Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

"Although I don't know what this monster's effects are, if its attack power is only 2300, it won't be able to break through the Diamond Dragon's 2800 defense, right?"

Upon seeing the monster that appeared before him, Daichi Misawa couldn't help but furrow his brow.

He was quite concerned about the rank suffix following the monster's name.

“Mizawa is right. The Black Flame Dragon’s attack power is only 2300. It’s okay to target a mathematician with an attack power of 1500, but it’s far from enough to target a Diamond Dragon with a defense power of 2800…”

A thoughtful expression appeared on Asuka's face, and her brows furrowed slightly.

"He must have some other strategy."

With his arms crossed, Ryo Marufuji spoke calmly.

Being assigned to Obelisk Blue shows that Manjoume is not an incompetent good-for-nothing.

Manjoume must have had his own reasons for doing this.

"Huh...? Why is it the Black Flame Dragon? What happened to the [Infernal Demon - Hellfire Demon]?"

Looking at the fire-attribute dragon monster summoned by Manjoume, Yusei couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, revealing a puzzled expression.

In the original work, Manjoume should have sacrificed all his cards and monsters on the field at this point to summon the [Infernal Demon - Hellfire Demon] with an attack power of 2800...

Instead of the demon, a black flame dragon that had never appeared in the anime appeared...

"Interesting... Will we have to go through a tier-up next?!"

Seeing the unexpected scene, Yusei couldn't help but touch his chin before turning his attention back to the dueling arena.

"Hmph! Misawa! You'll see you're wrong soon enough!"

"Let me show you my strength, second only to Caesar in Obelisk Blue!" With a smug laugh, Manjoume activated the magic card in his hand.

"I send the [Horus Black Flame Dragon LV6] on the field to the Graveyard, and activate the Spell Card [Level Up!] from my hand. Ignoring the Summoning conditions, I Special Summon [Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8] (Dragon/FIRE/Level 8/ATK 3000/DEF 1800) from my hand and Deck!"

As the magic card was activated, the Black Flame Dragon LV6 in mid-air was gradually enveloped by a burst of black flames, which, like an eggshell, tightly encased the Black Flame Dragon LV6.

After a short while, the egg-shaped black flame was pierced by a sharp claw.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, a gigantic eagle-headed dragon-man, waving its enormous wings and carrying the force of wind-breaking, descended before Wan Zhangmu.

The black flame that had originally enveloped its body was completely absorbed into its abdomen.

Just as Yusei had predicted, he summoned the Black Flame Dragon LV6 and immediately upgraded it to LV8!

Although [Horus the Black Dragon LV6] is not affected by Spell Card effects, the Graveyard effect of [Level Up!] is a cost card. It is a Spell Card that activates its effect only after sending the Black Dragon LV6 to the Graveyard, which is why the Black Dragon was able to successfully level up to LV8.

What's more, the card art for "Level Up!" features Horus Black Flame Dragon LV6 soaring with wings spread amidst black flames... If you can't level up, wouldn't that be like slapping yourself in the face?

"【Horus's Black Flame Dragon LV8】...So it really has upgraded?" The bad premonition came true. Looking at the black and gold dragon that appeared in front of him, Misawa Daichi finally broke out in a sweat.

"Oh no! Attack power 3000... This means Manjoume can break through the Diamond Dragon's defense!" Jaden Yuki exclaimed in surprise as he looked at the Black Flame Dragon LV8, whose attack power was comparable to the legendary dragon, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

"That kid Manjoume actually has such a trump card... It seems I underestimated him!" Professor Kunonos touched his nose, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

Professor Kunonos originally thought that the [VWXYZ-Dragon Power Cannon] (attack power 3000) he gave to Manjoume was already Manjoume's trump card, but he didn't expect that this kid actually had such a powerful dragon monster in his own hands!

"It's not over yet! Misawa! I'm targeting the [Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8] on the field, and I'm activating the Equip Spell Card [Explosive Flame Piercing Strike] from my hand!"

-

【Explosion Penetration】

(Equipment Magic)

effect:

Equip the monster and increase its attack power by 400.

When an equipped monster attacks a defense-positioned monster, if its attack power exceeds that defense power, inflict battle damage equal to that amount on the opponent's Life Points.

When this card leaves the field, the equipped monster is banished.

-

"Huh? Why isn't Manjoume attacking the [Mathematician]? His attack power should be lower, right?" Marufuji Sho couldn't help but ask, watching Manjoume's actions.

The series of events unfolding by Wan Zhang Mu are clearly aimed at breaking through the Diamond Dragon's defenses.

If the goal is simply to destroy the mathematician, then a Death Knight with an attack power of 1900 is more than enough; there is no need to summon a powerful monster like the Black Flame Dragon.

"You think I don't know? Misawa! When the [Mathematician] card is destroyed in battle and sent to the graveyard, you can draw a card from your deck."

Before Yusei and the others could speak, Manjoume, who was beaming with pride as he summoned the ace card from his deck, immediately answered Marufuji Sho's question.

207 Manjoume: How can you fight me if you seal the magic cards?

The reason why Manjoume gave up the suppressive effect of [Dead Knight] and instead summoned [Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8] from his deck was mainly to take the initiative back from Misawa Daichi.

After all, the Death Knight's self-destruct effect is easily tricked, and if you're not careful, Manjoume will be left with an empty field...

Moreover, as a 7-star dragon monster, Diamond Dragon has 2800 defense and 2100 attack, surpassing the Death Knight. If Misawa Daichi switches to offense and lets Diamond Dragon attack in the next turn, Manjoume's situation will become even more awkward...

"emmm..."

Misawa Daichi merely narrowed his eyes indifferently at Manjou's statement.

"Hehehe, I won't let you have that chance to draw a card!"

"The effect of the Equip Spell [Blazing Pierce] is activated! Black Flame Dragon LV8, equipped with this card, gains 400 ATK and gains the effect of piercing defense!"

(Attack power of Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8: 3000 → 3400)

Pointing at the slightly flustered Misawa Daichi, Manjoume confidently entered the battle phase: "Even if your Diamond Dragon is in Defense Mode, don't think you can escape the Black Flame Dragon's attack!"

Before the Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8 equipped with [Explosive Flame Penetration], all defenses are futile.

"Battle has begun! [Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8] attacks [Diamond Dragon]!"

"Disappear! You eyesore of a monster! Flame of Destruction!"

Wan Zhangmu gave the order to attack the Diamond Dragon to the Black Flame Dragon in front of him. After receiving the order, the Black Flame Dragon roared towards the sky and then flapped its black and gold wings and flew back into the air.

Facing the Diamond Dragon, which was on guard, the Black Flame Dragon opened its mouth and spat out the black flames it had previously absorbed.

The black flames, carrying an aura of destruction, rushed straight towards the diamond dragon.

Faced with the approaching black flames, the diamond dragon sensed something was wrong and instinctively tightened its body, wrapping itself completely in its wings.

However, this was all in vain. Under the scorching heat of the destructive black flames, the diamond dragon's body, harder than gold, slowly began to melt...

After letting out a painful howl, the Diamond Dragon finally collapsed in the black flames, turning into particles of light and disappearing from the field.

Having lost its target, the black flames returned to the Black Flame Dragon's body, and the residual force of the flames caused Misawa Daichi to lose 600 health points.

(LP of Misawa Daichi: 4000 → 3400)

"Round over! Hehehehehe!! Misawa, you deserve to be in such a sorry state! Who told you to underestimate me!" With a gloating laugh, Manjoume ended his turn.

(Manjō-moku's hand: 5→2)

"My turn, draw a card!"

Misawa drew a card from his deck and immediately activated a spell card from his hand: "I activate the spell card [Monster Resurrection] from my hand to revive [Deuterium Dragon], which was sent to the Graveyard last turn!"

"Ha! Don't even think about succeeding!"

Seeing that Daichi Misawa was about to activate a Spell Card to bring the 2000 ATK Water-type Dinosaur back to the field from his Graveyard, Manjoume immediately activated the monster effect of Horus Black Dragon LV8: "[Horus Black Dragon LV8] effect activated! As long as this card is face-up on the field, I may freely choose whether to negate the activation of a Spell Card and destroy it!"

"Black Flame Dragon! Nullify and destroy Misawa's [Monster Resurrection]!"

Under Manjou's command, the Black Flame Dragon once again unleashed destructive black flames, incinerating the [Resurrection of the Dead] that had been shining brightly before Misawa Daichi into nothingness...

“But, in that case, Black Flame Dragon has already activated its effect... Misawa can now proceed with confidence, right…” Marufuji Sho said with some relief as he watched [Monster Resurrection] disappear from the field engulfed by the black flames.

Just like with the previous [Dead Knight], you always have to sacrifice one card to trigger a trap...

"Hahahaha!!! How naive! So incredibly naive!"

"Let me be blunt: as long as Black Flame Dragon LV8 is on the field, your spell cards will be negated and destroyed. This effect isn't limited to once per turn!"

Seeing Misawa Daichi suffer a setback at his hands, Manjoume, who was once again smug, couldn't help but let out a triumphant laugh. He also showed a mocking smile on his face when Marufuji Sho made a statement.

I've sealed away the magic cards you used to unleash your spells. Let's see how you fight me now!

Serves you right, Misawa! Just accept your fate, lose, and drop out of school!

Going against me, this is what you deserve!

"What?! Is that even possible?" Upon hearing about the effects of Black Flame Dragon LV8, everyone except Yusei and Manjoume couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Marufuji Sho, who had just felt fortunate for Misawa Daichi, couldn't help but shrink back.

"Hmm...this is a bit troublesome!"

After his interrupted speech, Misawa Daichi wiped the sweat from his brow and began to consider his next tactic.

【Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8】has the ability to negate and destroy the activation of a Spell Card without limit on the number of times it can be used. Except for some pseudo-4-speed cards (such as 【Super Polymerization】), none can escape its suppression.

In other words, whenever Daichi Misawa intends to activate a magic card, it will be directly negated and destroyed by the effect of Black Flame Dragon.

Compared to the unstable suppression effect of [Dead Knight], [Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8] is obviously much stronger! At least for now, Misawa Daichi's magic cards are facing the fate of being sealed.

His original plan to use the spell card [Chemical Combination - H2O] to summon [Water Dragon] from his deck is now ruined...

"Mizawa's situation is getting rather precarious..."

Looking at the situation on the dueling field, Yusei couldn't help but sigh.

On the field of Wan Zhang Mu, there is the "Horus Black Flame Dragon LV8" equipped with "Explosive Blaze," which can negate and destroy the activation of magic cards an unlimited number of times, and has an attack power of up to 3400.

On Misawa Daichi's field, there was only the [Mathematician] in attack position (1500 ATK) and a face-down card. After [Monster Reborn] was countered by the effect of Black Flame Dragon LV8, he only had three cards left in his hand...

Faced with this extremely unbalanced situation, what are your plans to do next, Misawa?

208 Chemical Combination Activated! Water Dragon - Cluster!

Putting myself in their shoes, if it were Yusei, he would decisively give Manjoume an 8-star monster at this moment! Turning [Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8] directly into food for the turtle Kaibun.

No matter how invincible you are, you don't accept any effects, and you can negate any card...

It's all in vain against a powerful sea turtle!