Evil Hero Dark Gaia, Summon!
This Evil Hero that has appeared is completely different from the previous ones in style. The ones just used were clearly enhanced versions of certain Elemental Heroes, but this one is distinctly not.
Also, from the oppressive aura it exudes, it is evident that this guy is definitely one of the BOSS-level Monsters in the hands of The Supreme King!
Ed gritted his teeth but did not panic.
After all, on his field is the top-tier Destiny Hero "Dystopia," whose power in defense is absolute.
No matter how high the attack power, it cannot break through.
"Battle," The Supreme King ordered in a low voice, "Go, Dark Gaia. Attack 'Destiny Hero Dystopia.'
Dark Catastrophe!"
Gaia raised his hand, making a "rise" motion, elegant and calm, as if commanding the entire ground.
Immediately, the earth... began to boil!
Ultra-high temperature magma melted through the ground, and fire dragons twisted their bodies to emerge! Columns of flame instantly enveloped the golden Destiny Hero, burning his armor, intending to melt him into molten iron.
"Destiny Hero Dystopia, activate effect!" Ed certainly wouldn't just sit and take the hit, "Once per turn, choose a Monster on the field, until the end of the turn, that Monster cannot be destroyed by battle or effects, and the battle damage to both players is 0!"
"Very good," Manjome silently praised Ed's performance again, "With this, it's almost like Absolute Defense. This turn surely can..."
"Useless," The Supreme King said coldly, "At this moment, I banish the Trap Card 'Breakthrough Skill' from the Graveyard.
This turn, the effect of one Effect Monster on the field is negated."
Ed x Manjome: "!?"
When was that card...?
Ed suddenly realized.
Right, it was discarded as a COST when activating 'Divine Wrath' earlier...
This guy called The Supreme King actually had so many preparations!?
"Breakthrough Skill's effect, Dystopia's ability is negated." The Supreme King's face was shrouded in shadow, but his golden eyes still burned, "Perish in Gaia's Prison Flame!"
The column of flames swallowed Dystopia, and the Destiny Hero who couldn't activate abilities was powerless. The unimaginably hot storm exploded on Ed and Manjome's field, sending them flying with a cry of pain.
[Ed x Manjome, LP 6600 →LP 4600]
The two struggled to breathe, climbing up in the black smoke. Looking again at the tall silhouette in front of them, they felt The Supreme King's figure was towering over them like a pitch-black mountain, completely insurmountable.
Almost instinctively, a thought arose in their hearts simultaneously—
—So strong!
Ridiculously strong.
This was the first time since entering the professional circle that Ed genuinely had such a thought: this was not an opponent he could handle.
Ordinary people have absolutely no chance against him. In this world, perhaps only Muto Yugi, Kaiba Seto, and their principal Youyu have the hope of winning...
No, what am I thinking?
Ed shook his head, reprimanding himself while shaking off such cowardly thoughts.
At this point, how can there still be thoughts of relying on Teacher Youyu?
No matter what, I have to win, if I don't win, then Judai...
"End of the turn," said The Supreme King.
"Finally, it's over."
Ed hadn't adjusted yet, but Manjome was already leaning on his knees, taking a deep breath as he stood up.
Manjome also had it rough this duel. Clearly, it wasn't even his turn to play, yet he had already endured several bombardments, losing nearly half his Life Points.
But he didn't seem to have been discouraged by this.
"Then, it's my turn now!" Manjome flicked his black windbreaker and said, "Guy called The Supreme King! I know you're not Yuki Judai, but remember this well!
The one who will defeat you is me, the great Lightning Master!"
Ed paused for a moment.
Manjome Jun, this guy, facing such pressure, doesn't show even a bit of wavering?
Of course, that's not possible.
Manjome was also terrified, almost frozen by instinct just by staring into those golden eyes.
But he continuously forced himself to think of one question.
If Teacher were here, what would he do.
This didn't seem that hard because his teacher's actions were indeed quite predictable in some aspects.
He could even imagine Kaiba Seto standing before The Supreme King, letting out a three-stage laugh.
"King? A mere you dares call yourself that? Don't make me laugh! Duelists of your caliber will be annihilated under the infinite power of my Blue-Eyes! Hahahaha..."
With this thought, he felt courage rising within him.
He, Manjome, is a man who one day will replace Teacher to ascend to the Duel King's throne!
Moreover, before that, he plans to trample the annoying Yuki Judai beneath him!
How could he not even beat a shadow of Judai?
"My turn, draw!"
Ed stood up and silently glanced at Manjome, saying nothing.
All he could do now was to place all his trust in Manjome.
Ed had indeed tried his best, but at least in his own view, his attempts were undoubtedly a failure. In the end, not only did he lose half of his Life Points, but all the resources on his field and in his Graveyard were consumed by the opponent, even the "Vision Hero" that could continuously return from the Graveyard was blown back into the Card Deck.
So he could say he left nothing for Manjome, and Manjome would have to rely entirely on his own skills to fight against The Supreme King.
But he still held expectations for Manjome.
No matter what, Manjome is the only disciple of Kaiba Seto—this was something Youyu had already revealed to him.
Moreover, the opponent is the champion of the GX Tournament, having defeated the legendary duelist Marik Ishtar with his own strength, proving he is by no means a weakling.
Manjome took a deep breath.
President Kaiba entrusted me with the latest and greatest power, and now I'll let you all witness it!
"Activate from hand the Continuous Magic 'Union Hangar'!" Manjome swung his large hand, "When activated, add one Machine-Type, Light Attribute Monster from the Card Deck to the hand."
Ed raised an eyebrow.
Union Hangar?
A card he'd never heard of, a new Union Support Card President Kaiba gave him?
"I'll add 'A-Assault Core' from the Card Deck to my hand," Manjome said, "Then activate the Magic Card 'Graceful Charity,' draw three cards from the Card Deck, and discard two cards from the hand.
After that, I'll Normal Summon 'B-Buster Drake' from my hand!"
A green mechanical dragon jumped to the field, carrying two black metal cannon barrels on its back.
[B-Buster Drake, ATK 1500]
"At this moment, the effect of the Continuous Magic 'Union Hangar' activates!" Manjome said, "Once per turn, when a Machine-Type·Light Attribute Union Monster is Summoned or Special Summoned on your field, the second effect of the Hangar can be activated.
Select a Machine-Type·Light Attribute Monster from your Card Deck, different from the Monster's card name, as an Equip Card to equip to it!"
Manjome pulled out a card from the Card Deck that had popped out, glanced at it, and inserted it directly into the Spell/Trap slot of the Duel Disc.
"I'll equip 'C-Crush Wyvern,' a Machine-Type·Light Attribute Monster from my Card Deck, to 'B-Buster Drake' on the field!"
It was a purple mechanical wyvern, which quickly folded and transformed upon appearing, assembling and combining with the Destruction Drake on the field as an equip component.
Ed thought to himself: "After A comes B, next is C... And similar to the previous XYZ that was a transformation combination type, could it be an extension of the same series?"
"With this, preparations are complete," Manjome declared, "Banish 'A-Assault Core' sent to the Graveyard, 'B-Buster Drake' and 'C-Crush Wyvern' on the field, the three Monsters from the game, transform and combine! Arise—
—ABC-Dragon Buster, Summon!!!"