In an instant, Ted Banias's earlier doubts vanished like smoke.
Is it really necessary to sacrifice life points to protect a 4-star monster with 1500 attack?
Of course, it is.
What you're sacrificing is the opponent's life points, protecting an Underworld Knight covered in Anti-Armor, so why not?
"Uh ah!"
The Amazon Swordsman was repelled, but the impact was bounced back onto Ted. Professor Card took two steps back, gritting his teeth.
[Ted, LP 4000→LP 2100]
"Then I activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Sacrificial Treasure Scroll,'" Yugen said calmly. "When the combined attack power of monsters on your own field is lower than the opponent's monster with the lowest attack power, draw two cards from the deck. However, I cannot summon monsters in any form or change their battle position this turn." (Original card effect)
As mentioned before, in its physical card version, there's a restriction requiring at least two monsters on the field to activate. However, the original animation didn't have this, and now Yugen's Amazon Swordsman's attack power has dropped to 0, so essentially, as long as the opponent summons a monster, it can be triggered.
"I'll draw two cards," Yugen drew cards.
In this turn's clash, Ted took a moderate hit, letting out a heavy snort.
"Set two cards, end turn."
"Then in the end phase, the effect of 'Zero Guard' ends. Amazon Swordsman's attack power returns to normal."
[Amazon Swordsman, Attack Power 0→Attack Power 1500]
Ted's face looked rather grim.
Indeed, you still can't underestimate this guy completely.
Fujiki Yugen, after all, is the Duel King, just as rumored to be the kind of insidious duelist who's always a step ahead. It's foolish to let your guard down because he seems to be using a different card deck.
This person's cunning doesn't change just because he switches card decks.
"My turn, draw a card." Yugen glanced at the drawn card and immediately displayed it. "Magic Card 'Pot of Greed.' Draw two more cards from the deck."
He then selected two cards from his hand, sending one to the graveyard and revealing the other.
"Discard one card from my hand to activate the Equipment Magic 'Flashing Dual Swords - Thunder Shock' and equip it to 'Amazon Swordsman.'
The thunder-shrouded dual swords appeared from the sky, landing on the field, grasped by the Amazon Swordsman.
'Flashing Dual Swords - Thunder Shock' can be activated by discarding a card from your hand. The equipped monster's attack power decreases by 500 points, but it can attack twice per turn," Yugen said.
[Amazon Swordsman, Attack Power 1500→Attack Power 1000]
Ted's expression twitched again.
Again, the attack power of the Underworld Knight is reduced, and it even gains multiple attack capabilities.
From this, it's certain that the opponent's hand or remaining cover cards definitely have cards that can make the Amazon Swordsman immune to battle destruction.
Thinking of this, Ted almost burst out laughing in anger.
The rumors say that this generation's Duel King is the rising Dongxi, living up to the name indeed. Coming right up with a kamikaze-style attack by crazily lowering his monster's attack power.
Isn't this a strange tactic only a dog would think of?
"Battle," Yugen said. "Amazon Swordsman attacks 'Plant Lion.'
The Swordsman with only 1000 attack fearlessly charged out, unsheathing the sword to slash straight into the lion's head.
Ted dared not let this attack go through, waving his hand: "Activate the Trap 'Thorny Wall'!
When a Plant Race monster on your field is selected as an attack target, destroy all opponent's monsters in attack position!"
Thorns formed a wall, rising forcefully in front of Ted. The Amazon Swordsman ultimately didn't reach the Plant Lion; slashing the sword onto the thorny wall, it was immediately rebounded back, entangled all over by the thorns.
"Haha, too bad, although it's a creative attack, it didn't work!" Ted laughed loudly. "Let the Underworld Knight obediently lie in the underworld."
"Then activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Attack Invincibility,'" Yugen said. "This card can only be activated in the battle phase.
Select one monster on your field, making it invincible for this battle phase and not destroyed by battle or card effects."
"Eh?"
Ted's smile froze dry.
The resurrected Swordsman cut through thorns, with the vines unable to hinder her at all. This time, there were no means to stop the Swordsman's charge. Though stumbling backward after clashing with the opponent's monster, the impact was deftly reversed by her sword and sent hurtling back towards Ted.
"Uh ah!"
[Ted, LP 2100→LP 1200]
"Of course, because of 'Attack Invincibility's' effect, the Amazon Swordsman is invincible this turn and won't be destroyed," Yugen said. "And thanks to 'Flashing Dual Swords - Thunder Shock,' the Swordsman attacks twice per turn.
Amazon Swordsman, attack again, a double strike."
The Swordsman charged out once more. The Plant Lion could only counterattack, but again the Swordsman deftly swung her sword, reversing the explosion impact back onto Ted.
[Ted, LP 1200→LP 300]
"Battle phase ends," Yugen said calmly. "Set two more cards in the backfield.
Then activate Continuous Magic 'Nightmare Mirage Tube.' Draw cards from the deck in the opponent's preparation phase until you have four cards in your hand.
Turn end."
Ted staggered as he stood up, taking a deep breath.
What a nightmare.
Though never having dueled Muto Yuugi himself, he had observed his companions dueling the Duel King.
Even as the same Duel King, Yuugi's duels back then didn't leave such a deep impression.
They're both Duel Kings, but why is someone so much of a prick?
Ted: "My turn, draw a card."
"Then the effect of Mirage Tube activates now," Yugen said, "I also draw cards from the deck until I have four cards in my hand."
Upon entering the main phase, Ted immediately summoned another monster to launch an attack.
"Activate Magic Card 'Pot of Magic Book,' letting both sides draw three cards from the deck!" (Original card)
"Then, normal summon 'Fierce Tiger!' "
[Fierce Tiger, Attack Power 1700]
"Next, activate Magic Card 'Double Summon,' allowing for a second normal summon this turn."
Ted picked up the two Monster Cards placed on his Duel Disc decisively.
"I'll use 'Plant Lion' and 'Fierce Tiger' on my field as sacrifices for an upper-level summon!"
In an instant, with life points dwindled to a flicker, while shocked, Ted realized facing this person leaves no room for complacency. Earlier, swelling with confidence thinking he could challenge the Duel King, but now that thought was completely extinguished.
"Appear, my ace, the king among beasts—
—Fierce Lion, summon!!!" (Original card)
A colossal body like a mountain in motion, covered in coarse and tough black scales. The majestic lion's head, mane blazing like flames, eyes wide, sharp fangs protruding from the corners of its mouth, capable of tearing through any obstacle in its path.
[Fierce Lion, Attack Power 2600]
Ted's aura soared.
"With this power, let's remove that insidious Swordsman from the field at once!"