Yugen glanced at Kiku, his eyes slightly narrowed.
Dark forces.
Kiku Lloyd standing before him was undoubtedly now a Dark Duelist. This was strange because Yugen was quite sure he hadn't been one in the past.
Kiku Lloyd used to be just an ordinary person. His dueling skills were strong. In the first KC Cup, he even defeated Joey the Gambling God.
Many have beaten Joey in the DM animation, but in terms of credibility, this person should be the highest.
Joey is well-known as a growth-type character. Unlike Yugi, who appears almost at Level 100, Joey as a side character has more of the traditional hot-blooded manga protagonist flavor.
From the beginning, he couldn't even remember the dueling rules, and throughout the Duel Kingdom chapter, he was a beginner. Later, he also slowly grew stronger through constant battles and honing against powerful opponents.
Kiku appeared in the KC arc, which was nearly the end of DM, the last chapter before heading to Egypt. By then, Joey had already faced the Winged Divine Dragon, commanded the Legendary Dragon, and defeated Doma's Three Musketeers; it could be said he was in a Level 100 state.
Kiku could surpass Joey at that stage, and comparing his match against Kaiba later reveals that he was even holding back when facing Joey, his prowess as a Duelist undeniable.
But even so, he should have merely been a regular person.
"Even you have turned into a Dark Duelist..." Keihei mumbled.
"You left me no choice."
Kiku Lloyd said coldly, gesturing lightly.
"Combat begins. Use 'Valkyrie - Fourth Daughter' to attack the face-down Covering Monster!"
The Valkyrie drew her sword, the warhorse neighed loudly. The white warhorse dashed past the covered monster's side, the long sword swung down, slicing the Cover Card in half.
[Female Grizzly Bear, Defense Power 1000]
Though the monster exited, the huge grizzly bear's phantom lingered on Yugen's field like a ghost, growling with teeth bared and claws spread.
"The monster you destroyed is 'Female Grizzly Bear,'" Yugen said. "When Female Grizzly Bear is destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard, a Water Attribute Monster with 1500 Attack Power or less from the card deck is Special Summoned in Attack position on your field."
"Water Attribute with 1500 Attack Power or less." Kiku gave a disdainful chuckle.
No wonder. In the current era, Water Attribute is generally considered underwhelming, a relatively unpopular attribute.
The meaning behind Kiku's chuckle was clear; aren't they all just riffraff?
Yugen took the card ejected from the deck and smiled slightly.
"From the deck, Special Summon the Water Attribute with 1000 Attack Power, 'Bouncing Turtle.'
The elderly turtle with the green shell landed steadily on the field, carrying a hefty rail gun on its back, with the barrel crackling with electric arcs.
[Bouncing Turtle, Attack Power 1000]
Kiku remained unimpressed, but seeing the elderly turtle once again, Keihei's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
It's back again...
"Covering a card, turn ends," Kiku stated.
"Then it's my turn, draw a card," Yugen said, "and summon this card.
'Magical Scientist,' in Defense Mode!"
[Magical Scientist, Defense Power 300]
It's here, indeed it is!
Recognizing the combination, Keihei, well aware of this lineup's ferocity, couldn't help wanting to offer condolences to the opposing side...
Kiku furrowed his brow in contemplation.
"Magical Scientist? I remember this fellow can Special Summon Fusion Monsters by paying Life Points... that's it!"
His eyes contracted, as if suddenly realizing something.
Magical Scientist pays LP to unconditionally call out Fusion Monsters, and then Bouncing Turtle can sacrifice monsters to deliver half their Attack Power as damage to the opponent...
Isn't this a direct knockout?
An OTK not even requiring combat!
Upon considering this, Kiku gasped.
What an insidious combination!
"Activate Covering Card, Trap Card 'Divine Life Shield!'" Kiku declared. "Discard a card from the hand; for the round in which this card is activated, one's monsters won't be destroyed by battle, and all battle and effect damage received from the opponent becomes zero!"
As he sent a card from his hand to the graveyard, a transparent protective layer surfaced, shielding him at the center like an eggshell.
That's the strongest shield across the Dueling Realm, unbreakable by any means once activated.
"Oh? Quite cautious, aren't you?" Yugen chuckled. "Alright, then all attacks this turn are meaningless.
Switch 'Bouncing Turtle' to Defense Mode."
The old turtle lowered its chassis, crouched down, with most of its body retreating into its shell.
[Bouncing Turtle, Attack Power 1000→Defense Power 2000]
"And add a Covering Card, turn ends."
Kiku took a deep breath.
That was close. Good thing he thought one step ahead. If he remembered correctly, there was a Fusion Monster below Six-Star named 'Dragon Warrior' that could negate Trap activation by paying Life Points.
Had he not thought one step further, when the opponent used Magical Scientist's effect to summon Dragon Warrior, even if he wanted to activate the Divine Life Shield then, it would be nullified by Dragon Warrior.
A step difference, he would've been a dead man.
Yugen also faintly furrowed his brow. He noted, this Kiku indeed had a heightened alertness compared to most Duelists. Judging by the opponent's reaction, he likely hadn't encountered the Magical Science Cannon combo before, but upon seeing these two monsters, he swiftly deciphered the tactics of this lineup within seconds and immediately responded.
"I see, certainly not an opponent to be underestimated. Perfect.
My turn, draw a card!"
Kiku directly revealed the drawn card.
"Magic Card 'Pot of Magic Book,' both draw three cards from the deck."
Accelerating to draw three cards, he couldn't help but smile, the smile particularly eerie on his pallid face.
"Hahaha! Victory's goddess is smiling at me already, just with this card!
Magic Card 'Valkyrie's Ride!'"
Holding the card aloft, the magic seemed to dispel the darkness, summoning white clouds. Divine warhorses trod on clouds, carrying valiant warrior maidens, descending like deities from beyond.
"Valkyrie's Ride allows any number of 'Valkyrie' cards in hand to be Special Summoned!"
This card has now become a Physical Card, and its power is strengthened compared to the original. The new effect is immunity to battle damage when summoning three or more Valkyries, and adds the ability to banish this card from the graveyard to search "Time Goddess's Mischief" from the deck, significantly enhanced compared to the original.
"Appear! Valkyrie - Eldest Daughter! Valkyrie - Second Daughter!"
The clouds parted, and two Valkyries landed simultaneously, settling on either side of the Fourth Daughter on the field.
[Valkyrie - Eldest Daughter, Attack Power 1600]
[Valkyrie - Second Daughter, Attack Power 1600]
"Second Daughter's effect, upon successful summoning, destroy one monster on the opponent's field!"
Kiku pointed to Yugen's turtle, shouting loudly.
"Bouncing Turtle, vanish!"