"The Wicked Dreadroot!!!"
The sky darkened once more, an oppressive atmosphere weighed down as if the air itself was drawn from the valley.
A massive arm covered in skeletal armor reached out, its white bone claws seemed to tear through the sky. The Evil God descended from the horizon with overwhelming force, twisted bone armor enveloped its robust physique, and a demon-like bone helmet covered its head.
[The Wicked Dreadroot, Attack 4000]
"This ends now!" Bakura shouted, "Evil God, smash that guy to pieces for me!"
The massive Evil God raised its arms, its steps thunderously pounding the ground. Its enormous arm stretched straight, sharp bone claws slicing through the air creating a visible white rift.
Bakura's pupils contracted, and he held his breath.
Perhaps this strike could indeed eradicate this variable once and for all?
Youyu's presence disturbed Bakura greatly. Whether or not Youyu was the existence Bakura suspected, he hoped this would be Youyu's exit.
Eliminate this variable, and wouldn't this card-based RPG unfold as Bakura pleases?
Such trivial Pharaohs, Three Egyptian God, none are his match!
"Disappear for me!" Bakura clenched his fists, a sinister expression on his face.
"Activate Trap Card!" Youyu raised his hand.
"Useless!" Bakura hastily interjected, "Traps are ineffective against the Evil God!"
As if shouting fast enough could allow the Evil God to punch Youyu before he explained the effect.
Of course, that was impossible. Youyu continued, "Trap Card 'Krystal Avatar'! This trap can be activated when an opponent's Monster attacks directly and the Monster's attack is higher than my Life Points.
I can Special Summon a 'Krystal Avatar' in Attack position on the field, its attack matches my Life Points."
Lend me your strength once more, President Kaiba!
Indeed, this was another card casually borrowed by Youyu from Kaiba's deck.
When utilized unexpectedly, this thing could always deliver surprising outcomes!
Trap Effect activated, a warrior fully composed of crystal materialized before Youyu, shining brilliantly, his arms crossed, sharp blades configured on his wrists.
[Krystal Avatar, Attack 2000]
"Planning to rely on that guy to cling onto life? It's useless!" Bakura exclaimed, "The Wicked Dreadroot's effect! As long as it exists on the field, all other Monsters' attack is halved!"
[Krystal Avatar, Attack 2000 → Attack 1000]
"Checkmate." Bakura smirked slightly, a low chuckle, "Seems I was over-suspicious, perhaps you are merely a slightly gifted Duelist.
You might be unique, but not that extraordinary... Anyway, farewell, Duel King, may you endlessly wander in the depths of Purgatory!"
The Dreadroot readjusted its target, now locking onto Youyu's Krystal Avatar that gleamed like a radiant diamond.
In one strike, the divine pressure descended with the swinging arm, bringing a terrifying impact that engulfed everything. The sweeping bone claws unfolded an ultimate nightmare, crushing Youyu's avatar into pieces upon contact, shattering across the field.
"Succeeded." Bakura could barely contain the excitement in his eyes.
His great concern, the man whose depths he couldn't fathom and who kept him up at night, was finally dealt with!
...Almost.
The Evil God slowly withdrew its fist, rampant darkness dispersed revealing a figure standing behind.
Bakura's pupils slightly contracted, in a flash a shadow flitted by. The supposedly obliterated Krystal Avatar suddenly rushed out, as if teleporting, bypassing the Evil God and appearing beside Bakura, a swift and fierce strike with his blade.
Cold, intense pain penetrated his body. Bakura staggered, stepping back, raising his head in astonishment.
[Bakura, LP 3700 → LP 2700]
[Youyu, LP 2000]
"Why!?" Bakura exclaimed in shock.
"Continuous Trap - Spirit Barrier. As long as a Monster exists on my field, any battle damage I receive is 0," Youyu explained, "Then, the additional effect of 'Krystal Avatar'. When it's destroyed by battle, the opponent takes damage equal to its attack."
"...Tch." Bakura clicked his tongue, "Troublesome guy... Then I'll set two cards face-down, ending the turn!"
Two more stone slabs fell heavily before him, "thump" and crashed onto the ground.
The attacks of this round were temporarily guarded against, yet Bakura still possessed the mighty Evil God "The Wicked Dreadroot" on his field. With its Divine Beast-Type resilience alongside its ability to halve all attacks, overpowering it brute force alone was considerably challenging.
Youyu clearly sensed that Bakura was much stronger now than ever before.
Not only because of the formidable cards like the Evil God — in the anime, Bakura never held a monster card worth showcasing until the finale, possibly one of the reasons Bakura eventually ceased dueling and shifted to RPG entirely — but also due to Bakura's substantially elevated Duelist level.
Perhaps entering this "Ultimate Darkness Game" has drawn him closer to awakening his true self?
"My turn."
During this turn's card draw, the moment Youyu drew the card, he felt a surge of power.
He glanced at the card he drew, his gaze flickered, and he briefly closed his eyes.
"Well then, let me get a little serious."
Bakura's eyelid twitched.
He felt like there were a bunch of burly men beating drums in his heart, but he forced himself to stay calm: "Hey, bluffing. At this point, I have a powerful Evil God on my field, you simply can't..."
"Activate Magic Card 'Painful Choice' from my hand."
The arrival of a legendary-level Divine Card instantly caused an uproar among the players behind.
"Banned card, Painful Choice."
"Painful Choice (referring to him)."
"Let's ask this Evil God gentleman what kind of death he would like to choose?"
"..."
"I pick five cards from my deck, the opponent chooses one to add to my hand, and the remaining four are sent to the graveyard." Youyu revealed five cards, "Choose one."
The five cards he picked were two "Elemental Hero Shadow Mist," two "Destiny Hero Disk Commander," and one "Destiny Hero Malicious."
Bakura frowned: "Destiny Hero Malicious."
"Then I add Malicious to my hand, and the rest go to the graveyard," Youyu said, "At this moment, 'Elemental Hero Shadow Mist' effect.
When sent to the graveyard, once per turn, adds a 'Hero' monster from the deck to the hand.
I add 'Elemental Hero Airman' from the deck to my hand."
Youyu drew Airman from the deck, showed it to the opponent, and began shuffling the deck.
"Magic Card - Destiny Draw! Discard a 'Destiny Hero' monster from the hand, draw two cards from the deck." Youyu revealed the recently acquired Malicious, "I discard 'Destiny Hero Malicious,' draw two cards."
Bakura snorted: "Meaningless action..."
"Continuous Magic 'The Warrior Returning Alive'." A Magic Card appeared before Youyu, "As long as this Continuous Magic exists, each time a special summon occurs from the graveyard, I draw three cards.
Then summon 'Elemental Hero Liquidman'!"
The tightly-clad Liquid Hero appeared amid splashing water. Bakura said displeased, "The Hero added from the deck last turn?"
[Elemental Hero Liquidman, Attack 1400]
"Liquidman's effect, upon successful summon, special summon one Level 4 or lower 'Hero' monster from the graveyard," Youyu said, "Come, 'Destiny Hero Disk Commander'!"
[Destiny Hero Disk Commander, Attack 300]
"At this moment, the effect of 'The Warrior Returning Alive'!" The Magic Card beside Youyu shone brightly, "Because Disk Commander was revived from the graveyard, I draw three cards.
Then 'Destiny Hero Disk Commander' effect, upon special summon from the graveyard, I draw two more cards!"
Youyu replenished his hand, his actions non-stop: "Effect of 'Destiny Hero Malicious' in the graveyard! Remove Malicious from the graveyard, special summon a second 'Malicious' from the deck!"
[Destiny Hero Malicious, Attack 800]
"Magic Card 'Foolish Burial,' send a monster from the deck to the graveyard. I send 'Makyura the Destructor' to the graveyard, and activate its effect!
This turn, I can activate Trap Cards from my hand."
A red Trap Card with a blood-soaked image appeared before him.
"Continuous Trap - Ultimate Offering! By paying 500 Life Points, additional Normal Summons are allowed."
"Additional Normal Summons... Could it be!?" Bakura was shocked.
No, impossible, Divine Card should be in Yugi's hands...
But the scene that unfolded next made his eyes wide open, his heart sinking to the bottom.
"Pay 500 Life Points, activate Ultimate Offering's effect!"
[Youyu, LP 2000 → LP 1500]
"Sacrifice 'Destiny Hero Malicious,' 'Destiny Hero Disk Commander,' 'Elemental Hero Liquidman' as tributes!
To traverse the Netherworld and reality, descending amidst chaotic thunder—
——The God of Netherworld, Slifer the Sky Dragon!!!"