"My turn. Of course, due to the side effect of 'Orichalcos Kigus' on the field, I can't conduct a normal draw."
Dartz glanced indifferently at the two strong heroes on Youyu's field and chuckled, "It seems that even your Elemental Heroes can only achieve this level. This won't be enough to defeat me."
Youyu ignored him.
"I summon 'Spirit Reaper', in attack position!"
Another Monster Card was placed on Dartz's Duel Disc. This time, a purple-robed Undead-Type appeared on the field, wielding a reaper's scythe, surrounded by dark mist, exuding an ominous aura.
Of course, the Orichalcos mark quickly appeared on the reaper's forehead, granting a corresponding power-up.
[Spirit Reaper, ATK 300 → ATK 800]
Indeed, after the last duel with Youyu, Dartz seemed to have made many adjustments to his deck, adding tricky elements that weren't originally in his deck system.
"Spirit Reaper can't be destroyed by battle, but it will self-destruct if it becomes the target of Magic, Trap, or Monster effects." Dartz waved his hand indifferently, "Battle. Use 'Spirit Reaper' to attack Elemental Hero Great Tornado!"
With only 800 attack points, the reaper charged at the storm hero. It swung its scythe, the purple robe flying through the air, the blade leaving a dark and eerie trail.
With such a wide disparity in strength, the attack obviously couldn't succeed. Great Tornado didn't even let it get close, blasting a storm with a palm to send the reaper spiraling back to its side of the field in a helpless manner.
But naturally, the storm swept towards Dartz was absorbed entirely by the eye in front of him, causing no damage.
"Orichalcos Chirad absorbs all battle damage, the damage I receive is 0." Dartz said calmly.
Youyu furrowed his brow.
He knew Dartz was deliberately accumulating the damage absorbed by Chirad to summon an even stronger ace later. But with his opponent actively sending weak monsters for suicidal attacks, he couldn't do much for now.
"Next, 'Orichalcos Kigus' attacks the same target, Elemental Hero Great Tornado!"
The giant seemed used to giving away free attacks, letting out a roar and charging at Great Tornado. The hero snapped his fingers, and another gust swept up, blowing Orichalcos Kigus high into the air, its body torn to pieces by the wind pressure.
Yet half a second later, the shattered giant was restored and returned to Dartz's field.
"Due to reviving again, Orichalcos Kigus's attack power increases once more."
[Orichalcos Kigus, ATK 1400 → ATK 1900]
Dartz spoke, gesturing towards his lineup in the backfield.
"Effect of Orichalcos Chirad! All battle damage is absorbed by Chirad!
Then it's the effect of Continuous Magic - Card of Safe Return! Kigus revives on the field, I draw three cards."
"At this moment, my Set Card activates!" Youyu swung his arm, "Activate Set Card, Continuous Trap - Appropriate! This card can be activated when the opponent draws cards outside of their draw phase.
Whenever the opponent draws cards outside their draw phase, I can draw two cards!"
Both sides replenished their hands simultaneously, Dartz glanced at the cards drawn, and with the corner of his eye swept over the massive Air Fortress Ziggurat on his field, sneered, "With the hero's power diluted, Amelda's undead are now useless.
So for the last time this turn, let me make use of them!
Air Fortress Ziggurat! Primary target is that troublesome Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, attack!"
[Air Fortress Ziggurat, ATK 1500]
[Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, ATK 2100]
Seeing all the fortress's gun barrels lower simultaneously, missiles loaded in the compartments, gun barrels glowing golden, Youyu couldn't help but furrow his brow.
Great Tornado's effect is a permanent half-attack power effect, so Air Fortress Ziggurat's attack power should be lower than Flame Wingman's right now.
If this battle happens, Air Fortress Ziggurat will be destroyed by Flame Wingman. According to Flame Wingman's effect, Dartz will take damage equal to the fortress's original attack power of 2500 points...He should understand that.
This means there must be something tricky among the cards he just drew!
Sure enough, just before all the fortress's barrels fell, and missiles and cannons were about to bombard, Dartz quickly revealed a classic General Card from the Machine-Type: "Quick-Play Magic - Limiter Removal! This turn only, the attack power of all Machine-Type monsters on my field doubles!"
Youyu was taken aback by Dartz again.
Come on, what's with all the strange stuff in your deck?
Your deck has only one Machine-Type monster, which you NTR'd from your subordinate, bringing such Machine-Type exclusive cards isn't causing a card hand jam?
Just relying on a high star level and full divine draws, you can do whatever you want?
[Air Fortress Ziggurat, ATK 1500 → ATK 3000]
"The attack power of Air Fortress Ziggurat doubles under the effect of Limiter Removal, surpassing Flame Wingman." Dartz shouted, "Destroy that eyesore of a Hero!"
All the turrets of the fortress fired simultaneously, a barrage of firepower sweeping across Youyu's field in an instant. Flame Wingman struggled to evade through the rain of bullets with its agility, but the firepower was too strong and dense, and the Hero was ultimately helplessly blown to pieces.
[Youyu, LP 2100 → LP 1200]
"Set two cards, ending the turn," Dartz calmly said, "During the end phase, monsters affected by Limiter Removal are destroyed.
Farewell, Amelda's undead. Your mission is complete, now rest assured as a sacrifice for the birth of a new world."
Boom...
Flames erupted from within the fortress, the floating behemoth instantly consumed by expanding fireballs, shattered to pieces. Countless mechanical parts dragged fiery trails as they scattered, the massive wreckage fell from the air enveloped in flames, igniting the sky.
The impact upon landing pulverized a large portion of Orichalcos' legion, with many spirits caught in the melee being scorched and injured.
"Ignorant Duel King, you're getting closer to the abyss of despair." Dartz said blandly, "You can't defeat me, nor stop the resurrection of the Evil God. The cleansing of the world is an inevitable trend for the advancement of this planet, and no one can stop it."
If Yugi were here now, he might indulge in some verbal sparring, but Youyu only focused on the game, ignoring him altogether.
"My turn!"
Youyu scanned the steel-walled setup on Dartz's field, contemplating quickly.
This setup looks impregnable, but in the animation, President Kaiba exposed one of its weaknesses.
Orichalcos Gigas can only absorb damage from monster battles, meaning if you find a way to bypass the barrier and directly attack the player, it can cause damage.
In the animation, Dartz used a Field Magic card to fill this gap, the Second Barrier of Orichalcos, known as Orichalcos Aura. When this barrier is present, Dartz can sacrifice one monster on his field to negate a direct attack and destroy the attacking monster.
In the animation, Yugi and Kaiba were almost drained of cards when their Dragon Master Knight was tricked this way.
But Dartz hasn't activated the Second Barrier yet, so a direct attack should indeed inflict damage now.
"First, activate Magic Card - Graceful Charity. Draw three cards from the deck, then discard two from the hand.
Next, I summon Elemental Hero Solidman in Defense Position!"
A hero clad in sturdy steel armor appears on the field, half-squatting on the ground, arms crossed with the solid steel armor in front.
[Elemental Hero Solidman, DEF 1100]
"Solidman's effect!" Youyu reveals another card from his hand, "Special Summon Elemental Hero Shadow Mist!"
The newly drawn second Shadow Mist heroine gracefully debuted, assuming a defensive posture on the field.
[Elemental Hero Shadow Mist, DEF 1500]
"Shadow Mist's effect!" Youyu picks out the needed card from the deck and displays it, "Add a Quick-Play Magic card, I choose Quick-Play Magic Mask Change!
Then activate Quick-Play Magic - Mask Change!
I send Elemental Hero Shadow Mist to the graveyard to summon a Masked Hero of the same attribute!
Masked transformation! Come forth, Masked Hero Anki!"
Shadow Mist sister is surrounded by black transformation effects, spinning her figure, she elegantly waves her arm, clearing away the black mist swirling around, instantly transforming into a charismatic Dark Hero!
[Masked Hero Anki, ATK 2800]
"Masked Hero Anki, the hero that can bypass monsters and directly attack players." Dartz stated, "Orichalcos Gigas can only absorb damage from battles between monsters, this hero indeed can breach the defense line."
"Exactly." Youyu gestures, "Battle!"
"That won't work!" Dartz interrupted loudly, "At the moment you summoned Anki, my set card activates! Quick-Play Magic - Demise of the Land!"
"What!?" Youyu was shocked.
"Demise of the Land is a Quick-Play Magic that can be activated when the opponent Special Summons a monster," Dartz explained, "I can activate a Field Magic card from the deck.
Of course, generally Field Magic cannot be activated when The Seal of Orichalcos is present on the field... but this card is an exception."
Dartz drew the desired card from the deck, smiling lightly.
"This card only takes effect when The Seal of Orichalcos is already on the field." He raised the card he held high, "Activate! Second Barrier of Orichalcos —
— Orichalcos Aura!!!"