"M-my turn…"
Mr. Armstrong struggled upright, shivering, slowly reaching for his deck.
But before he drew, he hesitated.
Should… I surrender?
He'd always enjoyed watching prisoners suffer in his confinement facility, but he'd never been on the receiving end. After all this, he was close to his limit, on the verge of collapse.
More than once, he thought about giving up.
He could just surrender. If he surrendered, he wouldn't have to suffer anymore—no more torment.
But then he remembered.
The special promotion—this might be, no, had to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Besides, he only had 500 LP left. Even if he lost, his opponent could only shock him once more—then he'd be out.
On the other hand, if he gave up now, all his previous suffering would be for nothing.
And his opponent still had 3900 LP, almost untouched.
Mr. Armstrong clenched his teeth.
If he gave up on this duel now, he'd never dare to seek revenge on the Director for today's agony. This duel was his only chance.
"Draw!"
With that thought, Mr. Armstrong rekindled his fighting spirit.
"I Normal Summon Tuner Monster: Iron Chain Coil!"
[Iron Chain Coil – ATK 1100]
"A Tuner?" Kira raised a brow. "Oh? You're going all out this turn?"
"Exactly. Now you'll see my full power, Director!" Mr. Armstrong replied.
"Next, I activate the effect of Chain Iron Chain Repairman!
Once per turn, Iron Chain Repairman can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower 'Chain' monster from the graveyard except itself!
Revive 'Iron Chain Snake' from the grave!"
Iron Chain Repairman threw out his chain, which snaked into the ground and dragged the previously KO'd Chain Snake back onto the field.
[Iron Chain Snake – ATK 800]
"After using this effect, Chain Iron Chain Repairman can't attack this turn," said Mr. Armstrong, "so I set him to defense position."
[Chain Iron Chain Repairman – ATK 1600 → DEF 1200]
Now, equipped with both Soul Anchor and Metal Coat, Iron Chain Repairman was immune to both battle and effect destruction—a nigh-impenetrable wall.
"And now, Level 3 Tuner 'Iron Chain Coil!'
Level 3 'Iron Chain Snake!'
Tuning!"
[3+3=6]
"Synchro Summon—
—Iron Chain Dragon!"
In the Synchro circle's glowing energy, a massive, heavy metallic chain crashed to the ground, sparks flying. A chain-wrapped dragon burst forth from the light!
[Iron Chain Dragon – ATK 2500]
"Ahh," Kira commented, "So this is your deck's ace?"
"Correct! And Chain Dragon's ATK increases by 200 for each 'Chain' monster in my graveyard!" (Anime effect.)
(The real card was nerfed: you have to banish all Chain monsters from your grave to get the effect, and it only lasts for the turn.)
Mr. Armstrong announced, "I have two 'Chain' monsters in the graveyard—Constrictor Snake and Coilman!
So, ATK increases by 400!"
[Iron Chain Dragon – ATK 2500 → 2900]
"Next, I activate Continuous Spell 'Paralyzing Chain!'
As long as this card is on the field, whenever a card effect sends cards from your deck to the graveyard, you take 300 damage!
Then, it's time for battle! 'Iron Chain Dragon,' Attack 'Seven Swords Warrior'!"
Chain Dragon's breath shattered the Warrior's armor. Even as Seven Swords Warrior struggled to resist, his power was lacking, and he was destroyed by the dragon's breath.
[Kira – LP 3900 → 3300]
Mr. Armstrong watched with anticipation as a new surge of electricity shocked his superior—waiting eagerly for the Director to lose composure. Yet the Director just smiled quietly, closing his eyes, seeming unaffected by the pain.
Mr. Armstrong was stunned.
Can he not even feel pain? A monster?
No, maybe the damage just isn't enough.
"At this moment, Chain Dragon's effect!" Mr. Armstrong continued. "When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, send cards from the top of your opponent's deck to the graveyard, equal to that monster's level!
Seven Swords Warrior is Level 7, so send seven cards!"
Seven more cards from Kira's deck slid into the grave.
"And now, Paralyzing Chain's effect!" Mr. Armstrong shouted. "A card(s) was sent from the deck to the graveyard, so inflict 300 damage!"
[Kira – LP 3300 → 3000]
Kira just closed his eyes, still unfazed.
"Is he really…" Mr. Armstrong swallowed.
Can he really not feel anything?
"So that's it? The end of your turn?" Kira smiled, looking up.
"Y-yes. End of turn."
"In that case—my turn." Kira declared.
"My turn, draw.
In my Standby Phase, Spell Card 'Take Over 5' in the graveyard activates. Banish this card and any copies from my deck, then draw a card."
Kira drew.
"Normal Summon 'Woodland Sprite.'"
A tiny green fairy jumped onto the field, hands on hips. Its body was formed from leaves, head a massive leaf, wobbling as if ready to be blown away by the wind.
[Woodland Sprite – ATK 900]
"Next, I activate Continuous Trap 'DNA Surgery', changing the Type of all monsters on the field to one I declare."
Kira snapped his fingers as a face-down flipped up.
"I declare: Warrior Type.
All monsters now become Warriors."
Mr. Armstrong blinked. "All become Warriors?"
"That's right." Kira smiled. "Then I play—
—Equip Spell 'Divine Sword - Phoenix Blade'!
This card can only equip to a Warrior, and increases ATK by 300.
I equip it to my now-Warrior 'Woodland Sprite.'"
[Woodland Sprite – ATK 900 → 1200]
Mr. Armstrong was baffled.
He really altered Types—just for 300 extra ATK? What's the point of that?
…