The moment Raimaru placed his card onto the Duel Disc, the air seemed to grow heavy. Thunder roared in the enclosed underground space, making the entire passage tremble.
A blinding lightning bolt pierced the darkness, striking the center of the field where both parties stood. The colossal thunderstorm gathered, manifesting into a sacred and towering figure. Within the electricity lay boundless lightning, intertwining in the air to form a vortex woven from electric light.
The emperor who commands the thunder emerged from within it.
Yugen was, of course, not unfamiliar with "Thunder Emperor Zaborug". In fact, as an emperor user himself, he was not unfamiliar with any emperor. But there was no denying that an emperor with a spirit was still different from the ordinary cards he wielded; the aura alone upon its appearance was distinct.
[Thunder Emperor Zaborug, Attack Power 2400]
"The great light bestows me with absolute power, embodied in this card, Thunder Emperor Zaborug!" Raimaru shouted, "Activate the effect of the Thunder Emperor!
When this card is successfully Upper-level Summoned, one monster on the field can be destroyed!"
He clenched his fist and swung it towards the monster Yugen had covered in the front field.
"No matter what kind of wall it is, disappear here!"
Electricity gathered in the Thunder Emperor's hand, piercing like a spear. Yugen's face-down monster flipped over, revealing a small and adorable bird, curled up in a circular airflow, letting out a mournful cry before being knocked out by the Thunder Spear.
[Air Hummingbird, Defense Power 300]
Of course, it was drawn from Kagemaru's deck. At that time, Yugen thought this comic-exclusive deck was pretty interesting and to his liking. He had more or less finished tuning it when he had free time, and today was just right to try it out.
"Ha, it really is a miscellaneous monster." Raimaru chuckled, "Additionally, when the Thunder Emperor is successfully summoned, this guy's effect in my hand has also activated—
—Fantasy Taker!"
A blob of shadow separated from Zaborug, transforming into a new form. That thing seemed to slowly rise from the swirling mist, its flowing form changing to resemble the Thunder Emperor, only darker, with red glints in its eyes.
[Fantasy Taker, Attack Power 2400]
"Fantasy Taker can only be activated when I successfully perform an Upper-level Summon of a monster. This card is Special Summoned directly from my hand," Raimaru said, "The race, attribute, and star level of the monster Special Summoned by this effect all become the same as the Upper-level Summoned monster."
Just from its 2400 attack and 1000 defense stats, it's clear it's an exclusive support card for an emperor.
"Then my trap has also been activated," Yugen said, "Trap Card 'Soul's Rope'! When a monster is destroyed, pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon a 4-Star monster from the deck." (Original effect).
After being materialized into a physical card, it can only be activated "when a monster is destroyed by a card effect." However, in the animation, it's a card often used in the game to gather the JQK Knights for the Summoning God, activating regardless of being destroyed by effect or battle.
[Yugen, LP 4000→LP 3000]
"Pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon 'Synthetic Air Hummingbird' from the deck!"
The 4-Star Air Hummingbird flew out from his deck in a golden light, spreading its wings to block in the front field.
[Synthetic Air Hummingbird, Defense Power 1000]
"Oh? Summoned another miscellaneous fish?" Raimaru chuckled lightly, "But such a thing will also be immediately...
"The effect of Synthetic Air Hummingbird," Yugen interrupted, "When this card is summoned, Special Summon one 'Air' below 4 Stars from the graveyard.
Revive 'Air Hummingbird'."
[Air Hummingbird, Defense Power 300]
"Tch, that miscellaneous fish wall jumps really fast." Raimaru hummed, glancing sideways at his teammate, "Then I'll clean up the miscellaneous fish, and you handle the follow-up slaughter."
Hyoumaru pouted: "Easier said than done, isn't it just passing all the troublesome issues to me?"
Raimaru ignored him and simply waved his hand: "Go! Thunder Emperor Zaborug, crush the miscellaneous fish for me!"
The Thunder Emperor once again released the Thunder Spear. But there was only a sharp cry from the tiny Air Hummingbird, as the dazzling thunder crashed against the air circle barrier and was quickly dissipated, vanishing into nothingness.
"What?" Raimaru was shocked, "How can such a miscellaneous fish block the Thunder Emperor's..."
"When there are other 'Air' on my field, the Air Hummingbird prevents attack declarations," Yugen said.
"Uh... Even though it's a miscellaneous fish, it troubles me with such annoying effects."
Raimaru spat on the ground.
Hyoumaru looked at him with displeasure: "In the end, you didn't manage to clear the field."
"Shut up! I've already summoned the Thunder Emperor and Fantasy Taker, my two ace cards. Next, you just need to use the power I left behind and brainlessly attack, isn't that enough?"
Seeing the two about to turn against each other, Yugen had no intention of listening any further, simply saying lightly: "Then it's my turn, draw a card."
"Activate the Magic Card 'Angel's Charity', draw three cards from the deck, and then discard two cards from the hand."
"I discard the 'Scholar Spirit' from my hand, which allows me to draw one more card when it's sent to the graveyard."
Yugen drew a card.
"Next, activate the Magic Card 'Downbeat'." He slowly revealed another card from his hand, "Offer a face-up monster you control as a tribute to Special Summon a monster from the deck with the same race and attribute but one star level lower than the tribute.
I offer 'Synthetic Air Hummingbird' on the field as a tribute."
The Synthetic Air Hummingbird turned into golden sparkles and dispersed on the field.
"Synthetic Air Hummingbird is a 4-Star Wind Attribute Bird Beast Race," Hyoumaru said.
Yugen nodded: "Correct. Thus, I can Special Summon a 3-Star Wind Attribute Bird Beast Race monster from the deck. I want to Special Summon this creature—
—Changeable Air Hummingbird!"
The new Air Hummingbird flew out from the deck, spreading its wings and landing on the field.
[Changeable Air Hummingbird, Attack Power 100]
The two across from him were both astonished.
All that effort just to summon a miscellaneous fish with only 100 attack power?
"Next, activate the Continuous Magic 'Level Restriction B Zone'!" Yugen said, "All monsters with 4 stars or above on the field are forced to change to Defense Position."
[Thunder Emperor Zaborug, Attack Power 2400 → Defense Power 1000]
[Fantasy Taker, Attack Power 2400 → Defense Power 1000]
Both of their expressions changed slightly.
Another attack lockdown!
Especially this Level Restriction B Zone, along with the Super Gravity Net, is a must-have mainstay for today's era of closed deck strategies, practically a hallmark of such playstyles.
And compared to the Super Gravity Net, this card is even less compatible with their emperors. While the emperors have high attack power, their defense is only 1000. This card is practically their emperors' nemesis.
"Trying to target the emperors' weak defensive points to break through?" Raimaru's face was sullen.
But soon they realized just how naïve their thoughts had been.
Yugen smiled without answering, continuing his maneuvers.
"The effect of Changeable Air Hummingbird includes discarding a card from the hand. Until the end of the turn, absorb one of the opponent's monsters on the field in Defense Position." (Original effect).
Yugen leisurely discarded two cards into the graveyard.
"I discard two cards from my hand, and absorb your Thunder Emperor Zaborug and Fantasy Taker, which have been changed to Defense Position."
Raimaru: "..."
Hyoumaru: "..."