"'Damage = Reptile' resolves—searching a Reptile to the field!"
Viper went back into his deck, quickly pulling out a monster.
"I took 900 damage, so I Special Summon a Reptile from my Deck with ATK less than or equal to that number.
I Special Summon a second 'Venom Cobra'!"
The thickly white-scaled cobra returned—long body, lashing tail, tongue hissing. It looked truly fearsome.
[Venom Cobra, ATK 100]
"At this moment—"
Kira revealed a card in his hand.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Demise of the Land'!
When your opponent successfully Special Summons a monster, activate this to choose and activate a Field Spell from your Deck."
The field shifted at once. The sun, veiled by clouds, cast a hazy light over the barren ruins.
Then, like a tsunami, a great tide surged over the ruins, flooding the entire space. The seabed trembled, the earth cracked, ancient buildings rose with bubbling water and swirling dust.
"From my Deck, I activate the Field Spell 'A Legendary Ocean'," Kira said. "It increases the ATK/DEF of WATER monsters by 200, and reduces the Level of WATER monsters in both hands and on the field by 1."
[Abyss Soldier, ATK 1800 → 2000]
Viper fell silent.
That troublesome soldier is now at 2000 ATK. It's only 200 more, but it elevates him from a lower-level beater to near upper-level thresholds—much more annoying.
Kira: "I set two cards to my back row. Turn end."
Adrian watched without a ripple.
Abyss Soldier—the bounce monster. Its ability seems tailor-made to counter Viper's Vennominon.
Choosing this monster as the core of his plan—did the Duel King intend this from the start?
Could it be he already knew Professor Viper's strategy?
"My turn. Draw—"
Viper stood and spoke in a low voice.
"You—did you already know Vennominon and the characteristics of my Venom Deck? Otherwise why would you just happen to…?"
"Well now… whether I knew or not…"
Kira wore a playful smile.
"What do you think?"
Viper ground his teeth.
Strength aside, the Duel King is as punchable as the legends say…
He'd also heard that provoking anger is part of the King's dueling. Lose your cool in front of this guy, and you've fallen into his pace—defeat won't be far.
"I activate the Spell 'Fiend's Sanctuary'!" Viper declared. "I Special Summon a 'Metal Fiend Token' to my field!"
A magical sigil opened on the ground; a little metal demon figure like a doll appeared within it.
[Metal Fiend Token, ATK 0]
"Then I Tribute 'Venom Cobra' and the 'Metal Fiend Token'—once more, descend—
—Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes!!!"
Two Tributes reassembled on the field were swallowed by the dark mire. Then a cloud of poison burst out; countless little snakes formed first—Vennominon's fingers—then those dangerous eyes, the upright serpent's form, and the regal crimson cloak.
[Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes, ATK 0]
"And with more Reptiles in my GY, Vennominon's power rises again!"
[Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes, ATK 0 → ATK 3500]
"Also, my Continuous Spell 'Precious Cards from Beyond' activates again!" Viper said. "I used two monsters to Tribute Summon, so I draw 2 cards!"
Viper drew hard.
Then he looked up at Kira's field, voice cold.
"Planning to bounce Vennominon again next turn with that disgusting soldier? I won't let you! Now I'll show you the true, unshakable authority of the Venom King!
Go, Vennominon—tear that Abyss Soldier to pieces!"
Vennominon screeched, clearly furious at the water warrior that had embarrassed it, and charged as if for revenge.
Kira: "I activate the Continuous Trap 'Gravity Bind.'
Neither player can attack with Level 4 or higher monsters!"
A gravity wave crashed down. Vennominon, mid-charge and full of momentum, was slammed to the ground by an invisible force, hissing in pain, unable to move.
"I see!" Adrian's eyes lit up. "'Gravity Bind' seals Viper's attacks. Abyss Soldier was originally Level 4, but thanks to 'A Legendary Ocean,' it's reduced to Level 3—so it isn't affected."
Thus only Viper is locked out of attacking, while Abyss Soldier can discard a card each turn to bounce something, then swing in with a solid 2000 ATK for pressure…
As expected of the Duel King's tactics.
Viper clenched his fist. "You even sealed my attacks…"
"What's wrong, Professor? Weren't you going to show me Vennominon's unshakable authority?" Kira teased. "If you don't swing at me, I can't feel a thing."
Viper's face stayed cold.
"Don't get cocky, brat!"
He glanced at a card he'd just drawn.
Though his offense was blocked again, the two draws from Vennominon's Tribute Summon and "Precious Cards from Beyond" offered another path.
"I set one card. Turn end."
Viper's voice was icy.
"My turn. Draw."
Kira drew, then paused.
"At this moment, I activate the effect of 'Sinister Serpent' in my GY.
If this card is in your GY, during your Standby Phase, return it to your hand."
A green snake's phantom flashed. Kira revealed the monster card exiting his GY and added it back to his hand.
Viper's frown deepened.
Sinister Serpent is WATER, perfect as Abyss Soldier's cost. Each turn he discards it, and next turn it recovers itself…
A bouncer that returns cards every turn, a one-sided lock trap, and now infinite ammo…
How utterly degenerate!
This was a strategy Kira had used back at the Academy, but it was Viper and Adrian's first time seeing it. Adrian, as a spectator, was eye-opened; Professor Viper, as the victim, mostly felt stifled.
"Now I discard the 'Sinister Serpent' that just returned to my hand as the cost, to activate 'Abyss Soldier.'"
Kira pitched the card to the GY.
"I bounce 'Vennominon the King of Poisonous Snakes' back to your hand—again!"