Tenjo Hikari wasn't particularly surprised.
In the original work, the darkness Deck was mainly focused on Trap Cards, being a genuine "Underworld System" final boss. It's not the kind that plays big monsters to battle, so setting three cards and waiting for the opponent is quite normal.
At that moment.
Final Countdown: 1.
"Huh? What's happening—"
"Waaah!!"
Tokyo, the thick black clouds became even darker, like rainfall, cascading down from the sky, gradually engulfing people's silhouettes into darkness. Not only civilians, but even those capable of traveling through Other Dimensions vanished instantly.
Moments later, across the whole Island Country, in the entire timezone, it seemed there were no humans left capable of action; everyone fell into "sleep," frozen as if they had crashed.
"What!" Judai stared at the scene, his hand slightly trembling as it reached for his Deck.
Just from an "End Phase," so many humans "died"?
"Judai, calm down!" Tenjo Hikari reacted quickly, "If you lose focus now and we lose to him, that's when we'll really die."
Judai, upon hearing that, shook his head and quickly composed himself, understanding the key point.
The dark power has the capacity to do such things, but what happens in the Duel ultimately depends on the Duel's result!
The difference is that usually, in a Darkness Duel, the enemies affect the Duelist personally, whereas now, the dark force intends to harm all humanity.
If we defeat the dark force, this incident would be nothing but a dream to humanity — a dream everyone unexpectedly had.
"My turn, Draw—"
Judai glanced at the card he drew, raising one of the cards: "Activate Evil Hero Adusted Gold's effect, discard this card, add 1 Dark Fusion or a card listing Dark Fusion from the Deck to the Hand Card. I add Evil Assault to my Hand Card from the Deck."
Activate Spell Card, Evil Assault, discard a card, add an Evil Hero from the Deck to the Hand Card or Special Summon."
"I discard Sinister Necrom from my Hand Card, Special Summoning from the Deck, LV 4, Evil Hero Dead-End Prison."
A mirror appeared in front of Judai, with blood on one side and glorious light on the other. After a flash decision, the Hero shimmering with light jumped onto the field.
Evil Hero Dead-End Prison, LV 4, Light Attribute, Rock-Type, ATK 1700.
"Hehehe, Yuki Judai, this is the moment I've been waiting for." The dark force slowly extended its hand, pointing to a Set Card, "Open the Set Card."
"Quick-Play Spell, Demise of the Land."
?
Not only was Judai puzzled, but Tenjo Hikari also looked at the card in surprise.
What field is going to be used?
"Demise of the Land's effect activates when the opponent's Monster is successfully Special Summoned. Activate 1 Field Spell Card from the Deck."
"The choice is... Field Spell Card, Mystic Mine."
Huh?
Tenjo Hikari's eyebrows twitched swiftly.
On the ground, a peculiar thick fog slowly spread out, everyone seemingly trapped in a mire, unable to move.
"Field Spell Card, Mystic Mine. As long as this card is on the field, if the opponent has more monsters than oneself, the opponent cannot activate Monster effects nor declare attacks. Conversely, if one's own monsters outnumber the opponent's, they cannot activate Monster effects nor declare attacks.
In both players' End Phase, if the number of monsters is the same, this card is destroyed."
"Oh no!"
Every supporting classmate almost shouted in unison.
This card is too strong!!
Because of this card's presence, the Evil Hero Judai Special Summoned for searching instantly became a blank slate, moreover, Evil Hero Sinister Necrom, previously sent to the Graveyard, couldn't activate its effect, remaining rigidly on the field, entirely ineffective.
"Tsk..." Yubel coldly snorted on the side, "This darkness fiend... I've long heard he collects powerful cards across different Dimensions and Universes, past and future, constructing the 'strongest Deck'... Mystic Mine, this card is too troublesome."
Only when both sides have the same number of monsters can Monster effects be activated, otherwise, no Monster effects can be used, nor can attacks be declared, causing Judai, ready to showcase his abilities, to wither instantly, like punching into cotton.
Judai glanced at his cards, hesitating briefly.
"Spell Card, Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, banish 1 Seven-Star Monster from Hand Card or face-up on the field to activate. Draw two cards. I banish Neos from my Hand Card, draw two cards."
Judai silently drew two cards, then looked at the refreshed four cards in his Hand Cards.
No Mystical Space Typhoon, no Judgment of the Light— even if there is, it's useless. Judai has no way to counter the dark force.
"Set two cards, End Phase."
"Eh—"
"To end the phase like this...?"
Shou and Kenzan watched Judai immobilized, expressing ineffable regret.
"There's no choice." John sighed, "Even if Judai is strong, facing such a sudden turn of events, there's bound to be a lapse. But knowing Mystic Mine's effect, it's not hard to handle."
"After all, if Mystic Mine's monster count matches, it will be destroyed, and if darkness summons more monsters than Judai, it won't be able to activate effects or attack. At that point, Tenjo can use this chance to counterattack!"