**Chapter 287: Nobody Knows Exodia Better Than Me**
Yet, to everyone's surprise, watching the (Assault Wyvern) attack, Bakura instead smiled and said, "I'll return those same words to you!"
"Taste the betrayal of your own Monster once more!"
"What?!" Kaiba stared in surprise at the (Assault Wyvern). As Bakura's words fell, the Monster, just shy of hitting Bakura, suddenly stopped. From the (Assault Wyvern), a grey orb of light flew out, splitting into two, and striking both Kaiba and Bakura?!
As the grey orb of light flew from the (Assault Wyvern)'s body, its attack was inexplicably halted. The grey orb then split in two; one part entered Bakura's body, while the other struck Kaiba. Completely opposite to Bakura, who showed a comfortable expression upon contact with the orb, Kaiba felt a piercing pain after being hit by the grey light.
[Bakura: 100→1000 LP]
[Kaiba: 4800→3900 LP]
The moment an expression of doubt appeared on Kaiba's face, Bakura confidently explained, "Since (*Dark Sanctuary*) requires a Monster's Tribute as a Maintenance Cost, it naturally doesn't just have one effect. As long as (*Dark Sanctuary*) exists on my Field, an undetectable Vengeful Spirit will wander your Field."
"An attack declared by an (Assault Wyvern) possessed by the Vengeful Spirit will be Negated, and you will take Damage equal to half of its Attack, and I recover the same amount of Life Points."
Bakura said, revealing a sinister smile, "As one of the most famous figures in the Duel Monsters world, Kaiba, your Dueling style is well-known. Who doesn't know you excel at using an aggressive attack strategy?"
"But now, with (*Dark Sanctuary*) on the Field, powerful Monster attacks will instead lead to you taking damage. Shall we test it? Will you deplete my Life Points first, or will you be defeated by your own Monsters' counter-damage?"
"Hmph! You merely Negated the (Assault Wyvern)'s attack." Kaiba didn't take Bakura's words to heart. "I'll let you cling to life for one more Turn. I end my Turn."
[Kaiba: 3900 LP, Hand 0]
[(*Blue-Eyes White Dragon*) (Dragon Shield) ATK3000]
[(Assault Wyvern) ATK1800]
[Set Card]
"The moment your Turn ends, I activate my Set card." Bakura spoke abruptly, activating the card he had Set. "Continuous Trap Card, (*Destiny Board*)!"
As the Set card was revealed, a circular board engraved with the letter "D" appeared on Bakura's Field.
"That Card? I've never seen it before..." Yugi looked puzzled. Though his family owned a Card Shop, and he might not have collected every single Duel Monster card, he could guarantee that he recognized at least 99% of them. Yet, the Card Bakura was using was completely unfamiliar to him.
Joey and Tristan looked somewhat surprised. "Even you don't recognize that Card, Yugi?"
"That thing, it looks like some kind of spirit-calling ritual popular in Western occult circles? I think I might have seen it at school." Téa frowned, looking at the Card Bakura was using. Noticing that Yugi didn't recognize it either, she offered, "It's like those 'Ouija board' or 'Bloody Mary' things, apparently quite popular in some small groups at school."
"That Card, you could say it's the Trap Card version of Exodia." Chumley, who had Dueled Bakura before, shared what he knew. "Just as Téa said, that Card is essentially a spirit-calling Card. When all the necessary Cards to fulfill its conditions are gathered, Bakura will directly win the Duel."
"That's right, Chumley, it seems you haven't forgotten this Card." On the Field, Bakura smiled, withdrawing his gaze from the Audience Seating, and gave Kaiba a menacing grin. "Although I know you're not that kind of person, just in case, to prevent Kaiba from stalling by not attacking, I'll give you an incentive to attack."
"After (*Destiny Board*) is Activated, during each of your End Phases, I can place one (*Spirit Message*) card from my Hand or Deck onto my Spell & Trap Zone in the order of 'E', 'A', 'T', 'H'. If you add the 'D' from (*Destiny Board*) itself..."
"D, E, A, T, H, Death, you mean?"
"Bingo! When all the (*Spirit Message*) cards are gathered, that will be your demise, Kaiba!" Bakura said, smiling at the frowning Kaiba. "Since it's already your End Phase, I can place an 'E'!"
Beside the Activated (*Destiny Board*), the letter "E" slowly appeared.
"Hmph, so that means I have three more Turns?" Kaiba recalled the (*Card of Demise*) he had Activated last Turn. In three Turns, he would need to Discard his entire Hand, and simultaneously face a completed (*Destiny Board*). Talk about perfect timing!
"It's just another Special Victory Condition similar to Exodia; stop being so theatrical." Kaiba stated with certainty that nobody in the world understood Exodia better than him. "Within three Turns, even without that (*Destiny Board*), I'll finish you!"
"Then I shall eagerly await it, Kaiba~" Bakura smiled, drawing a card. "Since you've declared such spirited words, why don't I give you a helping hand?"
"I Activate the Spell Card, (*Heavenly Gift Card*)! Both players' hands are replenished to six cards."
"Then, I Normal Summon (*Electric Lizard*). After Setting two cards, I End my Turn."
As Bakura declared his End Turn, the newly Summoned (*Electric Lizard*) was immediately Tributed due to the Effect of (*Dark Sanctuary*), leaving behind only two Set cards and the letters "D" and "E".
[Bakura: 1000 LP, Hand 3]
[(*Destiny Board*) E, Set card x2]
"Hmph, my Turn." Kaiba drew a card and added it to his Hand.
Due to the Effect of (*Heavenly Gift Card*), Kaiba instantly replenished a large number of cards to his Hand. At the same time, he also drew his third (*Blue-Eyes White Dragon*).
'This insidious fellow actually replenished so many cards to my Hand on his own, seemingly expecting me to launch a fierce attack?'
'Hmph, whatever. No matter what kind of scheme or trickery, (*Blue-Eyes White Dragon*) is invincible!'
"I Activate the Effect of (*Cost Down*), Discarding one card from my Hand to reduce the Level of a Monster in my Hand by 2." Kaiba said, revealing the (*Blue-Eyes White Dragon*) from his Hand. "Since (*Assault Wyvern*) cannot attack due to (*Dark Sanctuary*)'s Effect, I will use it as a Tribute!"
"Come forth, my glory, my Soul!"
"(*Blue-Eyes White Dragon*)!!!"
(end of chapter)