In the instant that card was placed on the Duel Disc, it felt as though the entire world changed colors.
The pitch-black night seemed to be draped in a blood-red curtain, with vivid colors that seemed ready to drip down at any moment.
Only those who have experienced it firsthand can truly understand that this is not an effect that holograms can project. The blood-drenched sky, chaotic airflow. Malevolent light mixed within the blood-red storm, raging and lunatic laughter, as if a devil had broken free from the shackles of hell.
And the monster birthed from that oppressive atmosphere was none other than the Destiny Hero known as the "Ultimate D," Blood Demon D.
It was a dark red hero, with a tight suit wrapping his body like a devil's curse. He had enormous wings akin to a glider, and a dragon head-shaped weapon mounted on his right wrist, just his appearance alone induced a heavy, muddled sense of oppression.
[Destiny Hero Plasma, Attack Power 1900]
"Has it appeared, Blood Demon D," Youyu said calmly.
"Submit to the Power of Destiny's End!" Light of Destruction shouted, "Activate the effect of Blood Demon D! Once per turn, it can absorb a monster from the opponent's field to equip as an Equip Card for Blood Demon D! Come to me, 'Elemental Hero Nova Master'!"
The scarlet hero spread its wings, and from its dripping wings, countless tendrils shot out, capturing Nova Master's body like vine whips.
Nova Master fought to release flames, scorching the tendrils entangling him with burning energy and high heat. But whatever material they were made of, no matter his efforts, he couldn't shake them off.
The flamethrower hero was helplessly dragged into those huge wings, becoming nourishment for Blood Demon D, a part of its body.
"Then Blood Demon D's attack power increases by half the attack power of the equipped monster, and it absorbs the effect of the targeted monster!"
[Destiny Hero Plasma, Attack Power 1900 → Attack Power 3200]
Indeed, the effect of Blood Demon D differed from the physical card version that Youyu recalled.
The physical card Blood Demon D also can absorb opponent's monsters, but it can only absorb attack power, not effects. However, as long as it's face-up on the field, it negates all monster effects on the opponent's field.
From a modern card player's perspective, there's no doubt that Blood Demon D's physical card effect is even stronger than in the animation, which is one of the rare cases where the effect wasn't weakened but enhanced after card realization.
If it had been issued with the animation's effect, it probably wouldn't stand out much.
In this case, dealing with the Blood Demon D before us shouldn't be too difficult.
...Of course, that's something to consider in the next turn.
Light of Destruction snarled fiercely: "Blood Demon D, direct attack on the player! Tear him to pieces—Scarlet Horror!"
Blood Demon D opened its huge wings as if to shroud the sky in darkness, chaotic power turning into countless droplets on its wings, like a blood rain sweeping towards Youyu from all directions!
Youyu flipped his set card: "Trap Card - Damage Diet! During this turn, all damage to the player is halved!"
Countless blood arrows pierced through his body. He could feel the violent energy of Light of Destruction contained within them, the stinging pain spreading over his entire body.
Youyu gritted his teeth and stepped back, enduring this violent impact.
[Youyu, LP 3600 → LP 2000]
"Hmph, futile prolonging of your own suffering, all you're doing is extending your pain," Light of Destruction arrogantly sneered, "Set one card face-down, end of my turn!"
"My turn!" Youyu glanced at the card he drew, "Activate Pot of Greed, draw two cards from the deck."
Indeed, the bond investment paid off, and now at level seven stars, Youyu had no card-handling issues.
With two card draws, he immediately had a combo in hand to clear the field.
"I summon 'Magician's Rod,' in attack mode!"
The ethereal blue image of the magician appeared on the field, the entire body like a phantom, with only the emerald green magic staff in hand as solid.
[Magician's Rod, Attack Power 1600]
"The effect of Magician's Rod: when successfully summoned, add a 'Dark Magician' related Magic Trap Card from the deck to the hand. I add the Quick-Play Magic 'Illusion Magic' to my hand."
Youyu pulled out the card deck, found the "Illusion Magic," and showed it to the opponent, then shuffled before inserting the deck back into the Duel Disc.
"It's useless no matter what you do," Light of Destruction scoffed, crossing his arms, "In the face of Blood Demon D's power, all is futile."
Youyu completely ignored him: "Quick-Play Magic - Illusion Magic activates! Tribute a Spellcaster-Type monster on your field, and add up to two 'Dark Magician' from your deck or graveyard to your hand.
I tribute 'Magician's Rod,' and add two 'Dark Magician' from my deck to my hand!"
Light of Destruction snickered: "Hey, hey, does this mean your field is now empty? Are you going to remain like this and face Blood Demon D's attack next turn?"
"Magic Card - Black Magic Veil activates!" The card floated in front of Youyu, "Pay 1000 LP to Special Summon a Dark Attribute Spellcaster-Type monster from your hand or graveyard.
Come forth, Dark Magician!"
[Youyu, LP 2000→ LP 1000]
An array materialized out of thin air, with every line drawn in the array burning fiercely under a cloak of pitch-black flames. A red-robed, white-haired mage wielding an emerald magic staff leaped forth, deftly flipping the wand in his hand, chanting as he arrived on the field.
[Dark Magician, Attack Power 2500]
Light of Destruction exclaimed: "You've actually summoned a high-ranking monster like the Dark Magician? But even so, the Dark Magician still..."
"Activate Magic Card - Thousand Knives from the hand!" A Magic Card appeared in front of Youyu, "When Dark Magician is on the field, destroy one monster on the field!"
Light of Destruction's expression changed slightly: "It's a direct destruction!?"
The image of countless flying knives appeared, like a torrential rain of flowers encircling Blood Demon D. With a wave of the Dark Magician's staff, magic power drove the flying knives to shoot through the air instantly.
"Not so fast!" Light of Destruction countered, waving his hand, "Quick-Play Magic - My Body as a Shield! When a card effect is activated that would destroy a monster on the field, pay 1500 LP to negate and destroy that effect!"
[Light of Destruction, LP 2800 → LP 1300]
A transparent golden shield appeared around Blood Demon D's body, the rain of flying knives clattering against the shield ineffectually. The "Thousand Knives" Magic Card at Youyu's side also dissolved and vanished with a burst of golden light.
Youyu watched the card on the opponent's field gradually turn transparent and disappear, and couldn't help but smirk slightly.
Tch, actually managed to dodge that.
As expected of a major boss from the mid-GX era, he still has his flair. Up to now, Light of Destruction hasn't had a single spare card in his hand, every card can be used perfectly.
This once again proves the true duelist never suffers from a lack of cards, and this iron rule even applies to entities beyond Earth...
"Set two cards face-down, end of my turn," Youyu said.
"Heh-heh-heh, is this all you can do? But of course," Light of Destruction sneered, "Now it's my turn again, draw!"
After this draw, the possessed man's lips curled into a sneer, he suddenly couldn't hold back his excitement and burst out into laughter.
"So, you thought that if Blood Demon D was just a monster of this level, it would be easy to deal with, right?"
Youyu: "..."
"After all, you are the Duel King, if I thought this level of power could defeat you, it would be my mistake. Let me show you the respect you deserve!"
Light of Destruction laughed maniacally, revealing his final hand: "Activating the Magic Card, D-Force!"
A green Magic Card manifested on the field, and at that moment, an overwhelming power erupted from the crimson Destiny Hero. A cluster of destructive white light shot skyward, like a silver dragon roaring into the clouds, issuing an earth-shattering roar.
Light of Destruction laughed heartily, and then unexpectedly...
...actually placed this Magic Card face-up on the top of his deck!
At the same time, the entire aura of Blood Demon D on his field changed instantly, as if some internal restraint had been lifted, unleashing a tremendous, terrifying energy!
"Behold! This is Blood Demon D's true power sealed away, and this D-Force is the key to breaking that seal!" Light of Destruction laughed heartily, "When D-Force is placed face-up at the top of the deck, I cannot perform a normal draw.
But as long as this card is there, Blood Demon D's true power will be unleashed!
All face-up monster effects on the opponent's field are negated! And any Magic or Trap effects targeting Blood Demon D are also negated!"