Yugioh [431-437] (Patreon)

Chapter 431: Arbiter's Counterattack

A bizarre eye opened in the Arbiter's back row. A spiky, ball-shaped monster landed lightly on his field, its single eye spinning as it surveyed everything.

Orichalcos Kyutora, summoned!

[Orichalcos Kyutora, DEF 500]

"That Kyutora again, big brother," Mokuba said.

"Yeah, the origin of the Orichalcos system," Kaiba replied.

Jaden and Midori grew tense. They'd seen Kyutora's power before, when Koyo was defeated by it.

"When Kyutora was summoned, I discarded 'Card of Compensation.' When sent to the graveyard from hand, I draw two cards."

The Arbiter calmly revealed another card.

"At this moment, Quick-Play Spell 'Serial Spell'—discard all cards in hand to copy a Normal Spell's effect."

He discarded his hand, and another spell card appeared alongside 'Card of Compensation.'

"I copy 'Card of Compensation'—so I draw four cards in total!"

He drew four cards at once.

"I summon 'Mystic Tomato' in attack mode."

A red, round tomato appeared, its leafy top like a small hat—though it looks more like a Halloween pumpkin, eyes glinting with malice.

"Orichalcos Deuteros has the same effect as the first barrier. Mystic Tomato gains 500 ATK."

[Mystic Tomato, ATK 1400 → ATK 1900]

"Then Orichalcos Deuteros's effect activates—recover 500 Life Points for each monster I control.

I have two monsters, so I gain 1000 Life Points."

[Arbiter, LP 200 → LP 1200]

"Now, battle phase," the Arbiter said casually. "Mystic Tomato, attack Black Luster Soldier!"

Once again, a weaker monster suicides into Black Luster Soldier. The others were tense—they'd seen this trick before.

Again.

Mystic Tomato charged, forcing Black Luster Soldier to retaliate. Sword flashed, slicing Tomato in two.

"When Orichalcos Kyutora is on the field, all battle damage I'd take from monster battles is absorbed by Kyutora and becomes 0."

Kyutora's eye opened wide, absorbing all the sword's energy—no damage to the Arbiter.

"Then, Mystic Tomato's effect. When destroyed by battle, special summon a DARK monster with 1500 or less ATK from the deck.

Special summon a second Mystic Tomato."

A beam shot from the deck, summoning another tomato.

[Mystic Tomato, ATK 1400 → ATK 1900]

"Second Tomato attacks."

Again, Black Luster Soldier slashes it in two.

"Battle damage is absorbed by Kyutora. Special summon the third Tomato."

[Mystic Tomato, ATK 1400 → ATK 1900]

"He's accumulating damage in Kyutora again?" Jaden frowned.

Zane said, "When Kyutora leaves the field, it summons the terrifying Orichalcos Shunoros, whose ATK equals the damage Kyutora absorbed—it can easily reach tens of thousands."

The third Tomato charged and was destroyed, its energy absorbed by Kyutora.

"Third Tomato's effect—special summon a DARK monster with 1500 or less ATK."

No fourth Tomato was possible. The Arbiter smiled, raising his arm—a beam shot from the deck, bursting into a swirl of thorns.

"I special summon—

—Yubel!"

This surprised everyone—especially Jaden, who stepped forward at the name.

A storm and vortex erupted as thorny vines whirled. The demon's heterochromatic eyes opened, rising, vines waving like tentacles.

[Yubel, ATK 0 → ATK 500] (Orichalcos boost)

"Yubel…"

Though he knew this wasn't his own partner, Jaden was still shaken seeing Yubel on the field.

"Mystic Tomato can summon that? That's a Level 10 monster!" Mokuba said.

"But it's DARK and has 1500 or less ATK," Kaiba replied.

"Battle phase continues; monsters summoned during battle can attack," the Arbiter said. "Yubel attacks Black Luster Soldier!"

Yubel only has 0 ATK—even boosted, just 500—but no one dares underestimate her.

"Yubel's effect…" Mokuba tensed.

This monster has built-in thorns!

She negates battle damage and inflicts it on the opponent instead. If this attack goes through, it'll deal massive damage!

"Yubel can't be destroyed by battle, and I take no damage from her battles," the Arbiter said. "She also has a second effect.

Before damage calculation, she inflicts to your monster the battle damage I would have taken." (Anime effect)

Her real-life card was changed: it must be attacked to trigger, and it inflicts the attacker's ATK as damage. The effects are similar, but the details differ.

Thorns lashed out at Black Luster Soldier, who was forced to slash back. Yubel's stats are weak, but the sword pierced her easily.

Yubel moaned, but as the sword hit, more thorns erupted, reflecting the energy back at Kira.

But Kira remained calm, revealing a card.

"'Clear Kuriboh's' effect," Kira said. "When a monster's effect would inflict damage, I discard Clear Kuriboh to negate that effect."

Chapter 432: The Battle That Wagers the World

Kuriboh!

This tiny monster leaps onto the field at the critical moment. Its small form swells instantly, becoming a massive, unbreakable shield that blocks all the vines unleashed by Yubel.

"Nice!" Mokuba can't help but cheer. "Even Yubel's attacks were completely blocked! Kira's dueling really leaves no gaps. No wonder even my brother—"

He stops as soon as the words leave his mouth, suddenly realizing something's off. He quickly glances at Kaiba, who, just a moment ago, had a hint of approval on his face. But now, hearing Mokuba's words, Kaiba's smile instantly vanishes and his expression turns stern.

"So Yubel's attack was stopped too," the Arbiter says coldly. "The battle phase is over. But if you think you've made it through just because of that, you're being far too optimistic."

He reveals another card from his hand.

"I activate the Spell Card—Raigeki!"

Mokuba is shocked: "Raigeki? That card is banned in tournaments!"

Raigeki is one of the few cards, like Chaos Emperor Dragon, that's explicitly stated as forbidden in the anime. But Raigeki's ban was from the DM era, and back then, cards that could deal direct effect damage without cost were also banned. The anime did have forbidden cards, but the banned/restricted list was always a bit different from real life.

Now, cards that deal effect damage have been proven to be just average in practice, so by the GX era they're unbanned. But a board-nuke like Raigeki? Of course, it's still forbidden.

Technically, using a forbidden card should get you disqualified. The Arbiter should have lost by now in this Duelist Kingdom.

But everyone knows by now: this isn't about winning or losing a tournament. This duel is for the fate of the world itself. Betting your life means there are no bans or limits.

Heavy, leaden clouds gather overhead, like the anger of the gods brewing. Lightning crackles, thunder roars, countless electric serpents dance in the sky, weaving a dense net.

A bolt of lightning splits the sky, like a whip of divine wrath, crashing down with destructive force. Blinding light fills the world, lightning following after, tearing through the air like a sword.

Raigeki destroys all monsters on the opponent's field. Simple and brutal, yet containing absolute power, it sweeps the field in an instant. Both the Black Luster Soldier and Ryu Senshi are obliterated in the flash.

"Hey! Using a forbidden card? That's dirty!" Mokuba yells. "You're disqualified!"

The Arbiter remains unfazed, indifferent. Clearly, the idea of winning a tournament never mattered to him. After all, to a demon god out to destroy the world, reputation is meaningless. In a Shadow Duel, the only rule is the duel itself.

"No matter," Kira says calmly. "This duel is for the fate of the world. It's only natural that both sides use every means possible."

"Oh? You can stay so calm... Does that mean you still think you can win, even like this?"

Kira neither confirms nor denies.

The Arbiter muses for a moment.

"You know, we don't actually have to fight," he says, squinting at Kira. "I still don't know what you really are, but I doubt the human world has much to do with you, does it?"

Kira: "..."

The sneaky snake is probably thinking: with this guy's scheming, he's no ordinary Duelist, probably some evil spirit or dark being possessing this boy. Maybe they don't have to be enemies—maybe there's even a chance to recruit him.

But Kira is at a loss.

Wait, did you just kick me out of humanity with a few words?

That's slander! 

There's no Duelist more upright than me in this world!

"Since the moment humans gained wisdom, darkness has spread," the Arbiter says flatly. "I have existed for endless ages, seeing far more than any human could imagine.

That's why I can bear witness to this.

The fall of once-great Atlantis, and the birth of new civilizations, flourishing to this day. Ages pass, people change, regions, tribes, cultures, roots—all different. But all humans, without exception, repeat war, hatred, and plunder, endlessly hurting each other.

What I bring is the darkness they themselves created. It is fate. Even if you stop me, new darkness will eventually take form. The chain of hatred will continue without end."

"Like the hatred of the Doma Swordsmen?" Kira says quietly.

The Arbiter frowns slightly.

Kira doesn't elaborate, but the meaning is clear.

Past and present, the Doma swordsmen have always viewed loyalty to their organization as life's purpose, driven by endless hatred.

But ironically, that hatred was sown by the very organization they serve. Their tragedies, inner darkness—all orchestrated behind the scenes by Orichalcos.

If that's how the swordsmen's lives are, who's to say how much of history's hatred and darkness was this person's doing?

"Indeed—sometimes in human history, I'm not just a bystander," the Arbiter admits. "Sometimes, I get involved, but all I do is give a little nudge from behind.

If humans had no darkness or evil in their hearts, things would never have gotten this far."

"If you say so," Kira chuckles.

Going by what happened to the Doma Swordsmen, you call that a little nudge? Sure, whatever you say, boss.

"Very well. It's a shame we can't see eye to eye," the Arbiter says gravely. "As a Duelist, you have remarkable skill. Perhaps we didn't need to be enemies.

But since you insist, don't think I'm afraid of you."

With a flourish, he sets another card.

"Set one card in my back row."

A burst of golden light erupts from his back row, and a shadowy figure rises from the ground—it's like a lotus blooming from the abyss.

"When I activated 'Serial Spell,' I discarded 'Samsara Lotus' from my hand," the Arbiter says coldly. "When Samsara Lotus is in the graveyard at the end phase, it can special summon itself in attack position." (anime effect)

In the anime, this card was Yubel's perfect partner. But when made into a real card, a restriction was added: "This effect can only be used if you have no other spells/traps in your back row," making it much less practical.

No one could have guessed that, years later, Konami would print a new, even stronger version as Yubel's dedicated support card.

Arbiter: "Then, Yubel's effect: If Yubel isn't tributed at the end of the turn, it destroys itself.

So, I tribute 'Samsara Lotus,' keeping Yubel on the field."

Samsara Lotus dissolves in a golden glow, its energy flowing into Yubel, letting her remain on the field.

"Turn end."

Chapter 433: The Card Entrusted

Kira: "My turn—draw!"

Now, the Arbiter has Yubel on the field. Normally, Yubel self-destructs at the end of the turn unless you tribute a monster. The Lotus in the graveyard can revive itself every end phase, making it the perfect tribute.

Luckily, the Arbiter's Yubel system probably only goes this far.

Kira knows how much potential Yubel has in the future—her decks twenty years from now are top-tier, like aircraft carriers bombing cavemen. If a boss like the Arbiter had a deck that strong, you might as well surrender.

But the Arbiter doesn't have Yubel's second or third forms.

That's only natural. In the anime, while the base Yubel isn't necessarily unique, her evolved forms are. In the story, Yubel only gained her second and third forms after being sent into space and fusing with the darkness in her heart.

At this point, Jaden's Yubel hasn't returned, so those forms don't exist yet. No matter how resourceful the Doma are, they couldn't have them.

So, if Yubel is destroyed by an effect, she can't evolve here. With no destruction resistance, blowing her up works just fine.

Kira makes up his mind and slaps down a card.

"I summon 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman!'"

Blue water bursts forth, and the blue-armored hero appears among bubbles and splashes, wearing his signature confident grin.

No wonder—anyone would smile with Bubbleman's draw-two ability.

"If Bubbleman is summoned while you control no other cards, draw two cards."

Kira draws two, adds them to his hand, and immediately plays two more.

"Spell Card 'Polymerization'! Fusion materials: a HERO plus any WATER monster!"

Everyone is shocked.

A HERO fusion?

From Kira?

Several people glance at Jaden, who's already visibly excited, reciting with Kira in unison:

"Born from the depths of the frozen abyss, freezing all with absolute ice—

—Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!!!" x2

A deep blue field sweeps across, cold as bone-chilling wind. Every inch is soaked in frost, gleaming ice covering everything.

Snow swirls not gently but in a blizzard's fury. At the center, the pure white hero's cloak flutters, arms folded—he is the core of the ice.

[Elemental HERO Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]

The strongest Elemental HERO in the world, once a top meta pick. Handed down from Koyo to Jaden, then improved further.

Now, he's in Kira's hands.

Midori, seeing this champion HERO standing in the finals, is moved to tears.

"Koyo…"

No one expected Kira to pull out such a trump card. Only the Arbiter raises an eyebrow, then returns to his usual calm.

"Just another defeated foe," he says. "Summoning this monster now—what's the point?"

He'd beaten Jaden and Koyo, but as the BOSS, never took their prize cards. Maybe that bends the rules, but even in the original Duelist Kingdom, Marik beat Mai and Joey but took nothing. Perhaps he just wasn't interested.

That's why Absolute Zero could pass from Koyo to Jaden, and now to Kira.

Kira always ran Bubbleman, and with no fusion deck limits in this era, Absolute Zero isn't a burden.

Ignoring the Arbiter, Kira reveals another card: "Spell Card 'Metamorphosis'!"

"That card again?" the Arbiter frowns.

"Sacrifice a monster on the field to transform it into a fusion monster of the same level.

I tribute Absolute Zero."

With a sweep, snow turns into a blizzard, enveloping the white hero.

This is Absolute Zero's true purpose—leaving the field is his strongest moment.

"When he leaves the field, his effect activates: destroy all opponent's monsters!"

A new effect bestowed by Jaden.

"Absolute Zero!"

Total ice covers the Arbiter's field, freezing everything. Yubel and the back row's Kyutora freeze into statues, then shatter with a series of crackling blasts.

The Arbiter says nothing, but his face is grim.

Yubel's evolved-form effects are unique to Jaden's spirit. The Arbiter's version, with only the basic form, is gone—no effect.

Orichalcos Kyutora has a last words effect, summoning Orichalcos Shunoros. But the Arbiter doesn't use it.

Shunoros's stats depend on damage absorbed, but since Kyutora was removed so quickly, Shunoros would just be a sitting duck. Clearly, he's saving it for something more important.

Kira knows "Orichalcos Shunoros" also has a last words effect—summoning the true boss, the infinite-ATK "Divine Serpent Geh."

But Kira isn't worried. Divine Serpent Geh requires over 10,000 LP to be summoned, and the Arbiter only has 1200—nowhere near enough. He can attack freely; Divine Serpent Geh can't appear.

The Arbiter doesn't know Kira's thoughts, but can't shake the feeling his whole hand's been seen through, getting more frustrated.

"Absolute Zero is Level 8, so with 'Metamorphosis,' I can special summon a Level 8 fusion monster.

And the card I summon is—"

Kira's duel disk opens the fusion monster slot; the card pops into his hand. He raises it high as lightning flashes, metal grinding and engines roaring.

"Level 8—

—Cyber Twin Dragon!!!"

Chapter 434: The Final Barrier

Cyber Twin Dragon, summoned!

This twist surpasses all expectations. Absolute Zero was a shocking finals appearance, but for him to morph into a double-headed Cyber Dragon?

Zane is stunned but delighted: "That's the one he won from me..."

Bringing his Cyber Dragon to the finals is like bringing his will to the stage—a kind of participation, in a way.

"Jaden's Elemental HERO and Truesdale's Cyber Dragon..."

Mokuba looks uneasy. Though Kira stands on stage, it feels like the Duel Academy rookies are fighting side by side.

"Using Absolute Zero to transform into Cyber Twin Dragon, triggering Absolute Zero's field-wipe, then double-attacking with Twin Dragon..."

Jaden's eyes light up.

"What a brilliant tactic. As expected of Kira... To combine my and Zane's monsters so smoothly..."

Actually, HERO players know the ideal use of Absolute Zero is to become Masked HERO Acid, nuking spells/traps. Absolute Zero into Acid was a classic combo.

But Kira doesn't have Masked HERO, so he makes do. Maybe this will plant a seed in Jaden's mind to create new Masked HERO cards.

"Cyber Twin Dragon, direct attack!" Kira commands.

Twin Dragon breathes evolutionary flames, spiraling out like a fire dragon's breath.

"...Activate the trap, 'Draining Shield'," the Arbiter counters, "Negate the attack and recover LP equal to the attacking monster's ATK."

A multicolored shield appears. The evolutionary flames hit it, energy absorbed and channeled to the Arbiter.

[Arbiter, LP 1200 → LP 4000]

"Then, Twin Dragon can attack twice per turn," Kira says. "Second attack!

Dual Evolutionary Impact!"

Twin Dragon breathes fire again, an overwhelming beam roaring straight at the Arbiter.

But the Arbiter keeps defending: "Activate trap, 'Enchanted Javelin.' When an opponent's monster attacks, gain LP equal to its ATK."

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 6800]

Similar to Draining Shield, but the attack still goes through. After healing, the blast hits, flames exploding, his clothes whipping in the fire.

[Arbiter, LP 6800 → LP 4000]

"Damn, this guy's really hard to finish off," Mokuba mutters.

"If he could be beaten that easily, he wouldn't be worth my attention," Kaiba says coolly.

"Huh, really?" Mokuba says awkwardly.

He thinks Kira's attack was impressive enough. This combo of Absolute Zero's board control and Twin Dragon's power would OTK most duelists—maybe even pros.

Kira: "I set three cards and end my turn."

"My turn—draw."

The Arbiter's tone is venomous. His usual calm is gone, replaced by a dark, stormy look as he glares at Kira, all thoughts of alliance gone. Now, it's a fight to the death.

"I activate 'Card of Sanctity.' Draw until I have six cards in hand."

He replenishes his hand, but hardly looks at his new cards, never taking his eyes off Kira.

"I don't know what you are. But it doesn't matter. Maybe you're trying to annoy me—you've succeeded. Now, you'll see the price."

He draws another card. The field zone lights up, green energy blasting skyward!

"Awaken, Orichalcos's third and final barrier—

—Orichalcos Tritos!!!"

The third and final barrier, representing the full release of the evil power hidden in this field!

The ground trembles, as if a forbidden power is being summoned. The world is bathed in an eerie emerald glow, full of greed and desire, swirling and twisting before converging in a pillar of light!

A complex hexagram rotates slowly, the third ring nesting around the previous two. More ancient script appears, twisting like snakes or sharp as blades, glinting in the green light.

Kaiba's eyes narrow.

The final barrier—finally activated.

The Arbiter's forehead glows green, his eyes now like snake's, his whole body radiating green fire as Orichalcos's power blazes.

"Orichalcos's final barrier, Tritos. This can only be activated if 'Orichalcos Deuteros' is on the field, by sending it to the graveyard.

This third barrier inherits the name and all effects of the first two.

And, in addition—while this barrier is in play, all monsters I control..."

The Arbiter's voice is hoarse and sharp.

"...are unaffected by any spell or trap effects."

"What?!"

Everyone is stunned. This is the first time seeing the third barrier.

Just its presence grants all his monsters immunity to spells and traps, on top of all previous effects. What kind of terrifying field is this?

The Arbiter draws another card.

"Spell Card, 'Card of Burial Magic.' Remove 'Card of Sanctity,' 'Seal of Orichalcos,' and 'Raigeki' in my graveyard from play, then draw two cards."

"Spell Card, 'Card of Adversity.' If my opponent controls a special summoned monster and I have none, draw two cards."

He keeps drawing, then reveals another card.

"Spell Card, 'Monster Reborn.' Revive a monster from my graveyard."

The Arbiter selects a card from the graveyard, summoning it under the Monster Reborn symbol.

"Return, Orichalcos Kyutora!"

Under the resurrection symbol, the single eye opens again, gazing at the field with contempt.

[Orichalcos Kyutora, ATK 500 → ATK 1000] (due to Orichalcos Barrier boost)

"Next, I activate—

—Ritual Spell, 'Orichalcos Mirror'!"

Chapter 435: Mirror Knight

"Ritual Spell 'Orichalcos Mirror'!" the Arbiter declared. "Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels are 6 or higher to Ritual Summon the Ritual Monster 'Mirror Knight Calling' from your Deck!" (Anime card)

The Arbiter sent one card from his hand to the Graveyard.

"Tribute the Level 6 'Timeater' from my hand to Special Summon 'Mirror Knight Calling' from the Deck."

What appeared on the field was a monster shaped like a prism, its body reflecting clear, crystalline light. It had a bizarre appearance and didn't seem to have any combat power.

[Mirror Knight Calling, ATK 0 → ATK 500]

"When Mirror Knight Calling is successfully Summoned, you can Special Summon any number of 'Mirror Knight Tokens' to your field."

The Arbiter chuckled lightly.

"And 'Orichalcos Tritos' inherits the effects of the previous two barriers. You haven't forgotten the effect of the first barrier, have you?"

"The Monster Zones and Spell/Trap Zones are shared," Kira said.

"Correct."

The Arbiter raised his arm high.

"Therefore, I have up to eight remaining zones where I can Summon monsters! Special Summon eight 'Mirror Knight Tokens'!"

Weird arcs of light reflected from the towering prism, splitting into eight beams that landed in the eight empty zones on his front and back fields.

Each beam transformed into a knight clad in armor, like a medieval knight covered in plate mail. One hand held a gleaming longsword, the other a square shield. The shield's surface was smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting the opponent's field situation—Kira and his controlled Cyber Twin Dragon were distinctly mirrored on that reflective surface.

[Mirror Knight Token, ATK 0 → ATK 500] x8

Midori was stunned: "Summoning eight monsters at once?"

What kind of card is this that defies common sense!?

Kira didn't speak, but in his heart, he thought, as expected of the Orichalcos arc—full of fake cards. The anime's Orichalcos chapter is overflowing with overpowered fake cards that are countless.

Of course, some of those that players once thought would never become real cards have gradually been released over time.

So, even these remaining unreleased ones seem ridiculous, but it's possible that Konami might suddenly remember them one day, add some self-restriction, and release them.

"The strongest enemy a duelist will face in their lifetime is always themselves—no one is exempt," the Arbiter said. "And the Mirror Knights are the embodiment of the reflective mirror that reveals the true self within."

The Arbiter waved his hand.

"Then, 'Orichalcos Tritos' activates the effect gained from the second barrier. It can absorb life from the monsters I control!

Once per turn, recover LP equal to the number of monsters on my field x 500."

Everyone was shocked.

"Oh no, he has ten monsters on the field now!"

"Correct," the Arbiter said calmly. "Therefore, I recover 5000 LP."

[Arbiter, LP 4000 → LP 9000]

Kira also frowned slightly.

9000 LP.

"Set two cards face-down in my back row, then enter the Battle Phase."

The Arbiter raised his hand.

"First, the first 'Mirror Knight Token'," the Arbiter said. "Attack 'Cyber Twin Dragon'."

Jaden's heart tightened: "Attacking with a monster that only has 500 ATK?"

But he immediately remembered—no, it's not 500 ATK. That 500 is the barrier's boost; in other words, these Tokens originally have 0 ATK.

And as everyone knows, 0 ATK monsters are a hotbed for overpowered effects.

Sure enough, the Arbiter continued: "When a Mirror Knight Token battles an opponent's monster, it can copy that monster's ATK value for the battle.

Cyber Twin Dragon has 2800 ATK, so the Mirror Knight's ATK becomes the same."

[Mirror Knight Token, ATK 500 → ATK 2800]

"It can even copy ATK!?" Zane was astonished.

Summoning eight monsters at once, each with the effect to copy the opponent's ATK...

"Activate Continuous Trap," Kira said. "'Dimension Guardian'! Select one monster on my field; as long as this card remains on the field, that monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."

It was one of the three red pitfall cards Yugi Muto used in the movie to create an infinite loop and defeat the Blue-Eyes.

"Protect 'Cyber Twin Dragon' with 'Dimension Guardian'," Kira said. "The Twin Dragon protected by this card cannot be destroyed in any way."

The Mirror Knight leaped forward and slashed with its sword, but it struck a transparent protective barrier. The rebound force immediately knocked the knight back, failing to hit the Twin Dragon itself.

"Great, now the Twin Dragon is invincible!" Jaden said. "And with equal ATK, if it can't be destroyed here, then only the Mirror Knight will be destroyed!"

Sure enough, the Twin Dragon, upon being attacked, counterattacked automatically. The Cyber Dragon heads opened, electricity surged from its mechanical parts, quickly gathering in its mouth and erupting as a dazzling evolutionary flame!

But just as the Mirror Knight was about to be engulfed by the flame, it suddenly raised its left arm, blocking with its mirror-like shield. The evolutionary flame washed over the mirror surface, and after a brief stalemate, it shattered the shield like hammered glass into fragments, but the knight itself remained unharmed.

"The Mirror Knight wasn't defeated?" Midori frowned.

The Arbiter said coldly: "The Mirror Knight's shield can substitute for it, blocking one destruction."

In more standardized Konami language, these Mirror Knights' shields should be "Shield Counters," which can be removed as a substitute when the knight would be destroyed.

"By the way, 'Mirror Knight Calling' has another effect. Once per turn, it can repair the shields of all Mirror Knights on my field whose shields have been destroyed," the Arbiter said.

"Such an outrageous ability!?" Midori was shocked inwardly.

The Mirror Knights can copy the ATK of the battling monster, and during battle, they can use their shields as a substitute for destruction. Then, the destroyed shields can be repaired once per turn.

And there are eight such Mirror Knights on the field.

With just these eight knights, it's already close to invincible!?

Whether it was Midori or Jaden, they increasingly realized that in Arbiter's previous duels against Koyo and Jaden, this person hadn't exerted himself at all. His strength was unfathomable, indeed not something a regular duelist could face.

Only Kaiba remained calm and composed. After all, they had encountered the Mirror Knights back then and suffered quite a bit.

In fact, Dartz had once sealed the souls of the captured Yugi, Pegasus, Mai, and Joey into several Mirror Knights as hostages, making Atem hesitant to act, until Kaiba broke the stalemate.

In comparison, the situation Kira faced now was less dire than theirs back then.

But back then, Atem and Kaiba had teamed up against Dartz, while now Kira was facing the Arbiter one-on-one. No teammates to rely on, no one to assist from the side—this made it tougher than their experience.

Though Kaiba wasn't on the stage, watching the duel progress, he couldn't help subconsciously comparing himself to Kira. Though they had just settled their score, his duelist's soul couldn't suppress its restless urge.

"Battle continues," the Arbiter said in a hoarse voice. "The second 'Mirror Knight Token' attacks 'Cyber Twin Dragon'."

"Huh?"

Mokuba was greatly surprised.

Even knowing the attack is meaningless, he's still going for it?

Chapter 436: The Descending Demon God

"Mirror Knight Token's attack."

The Arbiter's voice was calm but stern.

"Continue attacking 'Cyber Twin Dragon'."

The second Mirror Knight's longsword flashed like a cold light reflected on a mirror, fearlessly charging at the Twin Dragon.

"But Cyber Twin Dragon is protected by 'Dimension Guardian' and can't be destroyed," Mokuba said, bewildered.

Even if that Mirror Knight can use its shield as a substitute, with both sides having preservation methods, wouldn't this attack be completely meaningless, just wasted effort?

"No," Kaiba said gravely. "It's coming."

Mokuba still didn't understand, but the battle on the field had already begun. Cyber Twin Dragon spewed dazzling flames in counterattack, the intense light surging toward the knight, who raised its shield to block.

The shield steadily blocked the Cyber Dragon's light stream, shattering into fragments under the bombardment. At the same time, the domineering impact swept across the knight's armor, heading straight for the Arbiter.

However, in that instant, the eye in the Arbiter's back row suddenly opened. It was like a black hole expanding, with endless gravity pulling in the impact's aftermath and flames, absorbing them all into the eye.

Mokuba suddenly realized: "When he attacked... he didn't activate the Mirror Knight's effect..."

The Arbiter spoke up: "I don't activate the Mirror Knight's effect, so I don't copy Cyber Twin Dragon's ATK. Therefore, during this attack, the Mirror Knight has only 500 ATK from the Orichalcos barrier.

After damage calculation, use the Mirror Knight's shield as a substitute for destruction, so the Mirror Knight isn't destroyed by battle.

However, this battle itself deals me 2300 battle damage."

He pointed to the single eye in his back row, which was absorbing and digesting. At this point, the energy and flames had all vanished into the opened eye, and the Orichalcos eye closed again, seemingly digesting the energy.

Last turn, when Mystic Tomato self-destructed, Kyutora had absorbed some damage, but it was then destroyed by Absolute Zero's effect and removed from the field, so the absorbed portion was likely nullified.

Now, it had just absorbed 2300 damage anew.

"And on my field this turn, there are still six 'Mirror Knight Tokens' that haven't attacked yet."

The Arbiter raised his hand.

"Mirror Knight Tokens, all attack. Attack 'Cyber Twin Dragon'."

The knights charged fiercely, six Mirror Knights lining up like a queue, drawing their swords one after another.

Their ATK was zero—in the world of Duel Monsters, they were essentially powerless weaklings, basically instant kills in front of Cyber Twin Dragon. But the knights pressed forward without fear, charging with swords drawn, their shields clearly reflecting the Twin Dragon's form.

The six knights collided like moths to a flame. Each strike was accompanied by a crisp crack, as a shield shattered into slag in the knight's hand.

Until all the knights' shields on the field were pulverized under the impact of the evolutionary flames.

"Finally, 'Mirror Knight Calling'," the Arbiter waved his hand, having the Ritual Monster itself join the self-destruction lineup. "Attack 'Cyber Twin Dragon'."

[Mirror Knight Calling, ATK 500]

This Ritual Monster itself had a 0 ATK panel, clearly not suited for direct combat. But upon receiving its master's command to charge, it obediently rushed forward—a flying prism that looked like someone hurling a refrigerator with all their might.

Cyber Twin Dragon still opened its mouth to counterattack. Mirror Knight Calling's main body didn't have the substitute-destruction shields like its summoned Tokens, and the flaming beam shattered the prism in mid-air.

"When Mirror Knight Calling is destroyed, all Mirror Knight Tokens are also destroyed."

A series of cracking explosions rang out, and the knights filling the Arbiter's field shattered one after another, like countless pieces of glass breaking simultaneously, scattering into a field of crystalline, glittering fragments.

At this point, Kira had naturally seen through the intent, his brows tightly furrowed.

No doubt, the Arbiter was accumulating damage for Kyutora.

In the end, Kyutora would suicide into Cyber Twin Dragon, triggering its final ability. Kyutora's departure from the field would Special Summon Shunoros from the Deck, the invincible god statue that absorbs all damage and becomes unmatched.

Sure enough, the Arbiter issued the final command as expected.

"Battle," the Arbiter said. "Orichalcos Kyutora attacks 'Cyber Twin Dragon'."

"As expected."

Kaiba had also seen through the opponent's plan and said gravely.

"That thing is coming."

Jaden and Midori's hearts tightened; by now, they fully understood the combo.

It was the Orichalcos' strongest demon god that had one-shot Koyo!

Kyutora's suicidal assault was the final fuse; as long as it was destroyed by the Twin Dragon's counterattack, that thing would arrive. And with the damage it had absorbed so far...

"Kira!"

Jaden couldn't help but call out in worry, as if flashing back to Koyo standing firm against that terminating demon god until the end.

Kira, however, remained composed and continued to respond.

"Activate my Set card, Trap Card—"

"Whatever you're doing is useless," the Arbiter interrupted decisively. "With the third barrier activated, any Spell or Trap effects on my monsters become invalid.

Traps can't stop Kyutora's attack."

"I know, but what I'm affecting isn't your monster—it's my own," Kira said. "Trap Card 'Interdimensional Matter Transporter', remove one monster on my field from the game until the End Phase.

I remove 'Cyber Twin Dragon' from the game!"

Dimensional ripples expanded, and a complex mechanical transporter appeared on his field. With a ripple in the air like an opening black hole, the twin-headed mechanical dragon was sucked in and soon vanished.

"Oh, oh, there's that move, right!" Jaden said. "Even if you can't affect the opponent's monster, you can send away your own. That way, Kyutora can't self-destruct, and Shunoros' Summon fails!"

Though Kira could have activated it earlier to prevent the Mirror Knights' suicidal attacks from accumulating damage, doing so would have let the Mirror Knights' attacks hit Kira directly.

While the Mirror Knights themselves have 0 ATK, under the barrier's boost, each has 500 ATK. Eight knights plus one Mirror Knight Calling, and Kyutora itself, would have been enough to wipe him out in one go.

But activating the Trap at the moment Kyutora attacks means Kira only has to take Kyutora's insignificant 1000 damage. If the self-destruction fails, all that accumulated damage becomes meaningless.

Kyutora crashed into Kira, who raised his Duel Disk to block, staggering back half a step.

[Kira, LP 3800 → LP 2800]

"You brat, you saw through my tactic again."

The Arbiter frowned.

"Indeed. If Kyutora loses its attack target and can't self-destruct, Shunoros can't appear, and my follow-up offense will be interrupted."

He paused, then his expression darkened.

"But I am the god of final judgment descending upon the world; such tactics are well within my calculations.

Activate Quick-Play Spell from my hand: 'Mystik Wok'!

Tribute a monster on my field and recover LP equal to its ATK!"

Chapter 437: The Strongest Spear and Shield

Quick-Play Spell—Mystik Wok!

"I Tribute 'Orichalcos Kyutora' on my field," the Arbiter shouted, "and recover LP equal to Kyutora's ATK!"

Dark red light enveloped Kyutora's body. The large eye closed, and with an explosive boom, it shattered on the field.

[Arbiter, LP 9000 → LP 10000]

But in the instant that small spherical body exploded, the vast energy stored within erupted. A blinding light that was almost impossible to look at pierced the sky. A burly, solid green form emerged from the beam, landing imposingly on the field.

The deep green colossal god statue, with an emotionless face, stood silently yet naturally exuded an awe-inspiring pressure.

"As expected," Midori said gravely. "That monster..."

Orichalcos Shunoros, that terrifying monster.

And this time, it was more than that.

Unlike when it defeated Koyo, this Shunoros came with two additional components.

The green massive god statue landed, and then its left and right arms detached from the body with a clack. The arms didn't fall after detaching; they eerily floated in mid-air, drifting forward one on each side.

Shunoros landed in the Orichalcos barrier's back row zone, standing in what should have been the center of the Spell/Trap Zone. Its left and right arms separated and moved forward, each occupying a Monster Zone in the front row, flanking Shunoros.

Clearly, the implication was that without first defeating these literal "right-hand and left-hand men," one couldn't attack Shunoros itself.

"When Kyutora leaves the field, Special Summon these three cards from the Deck," the Arbiter said calmly. "Descend.

Orichalcos Shunoros!

Orichalcos Dexia!

Orichalcos Aristeros!"

Among them, Dexia was Shunoros' right arm, and Aristeros was the left arm. The god statue's arms had detached and each transformed into separate monsters on the field.

"Orichalcos Shunoros' ATK is determined by the battle damage Kyutora absorbed before leaving the field, as you should know," the Arbiter said calmly. "Therefore, Shunoros' ATK now is..."

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK ? → ATK 18400]

"ATK 18,400..." Zane couldn't help but say.

"Under the Orichalcos barrier's boost, it gains an extra 500 ATK," the Arbiter said.

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK 18400 → ATK 18900]

Such terrifying ATK, plus the barrier's immunity to Spells and Traps...

Kira also frowned slightly.

The opponent had hidden a self-destruction method; this way, he couldn't prevent Shunoros' appearance.

"Shunoros' right hand, Dexia, is the strongest spear. When this card battles a monster, its ATK becomes that monster's ATK +300.

The left hand, Aristeros, is the strongest shield. When attacked by a monster, its DEF becomes that monster's ATK +300!"

"Eh, isn't that invincible?" Jaden was surprised.

But Kira knew the cheating description wasn't complete. Shunoros' left and right hands' ATK/DEF changes aren't unlimited—they revert after the Damage Step of battle, and the values are deducted from "Orichalcos Shunoros'" ATK.

In other words, their ATK/DEF can't exceed Shunoros' ATK. And each battle causes Shunoros' ATK to decrease accordingly.

Even if Shunoros itself attacks, it's the same.

After Shunoros battles, if against an Attack Position monster, deduct that monster's ATK from its own. If against a Defense Position monster, deduct the DEF.

Thus, Shunoros' ATK looks exaggerated, but it's like a one-time battery. It consumes energy reserves with each battle, dropping lower the more battles occur.

Of course, that's assuming the opponent can survive long enough against such power.

To date, only four duelists have faced this demon god. Among them, Kaiba and Koyo were instantly crushed by its overwhelming power upon its appearance. The only one in history to defeat it head-on was Atem.

Now, Kira was the fourth.

Mokuba's face was ashen: "ATK 18,000, and it's still in the Battle Phase. Kira has no monsters on the field, his Set cards are used up. And the opponent has the third barrier's resistance..."

Kaiba also frowned in thought, perhaps recalling the helplessness he felt back then facing the same god statue in a similar scenario.

Fujiki Kira, can you prove once again that you've surpassed the me of that time?

The Arbiter gently raised his hand.

"It's over."

The Arbiter shouted.

"Orichalcos Shunoros' direct attack, Ring of Destruction!"

A deep green ring slowly rose from Shunoros' base, flying out from the god statue's head. The ring spun rapidly like a sharp circular saw, whirling toward Kira to slice him!

Like the might of a god, even Kira could feel the suffocating pressure encircling his heart. Without the support of spirits and divine artifacts, he might not even be able to stand firm.

Indeed, Kira had no more monsters to serve as a barrier. If this hit solidly, he would likely fall like the two before him who had taken this move.

With no time to think, he raised his Duel Disk, and a card ejected from his Graveyard.

Kuriboh, save me again!

As the Kuriboh spun out onto the field, the Arbiter's brows twitched.

"Clear Kuriboh? But you've already used that monster..."

"It's the second effect that's meaningful in the Graveyard!" Kira said. "When Clear Kuriboh is in the Graveyard and the opponent declares a direct attack, banish this card from the Graveyard from the game.

Then draw one card from the Deck. If it's a monster, you can Special Summon it, and the attack target shifts to that monster!"

"In the end, you're entrusting your hope to an unknown draw?"

The Arbiter sneered.

"But you have to draw a monster for it to work. And no matter what monster it is, it's useless—before Shunoros, any wall will only be shattered."

Kira didn't respond, only reaching to touch his Deck.

This draw absolutely had to be a monster.

He knew it would be.

This was the culmination of all his experiences in this world up to now. He had battled and learned step by step, growing stronger one foot at a time. This draw would be the proof of all those results.

And in the instant before that draw.

Hanging from his chest, the inverted triangular golden pendant suddenly burst with a piercing golden light from the Eye of Horus.