Two strange-looking Monsters were Summoned to the Field by Ptah, but Joey didn't pay much attention to their appearance. Aside from their Special Summon Effect, the two Monsters had no distinguishing features; both their Attack and Defense Points were quite low, and there was nothing particularly noteworthy about them.
[Sealed Beast - Inun] [Level 1/DARK]
[Fiend-Type/Effect]
[200 ATK/300 DEF]
[Sealed Beast - Nunurao] [Level 2/LIGHT]
[Fairy-Type/Effect]
[500 ATK/800 DEF]
"Are these all the Monsters you're going to Summon?" Joey glanced at his Hand, a smug look crossing his face. "What's this? Looks like the Top 8 will be pretty easy. I feel incredibly brave right now."
"That look on your face suggests you don't think much of the Sealed Beasts on my Field, does it?" Ptah noticed Joey's disdain and a smirk played on his lips. "Then allow me to show you my strongest Sealed Beast!"
"I Tribute the two Sealed Beasts on my Field! Fuse the power of Light and Dark, and Summon!"
"Sealed Beast - Baolong!"
The two Sealed Beasts, released as Tributes, transformed into esoteric symbols that floated on the Field. These symbols combined and arranged themselves, constructing an entirely new Monster that appeared on Ptah's Field. With a savage roar, the Monster, named for bronze, possessing the appearances of both Nunurao and Inun, was Summoned.
"ROAR!!!"
[Sealed Beast - Baolong] [Level 8/EARTH]
[Rock-Type/Effect]
[2700 ATK/2100 DEF]
"He Summoned a Level 8 boss Monster on the first Turn!" Joey was shocked. "And its Attack is a whopping 2700 points!"
"Hehehe, the power of the Sealed Beast is far more than what you've seen so far." Ptah was quite pleased with Joey's reaction. He loved seeing others' awe and shock, which was why he played Duel Monsters. "Next Turn, you'll witness the true terror of my Sealed Beasts."
"I Set one Card in my Backrow. End Turn."
[Ptah: 4000 LP, Hand 1]
[Sealed Beast - Baolong] [ATK 2700]
[Set Card] [Seal of the True Word]
"Tsk, this is a bit troublesome now." Joey glanced at his Hand, looking rather annoyed. In his initial five cards, he had Drawn the Monster with the highest Attack in his Deck, Red-Eyes Black Dragon, obtained from Rex Raptor. However, even Red-Eyes' Attack was only 2400, no match for Baolong's 2700.
"In that case, I can only rely on my next Draw. My Turn!"
Joey's face lit up as he Drew a Card, then he smugly eyed Ptah across from him. "A mere Monster with 2700 Attack? My Deck isn't just for show! Watch how I defeat it!"
"I Activate the Spell Card, Dice of Devil." Playing a Card from his Hand, Joey looked rather pleased with himself. "Its Effect is to Target one Monster on the Field, then roll a Die. That Monster's ATK becomes its ATK divided by the die roll until the End Turn."
But Joey's expectant gaze was met with disappointment. Even though he had played the Card, nothing happened on his Field, which remained completely empty. "What... what's going on?"
"Hmph, hahahaha! A mere commoner actually dares to try and defeat my Sealed Beast - Baolong with a Gambling Card that relies on luck?" Ptah laughed, simultaneously explaining why Joey's Dice of Devil hadn't activated. "As long as Seal of the True Word exists on my Field, Sealed Beast - Baolong is protected by the True Word, making it immune to Spell, Trap, and Monster Effects, and it cannot even be made a Target of effects."
"It has a powerful Non-targeting Effect?" Chumley looked at Sealed Beast - Baolong, which was encircled by esoteric Runes. "Dice of Devil is a Spell Card that requires you to Target a Monster to Activate. With only Sealed Beast - Baolong on the Field, it couldn't be Activated. It's fortunate Joey didn't Summon a Monster beforehand."
"If he had a Monster on his Field, since he couldn't Target Baolong, he would have been forced to Weaken his own Monster instead." Yugi watched the Field with some concern. "Joey..."
"Not only does it have 2700 Attack, but it also has such a troublesome Effect." Joey felt incredibly vexed. "In that case, I Normal Summon Panther Warrior from my Hand, then I Set two Cards. End Turn."
The Panther Warrior, wielding scimitars, appeared on Joey's Field. It glared at Sealed Beast - Baolong on the opposing Field and let out a fearless growl. According to Rainbow Kuriboh's translation, it seemed to be saying, "I see the security guard."
[Panther Warrior] [Level 4/EARTH]
[Beast-Warrior Type/Effect]
[2000 ATK/1600 DEF]
Setting two Cards from his Hand, Joey ended his Turn.
[Joey: 4000 LP, Hand 3]
[Panther Warrior] [ATK 2000]
[Set Card] [Set Card]
"Hmph, while it's a powerful Monster with 2000 Attack, you're still too weak before my invincible Sealed Beast army!" Ptah glanced at Joey's Field and chuckled smugly. "My Turn, Draw!"
"Oh, it seems my luck is quite good too; I've Drawn a powerful Card. This Turn, I'll finish you off!"
"I Normal Summon Sealed Beast - Charmagal, then Equip it with the Spell Card Molting Escape!"
[Sealed Beast - Charmagal] [Level 3/WATER]
[Reptile-Type/Effect]
[1200 ATK/1400 DEF]
The serpent-like Monster, named for the daughter of the sun, appeared on Ptah's Field. The moment it came out, a beam of white light erupted from its mouth, heading straight for Joey's Set Card in the Backrow.
"Because Seal of the True Word exists on the Field, Sealed Beast - Charmagal's Effect is unleashed." Ptah explained smugly. "Once per turn, I can Destroy one Card in your Backrow. I Target the one on the left!"
"You're trying to Destroy my Backrow? Don't even think about it!" Joey flipped open the Set Card that had been Targeted. "Before you can Destroy it, I Activate the Effect of Scapegoat! I Summon four Sheep Tokens to my Field. As a Cost, I cannot perform any other Summons this Turn."
The beam of white light, heading straight for the Set Card, missed its Mark. The Card Joey had Set transformed into four adorable, multi-colored Sheep that appeared on his Field. They didn't seem to fear the two glaring Sealed Beasts opposite them, merely stood in place with their heads down, as if searching for grass to eat.
"Tch, you wasted one of my opportunities." Ptah said, displeased. "In that case, I will Attack Panther Warrior with Sealed Beast - Baolong."
"ROAR!"
The Earth's leyline power within its body surged, and the Rock Dragon opened its massive maw. A fan-shaped beam of bronze light was unleashed, poised to strike Panther Warrior. Just then, Joey also flipped open the remaining Set Card in his Backrow.
"Before you Attack, I Activate my Trap Card!"
(end of chapter)