Not to mention the audience, even John and his precious little beast friends were a bit stunned at the moment.
What the hell is this strategy?
As the Northern Academy champion, John has participated in many large duel competitions and has had plenty of experience with top players. He was even once noticed by President Pegasus in a match and chosen as the master of the Crystal Beast Deck.
But even so, it's the first time he's seen such a crazy move.
Giving your opponent a monster to directly lock them down, is that even allowed!
If he can't special summon, then the Magic Card "Crystal Beacon" John activated clearly becomes obsolete as he can't special summon other Crystal Beasts from his deck anymore.
Some of the observing player mentors have already started analyzing the situation.
Frankly, if it were an ordinary person, they would have already been locked down. After all, his deck of forty cards only contains seven monsters in total, two of which were thrown away with "Card Destruction" as he drew them first hand, now transformed into gemstones in the Magic Trap Zone.
Meaning he only has five monster cards left in his deck.
Is it possible that he coincidentally has one in his hand?
Just then, John slapped a card down.
"I summon 'Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger' in attack position!"
[Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger, Attack 1600]
Players: "..."
It seems confirmed; the constitution of card players is not uniform...
John immediately ordered Topaz Tiger to attack. Then here Topaz Tiger's effect can be activated during damage calculation, allowing his attack to increase by 400, making it 2000, easily crushing Judai's 'Keeper of Dragon Magic'.
[Judai, LP 4000 → LP 3800]
Finally, he set a card, ending the turn.
Indeed, it seems Judai's act of gifting an "Apostle" to their opponent still left John quite uncomfortable, hardly accomplishing anything before ending his turn.
Up next, Judai wasn't going to hold back.
Judai immediately activated the Equip Magic "Favourite Hero," equipping Brave Neos. Then entering the Battle Phase, Favourite Hero can directly activate a Field Magic from the deck.
Judai chose the Field Magic "Neo Space," instantly surrounding the battlefield with a luminous realm, colorful auroras rippling around.
Neo Space's effect increases Brave Neos' attack by 500, then Favourite Hero boosts his attack by its own defense value — which is 2000.
This makes Brave Neos' attack soar to a terrifying 5100 points!
[Elemental Hero Brave Neos, Attack 5100]
Breaking through Topaz Tiger would cause a whopping 3500 points of damage in one breath!
"Battle!" Judai shouted, "Elemental Hero Brave Neos, attack Topaz Tiger!"
Neos, cloaked in a silver-white aura, dove down from midair, a transparent energy ring bursting behind him, charging down with unstoppable momentum!
Just then, the targeted Topaz Tiger turned its head and spoke: "John, now's the time!"
"I know!"
John waved his hand: "Open the set card! Trap Card 'Last Resort'! At the moment of an opponent's monster attack declaration, activate a Field Magic Card from the deck!" (Animation effect)
"Huh?" Judai was stunned.
Nani? It's actually selecting a Field Magic?
Isn't that...
"I activate the Field Magic 'Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins' from my deck!"
The field changed, a seven-colored rainbow hung in the air, Neo Space shattered instantly, and an ancient city rose up!
"...The effect of 'Favourite Hero' only works when a card exists in one's own field zone." Judai said helplessly, "With Neo Space destroyed, Brave Neos' attack returns to its original state."
[Elemental Hero Brave Neos, Attack 5100 → Attack 2600]
Of course, even decreased, Neos' attack still holds the upper hand, crushing Topaz Tiger on the spot with no suspense.
"'Rainbow Ruins' gains different effects depending on the number of 'Crystal Beasts' in the Magic Trap Zone." John said, "When there are two or more Crystal Beasts in one's field zone, battle damage is halved once per turn!"
[John, LP 4000 → LP 3500]
"Then when 'Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger' is destroyed, it doesn't go to the graveyard but becomes a gemstone placed in the Magic Trap Zone!"
John gestured to his backfield, the golden gemstone appeared, landing in his Magic Trap space.
"Then the effect of 'Elemental Hero Brave Neos' activates too." Judai said, "When it destroys an opponent's monster by battle, add a related Magic or Trap card to your hand from the deck."
I've added the Magic Card 'Miracle Contact' to my hand from the deck.
Although 'Favourite Hero' has an attack boost effect only useful when there's a card in the field zone, it actually has an additional attack effect that can be used.
However, now John's side only has the defense position 'Ra's Disciple', even if an additional attack takes down the Apostle, it can't deal battle damage. It's better to just leave this awkward Apostle on John's field, letting him continue to deal with it on his next turn.
"Set a card, turn ends." Judai said.
Though blocking Judai's offensive, John glanced sideways at the "Ra's Disciple" still squatting like a stubborn tenant on his field, feeling a headache coming on...
"Then it's my turn, draw!"
The yellow gemstone in John's backfield transformed into a tiger shape and spoke to him: "John, you must first find a way to remove this troublesome Apostle, otherwise you can't organize a counterattack..."
"You mean cards can communicate with spirits in duels?" Judai longingly remarked, "How nice~"
Someone behind him, being temporarily ignored, wanted to speak yet stopped themselves, finally biting her lip silently.
She felt like lately, her presence in Judai's eyes was growing weaker...
"Activate the Magic Card 'Crystal Bond'! Add one 'Crystal Beast' card to your hand from the deck, and place another 'Crystal Beast' card with a different name into the Magic Trap Zone."
"I add 'Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus' to my hand from the deck, then place 'Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth' in the Magic Trap Zone from the deck!"
Next, he pointed to the magnificent city and the rainbow stretching across the sky.
"Field Magic 'Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins', effect activates! When four or more Crystal Beasts exist in the backfield, draw one card from the deck once per turn!"
After drawing, he immediately revealed the card.
"Magic Card 'Pot of Greed', both players draw three cards from the deck." John said, "Then activate Magic Card 'Rare Value'!"
"With two or more Crystal Beasts in the Magic Trap Zone, you can activate it, randomly send one to the graveyard, and draw two cards!"
The red gemstone in the backfield scattered into light points.
"Send 'Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle' to the graveyard, draw two cards!"
Seeing the two cards drawn again, John's eyes gleamed.
It's coming!
The means to break this stalemate!
"I activate Magic Card 'Crystal Bond' again, adding 'Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat' to my hand from the deck and placing 'Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise' in the Magic Trap Zone!"
This way, John's backfield has reached four Crystal Beasts.
Meeting the "king bomb" requirement of Crystal Beasts!
"Watch, Judai, this is the ultimate move of my Crystal Beasts!" John shouted, "Magic Card 'Crystal Abundance'! Send four Crystal Beasts from your backfield to the graveyard to activate!"
All cards on the field... are sent to the graveyard!