Want to play cards? I'll use my King's Deck!

Looking at the original DM series, there are only three characters: Kaiba, Jonouchi, and Rafael. By this standard, his evaluation of Yuki can be said to be very high.

It's important to understand that not just anyone can live up to Atum's title of "true duelist."

But despite her joy, You Xi still faces a problem.

Atum pointed it out.

"Yu Xi, that 'Sword of Light' was supposed to be your trump card, wasn't it? You were planning to catch me off guard when I used the effect of 'Eternal Soul' to increase my hand size, and decide the outcome in one round, but unfortunately, you miscalculated."

"I've still kept my last 500 LP, and you know what's going to happen next."

"……I see."

In an attempt to deliver a decisive blow, Yuki has already used up too many of his cards, maximizing his card disadvantage.

Next, Atum will definitely attack without mercy, giving him no chance to breathe. Yuxi will have to swallow the bitter pill of failing to defeat his opponent despite giving his all.

"But in other words, as long as I can withstand this wave of attacks, I still have a chance."

Yu Xi took a deep breath, exhaled, and placed the last card in her hand into the slot of the Duel Disk.

"Main Phase 2, I activate the Spell Card: 'Curtain of Dark Magic'!"

【Dark Magic Veil (Normal Spell): You can activate this spell by paying 1000 Life Points. Special Summon 1 DARK Spellcaster monster from your hand or Graveyard.】

"Pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon 'Witch of the Dark Forest' from the Graveyard in Defense Position."

"The Witch of the Black Forest, DEF: 1200"

[Yu Xi's LP: 7000 → 6000]

Yuki originally intended to use this magic card to revive "Chaos Dark Magician," so that he could recycle and activate "Monster Recycle" to draw 5 more cards to regroup.

However, this is no longer possible now that Chaos Dark Magician was resurrected by Atem in advance. "Chaos Dark Magician" has the effect of being banished from the field and is no longer in the graveyard.

As a second choice, Yuki opted for "The Witch of the Black Forest," which can retrieve hand-held pots and "electronic pots."

His deck also includes "Anka Kuriboh," and his graveyard has "Cleanse Kuriboh," which can block up to 4 attacks. Plus, he has plenty of LP to use as a shield, so it should be... enough.

"My turn is over."

Chapter 103: The Final Duel! The Gap and Recognition

"My turn, draw a card!"

Rounds alternate.

As Yuxi announced the end of the turn, Atum also raised his hand and drew a new card.

As Atum drew the card, the "Dark Magician" who had just displayed great power and enabled Yuxi to achieve the feat of slaying a god also vanished like a dream – this was the side effect of "Death's Sin Treasure - Blood Bat".

The monster that receives its effect will be sent to the Graveyard during the next turn's Standby Phase, and after a brief period of brilliance, it will meet its demise.

Now Yuxi only has "The Witch of the Black Forest" left on the field. He needs to rely on "The Witch's" last words and "Clean Kuriboh" in the graveyard to survive Atum's turn, and then try to launch a counterattack in the next turn.

In this respect, the decks are largely the same, and Atem, who has checked both players' graveyards through the effect of "Anka Kuriboh", is naturally aware of this.

What made Yu Xi uneasy was that Atum did not show any signs of distress or trouble on his face, only letting out a soft laugh.

"It can withstand up to four attacks, which would be quite troublesome under normal circumstances, and it's a very strong and sturdy defense. But that won't stop me, Yu Xi."

I have witnessed the power you now possess. In response to your defeat of God, I will unleash my full power this round!

"Use all your strength...!"

Upon hearing this, Youxi's expression hardened. So, Mr. Atum was holding back after all.

Under his solemn gaze, Atum placed a bright green card into his field slot.

"—I activate a field spell from my hand: 'Broken Gaia'! And immediately use its effect."

The ground rumbled and trembled, and a layer of flames, symbolizing fighting spirit and will to fight, ignited, forming a huge circle that surrounded Yuxi and Atum.

No one can escape this battle.

"Not good!"

Yu Xi looked around at the flames and realized that some terrible crisis was about to occur.

I never expected it to be this card...!

“1回合1次，把手卡的1只龙族·5星的怪兽给对方观看才能发动，从卡组将1张「暗黑骑士 盖亚」怪兽加入手卡。”

Atum flipped one of his cards over to reveal it.

"What I'm going to demonstrate is 'The Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon,' which adds 'Gaia, the Dark Knight of the Gale' from my deck to my hand. Then, I tribute 'The Swordsman of Dragon Destruction - Swordsman of Destruction' to Tribute Summon 'The Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon'!"

"Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon, Level 5/Dark/Dragon" "ATK: 2000/DEF: 1500"

The attack reduction effect of "Death's Sin Treasure - Bloodbat" is permanent. "Dragon Destroyer Swordsman", who only had 300 attack power and had never fought a single battle, was put to good use by Atem without hesitation. Under the guidance of the light of his liberation, the new form of "Cursed Dragon" roared down.

"The effect of 'Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon' activates!"

[If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can activate this effect. Add 1 Spell/Trap Card with "Gaia the Dragon Knight" in its name from your Deck to your hand.]

"I'm adding 'Spiral Fusion' to my hand and activating this Spell Card immediately!"

The retrieved card is played, and the spreading spiral fusion effect explodes on Atem's field.

"Use this card's effect to fuse 'Cursed Dragon - Cursed Dragon' with 'Gaia the Dark Knight of Gale' in my hand!"

Fusion Summon! Be born, "Gaia, the Sky-Soaring Dragon Knight!"

"Gaia, the Sky Dragon Knight, Level 7/Wind/Dragon/Fusion" "ATK: 2600/DEF: 2100"

"【Dark Knight Gaia】Monster + Dragon Monster"

"While this card is in the Monster Zone, its name is treated as [Dragon Knight Gaia]."

Emerging from the spreading fusion effect is a brand new dragon knight.

When Yuki first traveled to this world, he summoned the original "Dragon Knight Gaia" during his duel with Hoshino. Later, during his duel with Touka, he also wanted to activate a new fusion of Gaia, but Touka stopped him.

But now, Atum has taken the lead in completing this fusion that Yuxi failed to finish.

But this was the worst news for Youxi.

"The 'Spiral Fusion' has a follow-up effect: when 'Dragon Knight Gaia' is Fusion Summoned, that monster's ATK increases by 2600. Therefore, 'Sky Dragon Knight Gaia's' ATK becomes 5200. Then, 'Sky Dragon Knight's' effect activates!"

[If this card is Special Summoned: You can activate this effect. Add 1 "Spiral Shot" from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.]

"I'm adding the Continuous Spell 'Spiral Shot' to my hand and activating it. As long as this card is on the field, when 'Dragon Knight Gaia' attacks a Defense Position monster, it inflicts battle damage to the opponent equal to the difference between the monster's ATK and DEF—Here we go, Yuuki! This is the final battle phase!"

Summoning a brand new ace, in the arena where the legendary god has retreated, Atem raises his arm and declares loudly—

"Gaia, the Sky-Soaring Dragon Knight, attacks! Sky-Soaring Spiral Shot, kill!!"

As the attack name was shouted, the "Sky Dragon Knight," whose attack power had been doubled, leaped into the air and descended from the sky amidst the surrounding flames, piercing through the "Witch of the Black Forest" with its spear.

—The Witch of the Black Forest destroys.

[Yu Xi's LP: 6000 → 2000]

Under the effect of the Continuous Spell: Spiral Shot, "Sky Dragon Knight" gains the power to pierce through defense monsters, and the 4000-point battle damage causes Yuki's LP to plummet instantly.

However, what made Yuki's heart sink even further was that the effect of "The Witch of the Black Forest" did not activate due to the decrease in LP.

The reason for this is—

"Field Spell: 'Broken Gaia's' effect prevents your opponent from activating card effects during the Battle Phase while you control 'Dragon Knight Gaia'. Therefore, neither 'Witch of the Black Forest' nor 'Cleansing Kuriboh' can activate their effects."

With his battle-tier three-seal ability, this is why Atem chose to fight using "Dragon Knight Gaia." This prevents Yuki from using the combined defense of her last words and the graveyard to withstand his attacks.

This also signifies the outcome of the duel.

"It's over, Yuuki! The effect of the Continuous Trap: Eternal Soul has activated! Revive, Dark Magician!"

"Black Magician, ATK: 2500"

The light within the stone slab shone, and the "Black Magician" who had been sleeping within it returned, raising his staff towards Yuki, who was now in an empty space.

"The Dark Magician attacks directly! [Dark Magician]!!"

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!"

[Yu Xi's LP: 2000 → 0]

The dark magic erupted at close range, impacting Youxi and sending him flying far away.

With LP reduced to 0, the duel ended, and the Pokémon who could only watch this trial ceremony from the sidelines could finally stop standing idly by.

A flash of light appeared on the stone slab, and the spirit of the "Black Magic Girl" emerged, acting as a soft cushion to hug Yuki who was flying backward from behind.

"Are you alright, Master?"

"I'm fine, thank you, Mana."

Feeling the fullness and softness behind the girl, Youxi said somewhat awkwardly.

He got up from the dark magician's arms. Besides Mana, there were many other elves around who were preparing to catch him, but they were all a step slower than the dark magician.

"I never expected to lose like this." You Xi sighed with some regret and resentment. "I thought I could hold on a little longer."

"Even so, it was still a very exciting duel. Master, you did a fantastic job."

“Mana is right, it was a spectacular duel. Even in my memory, there aren’t many duels that can compare to it.”

The duel was over, but Atum, the trial officer and the victor, did not disappear immediately.

As he put away his duel disk, he smiled and affirmed the duel that had just taken place, before changing the subject.

"However, Yuki, do you know why you lost to me? The answer is—[You thought I was the strongest duelist]."

"What do you mean?"

Before Youxi could answer, Atum gave the answer himself.

This answer gave You Xi a subtle jolt, and she guessed what it meant.