Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

[0/0]

【Phantom Beast Machine - Rope Wolf】【4☆/Wind→7☆/Wind】【

"Entering battle phase! I'm using [Phantom Beast Machine - Rope Wolf] to attack—"

Just as David was about to enter the battle phase and begin his attack, Marufuji Sho suddenly interrupted him, saying, "The continuous effect of [Decoy] means that as long as [Decoy] is face-up on my field, my opponent cannot target any face-up monster other than [Decoy] for an attack!"

"Hmm? Hmph, a boring attack guidance effect. It can only protect other monsters from one attack. Its meaning is unclear." David didn't care. Since a forced attack on the [Decoy Robot] was necessary, he would just use other monsters to destroy that ridiculous toy car first.

"【Trickster】, attack the 【Decoy Robot】 and destroy it. Magic Wind!"

Although there were four monsters on the field, the 400 ATK of [Valley of Mist Baby Bird] was just there to make up the numbers, and it couldn't even break through the 500 DEF of [Decoy Machine]. David didn't use [Phantom Beast Machine - Rope Wolf] to continue attacking, but instead decisively switched to [Trickster] to fire the first shot.

The wind gathered in the Trickster's hand and, with a twist of his palm, transformed into sharp blades that shot out like machine guns. The wind blades instantly destroyed the toy car-like Decoy Robot and sent it to the graveyard. However, because it was in a defensive position, Marufuji Sho was not harmed in any way.

Ignoring the [Decoy Robot], David waved his hand and said again, "Now, I'll use the [Phantom Beast - Rope Wolf]—"

"The continuous effect of [Decoy]: As long as [Decoy] is face-up on my field, my opponent cannot target any face-up monster other than [Decoy] for an attack!"

Once again, Marufuji Sho interrupted David, who said somewhat impatiently, "There's a limit to how stupid you can be. Didn't I already destroy that weak monster? So don't—how could that be!?"

Where the decoy robot was destroyed, the smoke and dust kicked up by the wind blades dissipated, revealing an intact decoy robot?!

"Impossible! That weak monster only has one effect: Guided Attack. Why wasn't it destroyed?!" David's eyes widened. He first glanced at Marufuji Sho's back row, only to find that the face-down card was still there, motionless, seemingly not meeting the activation conditions. But if the attack was blocked with a face-down card, what's going on now?

Seeing the arrogant David Rabb's puzzled expression, Marufuji Sho became smug and explained the effect of his card: "It's not that it wasn't destroyed, it's just that [Decoy Machine] was Special Summoned back to my field."

"The [Rescue First Aid Robot] that you look down on may not have high attack power, but its ability is never about battle but about rescue. Once per turn, when a monster on my field is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, Special Summon that monster to my field in Defense Position."

"In other words, this is an ultimate defensive combo that can withstand even infinitely powerful continuous attacks!"

[Decoy Robot] [DEF500]

Seeing Marufuji Sho's confident smile, which seemed to have temporarily dispelled his fear and timidity and given him the courage to fight, Judai was happy and excited for him, saying, "So this is how you can unleash a powerful combo! Keep it up, Sho!"

In contrast, David Labb looked at Marufuji Sho's [Decoy Robot] reappearing on the field with displeasure: "That combo is disgusting, like stepping on chewing gum. Damn trash!"

"Heh, no matter how disgusting it is, do you have a way to get rid of this chewing gum? Don't tell me you can't even handle a mere chewing gum." As Marufuji Sho got into the zone during the duel, he felt that he could withstand the combined attack of David's four monsters on the field. Releasing the pressure, he said easily, even imitating Jaden's style by saying some provocative words during the duel.

"What are you so smug about, you mere trash?" David waved his hand, his face dark. "You yourself said that the resurrection effect can only be used once per turn, so let's just take it down again! [Phantom Beast - Rope Wolf] Attack [Decoy Robot]!"

"Sea Serpent-70 Rocket!"

The helicopter's specialized weapon system activated, and the floating cannons connected to the end of the long cable aimed at the [Decoy Robot], unleashing a barrage of rockets that shattered it into pieces once more, sending it to the graveyard. This time, the [Rescue Healer Robot] couldn't use its once-per-turn effect to revive it.

However, at least it has withstood David Rabble's attack this turn, hasn't it? After all, the only monsters on his field that haven't attacked yet are the 400-ATK [Midsummer Bird] and the [Phantom Beast Token] which can't attack in defense position.

Just as Marufuji Sho breathed a sigh of relief, he suddenly heard David Labbour's cold laugh.

"You're not thinking my battle phase is over just like that, are you? If I can't even take down a weakling like you, how am I supposed to beat Fubuki again... Fubuki Tenjouin?" After being corrected several times, David finally pronounced someone's name correctly for once. As he spoke, he played a card from his hand. "What do you think was the reason I Special Summoned [Trickster] and [Young Bird of the Valley of Mist]?"

"The answer is—to make them the springboard for my other [Phantom Beast Machines] to appear! Right now, right here!"

"Quick-Play Spell Card [Vertical Landing] activated!"

Chapter 1251 As long as you're here, I can do anything.

"Quick-Play Spell Card [Vertical Landing]!"

During the Battle Phase, David Labbour activated a Quick-Play Spell Card, inserting the card into the Spell Trap Zone and proudly declaring, "I Tribute any number of non-Token WIND monsters on my field to activate this card. I Tribute all three WIND monsters on my field."

"Then, under the effect of [Vertical Landing], I will Special Summon three [Phantom Beast Tokens] that will release the number of monsters I control to my field!"

By sending all the monster cards on his field to the graveyard in one go, the Trisolaran monster was replaced by three new [Phantom Beast Tokens], all of which were in Attack Position on David Rabber's field with only 0 ATK.

[Fantasy Beast Machine Derivative] [ATK0] X4

"All the monsters have been released? Even the [Trickster] with an attack power of 2000 and the [Phantom Beast Machine - Rope Wolf]?"

Watching David Rabble replace all the monsters on his field with the useless [Phantom Beast Machine Tokens], Marufuji Sho felt that his opponent's actions were beyond his comprehension and he couldn't imagine what his opponent was trying to do.

"Monsters that have already been attacked have no value other than being released, right? I don't need monsters that have no value. Rather, it should be the other way around. It should be their honor to contribute their strength to the activation of [Vertical Landing]."

David Labb said, drawing another card from his hand, "As for the single card 'Vertical Landing,' it's not particularly useful, since landing is only for the subsequent takeoff. 'Vertical Landing' should be used in conjunction with this card 'Emergency Takeoff'!"

"If your opponent controls more monsters than you control other than tokens, you can activate this card by Tributing any number of my [Phantom Beast Tokens]. I Tribute all four of my [Phantom Beast Tokens] to activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, [Emergency Takeoff]!"

(Yes, the rope wolf can actually run and accelerate to take off. Although the helicopter accelerating to take off is a bit abstract, it's much better than the ray that flapped its wings to take off.)

As David inserted his second Quick-Play Spell Card into the Spell & Trap Zone, Marufuji Sho stared wide-eyed at the change on David's field with disbelief.

The four previously illusory [Phantom Beast Machine Derivatives] gradually transformed into physical entities under the effect of [Emergency Takeoff]. Their appearances also changed, and what finally appeared before Marufuji Sho were four armed aircraft of different styles!

【Fantasy Beast Machine - Stratosphere Hamster】【3☆/Wind】

[Mechanical Race/Effect]

[1100/1600]

【Phantom Beast Machine - Black Falcon】【4☆/Wind】

[Mechanical Race/Effect]

[1200/1700]

【Phantom Beast Machine - Harrier Lion Leopard Beast】【4☆/Wind】

[Mechanical Race/Effect]

[1800/800]

【Phantom Beast Machine - Orion Gyrfalcon】【2☆/Wind】

[Mechanical Race/Effect]

[600/1000]

"First, four monsters appeared in one go!?"

David Rabber was clearly pleased with Marufuji Sho's surprised tone and proudly said, "That's why I said 'Phantom Beast Machine' is a deck from a completely different world from your 'Machine Man' deck, right? Under the effect of 'Emergency Takeoff,' I can use each 'Phantom Beast Machine Token' that is released to Special Summon a 'Phantom Beast Machine' monster from my deck."

"I've named the KC-135 Stratotanker, the SR-71 Blackbird, the Harrier, and the Orion spacecraft 'Nose Four'."

"With its powerful engine, thick armor, and ferocious movements after transforming into a beast, it's clear they are among the best of the machine race."

"Each one has its own unique strengths and special moves. Their attack and defense capabilities are truly astonishing, and their secret effects bring unexpected surprises!"

Marufuji Sho looked at David Raab, who was grinning quite menacingly, and said speechlessly, "The others are fine because they combine 'eagle,' 'lion,' and 'leopard beast,' and you can definitely see the ferocity of the wild beasts. But the prototype of that [Phantom Beast Machine - Stratospheric Hamster] is clearly a refueling machine and a hamster. Where is the ferocity? On the contrary, it looks more like it's trying to be cute than my [Mech]?"

"Even when it comes to being cute, the [Phantom Beast Machine] is stronger than the [Mech]!"

"This isn't a compliment!"

Marufuji Sho complained, looking at "Machine Head Four"... looking at the four [Phantom Beast Machines] on David Rabber's field, "There's a saying that 'powerful cards often come with great risks.' I don't believe that a card that can Special Summon so many monsters from the deck at once doesn't have any negative effects, such as being unable to attack or having its effects negated."

"Besides, even if we summon so many monsters at once, there isn't a single monster with an attack power exceeding that of the [Rescue Type First Aid Robot]."

David Labb grinned upon hearing this: "Heh, that's all the imagination a small fry can muster. The combat power of the [Phantom Beasts] specially summoned by the [Emergency Takeoff] effect is not diminished at all, and they can use the effect and fight normally."

"Although it will return to my deck at the end of the turn due to insufficient fuel, as long as the duel ends within this turn, this negative effect is as if it doesn't exist." David glanced at the cards in his hand and continued, "As for insufficient attack power..."

"The [Phantom Beast Machines] can utilize [Phantom Beast Machine Derivatives] to achieve different effects. The effect of the previously released [Phantom Beast Machine - Rope Wolf] is to increase attack power by 800 points at the start of the damage step until the end of the turn. I originally planned to use it to destroy your annoying fire truck."

"But using an extra card is fine too. Quick-Play Spell Card [Limit Removal] activated! Double the ATK of all Machine-Type monsters on my field!" David Labbé inserted his third Quick-Play Spell Card into the Spell & Trap Zone, a confident smile spreading across his face.

"The only cost is that they will be destroyed during the End Phase, but since [Phantom Beast Machine] is going to return to my deck during the End Phase anyway, this negative effect doesn't apply to me either!"

【Fantasy Beast Machine - Stratospheric Hamster】【ATK1100→2200】

【Phantom Beast Machine - Black Falcon】【ATK1200→2400】

[Phantom Beast Machine - Harrier Lion Leopard Beast] [ATK1800→3600]

【Phantom Beast Machine - Orion Gyrfalcon】【ATK600→1200】

Machine-type monsters may have various fighting styles. Even the [Cyber ​​Dragon] can be used in different ways by different people. For example, when Ryo Marufuji uses the [Cyber ​​Dragon], he is good at making it undergo various changes and his main fighting style is "evolution". However, the [Cyber ​​Dragon] in Samejima's hands is relatively good at repeated appearances and is used in conjunction with the [Cyber ​​Summoning Demolition Device] to carry out the underworld's blood-burning tactics.

However, with the existence of the card [Restriction Removal], most Mech decks are destined not to waste this incredibly powerful Mech-specific quick-attack spell card and will instead opt for an aggressive, win-at-all-costs strategy. David Rabber was precisely planning to unleash a devastating burst of damage to finish off Marufuji Sho.

With its attack power doubled, even the seemingly docile [Phantom Beast Machine - Stratospheric Hamster] has become more ferocious, and two monsters with attack power exceeding that of the [Rescue Type First Aid Machine] have appeared at once!

"My Battle Phase continues. I attack Rescue Healer with Mythic Zombie-Blackhawk. Then, when Mythic Zombie-Blackhawk declares its attack, I Special Summon one Mythic Zombie Token to my field. This grants all Mythic Zombie monsters on my field the immunity to being destroyed by battle or monster effects, and also increases their Level by 3!"

David Labb said with a sneer, "In that case, neither [Explosive Armor] nor [Divine Shield - Mirror Power -] can destroy my monster!"

"Crush that blinding fire truck! A Mach 3 attack!"

Although it wasn't equipped with any special weapons, the extreme speed was a very dangerous weapon for the [Phantom Beast Machine - Black Falcon]. It accelerated to Mach 3 in a very short time, and even the black [Phantom Beast Machine - Black Falcon] had a reddish tinge on its outer shell.

The red, horned, three-times-speed [Phantom Beast Machine - Black Falcon] swooped down and destroyed Marufuji Sho's [Rescue Type Emergency Healer] in an instant!

"Ugh!"

[Marufuji Sho: 4000→3900LP]

The impact simulated by the virtual projection system caused Marufuji Sho to not only drop his basic score but also instinctively take a step back, revealing a fearful expression.

'What a terrifying aura! Is this the opponent's true strength?' Looking at the [Phantom Beast Machine - Black Falcon] that had returned to David's field, as well as the other powerful three-body monsters that were poised to attack him directly when the field was empty, Marufuji Sho's legs trembled.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. The other party is, after all, a third-year student, and a top student who stood out from so many people at the Western branch campus to become an exchange student. It's just that I, a poor student in the Red Dormitory, was able to block a few attacks and then thought I could compete with the other party. That would be being arrogant and complacent.

"As expected, I have no chance of winning..."

“Sho…” From the sidelines, Ryo Marufuji watched Sho Marufuji, who was dejected and whose last bit of courage had been destroyed along with his monster. He wanted to encourage Sho, but he didn’t know what to say. After all, he, who had always performed well, found it hard to empathize with Sho Marufuji.

"Xiang!"

Ryo Marufuji and Sho Marufuji turned around at the same time to look at Judai, who was shouting Sho's name. David Labb also frowned and said with dissatisfaction, "You idiot, didn't anyone teach you not to interfere when other people are dueling?"

Instead of correcting David Rabble's pronunciation, Jaden continued to cheer on Marufuji Sho, saying, "Don't give up, Sho! The duel isn't over yet!"

"B-Big brother..." Jaden's encouragement did not bring courage to the frustrated Marufuji Sho. He still could not have confidence and said with a mournful face, "Even if the duel is not over yet, I can't win anymore."

"You don't understand anything about not being able to win! Never lose confidence in your deck and in yourself until you've used every last card!" Jaden shouted. "Even if you don't believe in yourself, at least believe in me who believes in you!"

Upon hearing Judai's words, Marufuji Sho was stunned. Looking at the smile on Judai's face and the thumbs-up he was giving him, he was speechless. David Labb said impatiently, "I didn't expect you, Yuki, to be such a delusional idiot. What's the use of 'believing' such things? This world is all about science."

"For example, right now, if I want the monster to attack again, no matter how hard I shout 'I believe you,' can that little fry conjure up another monster out of thin air to block my direct attack?"

With a wave of his hand, David Labborg commanded, "[Phantom Beast - Orion Lion], attack the opponent's duelist directly! Space Impact!"

Instead of choosing the [Phantom Beast Machine - Harrier Leopard Beast] with the highest attack power, David deliberately chose the [Phantom Beast Machine - Orion Flying Lion] with the lowest attack power to attack Marufuji Sho, just to prove that he couldn't even block an attack of this level.

He looked at Marufuji Sho's lowered head and assumed that he had probably given up and fallen into despair, but he did not notice that Marufuji Sho's hands, which had been trembling just a moment ago, had now become steady.

“Yes, the duel isn’t over yet. I still have one last face-down card to activate.” Sho Marufuji suddenly raised his head, his tone becoming firm and unwavering as he looked at David Rabb. “That’s right, I can do it!”