After Silence left the field, her released magic formed a white circle. A burst of light followed, and the silver haired magician stepped out in a higher form.
[Silent Magician LV8, ATK 3500]
Judai Yuki's eyes lit up. "Nice, Yugen! A counter after the counter."
Shell's breathing grew uneven, as if the two forces empowering him were straining his mind. Demise turned his head slightly, and a dull blue light flickered in his eyes.
A cold voice whispered by Shell's ear.
"You still need more power. Offer me more life, and you will gain even greater strength."
"Shut up and take it if that's what you want!"
Shell staggered upright and shouted.
"Demise's effect again! Pay 2000 Life Points and Destroy all cards on the field!
Doomsday!"
[Shell, LP 3500 → LP 1500]
The demon king accepted more of his Life Points and brought the axe down once more. Blue flames surged like a tidal wave. Silent Magician tried to hold her ground, but the circle shattered and she vanished.
"Now your field is empty."
Shell took a moment to steady his breathing.
"Next, this card in my hand.
'Doom Dozer'! By banishing two Insect-Type from my Graveyard, I Special Summon it!"
He banished the two 'Flying Kamakiri' he had just sent to the Graveyard for the ritual.
"I Special Summon 'Doom Dozer'!"
It was clear he had chosen those Insect-Type as ritual material on purpose. After clearing the field with Demise, he used the grave setup to bring out Doom Dozer and secure a finishing strike in a single turn.
[Doom Dozer, ATK 2800 → ATK 3300]
"This is the end. I will eliminate one of you first."
His gaze moved between them before settling on Judai Yuki. Whether it was irritation from their earlier argument or something he sensed in him, his decision was clear.
"Let's start with you. If your bond with monsters can create miracles, then show me."
He thrust his arm forward.
"It's over!
Doom Dozer! King of the End, Demise!
Direct attack!"
"First, Doom Dozer attacks directly!"
Shell was wrapped in dark blue flames, and the Orichalcos Sigil on his forehead shone brightly. For a moment, he looked as if he were swallowed by black fire.
"Die!"
The giant insect charged at full speed, far faster than its huge body suggested. Its massive shadow swept toward Judai Yuki, and its foul, gaping jaws opened as if to swallow him whole.
Before Judai Yuki could move, Yugen pulled a card from his hand.
"I activate a Trap Card from my hand, Magic Cylinder!"
Judai Yuki froze in shock.
Shell's eyes widened.
The image of a Trap Card card appeared, and Magic Cylinder manifested in front of Judai Yuki. Shell stared in disbelief. "A Trap from the hand?"
"One of the set cards destroyed by 'King of the End·Demise, King of the End' was the Trap Card 'Cross Counter Trap.'" Yugen Do explained. "If this card is sent to the Graveyard by an opponent's effect, you can activate it from your hand once that turn." (Anime-Original Card)
Shell's face twisted. "Another trap?"
He had already cleared the Back Row once with Phoenix God and wiped the entire field twice with King of the End. Yet there was still another layer waiting.
The first layer had been the double defense of Mirror Force and Mirror Force set by Yugen and Judai Yuki. But beneath that, Yugen had hidden a replacement trap that triggered when destroyed.
After blasting everything away twice, anyone would assume the field was clean. He never expected a third trap hidden in hand.
Until now, Shell's anger had been focused on Judai Yuki. Only now did he turn to glare at Yugen.
Traps within traps, and another one on top of that. How many holes had this kid dug?
"Yugen, that's awesome!" Judai Yuki gave him a thumbs up. "If that hit, he'd be finished!"
Shell, LP 1500 Doom Dozer, ATK 3300
"Not so fast!" Shell shouted. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Mystical Wok' from my hand! I tribute one monster I control and gain Life Points equal to its ATK or DEF! I tribute Doom Dozer and recover Life Points!"
A massive black wok appeared over roaring flames. Doom Dozer fell straight into it and was instantly reduced to energy, which flowed into Shell's body.
Better to consume it himself than let the opponent turn it against him.
Shell, LP 1500 to LP 4800
"Ah, what a shame," Judai Yuki muttered.
He had barely escaped defeat, but his one turn kill setup was gone. Shell shot another look at Yugen.
"So you're the sneaky one. Fine. I still haven't attacked with 'King of the End·Demise, King of the End'!"
He shifted his focus and used Target Lock on Yugen.
"If you want to protect your partner with tricks, then you can take the wrath of the End instead!" Shell roared. "King of the End·Demise, King of the End, attack that sneaky brat directly!"
King of the End stepped forward, each step shaking the ground. Its flaming axe carved a burning arc through the air and came crashing down toward Yugen.
"I won't let you hurt my friend!"
Judai Yuki raised his hand.
"Last turn, because of Yugen's 'Card Destruction', I discarded 'Necro Gardna' to the Graveyard. Its Effect Activation activates! During your turn, I can banish it from the Graveyard. Once this turn, your attack is negated!"
A ghostly figure rose before Yugen, forming a transparent barrier. The axe of King of the End slammed into it, and blue flames spread across the invisible wall.
"Last turn's Card Destruction had that kind of setup too?" Shell clicked his tongue.
He had paid heavy Life Points and even strained his own body to clear the field. Yet his killing combo had dealt zero damage and almost cost him everything.
Were these two really students?
Shell frowned. For the first time, he questioned whether taking on two opponents alone had been overconfident.
Were students from Duel Academy really this strong now?
Yugen smiled and nodded at Judai Yuki. "Thanks."
"Friends help each other. Besides, you protected me first." Judai Yuki grinned and rubbed his nose.
Seeing that only made Shell more irritated.
"Still chatting about friendship? Fine. Let's see how long you last." He activated a Spell Card. "I play 'Treasures of Buried Spells.' I banish three Spell Card from my Graveyard to draw two cards." (Anime-Original Card)
Golden light rose from the Graveyard as three cards appeared.
"I banish the Spell Card 'Nephthys Hope,' 'Advanced Ritual Art,' and 'Mystical Wok' from my Graveyard. I draw two cards."
The three Spell images faded into light. Shell drew from his Deck.
"I still haven't used my Normal Summon this turn. I set one monster and set two more cards. End turn."
"All right! My Turn!!" Judai Yuki slapped his cheeks to focus. "I won't waste the chance Yugen created!"
"My Turn!, Card Draw!" he declared. "First, I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization Recovery'! I return one 'Polymerization' and one Fusion Material monster from my Graveyard to my hand! I take 'Polymerization' and 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!"
Two cards returned from the Graveyard. He added one to his hand and immediately played the other.
"Then I Summon 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!"
Elemental HERO Bubbleman, ATK 800
"When Elemental HERO Bubbleman is Summon and I control no other cards, I draw two cards from my Deck!"
He drew two more cards and quickly continued.
"I equip 'Bubble Blaster' to 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'! Its ATK increases by 800!"