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"My turn, draw!"
It was You Xuan's turn to make his move.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Deck of Fate'." You Xuan's voice carried a calm authority as he explained, "I draw cards from my deck until I have five cards in my hand. However, during my fifth Standby Phase after this effect is activated, I must discard all the cards in my hand."
This was the first time he had used this card in an actual duel since acquiring it.
The Silent Magician LV8's attack power was superior to that of Desperado Barrel Dragon, but if battle were initiated, the opponent could use its second-speed explosive effect, making direct combat impossible.
"So, I'll set three cards face-down on the field, and end my turn," You Xuan concluded.
"Hahaha! By skipping the Battle Phase to avoid the effect of Desperado Barrel Dragon, you're still only reinforcing your defenses, huh?" Thief Keith cackled mockingly.
"Well, it's only natural for someone like you to be powerless before my might."
"My turn, draw!"
Keith inserted the card he drew directly into his Duel Disk. From his Graveyard, three golden lights shot out.
"Spell Card 'Burial Curse of the Deck'!" he declared. "By banishing three Spell Cards from my Graveyard, I draw two cards from my deck." (Anime-exclusive card)
The three golden lights transformed into images of the Spell Cards, shimmering briefly before fading away.
"I banish 'Reload,' 'Ground Collapse,' and 'Demon Sanctuary' from my Graveyard, then draw two cards!"
After drawing, Keith glanced at his hand and smirked. "Heh, looks like I drew a good one.
"I Normal Summon 'BM-4 Bomb Spider'!"
[BM-4 Bomb Spider, ATK 1400]
You Xuan remembered this monster well—it had been a troublesome card even in the physical trading card game. Once per turn, BM-4 Bomb Spider could select one Machine-Type DARK monster on its controller's field and one card on the opponent's field, destroying both.
The effect of Desperado Barrel Dragon allowed it to Special Summon itself from the hand whenever a Machine-Type DARK monster on the field was destroyed. Thus, by summoning BM-4 Bomb Spider, Keith could destroy one of You Xuan's monsters and the spider itself, triggering the dragon's effect to summon it directly from the hand.
Additionally, BM-4 Bomb Spider had a secondary effect. If a Machine-Type DARK monster on its controller's field destroyed an opponent's monster either through battle or an effect, it would deal damage to the opponent equal to half the destroyed monster's attack points. This synergy made BM-4 Bomb Spider an ideal partner for Desperado Barrel Dragon, amplifying the damage dealt with each destruction.
However...
"I reveal my Set Card—Trap Card 'Bottomless Trap Hole'!" You Xuan raised his hand, flipping over one of his face-down cards. "When a monster with 1000 or more attack points is summoned, it is immediately destroyed.
Destroy 'BM-4 Bomb Spider!'"
Despite its powerful effects, BM-4 Bomb Spider was quickly sucked into the swirling vortex that opened beneath it, exploding into a fiery ball moments later.
"Another troublesome trap..." Keith grimaced. "Very well, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Monster Slot Machine' from my hand!
I choose one face-up monster on my field and one monster of the same Level from my Graveyard to banish.
I choose the Level 8 'Desperado Barrel Dragon' on my field!"
A burst of golden light erupted from his Graveyard, revealing a card.
"I banish the Level 8 'Metal Demon Zoah' from my Graveyard!
Then, I draw one card from my deck. If the card drawn is also a Level 8 monster, I can Special Summon it immediately!"
You Xuan narrowed his eyes.
A single draw, requiring him to pull exactly a Level 8 monster. Statistically speaking, the odds seemed slim.
But You Xuan knew how these anime duels worked. Whenever such effects were activated, the protagonist—or antagonist—almost always succeeded.
Moreover...
His gaze swept across the glowing Seal of Orichalcos surrounding them.
Keith was already established as a minor boss character early in the series, and with the added influence of the Seal of Orichalcos' reality-warping power...
"Behold, my draw!"
Thief Keith raised his right hand high, the six-pointed star of Orichalcos glowing brightly on his forehead, spinning as if channeling energy. Intangible force surged into his hand from the seal.
"DRAW!"
As expected, Keith burst into triumphant laughter, revealing the card he had drawn.
"I've drawn the Level 8 'Mecha Motor Omega'!
Thus, Mecha Motor Omega is Special Summoned!"
A towering mech emerged onto the field, clad in crimson armor that seemed scorched by flames. Its sleek yet sharp lines and blazing red eyes exuded menace, while cold blades extended from its hands.
[Mecha Motor Omega, ATK 2800]
You Xuan: "..."
Indeed, the Desperado Barrel Dragon series was part of Keith's deck, and Mecha Motor was another archetype he had used in the spin-off manga. Even Metal Demon Zoah, which Keith had just banished, was a card he had wielded in the anime.
Yet, despite the chaotic mishmash of different archetypes crammed into a single deck, not only was there no clogging, but they seamlessly combined into devastating plays.
No wonder it was often said that in anime duels, the janky rogue decks reigned supreme.
"Furthermore, due to the effect of the 'Seal of Orichalcos,' Mecha Motor Omega's attack increases!"
[Mecha Motor Omega, ATK 2800 → ATK 3300]
"Now nothing can protect your magician!" Keith roared. "Next, I change 'Desperado Barrel Dragon,' which was switched to Defense Position last turn, back to Attack Position, then enter the Battle Phase.
'Desperado Barrel Dragon's effect!' Flip a coin three times and destroy one monster on your field for each heads!"
"I activate my Set Card," You Xuan responded calmly. "Continuous Trap - Safe Zone!
Select one Attack Position monster on my field. That monster cannot be targeted by your effects, nor can it be destroyed by battle or card effects."
The trap activated, forming a transparent barrier around Silent Magician LV8, shielding her from the dragon's barrage.
"Hmph, is that so? And what of it?" Keith sneered. "Even with 'Safe Zone,' Silent Magician cannot be destroyed."
"Not necessarily! Before resolving the coin flip for Desperado Barrel Dragon's effect, I activate Continuous Trap - Gunfire Barrage!"
One of Keith's face-down cards flipped up, revealing artwork of a firing Desperado Barrel Dragon—a trap specifically designed for the dragon archetype.
"Once per turn, when a coin-flipping effect is activated, I can trigger different effects based on the number of heads rolled!"
Keith waved his hand dramatically.
"Due to Desperado Barrel Dragon's effect, the revolver spins!"
The revolver spun rapidly, loading ammunition as twin barrels glowed with fire.
"Hahaha, looks like your luck isn't very good today—I got two heads!" Keith declared. "Of course, the only monster on your field is Silent Magician LV8, and she's protected by 'Safe Zone,' so she can't be destroyed.
But at this moment, 'Gunfire Barrage's effect activates!"
The trap card shone with golden light, channeling energy into the dragon on the field.
"First effect! For each head rolled, inflict 500 points of damage to you!"
The left barrel fired, piercing through the field and striking You Xuan. He grunted softly, staggering back half a step.
[You Xuan, LP 1900 → LP 1400]
"Second effect! For every two heads rolled, destroy one card on your field!
And I choose..."
Keith pointed dramatically toward You Xuan's back row.
"Continuous Trap - Safe Zone!"
The second shot fired, obliterating the trap. The card shattered into golden fragments, and the protective barrier around Silent Magician dissipated.
"The downside of 'Safe Zone,'" You Xuan remarked calmly. "When it leaves the field, the selected monster is destroyed. Therefore, 'Silent Magician LV8' is destroyed."
Silent Magician's form began to fade, becoming translucent and ethereal. She turned to meet her master's gaze, seemingly apologetic for being unable to continue protecting him.
"It's fine," You Xuan assured her. "That's enough. Leave the rest to me."
Silent Magician nodded faintly before vanishing from the field.
"With that pesky mage finally gone, it's over!"
Thief Keith's expression twisted with triumph as he envisioned victory within reach. With a final roar, he declared:
"One last strike! Attack directly with Mecha Motor Omega!"