Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

As he analyzed the situation on the field, Yusei, a veteran hero player, couldn't help but ponder silently.

In the era of Link Summoning, the normal next step should be to use [Phantom Hero Incremental] and [Phantom Hero Bionic] as materials to perform a Link Summon, pull out the LINK-2 [Special Hero Cross], then activate Cross's effect to revive the Demonic One in the graveyard, and then Tribute the Demonic One to search for Blood Demon D or True Neos in the deck.

While earning cards, you can also get a chance to make a precise search.

Furthermore, after activating its effect, [Special Hero - Crossman] can also be used as material to summon other Hero Monsters such as [Special Hero - Staff Herald], fully demonstrating its inherent value.

"Next, I activate the second effect of [Phantom Hero: Android] to banish [Phantom Hero: Almighty] from my Graveyard and search my Deck for one [Fusion] Spell Card!"

Having completed its final mission, the virtuous man was transformed into fuel and absorbed by the androids.

After that, the android, whose body was bursting with light, shone its searchlight on Edward's deck.

Illuminated by the light, the [Fusion] card, which was originally in the deck, automatically flew out and was caught by Edward, who added it to his hand.

Even after death, his grave was dug up again. This devoted and selfless man died from overwork to a degree comparable to that of the Sky Knight.

"...[Fusion], is that right?"

He narrowed his eyes, watching Edward control Misuzu, a barely perceptible glint flashing in them.

The preliminary preparations are complete; now it's time to get started.

Misuzu, who noticed the fusion card, also realized something: the great monsters of Destiny Heroes were about to appear.

"...I activate the effect of [Destiny HERO - Demonic Man] in my Graveyard, banishing it from the Graveyard, and then Special Summon the same card from my Deck! Come forth! [Destiny HERO - Demonic Man] #2!"

With a black "D" symbol imprinted on her chest, and an appearance of a mad, demonic being nicknamed "Hairy Pants Man," she appeared on the field as Edward called out to her.

Although this monster is a 6-star monster, its basic attributes are quite poor and do not match its star rating at all.

With both attack and defense stats at 800, this demonic being is more suitable as material for special summons than as a combat unit.

"Then, I activate the second effect of [Destiny HERO - Negation]: This card can be Special Summoned from the Graveyard if there is a [Destiny HERO] monster other than [Destiny HERO - Negation] on my field or in my Graveyard."

At this moment, Edward has the presence of [Destiny Hero - Demonic Man] on the field, which meets the activation conditions for Negation Man.

Therefore, the denier, the blond vampire wielding iron chains, appeared beside the demonic man after a flash of black light.

"...At this moment, the once-per-turn effect of [Destiny HERO - Negation Man] will also be triggered. This effect can only be activated if this card is Normal or Special Summoned. Place 1 [Destiny HERO] monster on top of your Deck from your Deck, Graveyard, or banished monsters... Needless to say, I chose the [Destiny HERO - Demonic Man] that was just banished!"

"The conditions for summoning have been met; now it's time for this card to make its appearance!"

"Place the Demonic Man No. 1, which should currently be in the banished zone, back to the top of the deck," Edward said, raising his arm and sweeping it to pick up the three monsters from the Duel Disk: [Phantom HERO - Android], [Phantom HERO - Incremental], and [Destiny HERO - Demonic], placing them in the Graveyard. Then, he slammed a card from his hand onto the Duel Disk: "...I Tribute these three monsters, Android, Incremental, and Demonic, to Special Summon—[Destiny HERO - Doctrine]!!!"

-

【Hero of Destiny·Righteous One】

(Warrior/Dark/8-star/Attack: 3400/Defense: 2400)

Special Summon/Effect:

This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned by Tributing 3 monsters you control that include a "Destiny HERO" monster.

This method allows you to activate this effect during your opponent's next Standby Phase if this card is successfully Special Summoned. Your opponent's Life Points are halved.

-

Enormous black wings unfurled in the wind, and a demon wearing a terrifying bull's head mask appeared above everyone's heads, wielding a judgment sword in his right hand, accompanied by a deep dark light.

With an intense pressure, the believers descended from the sky at lightning speed, stirring up gusts of wind.

Then, he released a spiritual pressure that firmly locked onto Misuchi's body opposite him.

"..."

Locked onto by the aura of the monster with an attack power of 3400, Misuzu Tomo didn't suffer any real damage, but she still subconsciously frowned.

As expected of Edward... He was able to summon such a powerful monster in the very first round with minimal cost!

Although they were rivals, she couldn't help but admire Edward's strength.

"The effect of [Destiny HERO - Demonic Man] in the graveyard activates again, banishing itself and then summoning a card with the same name from the deck..."

Holding the Demonic Man No. 1, who had previously returned to the top of the deck from another dimension through the effect of negation, Edward summoned him to his field: "Reappear! [Destiny HERO - Demonic Man]!"

Shaking his head like a madman, the demonic figure circled around and returned to Edward's side.

Yusei: "The Fusion Spell Card and two Destiny HERO cards are already gathered, so what's next..."

Even when facing Misuzu, his childhood friend, Edward, who had taken the first strike, had no intention of holding back.

She glanced at Misuzu across from her, then expressionlessly thrust the Fusion Spell Card from her hand into the back row of the Duel Disk: "Spell Card [Fusion] activated! I will perform a Fusion Summon using [Destiny HERO Negator] and [Destiny HERO Demon] on my field as materials!"

The vortex representing the fusion summoning appeared before her as Edward's voice faded.

After absorbing the [Destiny Hero - Denial Man] and [Destiny Hero - Demonic Man] used as materials, a deep, dark aura that devoured light erupted from the very center of the vortex.

"Heroes destined for victory! Heroes who shatter the rock of fate, now unite as one and reign supreme over the dark future!"

"...Fusion Summon, Come on! [Destiny Hero - Anti-Utopia] (Warrior/Dark/8-Star/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400)!!!"

Holding a dark purple sphere filled with destructive energy in each palm, the hero, wearing a golden D-mask, emerged from the vortex of fusion, revealing his form.

Gold and purple armor covered his body; the warrior of Dark Utopia had officially arrived.

"At this moment, the effect of [Destiny HERO - Dystopian] activates! If this card is Special Summoned, you can target 1 Level 4 or lower 'Destiny HERO' monster in your Graveyard; inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's ATK."

"Mizuchi... I choose the 3-star [Destiny Hero - Negation Man] and give you his attack power value, which is 1100 points of effect damage!"

"……Well!"

Facing Miju's direction, the dystopians raised their arms.

As he moved, a black sphere separated from his hand, carrying the energy of negation, and flew towards where Mijuchi was.

When her body came into contact with the energy ball, even though it wasn't a dark duel, the damage had already been reduced layer by layer by the Duel Disk. However, as Misuzu suffered this damage, she still subconsciously let out a muffled groan, and her health points dropped by 1100 points.

(Saiō Mijuchi LP: 4000→2900)

"Well done, Edward! Keep it up!"

They came in with a show of force right from the start!

Seeing the skill that Edward displayed, Jaden Yuki couldn't help but clap and cheer, and he also let out a heartfelt exclamation.

"...Finally, it's this card!"

Having summoned both [Destiny Hero - The Doctrine] and [Destiny Hero - The Dependency Hero], Edward's actions were far from over.

As she said this, she also showed one of her cards to everyone present: "Fusion Spell Card - [Fusion Fate] activated! This card is different from ordinary Fusion; its effect allows me to use monsters from my Deck as Fusion Material when performing a [Fate HERO] Monster Fusion Summon!"

Powerful effects naturally come with a price.

Monsters Fusion Summoned by the effect of [Fusion Fate] will be destroyed during the End Phase of the next turn.

Furthermore, after activating [Fusion Fate], Edward cannot Special Summon any [Hero] monster that is not DARK Attribute until the end of the turn.

However, even with all these negative effects, [Fusion of Fate] is still an extremely powerful card!

"...Go! I'm sending the Level 4 [Destiny HERO Divine Man] and the Level 6 [Destiny HERO Sprinter] from my deck to the Graveyard for this final Fusion Summon!"

With a slight upturn of his lips, as if he could already see the despair about to appear on Misuzu's face, Edward smiled gently, then shouted out the monster's name: "...Phoenix reborn from the ashes, break free from the shackles of fate and soar towards the endless future!"

"Fusion Summoning, Come on! [Destiny Hero - Phoenix of Destruction]!"

The black volcanic rock burst open, from which flowed countless red, high-temperature lava flows.

A dark shadow surged out of the volcano and finally stopped above everyone's heads.

Its blood-red wings obscured the surrounding light, spreading out freely and unrestrainedly to the left and right.

The immortal phoenix, bearing the name of destruction, broke through the seal of the black stone, spreading its oppressive aura far and wide.

The most beautiful new life—the Phoenix of Destruction—has arrived!

His arrival will bring Ed Phoenix a glimmer of hope for victory!

"Bury a card, end the turn."

Having concluded the entire turn's development, Edward Special Summoned three high-level Destiny HERO monsters in one go during the first turn: [Destiny HERO - Theorist], [Destiny HERO - Dystopian], and [Destiny HERO - Phoenix of Destruction].

Furthermore, at this point, she still had two cards in her hand after finishing with the card.

It's like summoning a powerful monster with just one card in your hand, a pure windfall!

"...As expected of you, Edward, you have lived up to my expectations."

Having witnessed Edward's actions throughout, Misuzu's eyes couldn't help but show admiration. After nodding in approval, she waved her hand and drew the top card of her deck: "My turn, draw!"

550 Soul Monsters with Lockdown Effect

"...At this very moment, the effect of [Destiny HERO - The Doctrine] activates! If this card is Special Summoned, during your opponent's next Standby Phase, reduce their Life Points to half!"

Aiming at Misuzu's preparation phase after drawing a card, Edward waved his hand and activated the Theocratic Monster effect.

Two golden halos enveloped the bodies of the Christian and Mijuchi at the same moment Ed's words fell.

When one party's life points are depleted, they are transferred to the other party's body.

As the heretic raised his longsword, Misutomo clearly felt his life force uncontrollably draining from his body, eventually reducing it to half its current value...

(Saiō Mijuchi LP: 2900→1450)

"..."

Before it even started, most of its health points had already disappeared.

Even though she had anticipated this situation, Misuzu still couldn't help but frown.

However, after seeing the card she had just drawn, her brows relaxed.

Because she already has cards that can clear the field.

“Ed… even though we’re on opposite sides now, I have to admit you are indeed an extremely powerful duelist.” Giving high praise to Ed’s performance, Misuzu then changed the subject, saying, “However! I’ve already studied your tactics!”

"What you plan to do, and how you intend to carry it out—all of this is part of my plan..."

"……What's the meaning?"

Hearing Misuzu's words, Edward subconsciously frowned.