In the dark duel arena, the Minotaur Demon panted heavily. Its battle-axe writhed with inky spirits, and each breath seemed to summon a chorus of wailing ghosts. Lurid green light glowed in its blood-charged eyes.
As it emerged, its full profile appeared before You Ming:
"Berserk Demon (Lv 6)
Attribute / DARK
Type / Fiend
ATK / 2000 DEF / 0"
For a Level 6 monster, 2000 ATK is nothing special. And its explode-to-special feature wasn't exactly efficient.
But...
"Berserk Demon activates its effect right now!"
Yes—this card had an effect that could be triggered in this moment, one You Ming had never seen before in his memory's game time, yet it worked perfectly here.
"When Berserk Demon unleashes its full ferocity, it calculates the ATK of opponent monsters and adds the highest value to its own power!"
As the Demon Lord declared this, a dark green apparition formed in the shape of Demon Summoner, merging into the Berserk Demon's axe. Then:
"Your pathetic Demon on the field has 2500 ATK, so Berserk Demon's final ATK will receive that power bonus!"
With a bestial roar, the Minotaur Demon swelled as darkness rule mechanics updated its stats:
ATK / 2000 → 4500
But that wasn't all.
"And there's one more…"
You Ming glanced at the ground—there lay the remnant spear of Demon Cavalry.
"Finally, Demon Cavalry's lingering effect now triggers."
Yes—the Cavalry had a grave-effect.
"When Demon Cavalry is sent to the Underworld by opponent forces, it awakes the markers of demons sleeping in my graveyard!"
From the spear stuck in earth, a murky veil shimmered as flesh reformed inside. The summoned creature was obvious.
"Demon Summoner!"
Lightning crackled, and a demon emerged from the swirling mists. Empowered by Demon Manifestation, it had more fiery impact:
"Demon Summoner (Lv 6)
ATK / 2500 → 3000"
"That's it—three monsters, all over 3000 ATK. This setup is more than enough for an OTK."
You Ming applauded, impressed.
"Incredible. Truly incredible."
The Demon Lord crossed his arms, full of pride.
"Now you're scared, are you?"
"Too late," he taunted.
---
"I activate my set Trap Card."
"Huh?" The Demon Lord froze as water gushed from off-stage.
"THUD."
Like a broken dam, a deluge engulfed the arena, filling everything in a roaring torrent. In the blue deluge, only a red flash stood out.
"Trap Card—Torrential Rebirth."
You Ming explained:
"This triggers when monsters are Summoned, Flip Summoned, or Special Summoned. It destroys all monsters on the field."
"But if you do that, your monsters get wiped too!" the Demon Lord protested.
You Ming smirked.
"Yes, but when Demon Manifestation dies, its effect will bring it back from exile—summoning one Demon Summoner from hand, deck, or graveyard."
When the Manifestation was sent away, its aftereffect would trigger.
"But I won't let it hit the graveyard."
"What?"
"Here's the chain."
You Ming activated a second Trap:
A blonde warrior flashed in with sword in hand.
"Dimension Arena—This turn, when a monster is destroyed, it's banished instead of sent to the graveyard."
As her words ended, torrents swept across the field—obliterating all monsters into the rift beyond.
"Now Demon Manifestation can't return."
The Demon Lord was stunned; his face froze in disbelief.
In the deafening silence, You Ming could see the shock etched across the Demon's armor.
"Impossible!" he roared, voice cracking like rusty machinery.
"How could this happen?"
All the Demon could do was rage as the loss struck.
You Ming rubbed his ear, sighing dismissively.
"Nothing impossible here—the board lacked any resistance, everything got swept away."
---
"Any further plays?" You Ming challenged, watching the Demon Lord's last card.
The Demon struggled, tears of frustration deepening lines in his armor.
"I… Set one card…"
His declaration came with the weight of finality.
"Turn ends."
Though dejected, the Demon growled out that ending.
"Don't think it's over!"
His rage throbbed with humiliation, but reality stood firm.
"It's over."
You Ming nodded at his partner, Kaiba Noah.
"Your move."
Noah offered a cryptic smile.
"You seem confident."
"You represent the rebellion now—you have to show a little flair."
He placed his hand on the duel disk.
"Draw."
Green light pulsed.
"Since everyone's eager, I won't disappoint."
Switching decks, he launched calmly.
"Magic – Glacial Chaos (anime-original)."
A period of icy desolation swept over the arena like an Ice Age; an ice statue rose from the field.
"If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon one Level‑4 or lower EARTH monster."
You Ming gasped, taken aback—an elegant shift in tone.
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