Is this the world of card dealers? Yada thieves!

“Hmm…” Shaking her head slightly, Fubuki looked up at Edward and continued, “[The Eye of Tearing Time] is similar to [The Eye of Singing Death] in that it prevents me from activating monster effects from my hand during this duel. However, in addition to this common negative effect, [The Eye of Tearing Time] also grants me the ability to turn drawn cards into two during the draw phase and to perform a maximum of two Normal Summons per turn!”

"My first Normal Summon was [Black Dragon's Hatchling], so now I'm going to Normal Summon this monster in Defense Position—[Steel Illusionist]!"

A monster of the Mage race that is extremely similar to [Imitation Fantasy] appeared on Fubuki's field. However, compared to the former, [Steel Fantasy]'s appearance is much more angular. Upon closer inspection, one can even see that what it is wearing is not a mage's robe but a piece of iron made of steel. However, what is most eye-catching is not its hat and the red single eye that is open in its palm, but the mirror in its hand.

In that cold, steel mirror, the image of a classic trap card—[Metalize - Magic Reflect Armor]—was reflected.

【Iron Fantasy Master】【4☆/Light】

[Mage Race/Effect]

[0/0]

“This effect can only be activated when [Steel Fantasyner] is Summoned or Special Summoned. I set one [Metalize] Trap Card from my Deck to my field. The card I choose is this one, [Metalize - Enhanced Reflective Armor].” Fubuki placed a card down and said, “Then I activate another effect of [Steel Fantasyner] to declare one type and transform it into a monster of the declared type until the end of my opponent’s turn. The type I declared is Dragon.”

"Then, I place the last card in my hand face down to end my turn."

[Tenjōin Fubuki: 1250LP, 0 cards in hand]

[Iron Fantasy Master] [Mage Race/Effect → Dragon Race/Effect] [DEF0]

【Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon】【DEF2400】

[The Severed Darkness] [Gaikka (Metalized Reflective Armor)] [Gaikka]

Seeing that Fubuki had finally finished her turn, Edward couldn't help but laugh: "Hehe, your turn is finally over—assuming you have a high-attack monster on your field! In that case, the outcome of the duel is already decided, and the answer was revealed before my turn even started!"

"Then it's my turn, draw a card!"

Chapter 1445 The Narrator of Suffering, the Messenger of Burning, the Chosen Overseer... The Phoenix Destroyer!

"Then it's my turn, draw a card!"

Although the [D-Power] on Edward's field grants Edward resistance to being targeted by the opponent's card effects, it also has the negative effect of preventing Edward from drawing cards during the draw phase, but this only applies if he has [D-Hero Blood Demon-D] on his field.

Therefore, Edward successfully drew the card from the deck and then said, "Are you confused or even dismissive of what I just said? Let me tell you the answer!"

"The effect of 【Dragon Knight - D-END】is naturally not just about not being destroyed by card effects and being able to revive from the graveyard during my preparation phase. Otherwise, how could it be called the embodiment of an unstoppable fate?" Edward pointed to the snow field. "His true and strongest power is—destroying one monster on the opponent's field and inflicting damage equal to that monster's ATK!"

"This effect does not target any object and has no limit of once per turn!"

(Note: Animation effect)

Just as the original [D·hero Blood Demon-D] in Edward's hands and the OCG version of [D·hero Blood Demon-D] in Hayato's hands have vastly different effects, his [Dragon Knight·D-END] is also very different from the version in the other world.

Compared to the OCG version of [Dragon Knight D-END], Edward's [Dragon Knight D-END] has the added resistance to be destroyed by effects, and the self-resurrection effect is extended to the entire turn of Edward, not just the preparation phase. More importantly, even the destruction effect is extended from targeting and once per turn to not targeting and unlimited times. However, the cost is the same: Edward cannot enter the battle phase during the turn the effect is activated.

Given that Fubuki failed to eliminate [Dragon Knight D-END] in the previous round, left [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] with 2800 attack power on the field, and Fubuki's life points were only 1250, which wasn't much higher than Edward's, it's no wonder that Edward felt he had the victory in the bag!

Moreover—his monsters aren't limited to just one card, [Dragon Knight D-END].

"The card I drew is [D·Hero Devilman]. Because the card I drew is a monster card, it triggered the effect of [D·Hero Dashman] in my graveyard!" Edward said, flipping the card he drew from his hand and showing it to Fubuki.

"I reveal [D·hero Devilman] to both players for confirmation, and then I activate the effect of [D·hero Dashman]. If this card is in my Graveyard, I Special Summon the [D·hero Devilman] I drew to the field!"

【D·hero Devilman】【3☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Effect]

[600/800]

A slender, ghostly warrior draped in a wide, blood-red cloak appeared on Edward's field, but as he finished his draw phase and entered the preparation phase, he added, "It's not over yet! I still have a monster to summon!"

"My Future Fusion card in the back row activates its second-phase effect during my Standby Phase, Fusion Summoning this card from my Fusion Deck!"

"Heroes of the divine world, heroes of the accelerating sprint, now unite as one, become the immortal and indestructible hero of ultimate destiny, and descend upon this land!"

"Fusion Summon, Level 8☆!"

In the previous turn, the cards [D·hero Divine Man] and [D·hero Rush Man] were sent to the graveyard. In the second turn of Edward, [Future Fusion] completed the fusion of the "future" and summoned the Destiny Hero with the power to "hide in the toilet" from his deck.

"Fly! [D·hero Destroyer Phoenix]!"

【D·hero Destroys the Phoenix】】【8☆/Dark】

[Warrior Race/Fusion/Effect]

[2500/2100]

"The first effect of 【D·hero Phoenix Man of Destruction】 is to reduce the ATK of all monsters on your opponent's field by 200 points equal to the number of 【Hero】 cards in my Graveyard." Edward raised his Duel Disk and said, "And in my Graveyard, thanks to the fusion of 【Dragon Knight·D-END】, the number of 【Hero】 cards has now increased to nine."

"Therefore, as long as [D·hero Phoenix Man of Destruction] is on my field, all of my opponent's monsters will have their ATK reduced by 1800!"

"Absolute justice prevails!"

[Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] [2800/2400→1000/2400]

【Iron Fantasy Master】【DEF0】

Fortunately, Fubuki Special Summoned Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon in Defense Position last turn; otherwise, Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon, whose attack has been reduced to only 1000, would have become his biggest weakness on the field!

However, after entering the main phase of Edward's story, he did not use the effect of [Dragon Knight - D-END] to destroy [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] in order to deal Blizzard effect damage and clear its basic points.

Although Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon's current ATK is only 1000, lower than Fubuki's 1250 Life Points, the effect of Dragon Knight D-END resolves damage after destroying a monster. The damage calculated at that time will be the value of Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon after it leaves the field, which is its original ATK. 2800 damage is more than enough to wipe out Fubuki's Life Points.

Edward didn't use the effect immediately mainly to be as safe as possible—especially with two face-down cards in the back row when Fubuki was on the field.

He couldn't be sure if the card Fubuki had placed on the field was a card with a reflective effect like [Painful Soul Curse]. Anyway, he figured he might as well use the effect of [D·Hero Destroy Phoenix] and try to destroy one of the two cards Fubuki had on the field first!

"The second effect of [D·hero Phoenix Destroyer] can be activated during both players' turns, destroying one card on your field and one card on the field." Edward pointed to Fubuki's Spell & Trap Zone. "Better safe than sorry. The cards I'm going to destroy are [Future Fusion] on my back field and the face-down card in the same position on your opponent's field!"

After a pause, Edward further explained, "Although when [Future Fusion] leaves the field, it also destroys [D·hero Phoenix Destroyer] which was Fusion Summoned by its effect. However, the destroyed [D·hero Phoenix Destroyer] will also be able to activate its third effect, Special Summoning one [D·hero] monster, including itself, from my Graveyard during the Standby Phase of the next turn."

"Then let the burning begin! [D·hero Destroyer of Phoenix] - Phoenix Wings Soaring!"

Under Fubuki's watchful gaze, [D·hero Phoenix Destroyer] flew into the air, unleashing flames at its own face-down card in the back row. The indiscriminately splashing flames also covered [Future Fusion] in Edward's back row. Under the burning flames, its own face-down card was about to be destroyed along with [Future Fusion].

"You're really cautious. Although it seems like you're planning to end the duel directly with the effect of [Dragon Knight - D-END], you still chose to prioritize eliminating the face-down card to avoid any accidents?" Fubuki said while pressing the button to activate the face-down card. "In that case, rather than letting your monster destroy my card, I'd rather... chain the effect of [D-Hero Destroyer Phoenix] and activate my face-down card!"

"Perpetual Trap Card [Skill Draw]!"

In an instant, a strange wave of power swept across the arena, and in a flash, all the monsters' power was stripped from their bodies. Even the flames controlled by [D·hero Destruction Phoenix Man], who had already unleashed their flames, were extinguished out of thin air.

"It's... a [Skill Draw] card!?" Edward's eyes widened, never expecting such a card to appear out of nowhere.

"What, you're allowed to restrict me from using monster effects, but I'm not allowed to let you experience what I felt last turn?" Fubuki sneered. "You have to pay me 1000 Life Points to activate this card. As long as this card is in the Spell & Trap Zone, the effects of all face-up monsters on both players' fields will be negated!"

"Not only your [D·hero Phoenix Destroyer] who tried to destroy my card, but also [Dragon Knight·D-END]!"

[Tenjouin Fubuki: 1250→250LP, 0 cards in hand]

Fubuki's already meager life points dropped another 1000 points, leaving her with less than 500 points and looking like she could be shattered at the slightest touch. However, her aura grew stronger and stronger, even suppressing Edward's aura!

Because of the chain's "later-acting first" effect, if Fubuki activates [Skill Extraction] first and then Edward uses the effect of [D·hero Destroying Phoenix], the final result will be that [Skill Extraction] will be destroyed by the latter before it can nullify the effect of [D·hero Destroying Phoenix].

However, the current situation is that Edward used the effect of [D·hero Destroy Phoenix] first, which means that [Skill Drain] will take effect first, forcing Edward to experience the feeling of Fubuki having all the monster effects on the field sealed in the last turn!

Because the effect of [D·hero Destroy Phoenix] was nullified, the power of [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] on the Blizzard Field was also restored, and its attack power returned to the original 2800 points.

[Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] [1000/2400→2800/2400]

“Because we’re on different paths, I can’t make the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, like that legendary duelist, Mr. Jonouchi Katsuya, unleash its power to merge with various beings and bloom into miracles and flowers of hope.” Fubuki looked at her Skill Drain in the back row. “The path I’m taking is one of taking individualization to the extreme. Even if I abandon synergy, it doesn’t matter, as long as the individual is strong enough!”

"Just like [The Darkness That Has Been Severed], this card is also a specialized card added for [Red-Eyes Black Dragon], which is a Normal Monster. Even [Dragon Knight D-END], which cannot be destroyed by card effects, is just a 'Normal Monster' with the same attack power as [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] under the effect of this card!"

Looking at [Dragon Knight - D-END], Fubuki said disdainfully, "Heh, what a weak fate."

Upon hearing this, Edward immediately retorted, "Aren't you being a little too smug? Even if it doesn't work, the power of my [D·heroes] is still superior to your [Red-Eyes]!"

"The [D·hero Destroyer Phoenix] with an attack power of 2500 can destroy the [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] with a defense power of 2400, and the [Steel Illusionist] with a defense power of 0 is no match for the [D·hero Devilman]." Edward glanced at the monsters on the snowfield and calculated the answer. "Even without the effect, your fate is still undoubtedly 'defeat'!"

"I'm switching [Dragon Knight - D-END] to attack stance, then entering battle phase, and using [D-Hero Devilman] to attack [Steel Fantasy Master]!"

"Claw of Death!"

The metal mage on guard was instantly pierced through the body by the claws thrust out by [D·hero Devilman]. His metal robes deformed, and even the mirror in his hand shattered on the ground. Edward, who had never taken him seriously from the start, immediately ignored the already destroyed [Iron Illusionist] and continued to give the order: "Then comes the attack of [D·hero Destroyer Phoenixman]!"

"Defeat is approaching you! You must face it, you must repent, you must pay the price!"

"Slay the [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon]—Recounting the suffering, declaring the end!"

Even without its effect, [D·hero Destroyer Phoenix] still possesses formidable power, given its standard protagonist ace attack of 2500 points. While it wouldn't normally be a match for [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] with its 2800-point attack, [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon] is currently in Defense Mode!

Facing the counterattack of the Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon's black flames, D·hero Destruction Phoenix barely managed to envelop his body in flames to defend himself. He then leaped into the air and swooped down towards the Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon, his body ablaze with flames, resembling a soaring phoenix. Upon approaching the Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon, he flipped over and aimed a "Rider Kick" at it, ready to shatter it!

However, at that very moment, the Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon was suddenly covered in a thick layer of metal, as if it had used some kind of supernatural power like "copper head and iron arms" to make itself metallic—even though it was already in a metallic state.

The instant the Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon and the D. Hero Phoenix Destroyer made contact, a loud clang rang out. The D. Hero Phoenix Destroyer was actually bounced off the solid metal layer on the Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon's body, flying backwards for a considerable distance before barely managing to regain its footing!

"What happened?" Edward looked at Fubuki, puzzled, only to find that the last card in his back row had been quietly revealed. It was the card Fubuki had used in the virtual world "Duel-Links," but no information about it had leaked out. He had previously retrieved it using the effect of the destroyed [Steel Illusionist]—[Metallization - Enhanced Reflective Armor]!

"I declare an attack in the chain of [D·hero Destroyer Phoenix], and I use the last card on my back field, the Trap Card [Metalization - Enhanced Reflective Armor]!" Fubuki pulled out the face-down card from the Duel Disk, flipped it over to show Edward, "This card can only be activated by Tributing one face-up monster on my field. I Tribute [Red-Eyes Dark Steel Dragon]."

"Then, under the effect of [Metalize & Reinforced Reflective Armor], Special Summon a monster that cannot be Normal Summoned and whose name is listed as [Metalize & Reinforced Reflective Armor] from my hand, deck, or graveyard."

Fubuki took out a card from her deck, raised it above her head, and shouted: "Discard this dark steel armor, break free of your shell, undying dragon, reignite your fighting spirit!"

"【Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon】!"

Chapter 1446 The Unbeatable Legend: Tenjōin Fubuki

"【Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon】!"

The sturdy metal shattered and exploded, its entire body covered in a new layer of special metal armor, and even its race changed from dragon to machine. The new form of the [Red-Eyes Black Dragon]—[Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon], which was so black it was almost white—stood in front of Fubuki, spreading its wings and revealing its sharp claws!

[Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon] [8☆/Dark]

[Machine Race/Special Summon/Effect]

[3400/2400]

Not finished yet! Fubuki then placed the [Metalized Reflect Armor] face up back into the Spell & Trap Zone and said, "The follow-up effect of [Metalized Reflect Armor] is that it can be used as an Equip Card to equip the target monster as if it were an Equip Card that grants the equipped monster 400 ATK and DEF, cannot be destroyed by Spell & Monster effects, and the opponent cannot target the equipped monster with Spell & Monster effects!"

"Although [Skill Drain] negates the effects of both players' monsters, the boost to [Metalize & Reflect Armor], a Trap Card, remains unaffected!"

【Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon】(Metalized & Enhanced Reflective Armor)【ATK3400→3800】

The sudden appearance of the [Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon] was completely unexpected by Edward. He intended to defeat Fubuki in this turn, but judging from its current state, it seemed that he had no way to deal with the [Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon].

[Skill Drain] negates the effects of all monsters on both sides' fields, but the resistance provided by [Metalize & Reflect Armor] is unaffected by [Skill Drain]. Even if you pull out a card like [Black Hole] out of thin air, you can't destroy [Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon]. You have to deal with the [Metalize & Reflect Armor] on its back field first.

However, the card in his hand was [D·hero Determined], which he had recycled with his own effect in the previous turn. During the [Skill Drain] period, he was just a blank monster with no effect.

“With an attack power of 3800 points… it seems the only way I can defeat it is…” Muttering to himself, Edward glanced at his deck. There was a way for him to defeat [Red-Eyes Black Steel Dragon], but it was impossible to do so in this battle phase.