Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Compared to the early days when he could just summon Winged Warriors and then wait to get beaten up at the end of his turn, Jaden Yuki has grown a lot.

His main summoned units have gradually transitioned from the original lower-level elemental heroes to the current lower-level new space heroes.

"My turn! Draw a card!"

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Iwamaru, who was being watched intently through the mirror by Misuzu, waved his hand and drew the top card of his deck.

+【,

Unlike Jaden Yuki, he had clearly come to understand his current situation.

If he loses this duel, then what awaits him next will undoubtedly be the fate of being sucked into the mirror...

"No matter what, I can't fall here!" Clenching his right fist, Iwamaru silently made up his mind, pulled out a card from his hand, and pointed it at Jaden Yuki: "First... I activate the effect of [Earth Emperor's Retainer Ranrob] (Rock/EARTH/Level 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 1000) in my hand. I can target 1 face-up monster on your opponent's field. Special Summon this card from your hand, and change the targeted monster to face-down Defense Position. This turn, I cannot Special Summon monsters from my Extra Deck."

"My chosen target is naturally the Defense Position Elemental HERO Neos! At the same time as my monster is Special Summoned, Neos, turn face down!"

As Iwamaru's voice faded, the small stone golem, supporting itself with one hand, revealed its form amidst a cloud of yellow sand.

As a retainer of the emperor, this monster may not have high attributes, but its appearance gives people a strange feeling that it should not be underestimated.

Furthermore, just as Iwamaru said, at the same time that [Earth Emperor's retainer Ranrobu] was Special Summoned into the field in Defense Position, the Neosword that was guarding in front of Jaden Yuki was also forcibly turned into a face-down Defense Position by an irresistible force.

"Next, I will activate the Continuous Spell Card from my hand—[Emperor's Rock Splitter]!"

-

【The Emperor's Rock-Opening】

(Continuous Magic Card)

effect:

The second effect of "Emperor's Rock Crack" can only be used once per turn.

①: As long as this card is in the Spell & Trap Zone, you cannot Special Summon monsters from your Extra Deck.

②: When you successfully Tribute Summon a monster face-up, you can activate one of the following effects.

● Add 1 monster with 2400 ATK and 1000 DEF, whose name is different from the monster summoned by the Triple Summon, from your Deck to your hand.

● Add 1 monster with 2800 ATK and 1000 DEF, whose name is different from the monster summoned by the Triple Summon, from your Deck to your hand.

-

"I hereby offer [Lanrobu, a retainer of the Earth Emperor] as a sacrifice to perform a superior summoning!"

Iwamaru activated his magic card and then held the Emperor Card, which represented his power, in his hand alone.

With a resolute expression, he replaced the [Earth Emperor's retainer Lanrob] that had been placed there, slamming it onto his duel disk: "...Descend! [Earth Emperor Granmar] (Rock/Earth/6-star/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000/)!!!"

A vast expanse of yellow sand swept through the surrounding space, obscuring everyone's view.

As [Lanrobu, a retainer of the Earth Emperor] was released into light, the towering giant, clad in heavy plate armor, revealed its majestic form amidst the soaring sandstorm.

Among the six emperors, the Earth Emperor is the largest in size, with a body as majestic and enormous as a mountain.

The moment it appeared, it exuded an extremely powerful sense of intimidation!

"...[Earth Emperor Granmar]'s effect activated: If this card is Tribute Summoned, target one face-down card on the field and destroy it!"

"Then... since I performed a Tribute Summon, the effect of the Continuous Spell Card [Emperor's Rock Cleaver] will also be triggered, and I will add [Emperor Testaros] from my deck to my hand!"

A double chain sound rang out simultaneously as Iwamaru waved his arm, activating the effects of both cards at the same time.

"...Destroy the cover card? Iwamaru is aiming at Jaden's backcourt, isn't he?" Hearing Iwamaru's explanation, Misawa instinctively looked towards Jaden's backcourt.

Based on his understanding of Jaden Yuki, this face-down card is very likely the classic trap card – [Hero Mark].

A card that allows you to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Elemental HERO monster from your hand or Deck when a monster on your field is destroyed by battle.

"Ha...naive!"

As Iwamaru gradually regained his fighting spirit and his mindset calmed down, his anxiety dissipated considerably compared to before.

After waving his arm at everyone, he offered a friendly reminder: "Have you all forgotten that besides Spell & Trap Cards, Jaden Yuki also has a face-down card on his field!"

"Gaika... Could it be?!"

Frowning, Yusei noticed a blind spot in everyone's field of vision.

Generally speaking, when people talk about the backcourt, they immediately look towards the area behind the court.

But actually... cards in the front row can also be turned into face-down cards!

The destruction effect of [Earth Emperor Granmar] does not specifically target Spell/Trap Cards.

In other words, as long as the specific conditions for activating the effect are met, it can destroy even a monster card!

"...That's right, so someone finally noticed? Just like you thought!"

With a triumphant stretch of his arm, Iwamaru immediately declared loudly, "Based on the effect of [Earth Emperor Granmar], I will destroy [Elemental HERO Neos], which is currently in face-down defense position!"

By cooperating with the lower-level monster [Lanrob, a retainer of the Earth Emperor], [Granmar, the Earth Emperor] can eliminate the opponent's powerful monsters as soon as they appear on the field.

In cases where the inside is damaged, effects of other types, in addition to some inherent resistances, will also lose their effectiveness!

544 Combo Emperor

"Go! [Earth Emperor Granmar], destroy the Neo-Universe shown on the inside!"

With a swing of his arm, Iwamaru activated the Earth Emperor's destructive effect on the face-down cards on the field.

With Neosman in sight, Earth Emperor swung his massive iron fist, dragging his body toward Jaden Yuki while simultaneously blasting his monster into tiny golden fragments.

"...Ugh! Neo Universe Knight!"

Seeing his monster destroyed, Jaden Yuki instinctively let out a cry of surprise.

After glancing at his card, which hadn't triggered the conditions, his outstretched arm froze in mid-air at the same moment.

After thinking for a moment, he could only helplessly pick up Neos from the Duel Disk and put it in his graveyard.

"Next, I enter the battle phase! [Earth Emperor Granmar] (Attack Power: 2400) Ah! Attack [New Universe Connector] (Attack Power: 800)!"

"...Take this! Impact Hammer!!!"

After destroying the Neo-Universe, the Earth Emperor did not rush to leave Jaden Yuki's side. Instead, like a human, he crossed his arms and adopted a leisurely posture.

After Iwamaru gave the new instructions, the Earth Emperor opened his arms again and launched a very powerful attack on another monster of Jaden Yuki.

The iron fist, carrying the force of breaking through the wind, sent the [New Universe Connector] flying to the other side of space and time.

The difference in attack power between the two, 2400 minus 800, resulted in a full 1600 points of damage, which, along with the sound of the monster's explosion coming from the distant sky, was simultaneously fed back to Jaden Yuki!

"...Gu!"

(Yujo Judai LP: 4000 → 2400)

"Ha! Is this all the power you have, Judai Yuki!"

"If that's all there is to it, then I'm really disappointed!"

After clearing out all the monsters on Jaden's field in one combo, Iwamaru, having accomplished this feat, did not show much joy on his face.

In fact, given his calm and unassuming nature and aversion to fighting, he would never have wanted to engage in this distorted duel with Yuki Judai if it weren't for Saiou Mijuchi's death order.

After all, they had no grudges against Jaden Yuki and Yusei, and Iwamaru and Enmaru weren't the warmongers like Hyomaru and Raimaru who felt restless if they didn't play cards for a day.

Therefore, if possible, Iwamaru would not want to escalate this friendly duel to a life-or-death struggle.

He even regretted accepting Judai's invitation earlier.

If he hadn't been transferred here, if he had stopped Enmaru's provocation and slacking off back then...

Now, the situation is very likely to be quite different, isn't it?

Whether you win or lose...

A duel should be a joyful thing!

"Iwamaru, is this your resolve? Then... I'll show you my duel!"

Hearing the provocative voice coming from Iwamaru's side, Jaden Yuki paused for a moment before opening his face-down card in the back row: "...At the very moment my monster is destroyed by battle, I open my face-down card in the back row! Activate the effect of the Trap Card [Hero Mark]!"

"...When a monster on my field is destroyed, I can Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Elemental HERO monster from my hand or Deck!"

Just as Misawa Daichi had predicted, the card that Yuki Jaden had hidden on the field was the trap card that could summon Elemental HERO from the deck—Hero Mark!

As Jaden Yuki's voice faded, a searchlight shone above its head.

The displayed symbol is the double scimitar symbol representing the [Elemental Heroes]!

"Using the effect of a Trap Card, I Special Summon this monster from my Deck. Come forth! Elemental HERO Mist Lady!"

Opening his deck, Jaden Yuki selected a card and slammed it onto his Duel Disk.

As Jaden Yuki moved, the female hero, whose body was covered in black, form-fitting armor and shrouded in ghostly mist, also came to stand in front of him, one hand on her hip.

Shadow Mist Lady (Attack Power: 1000)

Iwamaru: "Elemental Heroes... Mistress of the Shadows?"

Jaden Yuki: "...That's right! The moment it's Special Summoned, the effect of [Elemental HERO Lady of the Mist] will also be activated! I can add one [Change] Quick-Play Spell Card from my Deck to my hand!"

As he said this, Jaden Yuki, just like Yusei had done countless times in the past, added the Quick-Play Spell Card—[Mask Change]—to his hand from his deck.

"...Is it coming, Friend Hero?"

Noticing Jaden Yuki's actions, the memories etched into everyone's DNA were awakened.

After glancing subconsciously at Yusei, the source of all evil, they tacitly returned their gaze to the dueling arena before them.

In any case... targeting the Earth Emperor is something Jaden Yuki will have to do in the next round.

"Special Summon, huh? Then... I'll set up two cards, end of turn!"

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Iwamaru pondered for a moment before covering his two cards in the back row.

One of them was the same one Yusei and the others had seen before, the one that allowed them to use the opponent's monster as a sacrifice for their own superior summoning, "Emperor's Whirlwind." And the other one…

"This card will be a huge surprise for Jaden Yuki. No matter what kind of monster he summons, he won't be able to escape the shackles of this combination..."

Iwamaru turned his gaze to the card in front of him, and his expression returned to calm.