"With the effect of Monster Reborn, I return 'The Wicked Dreadroot' to my hand," the Wicked God said with a sinister grin.
"Now, I believe I don't need to say what will happen next, President Seto Kaiba?"
Kaiba's expression remained impassive as always. He simply replied, "Enough talk. If you're coming, then come."
"Heh, so confident, aren't you? Very well. Then let me shatter both your Blue-Eyes and your confidence into dust!"
The Wicked God played another card from his hand.
"First, I activate the Continuous Spell Precious Cards from Beyond. As long as this card remains on the field, whenever I perform a Tribute Summon using two or more monsters, I can draw two cards from my deck!"
Preparations complete, the shadowy Dreadroot of the Wicked God raised its arm, holding the key card between two fingers.
"I tribute the three 'Dimension Jars' on my field! Once again, I gather the ultimate fear of this world and make it tremble before me—
—The Wicked Dreadroot, Summon!"
The three Dimension Jars were crushed to powder once more. An overwhelming darkness was summoned, pouring down from the sky like a black waterfall. With a flash, the giant shadow of the Wicked God descended again, roaring a challenge at the Ultimate Dragon that had previously defeated it.
[The Wicked Dreadroot, ATK 4000]
"At this moment, due to the effect of 'Precious Cards from Beyond,' since I used more than two tributes for this summon, I draw two cards from my deck!"
The Wicked God drew two cards.
Kaiba stated, "It's the same no matter how many times you try. The Wicked God's power is useless against my Ultimate Dragon. As long as the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon is in the graveyard, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon can't be targeted or affected by any of your card effects."
The Wicked God sneered, "A decent resistance, but if you think that makes you invincible, you're naive, President Kaiba."
Kaiba frowned.
Unable to be targeted or affected by effects—while not absolute invincibility, it was close. Not even gods could affect the current Ultimate Dragon. Did his opponent already have a way to break through?
"A god's power is limitless. Now, let me show you!"
The Wicked God slowly drew a card from his hand. For some reason, even before the card was played, Kaiba could sense something from it.
Power was pulsating, as if the card resonated with the Wicked God on the field, as if some demon was about to awaken.
"I activate the Spell Card—
—Divine Evolution!!!"
The moment the card was slotted into the duel disk, the world itself seemed to change.
The dark space trembled, the earth threatened to collapse. An earth-shaking force erupted from the Wicked God, as darkness as thick as ink blasted skyward.
Yet even more terrifying than the visuals was the Wicked God's aura.
Kaiba could feel it. His Ultimate Dragon could feel it too, letting out a nervous roar.
The god's aura was swelling!
Even Kaiba lost his composure for a moment, his expression shifting. "That card—does it elevate a god's rank?"
The Wicked God laughed heartily.
"Exactly! As one who has once controlled the Egyptian Gods, you know this well, Seto Kaiba," he laughed. "Divine Evolution is a magic only a god can use! Its activation and effect cannot be negated, and it ignores the 'gods can only be affected by one spell per turn' restriction. This is a god's magic that can raise their rank!"
Most duelists don't know this, only that gods are the peak of Dueling. But as a former god wielder, Kaiba knew, even among the Egyptian Gods, there are ranks.
Obelisk outranks Slifer, though the difference is small. The Winged Dragon of Ra is above both, the true apex.
Divine Evolution could alter a god's rank.
In fact, this card was designed by Gekko and later entrusted to Yugi. Gekko asked Yugi to use its power to defeat the Wicked God and restore his brother.
Yugi succeeded, evolving Obelisk into his "True Form," equal to the Winged Dragon of Ra, and defeated the most powerful Wicked God.
But now, the same card appeared in the hands of the Wicked God.
"I told you, Kaiba, the world is far broader than you mortals can imagine. My Divine Evolution is even stronger than the Pharaoh's!"
The Wicked God roared.
"With Divine Evolution, 'The Wicked Dreadroot' increases its rank, and its ATK and DEF rise by 1000!"
[ATK 4000 → 5000]
"Battle!" the Wicked God bellowed. "Dreadroot, attack Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
Endless darkness gathered in the Wicked God's hand, destructive power sweeping forth.
Now, its ATK had surpassed the Ultimate Dragon's. Yet, the Ultimate Dragon showed no fear, gathering energy in its mouths, three orbs merging into a beam, ready to strike.
But before the attacks could clash, a dark abyss opened beneath the Ultimate Dragon, an abyss of pure darkness dragging it down.
Kaiba was shocked.
What is this? Some destruction effect?
But whether from spell or monster, the Ultimate Dragon should be immune!
The Wicked God laughed.
"Did you think the evolved Wicked God was only this powerful?
Through Divine Evolution, Dreadroot gains a new ability: Absolute Oblivion!
When it declares an attack, your opponent must choose one of their monsters and send it to the graveyard!"
Kaiba's eyes widened.
As the world's foremost card text expert, Kaiba instantly understood the terror of this effect, and why even his Ultimate Dragon's invincibility didn't work.
The effect targets the opponent duelist—not the opponent's monsters. The duelist must choose a monster to send to the graveyard—just like tributing for a higher-level summon.
No matter how invincible the Ultimate Dragon, it cannot defy its owner's will.
Thus, no resistance or invincible monster can stop this evolved god's strike.
"Your field only has Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. You have no choice," the Wicked God sneered. "Vanish, Ultimate Dragon!"
…