Chapter 305: Unfair Slime
In a normal Duel Monsters game, no one would ever include a card with such an unclear purpose as (Dark Snake Syndrome) in their Deck.
It deals 200 points of Damage during each of your Standby Phases, and after the second Turn, the Damage doubles each Turn. In just a few Turns, the accumulated Damage can reach an absurd level. However, its Effect is unfortunately double-edged; not only does it inflict Effect Damage on the Opponent, but the user themselves cannot avoid it either.
And just as Marik himself said, this Duel, from the moment he Activated the (Dark Snake Syndrome) Card, began a Countdown to its End, entering a "brief yet unforgettable path to hell." With both players starting at only 4000 Life Points and no highly efficient means of regaining Life Points, at the earliest, the victor of the Duel could be decided by Marik's sixth Turn.
However, even with such a Countdown added to the Duel, Yugi showed no sign of panic. Instead, he returned Marik's gaze with a calm smile, saying: "Do you really think a single Card like this can defeat me, Marik? Aren't you underestimating Duel Monsters a bit too much?"
"Don't be so impatient, Nameless Pharaoh," Marik said. "I told you, this Card is merely to speed up the Duel. The Card I truly intend to use to defeat you is this one."
In Marik's Hand, was a blue, slime-like Monster.
As Marik Summoned that Monster, Yugi recognized its true identity: "Is that... (Revival Jam)?"
(Revival Jam) [Level 4/Water]
[Aqua-Type/Effect]
[1500/500]
"Although it appears quite weak, don't underestimate this Monster from the Abyss, Nameless Pharaoh," Marik sneered. "No matter how many times it's Destroyed, no matter how many times it's Sent to the Graveyard, (Revival Jam) can Revive an infinite number of times from the Abyss. Even invincible HERO archetypes will find it incredibly troublesome."
"Then, I Activate (Card of Safe Return)," Marik declared, "After Setting three Cards, I end My Turn."
[Marik: 4000 LP, Hand 0]
[(Revival Jam) DEF 500]
[(Dark Snake Syndrome), (Card of Safe Return), Set Card X3]
Since it was the First Turn and no Battle could take place, Marik merely ended his Turn after Activating two Continuous Spell Cards and Summoning a weak (Revival Jam). However, everyone still in the Audience Seating, even Mokuba, who understood Duel Monsters somewhat, could see how troublesome Marik's Field setup was.
Unlike its physical card game version, the (Revival Jam) Marik used was the utterly outrageous Anime Version. While both versions of (Revival Jam) have the Effect to "Special Summon it to the Field after it is Destroyed and Sent to the Graveyard," the physical card game version is limited to being Destroyed by Battle, and its Revival requires a cost of 1000 Life Points and can only activate during your next Standby Phase.
The Anime Version of (Revival Jam)'s Effect, however, was far more unfair. Not only is it Special Summoned immediately after being Destroyed, but it also Revives without any Cost.
Although its Defense is only a meager 500 points, an infinitely reviving (Revival Jam) is even more troublesome than a 5000 DEF powerhouse like (Five-Headed Dragon). Especially since Marik, that guy, even Activated (Card of Safe Return), which has the Effect to "Draw three Cards when a Monster is Special Summoned from the Graveyard."
If a reckless Attack fails to inflict Damage on Marik, it will only provide him with free Cards.
"My Turn, Draw!"
Facing such a troublesome situation, Yugi confidently Drew a Card, as if he already had a way to defeat Marik's stall Strategy in mind.
"While (Revival Jam) has the ability to Revive infinitely from the Graveyard, and in Defense Position, a normal Attack cannot penetrate its Defense Points to harm you," Yugi said, Drawing a Card from his Hand and placing it on his Duel Disk. "But Marik, what if I simply don't Destroy your Monster?"
"I Normal Summon (Magical Trickster Lizhen) in Attack Position! Then, I Activate its Effect. While (Magical Trickster Lizhen) is in the Monster Zone, once per Main Phase, I can perform an additional Tribute Summon of one Spellcaster-Type Monster in Face-up Attack Position!"
(Magical Trickster Lizhen) [Level 4/DARK Attribute]
[Spellcaster-Type/Effect]
[1300/1500]
On Yugi's Field, a clown-dressed Monster appeared, performing a comical dance. After politely bowing to the audience in the Audience Seating, (Magical Trickster Lizhen) turned sideways, revealing a Magic Circle that had appeared behind it at some point.
As the Magic Circle passed through (Magical Trickster Lizhen), like a magic trick, the clown vanished instantly. Taking its place was another Monster Yugi played from his Hand: "Battle for me, (Dark Magician Girl)!"
"Always at your service~" The playful and adorable (Dark Magician Girl) elegantly stood on her tiptoes, spinning once in place, her short skirt gently fluttering up before falling back down due to gravity. She flashed a brilliant smile towards Yugi.
(Dark Magician Girl) [Level 6/DARK Attribute]
[Spellcaster-Type/Effect]
[2000/1700]
At (Dark Magician Girl)'s playful gesture, Yugi merely smiled and nodded, then continued: "When (Magical Trickster Lizhen) is Sent to the Graveyard from the Field, its second Effect Activates. I Add one Spellcaster-Type Normal Monster from my Deck to my Hand."
Without Yugi needing to explain, even before Yugi showed it, Marik guessed the Card Yugi intended to Add to Hand: "It's (Dark Magician), isn't it?"
"Adding your Ace Monster to your Hand immediately, truly the style of a King. But even the supreme magician (Dark Magician), his magic is useless against an infinitely Reviving (Revival Jam). What's more, you've already performed your Normal Summon this Turn."
"Magicians aren't as simple as you think, Marik." Yugi's lips curved into a smile. As he Added the (Dark Magician) Card to his Hand, he also revealed another Card from his Hand. "The Bonds between (Dark Magician) and (Dark Magician Girl), this master and apprentice pair, cannot be easily broken by the Rules of Duel Monsters."
"I Activate the Spell Card (Dark Magic Ritual)! From my hand or field, I send the Fusion Materials listed on a Fusion Monster that includes (Dark Magician) or (Dark Magician Girl) to the Graveyard, and Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster!" On the Card in Yugi's Hand, blue and purple Magical Energy Vortexes emerged. Both (Dark Magician), from his Hand, and (Dark Magician Girl), from his Field, willingly plunged into the Vortex.
"Bond Link! Crush the Darkness with endless threads of Light, (The Dark Magicians)!"
(end of chapter)