"It's my turn, draw a card!"
Since the opponent had already said not to hold back, Youyu naturally didn't intend to hold back either.
"I discard one card from my hand to special summon 'Illusionist' in attack mode!"
After sending a card from his hand to the graveyard, a magician cloaked in a veil covered with question marks appeared on Youyu's field, crossing its arms, its face seemed to question, 'Do you have many questions, young one?'
[Illusionist, ATK 2000]
Mr. Phoenix praised, "Starting off with such a high-level monster…"
"Even though Illusionist is level 5, it can be special summoned by discarding one card from the hand. Next, I activate the effect of 'Elemental Hero Necroshade' which was sent to the graveyard."
The grave zone of the Duel Disc emitted a golden light, and a card popped out from the graveyard.
"As long as Necroshade is in the graveyard, I can summon a high-level Elemental Hero without any tribute, just once." Youyu showcased another card from his hand, "Come forth, Elemental Hero Edgeman!"
A hero clad in pure gold alloy soared into the air with flames jetting from the engines on its back, flipping easily like a fighter jet, leaving a burning trail behind.
[Elemental Hero Edgeman, ATK 2600]
Little Ed stood by, eyes wide open: "So... so powerful..."
"Battle Phase, Edgeman attacks Destiny Hero Diamond Dude! Sonic Impact!"
With a burst from its tailflame, Edgeman dashed forward like a golden shadow, descending rapidly, the sharp gold blade on its arm slicing through the air straight towards Diamond Dude's forehead.
But Mr. Phoenix also had a countermeasure: "Activate the Set Card, Trap Card - D Shield! Change the attacked Destiny Hero to defense position and equip it with this card!
Destiny Heroes equipped with D Shield won't be destroyed in battle!"
Floating stones formed a shield in front of Diamond Dude. The Destiny Hero transitioned from offense to defense, crouching down, crossing its arms into a defensive posture.
[Destiny Hero Diamond Dude, ATK 1400 → DEF 1600]
"A card that strengthens defenses?" Youyu remarked, "However, Edgeman has the effect of inflicting piercing damage to defense position monsters. Even if it can't be destroyed, the battle damage still applies. Continue the attack!"
Edgeman dove vertically, its metallic blade slashing down forcefully. The massive impact pierced through Diamond Dude, and although most of the impact was absorbed by the floating shield in front of Diamond Dude, a small portion still pierced through, striking its controller.
[Mr. Phoenix, LP 4000 → LP 3000]
Little Ed at the side swallowed hard: "So strong. Even though Dad has already adopted such a strong defense, a lot of damage was still inflicted..."
"My turn ends." Youyu stated.
Mr. Phoenix adjusted the frame on his nose, his expression turning serious.
As expected of the Duel King, truly formidable, exuding a pressure unlike any other duelist he had faced until now.
But even so...
Mr. Phoenix glanced at Little Ed a little further away, taking a deep breath.
...even so, as a father, he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his son.
Moreover, he firmly believed that his Destiny Heroes, born from his efforts, would not be inferior to the Duel King's Elemental Heroes.
"It's my turn, draw a card!" Mr. Phoenix drew his card, saying, "Then, it's the effect of 'Destiny Hero Diamond Dude'! The Magic Card 'Destiny Draw' sent to the graveyard last turn can be activated at no cost!
So I can draw two more cards from my deck!"
Drawing two cards, Mr. Phoenix quickly revealed one: "Next comes Magic Card - Graceful Charity! Draw three cards from the deck, then discard two cards from the hand."
This turn, Mr. Phoenix flew through his deck, drawing six cards in total, including the normal draw.
After drawing more cards, Mr. Phoenix's eyes lit up, and he flashed a confident smile.
It's here!
My Destiny Heroes have responded to me! (After all, I drew six cards in a row)
"This turn, let me show you the ultimate power of my Destiny Heroes!" Mr. Phoenix declared as the Duel Disc's field zone activated.
"Field Magic - Mausoleum of the Emperor, activate!"
As the Magic Card was inserted, the landscape transformed instantly with the holographic image. The ground was rewritten amid roars and tremors, and flaming torches lined the path on both sides.
A long staircase, a high altar with eternal flames burning intensely. Below the altar, a huge rectangular pit with rows and rows of soldiers standing neatly...
...Terracotta Warriors?
Indeed, the prototype for this Field Magic is none other than the legendary tomb of the First Emperor of Qin.
One must say, the inspiration for Yu-Gi-Oh! card designs is incredibly extensive; anything can be incorporated...
"The effect of Field Magic, Mausoleum of the Emperor!" declared Mr. Phoenix, "Both players can pay 1000 LP to use the earthen warriors in the mausoleum as tribute for Tribute Summon!
I pay 1000 LP and use two clay statues as tribute to summon the wild Destiny Hero imprisoned in the clock tower!" (animated effect)
[Mr. Phoenix, LP 3000 → LP 2000]
He raised a card in his hand and called out clearly, "Come on! Destiny Hero Dreadmaster!"
A black storm swirled up, and under the light effects of the hologram, the image of a muscular, massive hero appeared.
The huge hero descended from the sky, landing on the ground as if Mount Tai had fallen, crashing down with a roar. He was bare-chested, shackles bound his hands and feet, his face was restrained by a steel mask, teeth clenched, as if his whole body was filled with anger.
[Destiny Hero Dreadmaster, Attack Power?]
"It's... appeared! The strongest Destiny Hero!" Young Ed clenched his fist, "Go for it, dad!"
Mr. Phoenix glanced at his son, smiled warmly, and said, "When Dreadmaster is successfully summoned, all other monsters on the field besides Destiny Hero are destroyed.
Afterwards, I can Special Summon two Destiny Heroes from the graveyard." (animated effect)
As he spoke, two Destiny Hero cards were expelled from the Grave Zone of the Duel Disc and subsequently placed in the Monster Zone.
"Come on, Destiny Hero Captain Tenacious! Destiny Hero Dasher!"
The pitch-black vortex representing the graveyard opened up, and Dreadmaster roared, throwing his chains straight into the vortex. Two heroes emerged, each pulling an iron chain, landing one left and one right beside Dreadmaster.
[Destiny Hero Captain Tenacious, Attack Power 800]
[Destiny Hero Dasher, Attack Power 2100]
Young Ed was full of delight, "So many heroes! Summoning so many at once... Dad is amazing too!"
Youyu said calmly, "Did you discard two Destiny Heroes when you activated Graceful Charity just now?"
"Indeed." Mr. Phoenix smiled, "And Destiny Hero Dreadmaster's attack power is the total attack power of Destiny Heroes on the field excluding this card!
Currently, I have Diamond Dude, Captain Tenacious, and Dasher on the field, so Dreadmaster's attack power is the combined value of the three Destiny Heroes!"
[Destiny Hero Dreadmaster, Attack Power? → Attack Power 4300]
Youyu looked at the gigantic hero, "Attack Power 4300, huh."
"Change Diamond Dude from Defense Position to Attack Position, then let's battle!" Mr. Phoenix shouted, "First, use Dreadmaster to attack Elemental Hero Edgeman! Heaven-Soaring Overhead Cloud-pushing Palm!"
Youyu: "..."
What the heck is this move name? What's with this martial arts vibe?
Dreadmaster's eyes behind the mask lit up with a scarlet glow. He roared furiously and charged at Edgeman.
The engine behind Edgeman fired up, and the blade on his arm dragged a golden glow straight to the side of his face. But unexpectedly, Dreadmaster was even stronger, casually reaching out to capture the wrist of the metal hero. He followed with a palm strike that crushed into Edgeman's chest with an overwhelming force.
With just a face-off, Edgeman let out a bitter cry and exploded on the spot, shattering apart.
[Youyu, LP 4000 → LP 2300]
"Then it's Dasher's turn!" Mr. Phoenix continued, "Use Dasher to attack Illusionist!"
The black-clad hero dashed forward on roller skates as if ice-skating. In a breath's moment, the hero flashed before Illusionist, sweeping out with his right leg in a black trajectory, hitting Illusionist hard.
[Youyu, LP 2300 → LP 2200]
"Captain Tenacious!" The attack wasn't over yet, "Directly attack the player!"
Captain Tenacious leaped, flipped in the air, and landed in front of Youyu, slamming the armored forearm down. The holographic image passed through Youyu, but the virtual impact still forced him back a step.
[Youyu, LP 2200 → LP 1400]
"Lastly, I have Diamond Dude who hasn't attacked yet." Mr. Phoenix smiled.
[Destiny Hero Diamond Dude, Attack Power 1400]
If this attack goes through, his Destiny Heroes will directly claim a glorious victory in the first battle!
Winning the first battle against the Duel King!
Any duelist harbors hope to some extent, and even the always easygoing Mr. Phoenix couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart at this moment.
Young Ed's eyes gleamed even more, "Dad... is going to win?"
"Did you see it? This is the potential of my Destiny Heroes!" Mr. Phoenix shouted, "Diamond Dude, direct attack!"
Diamond Dude flicked his cape, leaped across the field, and charged straight at Youyu.
Yet Youyu's face never wavered, and even as Diamond Dude charged straight at him, the corner of his mouth revealed a hint of a smile—
—Kuriboh, save me!