"So it has the ability to negate magic, huh."
To say this has no effect on the Overlord is, of course, false. The Elemental Heroes typically consume a lot of cards from the hand, often requiring a three-for-one exchange when fusing. Even when they are darkened to become the Evil Heart versions, this issue isn't entirely resolved.
This silent counter effectively wiped out three of his cards, which is essentially a fatal blow on a resource level.
But he is the Overlord, after all, and even in this situation, he showed no reaction.
"Then I'll activate the Magic Card 'Handwriting Erasure,'" said the Overlord. "Both sides discard all cards in hand and then draw the same number of cards."
He discarded his hand and then drew new cards.
"Magic Card 'Akasha Record', draw two cards from the deck. If any card has been used in the duel, it must be removed from the game."
With his hand replenished, he then drew three more cards and raised them high.
"Once again, activate Dark Fusion! By fusing monsters from my hand and on the field, conduct a Dark Fusion Summon for a Demon Hero!
Fuse 'Elemental Hero Lightning Hero' and 'Elemental Hero Clayman' from the hand!"
It's still Judai's commonly used hero combination. The blue tight-suited Lightning Hero, with an electrifying presence, and the sturdy, defensive Clayman—both heroes seemed to have darkened somewhat and exuded an evil aura upon appearing.
The heroes transformed into streams of light, melding into the vortex of fusion. A pitch-black thunder exploded, and the electric light gathered onto the body of the Lightning Hero, descending dominantly.
[Evil Heart Hero: Lightning Giant Demon, Attack Power 2400]
It's easy to see from the fusion materials, panel, and appearance that this is the darkened version of one of Judai's favorite heroes from the early period, Thunder Giant.
"Evil Heart Hero: Lightning Giant Demon's effect allows it to destroy any monster on the field once per turn."
It's an upgrade from the original Thunder Giant, which could only destroy monsters with attack power lower than its own. In the animation, Thunder Giant could only destroy a monster when summoned. In physical card form, it became possible to destroy a monster with a lower attack power once per turn by discarding a card.
Compared to both physical cards and the animation, the Evil Heart version of Lightning Giant Demon is strengthened.
Of course, even if the monster is strengthened, it doesn't change the fundamental nature of fixed fusion materials being a three-for-one exchange. This is why the Evil Heart series, although cool in the animation, has long been considered a minor presence in reality, not even regarded in entertainment.
"Voltic Ball!"
The Lightning Giant Demon thrust out its palm, the swirling black lightning blasting towards Yugen's side. Silent Magician was shattered amidst the thunderous attack, but after breaking, it immediately opened a new magic vortex.
"When Silent Magician is destroyed by battle or an opponent's effect, Special Summon a Silent Magician monster other than itself from hand or deck, ignoring the summoning conditions.
The silent radiance blossoms at the intersection of chaos and order, Light Magician descends—
—Silent Magician LV8!"
Amidst the surging light, the glow quickly transformed once again into the figure of Silent Magician. It appeared taller, with more pronounced features and a more powerful aura.
[Silent Magician LV8, Attack Power 3500]
"Then I'll set a card, and end my turn."
"My turn, draw," said Yugen. "Activate the set card, Magic Card 'Magic Sealed Treasure Scroll.' Draw two cards from the deck, but as a price, I cannot activate Magic Cards or set cards this turn."
Yugen drew two cards.
"Then summon 'Magical Warrior - Destructors'!"
The red swordsman, holding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, stepped onto the field on a circular array. The magic light ball on his shield promptly lit up.
"Magical Warrior - Destructors gains a mana indicator when successfully summoned, and its attack power increases by 300 points.
But I will activate its second effect. By removing this magic indicator, destroy a Magic or Trap Card on the field."
[Magical Warrior - Destructors, Attack Power 1600→Attack Power 1900→Attack Power 1600]
The Magical Warrior had just landed, and the 300-point attack power promptly transformed into magic sword qi. For him, this was the norm, and he was likely used to it. The sword was already drawn after landing, skillfully cleaving straight at the opponent's backfield.
The Overlord's backfield flipped over, cleaved by the sword qi.
"The card you destroyed is the Trap Card 'Fake Mark,'" said the Overlord. "When Fake Mark is destroyed by a card effect and leaves the field, draw one card from the deck."
The Overlord drew a card from the deck.
But it was slightly unfortunate for him. Fake Mark can draw two cards when destroyed by an opponent's magic effect, but the Magical Warrior's effect is a monster effect, so it didn't trigger.
Moreover, the situation was indeed already unfavorable for him. His Life Points were down to 2300, and Silent Magician defeating the Lightning Giant Demon would deal 1100 points of damage, leaving the Magical Warrior enough to finish the job.
"As long as the attack goes through, it ends... Well, after all, it's Lord Overlord, it won't be that easy to be disappointed, right?" Yugen smiled.
The Overlord: "..."
"Battle," said Yugen. "Silent Magician LV8, attack 'Evil Heart Hero: Thunder Giant Demon'."
White light once again gathered at the tip of the mage's staff, condensing into a massive, dazzling ball of light. A beam of bright white swiftly pierced the long night towards the chest of the Thunder Giant Demon.
As expected, the Overlord revealed his defensive means.
"Special Summon 'Demon-shaped Pestle' in Attack Position!"
Dark streams of light shot forth from the card he revealed in his hand, landing on the ground, transforming into the twisted form of the demon.
[Demon-shaped Pestle, Attack Power 1700]
"A hand trap, huh." Yugen smiled slightly.
Indeed, it wasn't going to be that simple.
"Demon-shaped Pestle can be activated from the hand during either player's battle step. This card is Special Summoned, and you regain 1000 Life Points."
[Overlord, LP2300→ LP3300]
"I know," Yugen said, "and by using this card as a tribute, it can increase the attack power of a monster you control by 1000 points until the end of the next turn.
So, will you sacrifice it?"
"No need," the Overlord replied flatly.
It was only natural. Even if they sacrificed the Demon-shaped Pestle, the attack power of the Lightning Giant Demon would only rise to 3400, still lower than Silent Magician's. The gap was too vast; even a hand trap boost couldn't bridge it.
The Silent Magic Burst continued through, blasting a hole in the Thunder Giant Demon. The Dark Hero groaned, collapsing and shattering explosively.
[Overlord, LP3300→ LP2200]
"But now the Magical Warrior no longer has its mana indicator, and its attack power has dropped back to 1600, not enough to break through the Demon-shaped Pestle."
Yugen shrugged.
"And because of 'Magic Sealed Treasure Scroll's' self-restriction, I can't set cards this turn.
So my turn ends."