"According to the effect of the Magic Card 'Spider Silk', the card I add from your graveyard to my hand is 'Card of Safe Return'." Youyu said as he inserted the card into the Duel Disc, "Magic Card 'Card of Safe Return' activates, drawing cards from the deck until I have five cards in hand."
Youyu drew five cards. Set frowned slightly, reminding him, "But as a risk, after five rounds, all your slates... all cards must be discarded."
It was clear that Set originally meant to say slates, but upon reconsideration, he realized the other party had no slates, so he had to adopt Youyu's concept of "cards."
Although Priest Set may not understand what "card" means, from the way the duel has unfolded, he's roughly guessed that the word possibly refers to those pieces of paper Youyu holds; each sheet seems to represent one of the slates they use.
Youyu couldn't help but want to complain. What kind of negligible risk is "discarding all cards in five turns," yet President Haima always emphatically stresses it when using this card, acting like it's an extremely significant cost...
Set also found it intriguing that once transformed into these "cards," the magic sealed within them could be used without any incantations or seals!
At the start of the duel, Set was astounded, and his reaction was much like —
— What? This guy's Ninjutsu doesn't require seals?
In this worldview, dueling was indeed quite a magical thing. Earthlings and sea dwellers, earthlings and cosmic beings, modern people and ancients—perhaps the languages and cultures were different, but in card games, there was always a connection.
It's interesting how the equipment, terminology, and even standards for judging Life Points and monster attack power varied, yet they could still have such enjoyable cross-server duels...
"Then let's begin, Kaiba... uh, no, Priest Set."
Set: "?"
"Magic Card 'E - Emergency Call'." Youyu declared, "Add an 'Elemental Hero' monster from the deck to my hand."
What? You're asking why there's an Emergency Call in a Gladiator Beast deck?
Of course, it's to draw the invincible Elemental Hero Prisma!
"I add 'Elemental Hero Prisma' to my hand and then perform a Normal Summon!"
The radiant Prisma hero appeared on the field, its translucent body reflecting a gem-like sheen.
[Elemental Hero Prisma, Attack 1700]
"Prisma's effect," Youyu stated, "Once per turn, reveal a Fusion Monster to the opponent and send its Fusion Material Monsters from the deck to the graveyard.
Only for this turn, Prisma can be used as a name for the monster sent to the graveyard."
Youyu displayed a purple Fusion Card.
"The Fusion Monster I reveal is 'Gladiator Beast Gyzarus'. Sending 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' as the Fusion Material from the deck to the graveyard, Prisma can be used as 'Bestiari' this turn.
Reflective Change!"
Prisma glittered brilliantly, reflecting Bestiari's figure onto itself.
"Returning Prisma used as 'Bestiari', and 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo' to the deck, Fusion!" Youyu declared, "Fusion Summon! Once again, descend—
— Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"
The Hero and Gladiator Beast transformed into two beams of light shooting into the sky, as a powerful force descended vertically with the storm. The heavily-armored Gladiator King made his grand re-entrance, dominating the battlefield with an overwhelming aura!
"Gladiator Beast Gyzarus's effect! When Special Summoned, destroy up to two cards on the field!"
Gyzarus spread its wings, red spikes firing through the green storm!
"It's that creature again!" an Egyptian soldier exclaimed.
Even they remembered how in the previous round, this flying beast had swept through their priest's entire field with a single blow, inflicting a strong and effective heavy hit!
But this time, Set was prepared for Gyzarus: "The same trick won't work again! At this moment, you've triggered my trap!
Fiendish Chain, bind my enemy!"
The stone tablet flipped over, releasing numerous deep green chains from the weathered slab! The thick chains clanged as they bound Gyzarus and its wings tightly, leaving it entirely immobilized!
The players were stunned: "Whoa, Fiendish Chain!"
"Three thousand years ago, Egypt already had Fiendish Chains? How incredible!"
Fiendish Chain, Continuous Trap, binds an Effect Monster on the field, negating its effects and preventing it from attacking.
Set's mouth curled into a smile, not hiding his face full of pride and confidence.
Indeed, he had earned the right to be proud.
Fiendish Chain was regarded as one of the most challenging incantations recorded in the Royal Library's tomes, and for one so young to wield such a powerful trap with ease was indeed something to be proud of.
Although Gyzarus's effect was negated, Youyu remained unfazed, continuing, "Then, Battle Phase. 'Gladiator Beast Andal,' attack.
According to the 'Double Bass Dance' effect, Andal can attack directly this turn. Go, Andal's direct attack!"
The black bear Gladiator Beast, transformed into a shadow, leaped swiftly, its agile body soaring over obstacles, striking directly at Set's face!
"Oh, Priest!" Egyptian soldiers cried out once more.
"Trivial tricks!" Set shouted, "At this moment, you've triggered another trap! 'Spellbinding Circle'! Bind the enemy with the magic circle, restricting their movement!"
Spellbinding Circle, Continuous Trap, lowers the targeted monster's attack by 700 and prevents it from attacking or changing its battle position. (Anime Effect)
Incidentally, in the anime, this card belonged to Dark Yugi. And President Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon often got caught in this curse...
Yet at this moment, as a priest, Set clearly also mastered this binding curse! 'Gladiator Beast Andal' charging mid-air was ensnared by the six-pointed star magic circle emanating from thin air, halting its actions entirely, unable to move an inch.
[Gladiator Beast Andal, Attack 1900 → Attack 1200]
"Oh! As expected of the Priest!" Egyptian soldiers started to cheer.
"I told you, the priest's incantations are the strongest! This level of attack poses no challenge!"
Even Set himself felt a little inflated with pride. He believed that having resolved the attack up to this point so calmly was truly a feat deserving of praise.
It seems that three thousand years ago, he wasn't quite as egotistical as his future counterpart. While satisfied, he didn't forget to nod, acknowledging his opponent: "You're not bad either. You may be slightly lacking, but your skill is still quite formidable, even among the best in our nation.
You've proven to me that you're a strength not lost to power, and I sense no malevolent intent within you. Be proud, traveler from afar, for you've earned my recognition."
"Oh, I'm flattered," Youyu smiled, "However, the duel isn't over yet."
"Hmm?" Set raised an eyebrow.
"Quick-Play Magic - Gladiator Beast's Unity!" Youyu revealed yet another card, "Return Gladiator Beast monsters from my hand, field, and graveyard to the deck and Special Summon the corresponding Fusion Monster, ignoring its summoning conditions!
I fuse the 'Gladiator Beast Gyzarus' on the field and the 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' sent to the graveyard by Prisma's effect!"
Set: "!!??"
"The fusion condition requires 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' plus any other Gladiator Beast monster, Fusion Summon! Invoke the ancient name of the king once more, descend again—
— Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"
Gyzarus and Bestiari transformed into two beams of light, fusing into a powerful tornado in the sky. The majestic beast king burst through the storm, descending once again!
Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, reiterated Summon!
[Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, Attack 2400]
"Gladiator Beast Gyzarus's effect, upon Special Summon, destroy up to two cards on the field. I destroy 'Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon'!"
Gyzarus ascended once more, piercing the Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon with dense red spikes. The dragon's sturdy body erupted with golden lightning, and its two heads let out pained wails as it plummeted from the sky, exploding into gorgeous columns of fire on the ground.
Truly the denouement!
"Gladiator Beast Gyzarus," Youyu raised his right hand, "Direct attack."
Gyzarus, flying through the flames, slashed through the fiery curtain of metal wings; the dark projectile's afterimage burst onto Set's face, concluding the battle ceremony.
[Set, LP 1600 → LP 0]