Yugioh [384-386] (Patreon)

Chapter 384: All Are Traitors

This time, a female fallen angel appeared, clad in pitch-black armor, with dark wings unfurled behind her. Each feather looked like a cloud in the midnight sky—truly the wings of a fallen angel.

[Dark Valkyria, ATK 1800]

Even with the double suppression of Spell Canceller and Light-Imprisoning Mirror, the tide of the duel instantly reversed!

“As expected of a demon god from the same school as the Great Evil God,” Kira muttered to himself.

But Tragoedia, upon hearing that, was shaken. He asked in a low voice, “How do you know?”

He and the vessel of the Zorc Necrophades, came from the same village—a village used by the ancient Egyptian royal family as living sacrifices for the birth of the Millennium Items, slaughtered to the last. By now, everyone who knew this secret was long dead. After three thousand years, no one should know his origins.

How did this boy know?

“Well, who knows?” Kira smiled.

Tragoedia: “…”

He’d always felt there was something about this person—a dangerous presence, reminiscent of those priests who once wielded Millennium Items.

Not only that, but he couldn’t quite see through this person’s dueling. Though only facing him indirectly through a puppet, this was already Tragoedia’s second time dueling him, and even now, he still couldn’t grasp Kira’s true abilities.

In fact, three thousand years ago, only a few priests with Items knew his background. Could this person…

No—he couldn’t jump to conclusions based on so little information.

In any case, whoever it was, as long as he could sweep them away in a Dark Duel, that was all that mattered.

“Splendid Venus has another effect. All non-Fairy monsters on the field lose 500 ATK,” Tragoedia declared. “This is a continuous effect—no activation required, and Light-Imprisoning Mirror can’t negate it.”

[Spell Canceller, ATK 1800 → 1300]

[Lyna the Light Charmer, ATK 500 → 0]

“Go, Dark Valkyria! Start with that annoying Light Charmer—crush her!”

The Dark Valkyria’s black wings spread wide, and she charged at the Light Charmer! Being unsuited for battle, the Light Charmer’s body was instantly cut in two.

“I activate the trap ‘Defense Draw’,” Kira said. “This battle damage becomes 0, and I draw one card.”

A transparent shield blocked the dark onslaught, and Kira drew a card from his deck.

“Next is Splendid Venus’s attack,” Tragoedia continued. “Attack Spell Canceller!”

Splendid Venus unleashed a cannon of holy light, piercing through like silvery lightning. The magical machine exploded into pieces amid flying sparks.

[Kira, LP 4000 → LP 2500]

Kira shielded himself, stumbling back two steps.

“Hahaha, that’s more like it—don’t go down so quickly,” Tragoedia sneered. “Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fun.

Now I play the spell ‘One Day of Peace’—both players draw one card, and until the end of next turn, all damage is 0.”

Kira said nothing, simply drawing a card as instructed.

“I set a card and end my turn,” Tragoedia said.

“My turn. Draw.”

Kira waved his hand lightly.

“I set a card. Then play ‘Pot of Greed’ to draw two cards.”

But immediately he played another card from his hand.

“Quick-Play Spell ‘Serial Spell’—discard my entire hand and copy Pot of Greed’s effect to draw two more cards.”

Kira drew four cards in one go.

“Refilling your hand so quickly,” Tragoedia said coldly. “But with One Day of Peace’s effect, you can’t deal any damage this turn—it’s pointless.”

“Pointless? I wouldn’t say that.”

Kira smiled.

“When Serial Spell is activated, I discarded ‘Learning Elf’. When this card is sent to the graveyard, I draw another card.”

Kira calmly drew again and revealed another card in his hand.

“‘The Tricky’ in my hand can be Special Summoned by discarding a card. I discard one and Special Summon Trickster.”

[The Tricky, ATK 2000]

“A high-level monster that can Special Summon itself,” Tragoedia noted. “But he’s also affected by Venus’s ATK reduction.”

[The Tricky, ATK 2000 → 1500]

“I tribute The Tricky to Tribute Summon,” Kira declared. “Ruler of the skies, embodiment of the storm—descend now!

—Raiza the Storm Monarch, Summon!”

[Raiza the Storm Monarch, ATK 2400 → 1900]

“A Monarch this time,” Tragoedia frowned.

“When Raiza is successfully summoned, I return any card on the field to the top of its owner’s deck,” Kira said. “‘Splendid Venus’ returns to the top of your deck.”

A green whirlwind enveloped Venus. The giant angel, unable to resist, was swept away by the Monarch’s storm and returned to Reggie’s deck.

“Monarch, I’ll remember you,” Tragoedia said coldly. “Next turn, I’ll deal with you first.”

“Is that so? But next turn, your real headache won’t be the Monarch.”

Kira smiled. At that moment, a ghostly shadow appeared above his head, exuding a chilling aura.

“Makyura the Destructor?” Tragoedia was puzzled.

“Correct. The card I discarded was Makyura the Destructor, so I can activate Traps from my hand this turn,” Kira said. “I activate the Trap—Conscription!

Reveal the top card of your opponent’s deck. If it’s a monster that can be Normal Summoned, Special Summon it to my field!”

Tragoedia froze.

The top card of his deck—wait…

The top card flew from Reggie’s deck, and a golden-armored, white-winged angel apparition appeared in midair.

“Well, what luck—another Planet Series card. Not bad at all,” Kira grinned. “But as they say—a true duelist even makes their own luck.

Sorry, but I’ll gladly accept this.”

The card flew from Reggie’s deck to Kira’s hand.

“Come, Planet Series—Splendid Venus, descend!”

[Splendid Venus, ATK 2800]

“Ohh, Kira stole the opponent’s Venus!” Jaden was the first to shout. “Nice one, Kira!”

“Yes! Using Monarch to bounce Venus, then Conscription to grab it!” Mokuba was delighted. “Such an interesting tactic!”

Interesting, my foot.

Tragoedia’s face was dark—well, his face was always dark.

“Very good, very good—you even took my Venus. You’re the first to dare cross my line this much,” Tragoedia intoned.

“Haha, you flatter me,” Kira replied humbly.

Tragoedia: “…”

The brat even thinks that’s a compliment?

“Splendid Venus, attack Dark Valkyria,” Kira ordered.

Holy light gathered on Venus’s staff, unleashing a beam that pierced through space itself!

“To defy me to this extent—prepare to face divine wrath.

I activate the Trap—

—Mirror Force!”

Chapter 385: The Substitute Ran Away

The transparent sacred shield burst forth with blinding light from the Trap card, rebounding toward Venus like a tidal wave.

“When the opponent declares an attack, destroy all Attack Position monsters on their field!” Tragoedia shouted. “If I can’t use Venus, I’ll destroy her!

Bury Splendid Venus!”

“Muda.”

Kira snapped his fingers.

In the next instant, Mirror Force’s shield shattered with a crisp crack.

“NANI?!”

Tragoedia was stunned.

“Why? How could Mirror Force…?!”

He then saw a card on Kira’s field—one that had somehow appeared in the back row.

Continuous Trap—Royal Decree.

While Royal Decree is on the field, the effects of all Traps except this card are negated.

“Chaining to Mirror Force, I activate Royal Decree from my hand—Trap effects are negated,” Kira said. “So the attack continues.

Splendid Venus, destroy Dark Valkyria!”

Dark Valkyria couldn’t withstand Venus’s blow; the blast from her staff was like a force piercing deep into the soul. The Dark Valkyria’s wings shattered instantly, and her form was soon swallowed by the holy light.

“With One Day of Peace’s effect, no damage is dealt—so I end my turn.”

“Tch, even my Traps are sealed now,” Tragoedia gritted his teeth.

Not only had the tables turned, but his deck’s ace, Venus, had been stolen.

The Planet Series meant a lot to Tragoedia. The reason he controlled Reggie to participate was because he’d learned the Terra card was in Koyo’s hands and wanted to steal it.

But at this rate, Venus would be stolen before he could get Terra.

But it wasn’t over yet.

“My turn. Draw!” Tragoedia said. “I activate the Spell ‘Magic Planter’—send a Continuous Spell on my field to the Graveyard to draw two cards!” (Anime effect)

He pointed to his back row.

“I send the Continuous Spell ‘Court of Justice’ to the Graveyard—draw two cards!”

“Sorry, no can do.” Kira calmly waved his hand. “I activate my set card—Continuous Trap, Imperial Order.

As long as this card remains in the Spell/Trap Zone, all Spell Card effects are negated!”

Tragoedia: “!”

After sealing Traps, now Spell too!?

Wait, that’s not right…

“Wait, Royal Decree and Imperial Order can’t be used together,” Tragoedia protested. “While Royal Decree is on the field, all other Traps are negated, including your own. So Imperial Order would also be negated.”

Royal Decree and Imperial Order, both Royal lockdown cards—one for spells, one for traps—seem like a natural combo for a total lockdown. But in practice, the Royal series are Traps, so all would be negated by Decree.

So in theory, this perfect dual lockdown shouldn’t be possible.

However…

“Huh, did you forget your own ace’s effect?”

Kira smiled, pointing at the now-turned Big Angel on his field.

Splendid Venus.

[Effect: As long as this card is on the field, the activation and effects of your Spell/Trap cards cannot be negated.]

Tragoedia was stunned.

Then Reggie’s mouth, under his control, slowly opened, face contorting—

This… this…

With Venus on the field, Kira’s Spell/Trap cards couldn’t be negated. In other words, Royal Decree and Imperial Order, both lockdowns, worked one-way.

Only the opponent couldn’t use spells or traps—Kira could use them freely.

So naturally, Imperial Order wasn’t negated by Royal Decree. Both cards took effect—a theoretically impossible complete lockdown, realized in Venus’s absolute magic domain.

That’s not all. Because Venus was present, “Light-Imprisoning Mirror,” which should have been negated by Royal Decree, was also protected. Thus, all LIGHT monster effects from the field or graveyard were negated.

And Tragoedia was controlling Reggie, whose deck was almost entirely LIGHT monsters.

No Spells, no Traps, no monster effects…

And your ace from your own deck is now turned against you.

What kind of hell is this!?

Even Reggie was shocked.

She’d held Venus for so long, defeating countless opponents with it, but had never seen a situation like this.

Could it be… this is the real way to use Splendid Venus!?

Turning all top lockdowns into one-way locks, trapping your opponent in utter despair?

Reggie gasped, inwardly thinking “good grief” several times.

Suddenly, she felt relieved it was Tragoedia dueling now. As much as she hated that dark Shrimp, she had to admit this monster’s strength was bottomless.

If she herself faced this, she’d have already given up.

Now, let’s see if Tragoedia has any tricks to escape this predicament…

Huh?

Reggie realized something was off.

She tried moving her arms, rotating her neck.

To her surprise, she found she’d regained control of her body.

And the cold, dark aura that had surrounded her since the duel began had vanished.

“…Hey, are you there?”

She tried contacting the spirit behind her.

“Say something.”

“Where are you?”

At that moment, Reggie realized—

—Her substitute had run away.

Tragoedia: What the hell—how am I supposed to play like this?

No spell, no traps, no monster effects, can’t play a single card—how about you try and break this board, huh?

I’m out. Really out. Player is gone—don’t @ me.

Reggie was left reeling.

Wait—

You show off so much and then, when you can’t win, just bail, leaving me to take the hit!?

Then Kira spoke again.

“If you’re not going to do anything, then it’s my turn again.”

Kira smiled.

“My turn. Draw,” Kira said. “During my Standby Phase, I need to pay 700 LP to keep Imperial Order on the field.”

[Kira, LP 2500 → LP 1800]

“Wait!”

Reggie panicked.

“I was forced! I was hijacked—”

“I know,” Kira nodded.

“Huh?” Reggie was stunned.

Kira knew she was a victim. But it didn’t matter.

Even if she was forced, she had shown killing intent. To survive, she’d do anything, even use underhanded tricks. In the original story, she’d defeated Midori Hibiki by threatening her with her comatose brother’s information.

She wanted to kill him, so Kira wouldn’t just sit there. In a Shadow Duel, there can only be one winner. Anyone in the way is an enemy—defeat them, simple as that.

Kira: “Battle Phase.”

“No, wait—” Reggie stammered. “It’s a misunderstanding…”

“Splendid Venus, Raiza—direct attack,” Kira said without hesitation.

“Uwaaahhhh!!!”

[Reggie, LP 4000 → LP 0]

Chapter 386: The Duel Left Them Dazed

The first of the quarterfinals ended, with Kira smoothly advancing.

Others weren’t surprised at the result—just the process, especially those unfamiliar with Kira.

The Planet Series cards are unique, super-rare. For many, this was their first time seeing “Splendid Venus” in person.

So naturally, it was also the first time they discovered Venus’s “your Spells/Traps can’t be negated” effect could be used like this—

Indeed, with Venus present, all field-wide lockdowns become one-way. Once formed, your opponent basically can’t play at all.

And during this duel, Venus truly showed her dominance as the core of the Planet Series, completely suppressing the opponent.

But the weird part was, Venus was supposed to be the opponent’s ace, yet Kira turned her into the heart of his ultimate lockdown strategy.

Lockdown decks aren’t unheard of, and stall decks are niche but exist.

But using the opponent’s ace as the core? That’s new.

The duel ended with the opponent left dazed, as Kira collected the “Splendid Venus” card and pocketed it.

Even the Arbiter, embodiment of Orichalcos, who’d lived for ages, had never seen something like this.

Most people didn’t notice, but Kaiba and some others, with their supernatural experience, saw the mid-duel switch.

But that’s not strange. Spirit possession in dueling is old news—even Yugi was once possessed by another soul.

But having the spirit rage-quit halfway? That’s new.

To outsiders, it seemed that after Venus was taken and the lockdown formed, Tragoedia broke down and simply disconnected.

“That guy’s called Tragoedia, right?”

Loren, one of Doma’s Three Swordsmen, couldn’t help but say.

“I remember he isn’t an ordinary monster, right?”

“Mm,” the Arbiter replied offhand.

Loren didn’t speak further.

Tragoedia is a boss-tier monster—at least on par with Doma’s Three Swordsmen, maybe even higher.

Even as a substitute, for such a being to rage-quit…

“Keep an eye on that kid,” the Arbiter said suddenly, glancing at Kira as he left the stage.

“Mm,” Loren nodded, eyeing Kira with a strange look.

At first, hearing that the “Sealing Device” fell into a student’s hands, he thought it was just luck.

But now, that idea was fading.

Maybe it wasn’t coincidence the artifact ended up with him. He seemed harmless, but who knew what he really was.

If he had to duel that guy, he’d be on full alert.

Zane watched the duel in silence.

He recalled his own match with Kira in the qualifiers—the feeling that no matter how hard he attacked, it was like his Cyber Dragons vanished into the void.

Since then, Zane had fallen into a bit of confusion.

For the first time, he began to doubt his path, considering other possibilities. The first thing that came to mind was Kira, whose dueling had deeply impressed him and, as far as he knew, was undefeated.

Kira’s duels were the opposite of his. In this last match, he felt no respect for the opponent at all.

But—did he win or not?

And watching Kira high-five Jaden after jumping offstage, he seemed genuinely happy.

Zane pondered.

In the end, is winning more important than anything else?

At that moment, a KaibaCorp medical team was already on stage, surrounding the unconscious Reggie.

Such a tournament, of course, had world-class medical teams on standby, with standards higher than any sports event.

After all, dueling is the world’s most dangerous sport, isn’t it common sense?

Look, first match and someone’s already unconscious.

The doctors quickly carried Reggie off on a stretcher, taking her to the infirmary.

“Well, there’s been a small incident. Please wait for further instructions from the organizers,” Roland briefly announced, following the medical team.

A doctor quietly asked, “Are you really going to continue the tournament?”

“Of course,” Roland replied calmly.

“But… a player just fell unconscious…”

“What’s the problem?”

“You may not realize how serious this is. This girl might never walk again… might never wake up.”

“I know,” Roland nodded.

Doctor: “?”

How can you accept this so calmly?

“Don’t worry, all competitors signed waivers,” Roland said.

Doctor: “That’s not the point—”

“You should’ve seen the first tournament.”

Roland clapped his shoulder, speaking as a veteran.

He’d been a judge at the very first event too.

Compared to that, this was nothing.

In the first tournament, Yugi’s Slifer sent Bakura to the ICU with a single attack. After that, in the gravekeeper’s duel with Joey, fake cards summoned Winged Dragon of Ra only to be punished with divine retribution, ending up a vegetable.

Then Marik, somehow, ended up with hair like an explosion and a more spooky face, knocking Mai and Joey into the infirmary one after another.

Back then, divine phenomena and punishments descended every other match—almost every duel sent someone to the hospital. But the show went on.

Yet this doctor, apparently a newcomer, found it all incomprehensible.

So he went to Kaiba next.

“President, are you sure about continuing the tournament?”

Kaiba raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“But a player just fell unconscious—”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Doctor: “?”