 'Pharaoh.' As a 'king,' if I cannot demonstrate sufficient strength to my subjects, how could I offer them any credible assurance?"
His once-majestic tone gradually shifted, becoming far more relaxed. "So, in those public Duels meant to display royal authority, my retainers would rehearse everything with me in advance, and I would then defeat them in a splendid display."
"That is the truth behind the 'undefeated Pharaoh.'"
"For me personally, winning streaks and being undefeated hold little meaning. If anything, it's rather awkward."
Youmi recalled that, in the original work, this Pharaoh's personal strength was not particularly impressive, and his reputation as 'undefeated' was largely due to his subordinates' cooperation.
"Compared to Dueling, I excel far more in other areas. Though I am interested in Duels, no one is victorious forever. I would occasionally lose even in private Duels with my retainers."
"So, in my interactions with them, the title 'undefeated Pharaoh' was mostly used to tease me."
Zane, who had previously studied Abidos the Third's legends in detail, blurted out a remark before realizing it might be disrespectful. "That's… quite a down-to-earth king. He doesn't really feel that imposing… Sorry, that was rude."
Abidos the Third shook his head, unoffended. "Think nothing of it. In truth, I possess little in the way of majesty. Otherwise, I would not need 'undefeated' to project strength."
"Still… After accepting a certain person's deal to awaken once more, not only did I get to enjoy a Duel in the living world after so long, but I also witnessed such reliable teachers and students."
"I am thoroughly satisfied."
"As one of the 'Seven Stars,' I have fallen here. But as 'Abidos the Third,' I wish to Duel the Duelists of the present world more. Why not have all of you return to the heavens with me?"
After a moment of thought, Abidos made a proposal that sent chills down everyone's spine.
"Well, um… maybe at least wait about a hundred years or so…"
Jaden scratched his head. Facing someone who treated the underworld like a second homeland, it was hard to dampen his enthusiasm. "But it doesn't look like you're leaving right away. Before you go back, how about having a Duel with all of us?"
Resonating with Jaden's wavelength, Abidos stepped forward and grasped his hand. "Excellent! A splendid suggestion."
"Whether it is three thousand years or a mere hundred means little to me now, but such enjoyable Duels are worth having many times over."
"Then who shall be the next warrior to Duel me?"
Alexis pointed at the pitch-black sky and suggested, "Before that, shouldn't we move the ship aside and restore the sky and the mummies? Otherwise, I think the people below are about to believe the apocalypse is here."
After that, everyone had an absolute blast playing cards with Abidos the Third.
Only afterward did Youmi inform Professor Crowler that one of the Seven Stars, Tania, had just been defeated by Bastion.
Enraged that he had failed to arrive in time and nearly allowed his students to be kidnapped, Professor Crowler fumed and jumped in place.
...
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