Yugioh [522-527] (Patreon)

Chapter 522: Infinite Bicycle Hell

Although it was Kira's turn, the moment he entered the Standby Phase—before he could even act—Joey swept his arm forward: "Activate the set card, the Trap Card 'A Rival Appears!!'"

"Select 1 face-up monster on your opponent's field; Special Summon from your hand 1 monster with the same Level as the selected monster.

I choose your Level 4 'Power Annihilator' on the field, and Special Summon a Level 4 monster from my hand."

He flashed a card from his hand.

"Come forth! 'Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight'!"

[Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight, ATK 1800]

Then he shot Kira a meaningful look.

Kira understood and nodded with a smile.

"In that case, I'll gladly borrow your strength."

Kira flicked his wrist.

"Activate the other set card my buddy placed.

Equip Spell 'Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade.' This card can only equip to a Warrior. Equip it to the Red-Eyes Iron Knight on the field; its ATK increases by 300."

The third demon frowned slightly.

An extra 300 ATK would bring it to 2100, but even if it attacked, Power Annihilator would rise to 2800—nothing to fear.

He hesitated, but didn't activate his Trap.

"However, I now activate 'Red-Eyes Iron Knight's' effect. Once per turn, when an Equip Card becomes equipped to this card, destroy those Equip Cards."

All three demons were startled.

"Destroy your own Equip!?"

"And after that, you can target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls and destroy it." Kira pointed at the back row set card. "Destroy that set."

The three demons jolted. "So that was your aim!?"

They could technically chain Ultimate Providence to negate the effect that would destroy Ultimate Providence. Of course, nobody would be dumb enough to do that.

Ultimate Providence failed to activate and was destroyed, removing their strongest back-row deterrent. The demon scowled and grunted. "Tch. Even so, you still have to Summon a monster with over 3800 ATK."

"I'm starting to notice a pattern with you—you've got something mixed up," Kira cut in. "Why must I defeat your monster?"

"Eh?" The demon blinked.

Kira didn't elaborate. Calmly, he revealed another card from his hand: "Spell Card 'Power Bond,' activate!"

Jaden exclaimed, "Zane's soul card!"

Though to be fair, it's not exactly unique—Syrus has it too.

"I fuse two 'Submarineroid' in my hand," Kira said. "Fusion materials: two Machine monsters with the same name. Fusion Summon—

—Pair Cycroid!"

[Pair Cycroid, ATK 1600]

A bicycle!

At Duel Academy, Jaden had often heard of Kira's infamous bicycle; it had once been the source of many students' trauma.

"Machines Fusion Summoned by Power Bond have their ATK doubled."

[Pair Cycroid, ATK 1600 → ATK 3200]

Kira continued: "Quick-Play Spell 'Cybernetic Fusion Support.'

Pay half your Life Points. This turn, when you Fusion Summon a Machine Fusion Monster, once, you can banish monsters from your hand, field, or GY to substitute Fusion Materials."

[Kira's team, LP 12000 → LP 6000]

"You just burned through six thousand Life Points at once!" the one-winged demon gasped. "In that much of a hurry to die!?"

Kira went on unfazed: "Then I activate another 'Power Bond'!

Via Cybernetic Fusion Support's effect, I banish the two 'Submarineroid' in the GY and Fusion Summon again. Fusion Summon—

—Pair Cycroid, No. 2!"

[Pair Cycroid, ATK 1600 → ATK 3200]

"You summoned two of those things in a row?"

The one-winged demon was stupefied.

"But 3200 ATK can't beat Power Annihilator."

"That's why I said, I'll just beat you instead."

Kira smiled and snapped his fingers.

"Pair Cycroid can attack directly."

"Nani!?"

All three were shocked.

"Go, bicycles—attack directly," Kira raised his hand. "Double strike!"

The bicycles narrowed their eyes into a vicious glare, then executed a gorgeous storm-drain drift around the bend. The two bikes performed a Dragon Tail Swing technique in succession, rolling over the demons' faces one by one, leaving two crisp tire tracks on each.

"Haha, that looks like it hurts," Jaden chuckled.

[Three Demons, LP 10200 → LP 7000 → LP 3800]

"You smug bastard!"

The goat-headed demon staggered to his feet, furious, sporting two sets of four-lined tire marks across his forehead.

"Is that all you've got—"

"Quick-Play Spell 'Flash Fusion,'" Kira said. "This lets me Fusion Summon using monsters I control during the Battle Phase."

The three demons froze.

Fusion during the Battle Phase?

"Fusion requirements: two Machines with the same name.

I fuse my two 'Pair Cycroid' on the field to Fusion Summon—

—Pair Cycroid!"

The two bicycles that had completed their drift-strike leapt into the air, drawn together, merging as a dazzling golden light erupted within the fusion vortex.

Pair Cycroid—resummoned!

[Pair Cycroid, ATK 1600]

"Of course, since it was Special Summoned during the Battle Phase, it can attack again." Kira swept his hand. "Pair Cycroid, attack directly once more."

The bicycle gazed upon the three demons with a conqueror's disdain, as if appraising three pieces of trash.

It burst forward again, drifting expertly around the bend, then stamped a fifth and sixth set of tire tracks.

"Gwahhh!"

[Three Demons, LP 3800 → LP 2200]

"Damn you…"

They gnashed their teeth.

Bicycle, bicycle—still the bicycle. Is it never-ending?

 Power Annihilator watched the bikes drift glamorously past again and again to smack its masters directly, wearing a helpless look.

There was nothing it could do—the drift was too fast, the plates too blurry to read. All it could do was watch them go…

"As expected of Kira. He handles bicycles even more skillfully than before,"

 Jaden murmured, impressed.

Not only that—because both bicycles created by "Power Bond" left the field, he even dodged Power Bond's end-phase burn drawback entirely.

But Kira still wasn't done. He smiled slightly and fanned out another card between his index and middle fingers.

"Quick-Play Spell 'De-Fusion,'" Kira said. "I De-Fuse the 'Pair Cycroid' on the field and Special Summon its Fusion Materials from the GY."

Everyone was dumbstruck.

De-Fuse the bicycle on the field…

Wait.

What were the materials that just fused into this bike again?

Then the demons' eyes bulged as they watched the bicycle split in two, reverting into two fresh bicycles with their attack counts reset.

[Pair Cycroid, ATK 1600] x2

The three demon generals slowly opened their mouths, faces written with disbelief.

N-no way…

"Battle continues," Kira said. "Pair Cycroid—keep up the double direct attacks."

The demon generals, mouths agape and eyes wide, stared blankly as the two bicycles charged them yet again, their minds going numb.

Are you freaking kidding me???

Another four clean tire tracks rolled across their demonic foreheads.

"AAAAAAAHHH!!!"

[Three Demons, LP 2200 → LP 0]

Chapter 523: Pure Slander

The surrounding horde of demons stared, dumbfounded.

I-it's over already.

No one was mentally prepared for what had just happened.

In everyone's expectations, the duel had barely begun. No one could attack in the first round; this was the first turn in which battle was even possible.

In other words, the real fight was supposed to start now.

And it just ended like that?

This was a 3-v-3 with 12,000 combined Life Points!

OTKing over 10,000 LP in one turn—what kind of joke is that?

And with… a bicycle?

This dimension apparently didn't have bicycles as a tool, but that chibi personified bike—so flimsy—didn't look like any sort of respectable ace at a glance. Even as a spirit, it probably wouldn't be taken seriously in this world.

Yet that thing just pulled off a triple kill in one single turn!

Even Jaden stood there, duel disk still raised, mouth open, staring at the domineering bicycles on Kira's field, momentarily at a loss.

Huh? That's it?

It was supposed to be a 3v3—he'd finally gotten a chance to actually play—but it didn't feel like he'd done anything at all…

Why did it feel like he'd just played a fake duel?

Even Joey, who'd wanted to see the strength of this so-called new Duel King, was dumbstruck, speechless.

I mean…

Even if you say you want to see his strength, a one-turn triple KO is still…

He had no idea what to say.

And five consecutive bicycle strikes…

What can you even say?

You certainly can't say he's not strong.

"Nice teamwork," Kira said with a smile to his teammates.

"If Joey-san hadn't cleared the back row, I couldn't have set up so easily."

Jaden: "Ah, uh, yeah."

Jaden was happy to be credited for teamwork, but he really didn't feel like they'd executed any coordinated finishing blow…

"Alright, we'll talk later," Kira said.

He hopped down from the rooftop and turned to the remaining horde of the Supreme King's army.

"Let's mop up."

With their three commanders wiped in a flash, the remaining troops—though numerous—had already lost most of their will to fight.

Kira jumped down from the roof; the BLS materialized behind him at the same time. The long sword cleaved the air, a shockwave sweeping through the crowd, carving a long, narrow furrow through their ranks like the Red Sea parting.

The demons cried out. With morale shattered, they scattered like birds and beasts. The formation crumbled, and the buffs the remaining duel generals granted were greatly weakened.

Those three leaders had each drawn power from their own formations. Generals led their armies into battle; much of that seemed useless in a duel between experts, but it wasn't just for show.

A duel is, to a large extent, a contest of momentum, and a general leading an army can gain a boost from troop morale.

It's somewhat like a duelist with spirits drawing on the power of the spirits in their deck. But since generals and soldiers don't share the tight bond that duelists and spirits do, only a fraction of that power can be shared through formation.

Even a fraction is considerable; a boost from a large army's morale is a major buff for a duelist.

But clearly, those three got crushed even at full strength with their armies behind them—played with and annihilated.

They were the strongest generals of the current dimension. There were still other generals with dueling capability among the troops, theoretically able to fight.

But if the commanders got OTK'd at full power, the rest—who admitted they weren't as strong—and with morale broken—would only be throwing their lives away by stepping up.

Can't win. It's over. Run.

The trio split up and reaped the field, summoning monsters and cutting through the rabble. In this dimension, card effects manifest physically, and summoned monsters are corporeal, not necessarily spirits, so they fought with almost no restrictions.

Occasionally two or three duel generals tried to resist with a duel.

But they were weaker than the commanders to begin with, and now without formation buffs, their threat level was negligible; they were casually dispatched in moments.

Of course, they couldn't possibly annihilate so many grunts with just three people and their monsters. In the end, the Supreme King's army was routed, fleeing in disarray; countless spirits were slain and cards seized, though many still escaped in all directions.

After a stretch of fierce fighting, the desert town fell quiet again.

"Ahh—now that was satisfying,"

Jaden stretched lazily, put away his duel disk, and hopped down from a rooftop.

"Finally got to duel to my heart's content… well, would've been better if the opponents were tougher."

Then he bounced over to Joey, eyes sparkling like a fangirl meeting her idol.

"Oooh, the man himself! The legendary duelist!"

Put on the spot, Joey scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"Huh? Ahaha, I'm not that famous…"

"You're way too humble," Jaden said, clapping his back with a grin.

"Your name is known by every last person at our Duel Academy. Especially your godlike dice—"

Joey's smile vanished instantly.

"So in the end, I'm only famous for the dice, huh…"

"Huh?"

Jaden blinked, thought a moment.

"Oh, of course not. There's also your coin. Rumor has it you can make it land heads when you want heads, tails when you want tails—"

"Ahem."

Joey put on a stern face.

"Besides those, I'm famous for plenty of other things, right?"

"For example, indomitable spirit, cool dueling, a crisp and decisive tactical style…"

Jaden blinked blankly.

"Eh?"

There's… that too?

"I'm not some duelist who relies entirely on luck," Joey declared proudly. "I rely on technique and strength! If anyone's spreading rumors that Joey Wheeler can't duel without dice, that's slander!"

"Is that so…"

Jaden asked, puzzled.

"So then, the rumor I heard—that Joey-san uses 'Cup of Ace' as if it were 'Pot of Greed'—that's fake, right?"

[Cup of Ace, Spell Card.

Flip a coin. If heads: you draw 2 cards. If tails: your opponent draws 2.]

Joey: "…"

He really wanted to shout, "Slander. Pure, uncut slander."

But he couldn't say it.

Because he did, in fact, have a Cup of Ace in his deck at the moment.

"Alright, it's getting late. Let's head back first," Kira cut off the exchange between buddy and fan.

"Joey-san, coming with us?"

Chapter 524: A Perfect Infiltration

"Hmm?"

Joey caught a crucial detail in Kira's question.

"Wait—you mean… you can leave anytime? You can come and go from this world freely?"

"Yup, yup," Jaden said, leaning on Kira's shoulder with a grin. "Kira has the spirit of the legendary Black Luster Soldier, with the power to open space and travel between dimensions."

"Also with a little help from KaibaCorp tech," Kira added.

"Did Kaiba cook up another outrageous piece of black-tech?" Joey muttered—then his face changed.

"Wait… don't tell me my duel disk is obsolete again!?"

He hugged his duel disk tight, eyes wide.

Come to think of it, things had been rough for Joey since the original series. When the first duel disk released, KaibaCorp said any sufficiently ranked duelist could get one for free, but the president abused his power and rated Joey at two stars, denying him a disk.

In the Shadow Realm arc, Joey scrimped and saved from part-time jobs to maintain his beloved old duel disk. Then Kaiba held a press conference, declaring dueling had entered a new generation and old models were obsolete. Joey was furious, shattered—and had to start saving all over again…

Still, Joey hadn't been playing many tournaments over the years, and he didn't seem interested in using his extraordinary gambling luck to make money. Kira always thought if he tried, he could earn a fortune with ease.

But Joey thought for a moment and shook his head. "I can't go yet."

"Why not?"

"Although I came to this spirit world by accident…"

Joey took a deep breath and glanced back at the sea of yellow sand.

"At first, I stumbled upon a very bad guy—someone abusing the power of dueling to hurt others. I tried to stop him, but failed.

I walked right into some trap without thinking, and when I came to, I was already in this world."

Kira pondered.

So it really was Tragoedia?

Looks like Joey got in the crayfish's way, and the latter kicked him into the spirit world.

"At first I was annoyed, always looking for a way back. But the longer I stayed here, the more I saw, the harder it was to stand by and do nothing.

I met many people here—many spirits. A lot of them welcomed me warmly and helped me.

But I also learned that things here are in a terrible state. A dictator named the Supreme King has conquered twelve dimensions. All resistance was crushed; the inhabitants of these worlds are enslaved… I can't ignore that."

"True," Jaden nodded vigorously, fully agreeing.

"So, you've decided to stay and defeat the Supreme King?" Kira asked.

"Yeah."

"Perfect—we're on the same page." Kira smiled. "But it wouldn't hurt to go back and rest. There's plenty to take care of in the real world, too."

Joey blinked—his brain buffering.

Then he realized—right. If they can come and go at will, that's ridiculously convenient.

"Besides, there's someone out there still waiting for you to return, right?" Kira said with a grin.

"I happened to run into Mai earlier. She hasn't given up looking for you—and she said when she finds you, you're in for it."

Joey's face fell at once.

He could already foresee the incoming beatdown.

"Alright."

The legendary duelist deflated.

Kira and Jaden were linked in via the Link System—disconnecting would log them out easily. But Joey's actual body was here; he couldn't just log off.

Still, it wasn't a big problem. With the power of BLS, they tore open the dimensional barrier—cost a bit of effort—but managed to bring him back to reality.

The landing point was in the restricted zone on Duel Academy Island: the abandoned old dorm—one of the thinnest barrier nodes between Earth and the other dimensions.

After returning, Kira and Jaden headed to the old dorm to pick up the legendary duelist.

It was clear Joey had had a rough time in the spirit world. Kira took him to the Yellow Dorm and ordered a late-night feast.

Upon seeing the Yellow Dorm's spread, Joey's eyes practically sparkled. He pounced like a starving wolf and swept the table clean in a whirlwind.

Fed and content, he patted his now-round belly and flopped back with a blissful sigh: "That hit the spot. Thank you so much—I don't think I've ever eaten this well in my life."

"As long as you're happy," Kira smiled.

"There's plenty of room here—you can stay the night. I'll ask the president to get another Link System setup soon. Next time we go online, you can come with us."

Joey thanked him.

He'd spent so long in the spirit world, staying in all sorts of conditions—slums, mountain caves, under the open sky. He'd grown extremely adaptable. Compared to what he'd endured, Kira's Yellow Dorm was heaven. He practically fell asleep the moment he lay down.

Kira planned to rest as well, but after washing up and returning to his room, he found the newly arrived rich young lady standing by his bed, her pale face turned to the moonlit window, lost in thought.

"What is it?"

Fraulein half-turned, pointing toward the bright moon.

"Someone's coming."

Kira started.

He knew she wouldn't mention just anyone—it had to be someone dangerous enough to warrant special attention.

He moved to the window and looked out. Far off, under the moonlight, a tiny black figure flew past like a bat with outstretched wings.

Kira narrowed his eyes.

Empowered by a spirit, his eyesight had improved considerably. Even at this distance, he could make out that it wasn't a normal bird.

It looked like a person.

A man in white with pitch-black wings unfurled behind him like a fallen angel, gliding through the night.

He dipped, slowed, circled most of the volcano behind the academy island, then touched down lightly.

The black wings behind him dissolved into black mist upon landing and dissipated.

"I'm here."

Under the moon, his gaze was sharp and cold.

Black miasma billowed around him, and a distant voice seemed to murmur within it.

"Good. Remember your mission, David."

The chilling voice spoke.

"Above all, avoid the Duel King. Do not engage him head-on."

"I know, I know," David snorted. "Shame. I was looking forward to testing myself against that guy…"

"Don't get cocky, David," the cold voice warned. "Do you want to end up like Reggie?"

"I'm not like that woman," David muttered.

"Anyway, I get it. Don't worry—the infiltration's going perfectly. That Duel King is probably fast asleep right no—"

Before he could finish, a lazy voice sounded behind him.

"Who exactly did you say was asleep?"

Chapter 525: Another Encounter with the Little Crayfish

"You!"

"You again!"

Kira seemed to hear a gloomy voice sound by his ear.

He raised an eyebrow, sizing up the blond foreign youth before him, but noticed the man's mouth wasn't moving at all.

Kira's gaze shifted past the man to the mass of familiar black mist behind him. The darkness had coalesced, and within it there seemed to be a pair of icy eyes staring back.

"Let me guess," Kira asked calmly. "Tragoedia?"

"Duel King, Fujiki Kira. What a troublesome fellow," the voice within the darkness hissed. "Why must you always stand in my way?"

"Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing," Kira said lightly. "The world's so big—why do you always like to loiter around me?"

Tragoedia: "..."

"I'm serious. That's really my question," Kira said matter-of-factly. "What draws you here? Why are you here?"

The little crayfish didn't answer. He turned to David and growled in a low voice by his ear: "Kill him."

"Heh, finally."

David's lips curled in a cold smile as he unfurled his Duel Disk.

"I was just wondering when I'd get the chance to try the Duel King..."

"Fine. In the end, a duel says it all."

Kira likewise opened his Duel Disk.

"Then I'll ask you after we're done."

"Duel!" x2

[Kira, LP 4000]

[David, LP 4000]

"I'll go first. Draw!" David said.

An eerie grin twisted his face—sinister, a hint of perversion—one look and you'd think of Marik back in the day.

A warped psyche, and a great gift for face-acting.

In fact, David really was that kind of person.

In the manga, David and Reggie Mackenzie were Tragoedia's most capable right and left hands, his favorite two puppets.

And unlike Reggie. Reggie would do anything to survive, didn't mind hurting others in the process, but she didn't take pleasure in it. She hated Shadow Duels and always wanted to escape Tragoedia's control, but had no chance.

David was the opposite.

He was twisted to begin with and didn't resist being Tragoedia's puppet. He enjoyed the darkness—especially watching opponents struggle in it, inch by inch swallowed.

If Marik's dark personality still existed, they'd have plenty to talk about.

"Activate the Spell Card 'Graceful Charity.' Draw three, then discard two from my hand."

David slowly drew another card from his hand.

"First, I'll summon this guy.

"In Defense Position, 'Quantity'!" (manga card)

David's manga monster was a small robot with a spherical head, dropping into a crouched guard on the field.

[Quantity, DEF 400]

"Then I'll set a card to my back row and end my turn."

The mist of the Shadow Duel coiled, making the already night-shrouded crags even hazier.

Ending his turn, David looked at Kira with a sinister yet oddly expectant expression. Some twisted voice in his heart seemed to murmur to itself.

"Heh, the Duel King is a rare bait you don't meet every day."

He licked his lips.

"If I could consign a soul like that to the darkness..."

"Heh heh... heh heh heh heh..."

"My turn. Draw."

Kira observed David's expression.

Smiling that lewdly, huh...

"Activate Quick-Play Spell 'Mystical Space Typhoon,'" Kira said. "Destroy one Spell/Trap on the field."

Blow away the back row first, in any case.

Kira pointed at the set card.

"Destroy the set card."

A pitch-black gale tore toward the set card, lightning crackling within.

"Opening by handling my back row," David said. "Such a cautious style. Then I'll chain my set card, Quick-Play Spell 'Scrap Storage'!"

The spell flared, sheathing his Quantity in pale gold light.

"Scrap Storage: select a Machine you control," David said. "Send any number of cards with the same name from your Deck to the GY."

Kira's eyelid twitched.

They say the anime spawns god cards—no exaggeration. Some random passerby casually shows world-ending power...

"I choose my 'Quantity.'"

David pulled out his Deck, quickly extracting two more copies.

"From the Deck, send the other two 'Quantity' to the GY."

Two monsters slid from the Deck to the grave.

Kira: "Then I'll Normal Summon 'Jetroid.'"

A red jet streaked a flaming arc across the sky, landed, and transformed into a humanoid machine.

[Jetroid, ATK 1200]

"Attack 'Quantity.'"

Jetroid reverted to aircraft, ignited, swooped like an iron raptor, and dropped a string of missiles, blasting the little robot to bits.

"I'll set a card. End."

"My turn. Draw."

David added the card to his hand, then smirked darkly.

"Cautiously clearing my back row before attacking—then allow me to learn some of the Duel King's caution as well...

"Spell Card 'Heavy Storm'!"

A pitch-black tempest, far more violent than Kira's Typhoon, roared across both back rows. Kira's set card was ripped up and shredded by the wind's pressure.

Trap Card: Mirror Force.

"Ha! The strongest-shield defensive trap couldn't even go off—what a shame."

David laughed.

"Next, the effect of 'Machina Fortress' that I discarded last turn. By discarding Machine monsters from my hand whose Levels total 8 or more, I can Special Summon Fortress from the GY."

He flashed a card briefly, then pitched it.

"I discard the Level 8 'Fiendish Engine Ω' from my hand—revive to the field—

"—Machina Fortress!"

Mechanical rumbling, metal parts grinding and assembling. The hulking mobile fortress rose, guns of all sizes locking onto Kira.

[Machina Fortress, ATK 2500]

"Now feel it with your body, Duel King! My finest touch of darkness—the pain that strikes the soul!"

David laughed wildly and thrust his arm.

"Battle! Machina Fortress, attack 'Jetroid'!"

All barrels locked in unison, loading and charging, about to unleash a sea of fire!

"Thanks, but I'll pass," Kira said politely, revealing a card in hand.

"From my hand, I activate the Trap Card 'Mirror Force.' When an opponent's monster declares an attack, destroy all Attack Position monsters they control."

David: "!"

NANI!?

Chapter 526: VS David

Mirror Force!

David's pupils shrank. "From your hand...!?"

"The monster you attacked, Jetroid, has a special effect," Kira said. "When this card is selected as an attack target, its controller can activate Trap Cards from their hand.

"So I activate Mirror Force from my hand."

"Urgh..."

David gnashed his teeth.

There was a second one hidden in his hand...

Boom!

The barrage hammered the energy barrier and rebounded. The Machina Fortress fell under its own firepower, exploding into a pillar of flame.

"I got careless," David said coldly. "As expected of the Duel King—just as unguardable as the rumors say."

"Flattered," Kira smiled.

But...

David's eyes swept his remaining hand.

He still had plays.

"I haven't conducted my Normal Summon this turn. I'll set a monster in Defense Position.

"I summon 'Quality'!" (manga card)

[Quality, DEF 1500]

"End turn."

At least he could put up a wall to avoid passing the turn empty.

"Then it's my turn. Draw," Kira said. "Activate Spell Card 'Pot of Greed.' Draw two."

He drew two, then flipped one in his hand.

"Activate Field Spell—

"—Megaroid City!"

A thunderous rumble, a steel metropolis rose from the ground; crisscrossing overpasses spanned the field between them.

"A Machine-field," David frowned. "A full Roid deck...?"

He didn't recall any record of the Duel King using this deck.

"Am I being looked down on...?" he muttered darkly.

"Don't underestimate him," Tragoedia's voice was cold by his ear. "You won't beat this one if you're half-hearted."

"Tch, I know," David grumbled.

He glanced at his face-down defender.

Quality was also an anime-original card, clearly in the same series as "Quantity," with synergy.

When Quality is destroyed, he can Special Summon as many "Quantity" from your GY as possible. So he'd send a bunch of Quantity to the GY, then let Quality be destroyed to mass-swarm—his usual tactic to seize field advantage.

Thinking of that, David smiled.

Come on, destroy my Quality—set off the chain reaction that leads to my victory.

Kira said, "Activate Megaroid City's effect. Destroy one of my cards other than this card; add a 'roid' from my Deck to hand.

"I destroy 'Jetroid' and add 'Submarineroid' from my Deck."

The jet exploded, and the search target popped from the Deck.

"Then I Normal Summon 'Submarineroid'!"

[Submarineroid, ATK 800]

"A submarine?" David blinked. He tributed his stronger monster just to search this...?

"Submarineroid can attack directly," Kira waved. "Direct attack."

David: "!"

Rather than destroying Quality, he's just skipping over it to hit me?

Crap—

"At this moment, Megaroid City's other effect. During battle, send a 'roid' from Deck to GY to swap the battling roid's original ATK and DEF until Damage Calculation."

Kira took the ejected card and sent it to the GY.

"Swap Submarineroid's ATK/DEF."

[Submarineroid, ATK 800 → ATK 1800]

The sub dove underground and emerged behind David's set monster, unloading a faceful of torpedoes.

Boom!

David was the first to taste his cherished touch of darkness. He cried out in pain, blasted off his feet and rolling across the ground.

[David, LP 4000 → 2200]

"I told you to be careful," Tragoedia said in his ear, displeased. "Even at full power, you might not beat this one."

Smoke curled from David as his body convulsed briefly, but he planted a hand on the ground and slowly rose.

He twisted his neck, rolled his joints, bones cracking.

"Ahhh... comfy."

A twisted grin.

"It hurts a bit, heh heh... but this is what a duel should feel like..."

Kira narrowed his eyes.

Huh. Not just a pervert—a masochist too?

There are Shadow Duelists like that. They have a natural advantage in death matches: when he hits you, it really hurts; when you hit him, he really enjoys it.

No matter.

Against this type, the Shadow Duel's physical pain matters less.

But the mind... that's another story.

"After battle, Submarineroid switches to Defense Position."

[Submarineroid, DEF 1800]

"I set two. End."

"My turn. Draw!" David said. "First, Spell Card 'Pot of Greed.' Draw two."

He drew two, then narrowed his eyes.

"If you won't destroy it for me, I'll do it myself...

"Activate Spell Card 'Dark Hole'! Destroy all monsters on the field!"

A devouring celestial body manifested; oppressive gravity blanketed the field. Kira's Submarineroid and David's Quality were both sucked into the vortex and annihilated.

"This way your monster's gone, but my Quality's destruction only triggers a new effect!" David laughed. "Quality's effect! When this card is destroyed, Special Summon as many 'Quantity' from your GY as possible!

"I have three Quantity in the GY—revive them all at once—"

"Before that, chain to Quality," Kira snapped his fingers. "Activate my set Trap 'Ojama Trio.'

"Special Summon three 'Ojama Tokens' to your field."

David froze.

He's preemptively giving me three Ojamas?

"Filling three of my Monster Zones to limit how many Quantity I can revive?"

David frowned, feeling something off.

"Don't rush. There's also this card..."

Kira smiled.

"Continuous Trap 'Rivalry of Warlords'! As long as this card remains, we can each only control one Type of monster. If a Type is already on the field, you can't Summon monsters of a different Type!"

Only now did David realize what was happening.

"You—you're..."

"Later effects resolve first, so 'Rivalry of Warlords' applies first.

"Then 'Ojama Trio' Special Summons three Ojama Tokens to your field."

The yellow, green, and black tokens cheerfully hopped onto his field and made themselves at home.

"'Scuse the intrusion!"

"Nice place you got here. Mind if we crash anywhere?"

"Zzz zzz"

[Ojama Token, DEF 0] x3

"Finally, we resolve your 'Quality.' But 'Ojama Trio' and 'Rivalry of Warlords' are already live.

"You control Beast-Type monsters; you can't Summon monsters of another Type. 'Quantity' is Machine-Type and can't be Summoned, so Quality's effect fizzles.

"Your turn. Please continue."

David: "..."

Chapter 527: How About Making It a Real Card

David wasn't fearless.

Yes, he was a psychopath. He reveled in Shadow Duels. Meeting Tragoedia felt like unleashing his true self. That's why he thought himself far superior to Reggie—he considered himself the professor's strongest right hand.

Pain only excited him more; he didn't fear his soul being devoured by death. Or rather, the duel's agony was what made it thrilling, the feeling of a true fight to the death.

He was addicted to such duels. He enjoyed being hurt—and even more, hurting others by dueling, watching despair bloom on their faces. That's why he loved Shadow Duels.

Conversely, he didn't fear death—but he feared having that enjoyment stripped away.

Like now.

Three obnoxiously ugly little gremlins squatted on his field, and with "Rivalry of Warlords" locking his Summons, half his dueling rights were effectively revoked.

David now bitterly regretted it. He'd had "Dark Hole" to blow this open, but he'd already used it, planning to clear the opponent's board while setting up his own. In the end, his board didn't get set up, and he got clowned...

"Tch. You just wait."

He snorted heavily.

"I'll set two and end."

"Huh, ending your turn without doing anything on your own turn? How polite of you."

Kira chuckled.

"Then it's my turn. Draw.

"Activate Spell 'Card of Adversity.' If the opponent controls Special Summoned monsters and I control none, draw two." (anime-original)

David: "..."

By Special Summoned monsters he means those three Ojama Tokens, right?

He shot a hateful glance at the tokens. The yellow one met his eyes and shyly covered his face.

"Oh gosh, sounds like you're talking about me—I'm blushing..."

David: "..."

Glancing at the draws, Kira casually set one.

"I set a card.

"Then once again, activate Megaroid City's effect. Destroy one of my cards to add a 'roid' from Deck.

"I destroy the card I just set, and of course, I'll add..."

Kira smiled slightly and pulled the searched card that popped out.

"A second 'Submarineroid.'"

David: "..."

"Then I summon 'Submarineroid' Unit No. 2."

[Submarineroid, ATK 800]

Clearly, two more invincible sub hits and he'd be carted off.

"You've got to be kidding me," David growled.

He hadn't even let the opponent taste his proud touch of darkness, hadn't seen his struggle and despair...

If this continued, he'd be the one to despair first.

Not fear of losing the duel and having his soul erased—but the despair of being in a Shadow Duel, dying without even getting to play cards.

Unacceptable.

"Submarineroid," Kira said, "direct attack. At Damage Calculation, activate City's effect again.

"Once per turn, send a 'roid' from Deck to GY: during this battle, swap the battling monster's original ATK/DEF."

[Submarineroid, ATK 800 → ATK 1800]

"Uwah!"

The sub's face-sitting bombardment made it hard to keep his eyes open. David staggered back, half-kneeling in pain, bloodshot eyes wide.

[David, LP 2200 → 400]

His LP was a flickering candle, while the opponent remained untouched. A tenfold gap, and an invincible sub remained—any draw next turn could finish him.

"Calm down, David," Tragoedia said in his ear. "That set card—you still have a chance..."

"I know."

David clenched his fist darkly.

"Oh? Still got fight in you," Kira said. "So you've got a hidden trick, huh?"

"Of course," David said, grim and cold.

"Before I make you feel the despair of darkness, I won't fall so easily. I'll use my strongest darkness to tear you to pieces, Duel King!"

The darkness around him surged, like a visualization of will.

"Alright, I'll look forward to your surprise," Kira said. "I set two and end."

"Tch, that infuriating attitude. Is this a king's composure...

"Then I'll rip that composure off your face!

"My turn, draw!

"Activate Spell 'Card of Burial Magic.' Banish 'Graceful Charity,' 'Heavy Storm,' and 'Dark Hole' from my GY; draw two."

Tragoedia's low voice: "Now. Use that card."

"I know. Activate Continuous Trap 'DNA Surgery'!"

"So that's it," Kira nodded. "No wonder you're so confident."

"DNA Surgery—declare a Type, and all monsters on the field become that Type!

"I declare Machine!"

"Including the Ojama Tokens, they all become Machine-Type, matching your deck's monsters," Kira smiled approvingly. "Nice, a clean answer.

"That lifts your Summon lock."

David frowned.

That tone—like lecturing a junior—was infuriating...

"I'm not done. Now I'll summon my strongest monster! Activate Continuous Trap—Call of the Haunted!

"Revive the other monster I discarded to 'Graceful Charity' at the start! And that monster is—"

Cards slid from the GY, the earth shook even before the Summon. Tragoedia's aura thickened to the utmost, as if all power was bestowed upon David.

"Planet series—

"—The Big Saturn!!!"

With a quaking roar, the steel king returned from the underworld vortex, towering like a metal mountain!

[The Big Saturn, ATK 2800]

"So it appears—the Planet series."

"Big Saturn, attack!" David barked. "Attack 'Submarineroid'!"

Saturn's heavy fist thundered toward the sub.

"Then I activate the Trap 'Supercharge,'" Kira said. "When a Machine-Type monster you control is attacked, draw two." (anime effect)

A card used by Syrus in the anime—printed later, but nerfed to Roid-only in the real card game.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Aftershock!'" David shouted. "When a Machine attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing damage!" (anime-original)

[Kira, LP 4000 → 3000]

"I set a card and end."

Only a thousand, but at least he'd dealt damage. More importantly, he'd removed the sub, so at least he wouldn't get face-sat to death next turn.

But to David's frustration, the opponent hardly reacted.

"Tch. That level of pain isn't enough?"

David curled his lip.

Not enough. Not enough.

He wanted more darkness, more pain, more despair—

"My turn. Draw," Kira said. "Megaroid City, effect again.

"Once per turn, destroy one of my cards to search a Roid.

"I'll destroy my Continuous Trap 'Rivalry of Warlords' and search...

"Of course, the third 'Submarineroid.'"

David's mouth twitched.

You've got to be freaking kidding me.

Sub, sub, sub—do you have no other monsters?

Naturally, Kira couldn't read minds to hear that thought, or he might've suggested the opponent witness the invincible bicycle again, lest anyone think his Roid family only eats off the sub...

"You think I didn't foresee that?" David snapped. "Activate my set Trap 'Typhoon'! Destroy a face-up Spell/Trap.

"Destroy 'Megaroid City'!"

A cyclone tore through; the steel city collapsed with a roar, turned to ruins, then shimmered and vanished.

David laughed.

"Once a Field Spell leaves the field, its effect won't continue. Sorry, but that's it for your sub!"

"I see... fair enough.

"Then I'll summon 'Cycroid.'"

[Cycroid, ATK 800]

David frowned.

What is this thing?

A vanillla, only 800 ATK—and in Attack Position...

Yet despite its low stats and small frame, it showed no fear before the towering Saturn. Its handlebar fists seemed to beckon Saturn to come throw down.

"Battle," Kira said. "Cycroid attacks 'The Big Saturn.'"

David: "!?"

Insane?

"Activate Continuous Trap 'Spirit Barrier,'" Kira said. "As long as I control a monster, I take no battle damage."

Cycroid charged bravely at Big Saturn, and was obliterated with a single casual punch.

David frowned. "But such an attack is meaningless..."

"Not necessarily," Kira's eyes flashed with a smile.

Within that smile, as if a glint of green.

Sacred, eerie, unsettling—as though something mighty was descending through a medium.

The next instant, David's pupils shrank.

He saw it fall onto Kira's field—a towering, mountain-like giant, suffused with a sacred aura, an indescribable majesty, green and inexorable.

Even Tragoedia behind him couldn't help but cry out.

"Impossible!"

"That's..."

"That is..."

"How could it be? How did you..."

His eyes reflected the mighty giant.

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK ?]

Level 10, the embodiment of Orichalcos's power, the legendary idol.

It should belong to the Serpent God's power.

Why was it under a mortal's command?

No—before that, how did this thing even come out!? Its Summoning condition is insanely complicated!

"Orichalcos Shunoros cannot be Normal Summoned. But when your Normal Monster is destroyed by battle, you can Special Summon this card from your hand," Kira said blandly.

Tragoedia: "?"

I've watched the footage—don't lie to me. That thing has that effect?

"Oh, the old version was too clunky. I made a few tweaks," Kira smiled. "So my Shunoros works a bit differently."

Make it a real card, kid.

Never seen it, have you?

Tragoedia: "???"

What the hell?

The embodiment of Orichalcos, the Serpent God's signature boss—and you just "made a few tweaks"?

Just like that?

Through the thick black fog, the little crayfish stared at Kira with growing uncertainty.

This guy... there's no way he's an ordinary human.

The Arbiter was right. He must have a background.

But what is he?

What kind of being wields this ability?

"Of course, the new version differs from the old. My Orichalcos Shunoros's ATK no longer depends on absorbed battle damage, but increases by 1000 for each monster on your opponent's field.

"You have three Ojama Tokens and Big Saturn, so Shunoros's ATK becomes..."

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK ? → 4000]

"Four thousand..."

David's face went ashen in a blink.

"Orichalcos Shunoros," Kira said. "Attack 'The Big Saturn.'"

A green ring of judgment rose from the idol's feet, up past its head, then shot forth like a spinning discus.

Saturn's steel shell was sliced like paper, and a torrent of energy exploded out, mingling with the Orichalcos's green glow, swallowing David's scream and Tragoedia's final roar alike.

"Impossible! How could something so absurd—"

Even as the black fog was torn by green light, Tragoedia glared at Kira.

"Just what are you—!"

[David, LP 400 → 0]