Ryuzaki Kyoryu let out a long breath.
The Triangular Demon Dragon fell down to reveal a card underneath, but it was fine. Although it was a bit frustrating, it was still within his expectations.
After all, Ryuzaki had weathered many storms. Back in the day, when his True Red Eye was turned into a fossil by Joey's Time Magician using a spin of the wheel, he endured it. Compared to that, this was just a small scene.
"But my turn isn't over yet."
Ryuzaki drew another card.
"I activate the Continuous Magic - Nightmare Mirage Tube. This card allows me to draw cards from the deck during the opponent's preparation phase until I have four cards in my hand.
However, as a side effect, I have to randomly discard an equal number of cards during my preparation phase."
Yugen looked expressionless.
Indeed, only in an animated world could someone casually play a forbidden card.
"Then, I'll cover two Covering Cards in the back row and end my turn."
It's Yugen's turn to draw: "Then it's my turn, draw."
"At this moment, the effect of 'Nightmare Mirage Tube' activates," Ryuzaki said, "I draw four cards from the deck."
As expected of a forbidden card's power, Ryuzaki's almost empty hand was immediately filled back to four cards.
However, Yugen calmly played the card he drew: "Magic Card - Pot of Greed, I draw two more cards from the deck."
As if someone else didn't also have a few forbidden cards.
After drawing cards, Yugen continued: "First, I'll summon the card I searched last turn..."
The Monster Card was placed into the Monster Zone of the Duel Disc with a crisp snap.
"Mecha Team - Skeleton, in attack position."
[Mecha Team - Skeleton, Attack Power 1800]
"The effect of Mechanical Skeleton activates. When this card is successfully summoned, I add a 'Mecha Team' card other than 'Mecha Team - Skeleton' from my deck to my hand."
"I see, the Peacekeeper, destroyed last turn, had the ability to search for 'Mechanical Skeleton' when destroyed, and 'Mechanical Skeleton's ability can search for 'Fortress'...
...so it seems Yugen's setup from the very start was for this 'Mecha Team - Fortress'!"
"It seems things are getting interesting," commentator Sasaki also smiled and said.
"I'll take this card from the deck..."
Yugen revealed the card drawn from the deck.
"...'Mecha Team - Fortress' to my hand."
He then simultaneously displayed the Fortress and another Monster Card in his hand.
"Next is 'Mecha Team - Fortress's effect. Although this card is a Seven-Star upper-level monster, it can be Special Summoned from the hand or graveyard by discarding Mechanical Race monsters with a total Level of at least Eight-Stars from the hand.
I discard the Level Eight 'Mecha Team - Super Large Transformation' from my hand to the graveyard and Special Summon 'Mecha Team - Fortress' from my hand!"
A card was sent to the graveyard, and the heavy alloy fortress immediately jumped onto his field. The thick metal tracks, light blue armor, and long barrels seemed to declare "caliber is justice."
[Mecha Team - Fortress, Attack Power 2500]
"Battle." Yugen said, "First, 'Mecha Team - Fortress', attack the covered 'Triangular Demon Dragon'!"
[Triangular Demon Dragon, Defense Power 2350]
The massive main cannon of the Fortress slowly descended, locked onto its target, and loaded its ammunition. The cannon roared with a flash of light, and the spinning shell landed with a bang on the covered card. The poor Triangular Demon Dragon was blasted to ashes without ever returning to see the light of day.
"Next is Mechanical Skeleton's direct attack!"
The red mecha warrior stepped forward, its metallic body flying forward on transparent air currents. Ryuzaki hurriedly covered his head and squatted in defense, but was still thrown back by the impact of the alloy flying kick.
[Ryuzaki, LP 2600→LP 800]
The audience erupted in uproar.
The returning legend against the freshly emerging rookie, it was expected to be a one-sided affair with no suspense, yet no one anticipated that the overwhelming scenario would actually be completely reversed.
Was it possible Ryuzaki Kyoryu was being suppressed?
"This is truly an unexpected development..."
Even the commentary was somewhat shaken by the pre-match predictions in their hearts upon seeing this.
"It seems like Ryuzaki is in a bit of a tight spot..." commentator Xiaodu said.
"Indeed, his field is completely suppressed, and his Life Points are down to eight hundred. Meanwhile, Yugen's Life Points haven't even moved..."
[Yugen, LP 4000]
Unable to resist taking another look at Yugen's unmoved Life Points, commentator Sasaki frowned.
Is this really a newcomer?
From previous matches to now, it's been almost a crushing victory all the way through; looking back at all his duels so far, one can hardly feel any pressure from him.
Now he's even able to suppress Ryuzaki to such an extent...
Where did this unheard-of monster suddenly come from?
"Main Phase 2."
Yugen's turn continues.
"Activate the another effect of 'Mecha Team - Skeleton.'
This card can once per turn be treated as an Equipment Card and equipped to a Mechanical Race monster on your field.
I equip 'Skeleton' to the 'Mecha Team - Fortress' on the field."
Skeleton leaps up, transforming with a series of clangs, connecting to the Fortress.
"When an equipped monster is destroyed by battle or effect, Skeleton can be destroyed instead," Yugen said, "And once per turn, Skeleton can also be Special Summoned back to your field in its equipped state."
"What a powerful combination!" commentator Xiaodu said. "Skeleton not only retrieves Fortress from the Card Deck but also equips to Fortress to provide destruction resistance?"
"Not only that," commentator Sasaki added, "Equipping also gives 'Skeleton' a layer of protection, preventing opponents from breaking through it with lower Attack Power.
And even if it needs to attack next turn to assist in a kill, it can jump back to the field on its own…"
"A combination of both offense and defense, it's too strong." commentator Xiaodu couldn't help but say, "This Fujiki Yugen... is he really a newcomer?"
Sasaki was speechless for a moment.
"Cover two cards onto the field."
Two Cover Cards appeared at Yugen's foot. He glanced at the Continuous Magic in Ryuzaki's backfield and couldn't help but sigh.
The deck he's using currently was built with three Wind cards, and having any of them in hand would blow away the 'Nightmare Mirage Tube' before it had the opportunity. Blowing it away wouldn't guarantee a win, but it would certainly expand the winning odds.
Unfortunately, not a single one drew.
Another day of hoping for a Divine Draw...
"Turn ended," Yugen said.
"Damn, you really dared to play…" Ryuzaki gritted his teeth.
"It's my turn, draw."
After the draw phase comes Ryuzaki's preparation phase.
"At this moment, the negative effect of 'Nightmare Mirage Tower' activates, normally I need to discard four cards from my hand... but!"
Ryuzaki directly revealed his backfield.
"At this moment, I first activate the covered Trap 'Thoughtless Greed!'
I can draw two cards from my Card Deck, but the cost is skipping the draw phase for the next two consecutive turns."
The potential gain is huge, and so is the risk. With this, Ryuzaki drew two more cards.
"Then immediately activate the Speed Attack Magic 'Emergency Food!'"
Ryuzaki's second backfield card was also revealed.
"You can send any of your Magic or Trap Cards on the field to the Graveyard, except for 'Emergency Food.' For each one sent, you recover 1000 Life Points!
I send the active 'Thoughtless Greed' and 'Nightmare Mirage Tube' to the Graveyard, recovering 2000 Life Points!"
Two cards disappeared from the backfield under a gold glow, turning into sustenance absorbed into Ryuzaki's body.
[Ryuzaki, LP 800→LP 2800]
"Oh, that was a beautiful move!" commentator Xiaodu couldn't help but say, "First activate Thoughtless Greed, then chain Trap to activate 'Emergency Food.'
Even though the Trap Card has been activated, it remains on the field at the resolution of 'Emergency Food,' and can also be used as the cost for activation to recover life."
"That's right. Simultaneously sending 'Nightmare Mirage Tower' to the Graveyard with 'Emergency Food,' avoiding the negative effect of having to discard cards during the preparation phase."
Commentator Sasaki nodded as well.
"Ryuzaki is still Ryuzaki, undoubtedly strong in Duel ability."
Ryuzaki wiped his nose, seemingly proud of his expert maneuvers: "What a shame, looks like your attack last turn was all for nothing."
However, Yugen's heart was unmoved.
He didn't think much of the high-level moves, just wanted to ask Ryuzaki where he bought his 502 glue.
He had long wanted to ask why the 'Mirage Tower' and 'Emergency Food' in their animation were always glued together with 502, never missing a draw...