Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

'Then you will take 3200 points of combat damage, and at the end of the combat phase of the [Demon Dragon - Dark Dragon] battle, you will deal additional effect damage. Victory is mine, Baron!'

Jonouchi confidently envisioned what would happen next and waved his hand to give the order to attack.

Clearly, Jonouchi inadvertently committed a major taboo in duels: mentally predicting certain victory.

Seeing Jonouchi summon the powerful [Demon Dragon - Dark Demon Dragon], Baron suddenly laughed amidst Jonouchi's puzzled gaze: "Hahaha, you've fallen for Jonouchi's trick! You did say you were going to attack the [Spirit Helmet - Armor], didn't you!"

"So you're the one who schemed so much, only to fall short by one move!"

Chapter 597

Baron, the Demon Dragon - Dark Demon Dragon, laughed so confidently in front of him that Jonouchi was quite puzzled.

When battling with 【Demon Dragon - Dark Dragon】, Baron should be unable to activate the effects of Spell, Trap, or Monster until the end of the Damage Step.

'This fact should have been spread along with the recordings from Duel City and the existence of the [Dark Dragon], so he couldn't possibly be unaware of it.'

'What else does he have to rely on? And where does this feeling of impending doom come from?'

The demonic black dragon raised its fiery black claws and slammed them down on the [Spirit Helmet Armor] on the head of the dragon, which was much smaller in comparison. The dragon, naturally, would not sit idly by and let itself be attacked, and it also raised its right fist to meet the attack!

It was only then that Jonouchi finally understood why Baron had said he was "one step behind".

In my desperate quest for victory, I was like a student who hadn't finished answering a question when the exam bell rang, frantically trying to figure out how to win. But in that frantic rush, I completely forgot one thing—

Unlike ordinary Duel Monsters, the [Armor] Monsters are all equipped on Baron's body. This characteristic means that only one of them can attack at a time. After all, although the human body is amazing, it is impossible to punch and kick with full force at the same time.

However, unlike other Duel Monsters that are inevitably attacked and drawn into battle once selected, the Armored Monsters are all armor on Baron's body. He can choose which part of his body to take the attack!

As Jonouchi belatedly realized, the attack that [Demon Dragon - Dark Demon Dragon] had originally targeted [Spirit Helmet Armor], which could have reduced most of Baron's base strength in one fell swoop, ultimately crashed into [Big Explosion Fist Armor], which shattered and exploded with ease!

"When there are two or more Armored Monsters, I will choose which Armored Monster to attack when any of them becomes the target. This is a continuous effect common to all Armored Monsters and does not need to be activated. Even the power of [Dark Dragon] has no right to interfere!"

"When [Big Bang Fist - Armor] is destroyed, it will destroy all monsters on the field and deal damage to you based on their total ATK, while I will remain unharmed thanks to the protection of [Active Protection - Armor]!"

"Now is the time to detonate!"

The demonic dragon swung its claws down from its high perch, while the Baron on the ground fearlessly retaliated with its iron fist. What should have been a crushing defeat was instead a result where the [Demon Dragon - Dark Demon Dragon] and [Big Bang Fist - Armor] were locked in a stalemate for only a few seconds before being blasted away and destroyed by the impact of the explosion!

"Whoa!!" The shockwave even struck Jonouchi directly, reducing his originally full base score to a mere flickering candle in the wind!

[Within the city: 4000→800LP]

As the smoke and dust from the explosion dissipated, Baron was revealed, still in the position of throwing a punch into the air. His right arm was missing, and the [Active Protection Armor] on his chest, which had completely absorbed the impact, shattered into pieces. Needless to say, his helmet had also been destroyed in the previous explosion.

The accumulated armored monsters were all destroyed in this attack, allowing Baron to successfully reverse the gap in life points between him and Jonouchi.

"It's a real shame. If you had kept [Summoning of the Demon] in defense position on the field, I would have had absolutely no chance against you. But you chose to walk down the path of defeat in your pursuit of victory."

After all the monsters on both sides were destroyed, Baron looked at Jonouchi, who had been knocked down by a whopping 3200 points of damage, and said confidently, "The [Armor] deck's ability to damage spirits, even if it didn't completely destroy your body, now you're probably just like a donkey running forward with a carrot dangling in front of you. No matter how hard you try, you can't make your body move."

Baron has repeatedly used the [Armor] deck to completely crush his opponents' bodies and wills. The ability of "damage energy" is almost like cheating. When he learned from Jonouchi that Ryuzaki, whom he thought was dead, was still alive, Baron went all out in the damage of this [Big Bang Fist - Armor].

Even if he didn't kill Jonouchi outright, at least he wouldn't be able to move an inch afterward. That's what Baron thought.

And just as he had expected, the man lay motionless on the ground for a long time.

Seeing this, Baron abruptly ended Jonouchi's turn, his fingers resting on his deck: "Although there were some twists and turns along the way, in this world only the result matters, and only the result will be preserved. And the result is that I will deliver the final blow to you in my turn, Jonouchi Katsuya!"

"My turn, draw a card!"

"First, there's the ability of [Spirit Helmet/Armor], which allows me to Special Summon a card from the Graveyard in Attack Position. Then, thanks to the effect of [Treasure Card of Survival], I draw three cards."

"And activate this Spell Card [Armor Gravity] to Special Summon up to four [Armor] monsters from my Deck!"

"[Transcendent Propulsion Armor]!" "[Superior Shield Armor]!" "[Active Protection Armor]!" "[Burning Fist Armor]!"

"Then, they gather around me!"

Baron gathered a total of five [Armor] monsters on his field in one go, and after a combination, he put them all on his body, like a Saint Seiya character who had wandered onto the wrong set.

"The monster Special Summoned by the power of [Armor Gravity] will be destroyed at the end of the turn, but the result will be revealed before then. [Burning Fist Armor] originally has 0 ATK, but this number will be increased by 200 for every [Armor] monster on the field."

[Burning Fist - Armor] [ATK 0 → 1000]

Flames erupted on the gauntlet on his right arm. With the increased attack power of [Burning Fist Armor], a single strike would be enough to wipe out the remaining meager 800 basic points within the city.

"Enter my combat phase, and then this will be the final direct attack."

"You lost because of a single misstep, which caused your king and chariot to split apart! You have lost, Katsuya Jonouchi! The one who will stand to the end and be stronger in this duel is me!"

Baron shouted his victory declaration at Jonouchi, and with the power of his leg armor [Beyond Propulsion Armor], he leaped several meters into the air and threw a punch at the fallen Jonouchi, who had no monster protection!

This scene was noticed by Mai Kongjaku, who had followed Jonouchi and spent a long time finding her way to the vicinity after the huge commotion caused by the duel between Baron and Jonouchi.

【Burning Fist Armor】【ATK1000】

[Jouchi Katsuya: 800LP]

She shouted, "Jonnouchi!!!"

————Next time, death within the castle————

What I am is...

where is it?

Jonouchi remembered that he was damaged by the effect of [Big Bang Fist - Armor]. He had experienced damage of up to 3200 points before, but the damage dealt by Baron made Jonouchi feel as if he had been hit hard by a fully loaded semi-trailer truck traveling at 100 kilometers per hour. The connection between his mind and body was severed the moment he was hit, leaving him unable to move.

He was so confident just moments before declaring to Baron that he would win, but in the blink of an eye he suffered such a humiliating defeat. How pathetic! Not cool at all!

Therefore, we can't afford not to get our revenge.

The castle tried to open its eyes, but all it could see was darkness.

He could hear Baron's confident voice with perfect clarity and feel his own still strong heartbeat, but no matter how hard Jonouchi tried, he could not escape this darkness.

That's for sure.

【Orichalcos Barrier】Gives powerful cards from the darkness within the user's heart. Rafael and Ameruda, two of the "Three Musketeers of Doma," have already achieved this, and Hayato appears to have done the same to those unaware of the situation. Only Baron seems somewhat out of the ordinary as he hasn't accomplished much.

However, this does not mean that Baron's heart lacks the darkness to nurture powerful monsters with the "Orichalcos Barrier." In fact, the darkness within him is comparable to that of the other two members of the "Three Musketeers of Doma."

But even if you manage to breed such a monster, so what? Baron's darkness was completely infused into the [Armor] deck, which is the origin of that "damage energy" ability.

Within this pitch-black blockade, the city teetered desperately, yet remained trapped. Hearing Baron complete his preparations for the decisive blow, the city was powerless to do anything.

"Within the city!!!"

That was the sound of dance?

Just as Jonouchi was about to give up, having failed to bring about any change despite his efforts, he heard Mai's voice. He turned around in the direction of the voice and saw what appeared to be a crack-like fissure in the darkness.

The sound of the peacock dance just now came from there.

dance!

Jonouchi tried to call out in response, but he was still unable to move.

hateful!

He slammed his fist heavily into the crack, but the crack remained unchanged, still the same size as before.

hateful!

Another punch landed, but it was still in vain; the size of the crack remained unchanged. However, throwing a punch at the crack in front of him was the only thing the castle could do.

hateful!

He tried desperately to shout, but it was no use, so Jonouchi could only throw another punch.

I'm not happy at all about losing to Baron in such a humiliating way!

"Crack!"

"Crack!"

"Crack!"

With each punch, the crack began to make a sound and widened slightly, but those inside the city remained oblivious, continuing to throw punches.

I haven't defeated the seahorse yet to make that arrogant guy take me seriously!

I haven't defeated Hayato yet and brought back the old Hayato!

I haven't defeated the game yet to show him how much I've grown!

I haven't become a powerful duelist yet, so I can show Shizuka how strong her brother is!

I haven't become a powerful duelist yet, and I haven't shown Honda how good I am!

I haven't become a powerful duelist yet, let the dance...

"Crack!"

Unbeknownst to them, the rift had expanded to several times its initial size. Burning with unwavering determination, Jonouchi shouted and punched, "I haven't given up yet!"

"boom!"

The rift shattered with a deafening roar, and the blinding light dispelled the darkness, causing those within the city to close their eyes.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the shape of the darkness they had been in, which resembled an eggshell.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw Baron's fist, which was stopped in front of him but could not be approached.

"You actually woke up!" Baron was surprised by Jonouchi's sudden awakening, even forgetting to turn his head to look at Mai, who had just shouted Jonouchi's name. But what surprised him even more was that his decisive attack had been abruptly stopped?

A strong resistance came and pushed Baron back onto his field.

Seeing Jonouchi struggle to his feet, Baron noticed that Jonouchi had actually pressed the button to activate a face-down card, turning on one of his cards in the back row.

“Trap Card [Aura Armor], can only be activated when an opponent’s monster attacks directly and your Life Points are 2000 or less.” Jonouchi moved his finger away from the button and looked up at the surprised Baron. “Negate that attack and Special Summon a [Player Token] to your field.”

A bright red suit of armor appeared in front of Jonouchi, its design exactly the same as the armor on Baron's body, and it was similarly worn backwards on Jonouchi's body!

For a moment, the two people dressed in full armor stood facing each other, making it look more like a scene from a Saint O movie.

[Player Derivatives] [4 stars/location]

[Warrior Race/Derivatives]

【？ /？】

"When a Player Token is successfully Special Summoned, your Life Points are halved. Additionally, the ATK and DEF of the Player Token will be equal to your Life Points." Jonouchi pointed at Baron, "It's too early to say the duel is over. Now it's time for the real battle to begin, Baron!"

[Within the city: 800→400LP]