Curse Necrofear, resurrection!
[Curse Necrofear, Attack 2800]
Heart Flying with the Wind involuntarily stepped back two steps upon seeing this creature, even feeling a bit like swearing.
Damn it, if we're playing cards, then let's play cards. Why bring out such creepy monsters, like a horror movie?
Didn't feel like this while watching the animation, but Bakura's monsters either look like ghosts or resentful spirits, and some are so grotesque that they're stomach-churning, and being projected this realistically is a bit unsettling.
"... my turn, draw."
Heart Flying with the Wind braced himself, trying not to look at the eerie monster holding a cursed doll.
He concentrated, telling himself this is just a card game, no matter how bizarre, it's just cards, just play it through.
"I return 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo' and 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' from the field to the deck for a Fusion Summon!
Fusion condition requires returning 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' and any Gladiator Beast monster to the deck! Fusion Summon—
—Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"
The bird-type Gladiator Beast's robust body was encased in black armor, and the gemstones shimmered with a blood-red glow. It unfolded green metallic wings, swooping down with a slight whistling sound cutting through the air.
[Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, Attack 2400]
"Gyzarus's effect!" Heart Flying with the Wind said, "Upon successful Special Summon, up to two cards on the field are destroyed. Destroy the 'Curse Necrofear' and your Set Card… uh… Set Tablet!"
Gyzarus soared into the sky, red spikes swept out like a rainstorm, causing the hideous doll to explode under the dense barrage, including the backfield tablet which became riddled with holes and blown to bits.
That was the Trap Card "Tablet of Resurrection," which can revive monsters immediately from the graveyard if destroyed in battle, but unfortunately, it didn't get a chance to activate.
"Next, Normal Summon 'Gladiator Beast Retiari!'"
This time, a water attribute Gladiator Beast wielding a trident appeared, with jagged sharp teeth, and water flowed over the green scales of its body.
[Gladiator Beast Retiari, Attack 1200]
"Battle! First, Gladiator Beast Retiari, direct attack!"
The water-type Gladiator Beast, like a crocodile locking on its target, thrust its water-wound trident in a straight line! The water's chilling sting pierced through Bakura's body, forming a swirling vortex of icy splashes, with countless transparent bubbles dancing in the air.
[Bakura, LP 4000 → LP 2800]
"Then, Gladiator Beast Gyzarus—direct attack!"
The ancient king turned avian soared high into the sky, folding its wings and diving! Like a bomber streaking across the sky, causing a series of violent explosions on the ground. The dust kicked up like a rampaging tsunami, engulfing Bakura.
[Bakura, LP 2800 → LP 400]
Gyzarus's aerial assault left Bakura sprawled on the ground, smoking black from his body, looking very disheveled.
"Hey hey, isn't this getting a bit dangerous?" Marik said, though his tone was more mocking.
Yet, he also took another look at Heart Flying with the Wind across the field, filing it away for future reference.
That Duel King, now beside him, is already someone with such strong duelists? Seems like extra caution is needed...
"Hehehe... Hahahahaha!!!"
With his LP down to 400 and the field wiped clean, Bakura tilted his head back, laughing loudly.
If others were here, they might question, "What's so funny about being low on life points," or "Did he get hit so hard he went silly," but a quirky player reacts differently.
For instance, in the temporary live stream hosted by the one who never negotiates, barrage comments are guessing if he's locked at low life triggering a cutscene for a plot kill, or perhaps beating the boss to its second phase, about to go berserk...
"Interesting, Gladiator Beasts... quite an amusing card deck." Bakura wiped his mouth, sneering, "You've successfully caught my attention. So next, let me get a bit serious."
Heart Flying with the Wind probably treated his words as preset CG lines, completely ignoring them, and continued with his tactical play: "End of Battle Phase, Gyzarus's effect.
After battle, return Gyzarus to the deck, Special Summon two Gladiator Beasts other than 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' from the deck.
I Special Summon 'Gladiator Beast Augustus', 'Gladiator Beast Secutor'!"
The beast carrying a king's name descended onto the field with a black whirlwind, its heavy sword driving into the ground with a dull thud. Joining it was a reptilian Gladiator Beast with two unique cannons on its back, taking a defensive stance to guard its master.
[Gladiator Beast Augustus, Attack 2600]
[Gladiator Beast Secutor, Defense 300]
"And then, Gladiator Beast Retiari's effect, return Retiari to the deck after battle, Special Summon 'Gladiator Beast Hoplomus'!"
Retiari disappears with a stream of water, followed by the ground cracking open. The rhino Gladiator Beast stomped onto the ground like a warhammer, making a grand entrance.
[Gladiator Beast Hoplomus, Defense 2100]
"Hoplomus's effect, when Special Summoned by another Gladiator Beast's effect, its defense becomes 2400!"
[Gladiator Beast Hoplomus, Defense 2100 → Defense 2400]
"At this moment, Continuous Magic 'Gladiator Rejection's effect!" Heart Flying with the Wind shuffled quickly and spread his deck again, "There exist Gladiator Beasts of Reptile-Type, Rock-Type, and Winged Beast-Type on my field, so I Special Summon 'Gladiator Beast Andal' of Beast-Warrior Type, not matching those three types, in defense mode!"
The armored bear growled as it landed on the field, crossing its arms to guard in front of itself.
[Gladiator Beast Andal, Defense 1500]
"Next, activate the Equip Magic 'Gladiator Beast's Battle Manica' again!" Heart Flying with the Wind waved his hand, "Equipping it to 'Gladiator Beast Augustus', the equipped monster cannot be destroyed in battle!
Finally, Set two cards, turn over."
"Oh? Four monsters in an instant... truly frightening explosive power. Only that upper-level Gladiator Beast called Augustus is in attack position, but it can't be destroyed by battle, and if attacked, it can return to the deck at the end of the battle phase to call a new Gladiator Beast...
On top of that, as long as that troublesome Continuous Magic 'Gladiator Rejection' is present, this guy's monsters can't be targeted by effects, a literally impregnable fortress lineup."
Marik stuck out his tongue to lick his lips, then glanced sideways at Bakura.
"Can you handle this or not?"
"Shut up! Just keep quiet and watch." Bakura glared at him, showing a sinister smile, "I underestimated this guy. But from now on, I'm getting serious.
I did say, Curse Necrofear is immortal! At the end of the turn, Curse Necrofear resurrects again!"
The eerie wind swept across the field again, and that haunting silhouette holding the doll returned once more, haunting the scene.
[Curse Necrofear, Attack 2800]
"My turn!"
Bakura raised a hand, and yet another tablet fell from the sky, landing in front of him.
"Magic Card - Card Destruction! Both players discard all their hands, then draw the same number of cards!"
The tablets before Bakura swiftly shattered and dissipated into thin air, and new ones fell down from beyond the sky.
Seeing one among the new tablets, his eyes gleamed, revealing a look of ecstasy.
Here it comes!
"Hey." He lowered his voice, chuckling eerily, "Coincidentally, your strength as a guinea pig is quite fitting. I will specially let you witness my new power, the ultimate trump card that can even obliterate the existence of gods!"