Ed and Manjome exchanged glances for a moment. Although neither was particularly willing, they eventually accepted silently.
Even though they didn't quite see eye to eye and didn't want to work with each other, at least they both hoped to rescue Judai.
More importantly, there was no room for error in this duel.
Both of their instincts told them that this opponent was unimaginably strong.
Fighting alone would never lead to victory!
"Duel!" x3
[Ed x Manjome, LP 8000]
[The Supreme King, LP 8000]
The duel is two versus one, with team battle rules. Ed and Manjome are considered one team, sharing field and graveyard resources, and their combined Life Points are 8000.
The Supreme King is alone with 8000 Life Points.
"It's my turn, I'll draw." The Supreme King spoke coldly, unreservedly taking the initiative.
"Normal Summon 'Keeper of Dragon Magic'."
[Keeper of Dragon Magic, Defense 1300]
"Keeper of Dragon Magic, effect activate," said the Supreme King. "When successfully summoned, discard one card from your hand, and add one 'Fusion' Normal Magic from the deck to your hand."
A card was discarded to the graveyard, and simultaneously another card popped out from the deck.
"I add the Magic Card 'Dark Fusion' from the deck to my hand."
Ed frowned.
Dark Fusion?
"Activate Continuous Magic 'Card of Adversity' from the hand," continued the Supreme King. "When a monster is Special Summoned from the graveyard to the field, I draw three cards from the deck.
Next, I activate the effect of 'Keeper of Dragon Magic.' By revealing a Fusion Monster Card, reviving a monster used as Fusion Material from the graveyard in face-down defense position."
The Supreme King revealed a Fusion Monster.
"The monster I reveal is 'Evil Hero Infernal Sniper.'
The Supreme King said, taking out a card that popped from the graveyard.
"According to this effect, I revive 'Elemental Hero Burstinatrix' used as Fusion Material from the grave."
Burstinatrix returned to the field surrounded by flames, quickly taking the form of a face-down card laying horizontally on the field. Ed wasn't sure if it was just his illusion, but Burstinatrix looked more sinister today than usual.
It's as if a hero fell into darkness.
The Fusion Hero revealed by the opponent also caught Ed's attention.
"Evil Hero?" He frowned.
Ed was quite sure Judai hadn't had this kind of hero before.
Moreover, Ed's father was a card designer at the International Fantasy Society, specializing in the "Hero" series. Coupled with the fact that the renowned "Hero" originator Youyu was a familiar face, Ed felt he should have seen every type of hero there was.
But Evil Hero?
Never heard of it.
"The moment Burstinatrix is revived, the effect of 'Card of Adversity' activates," stated the Supreme King. "I draw three cards from the deck."
Then he coldly played another card: "Magic Card 'Gate of the Monsters.' Use 'Keeper of Dragon Magic' as a tribute to flip cards from the top of the deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears.
That monster is Special Summoned, and the rest of the cards are sent to the graveyard."
The Supreme King confirmed two cards in succession, and the second turned out to be a Monster Card.
"Special Summon 'Elemental Hero Clayman.'
[Elemental Hero Clayman, Defense 2000]
Then it's the card he just searched at the start of his turn: "Magic Card 'Dark Fusion.' Send Fusion Materials from hand and field to the graveyard to Fusion Summon Fiend-Type monsters.
I fuse 'Elemental Hero Burstinatrix' and 'Elemental Hero Clayman' with Dark Fusion.
The scarlet demon, sniping your enemy with scorching Prison Flame—
—Evil Hero Infernal Sniper, summon!"
The fusion of Clayman and Burstinatrix, Ed clearly remembered it originally summoned "Rampart Blaster," an Elemental Hero capable of bombarding in defense mode.
But now, the fusion of two Elemental Heroes spawned something more sinister, a demon clad in red armor. She half crouched on the ground, with heavy armor like a solid iron wall, and the white blades on her wrists resembled a demon's claws.
[Evil Hero Infernal Sniper, Defense 2500]
"Set three cards, turn end."
The dark wave formed of countless particles materialized into three cards, covering the Supreme King's back field.
Ed frowned.
Starting off with three set cards... Could this guy's dueling style have inherited Judai's experience too?
But even so, he couldn't back down.
Because he had reasons to win!
"My turn, draw!" Ed took the initiative himself, "Activate Magic Card 'Graceful Charity' from the hand! Draw three cards from the deck and then discard two cards."
After drawing three cards, Ed picked out two to discard and immediately revealed another card in quick succession.
"Magic Card 'Card of Adversity,' when the opponent has special summoned monsters on the field and we have none, draw two cards from the deck."
"Magic Card 'Destiny Draw, discard one 'Destiny Hero' from hand, draw two cards. I discard 'Destiny Hero Malicious' to the grave, draw two cards!"
Immediately following, the malicious hero just sent to the grave popped right back out.
"Destiny Hero Malicious' effect in the grave! Exile self from play, Special Summon a same-name card from the deck. Come forth, Malicious!"
[Destiny Hero Malicious, Defense 800]
"Then activate Magic Card 'Fusion' from the hand!" Ed shouted, "Fusion Destiny Hero Malicious from the field and Destiny Hero Fear Monger from the hand!
Fusion condition is two Destiny Heroes!
The trajectory of destiny converges, giving birth to a noble power of justice! Fusion Summon—
—Destiny Hero Dystopia!!!"
The fusion of two Destiny Heroes, a warrior equipped with light exoskeleton armor flew out, the helmet mask clearly imprinted with the letter "D."
[Destiny Hero Dystopia, Attack 2800]
"Dystopia's effect activates!" Ed clenched his fist, "When Fusion Summoned successfully, select a Level 4 or below 'Destiny Hero' in the grave, and deal damage to the opponent equal to that monster's original attack value!
I choose Destiny Hero Fear Monger, which deals you Fear Monger's attack—1000 points of damage!
Take this! Oppressing Palm!"
Dystopia leapt into the air, striking with a palm from afar. The dark vortex swept across the Supreme King, who stood with his back straight amidst the tempest like a section of stubborn bamboo.
[The Supreme King, LP 8000 →LP 7000]
Ed frowned.
"This level of damage isn't nearly enough... but it's far from over!"
He revealed another card from his hand.
"Magic Card 'Soul Blast'!" Ed said, "Halve the attack of one 'Destiny Hero' monster on your field, and both players take damage equal to that value."
"I'll halve Destiny Hero Dystopia's attack; we both take half his attack, which is 1400 points of damage!"
[Destiny Hero Dystopia, Attack 2800 →Attack 1400]
The magic effect took effect, like an energy bomb explosion! The explosive heat waves spread from Dystopia toward both sides, and the unexpected powerful impact threw Ed and Manjome hard.
The pain was beyond imagination, feeling as if a real bomb exploded, leaving a burning sensation. Although there was no visible damage to their bodies, the feeling was akin to being roasted by fire, close to fainting.
[Ed x Manjome, LP 8000 →LP 6600]
[The Supreme King, LP 7000 →LP 5600]
"What's happening?" Manjome, who was suddenly turned over, looked surprised, unable to keep up, "This real pain, what is it..."
"This is... a Dark Duel." Ed knelt down, breathing heavily, "Even more intense than described by Teacher Youyu..."
On the contrary, the Supreme King stood calmly in place, accepting the impact damage as if this level didn't hurt or itch.
He even wanted to show disdain.
"Is it only to this degree?" he coldly gazed at the two struggling under the shockwave.