"Attack with Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
A forceful destructive white light burst forth from the dragon's jaws. In that instant, Sayer felt like he was about to be blown away by the dragon's pressure. Stumbling back half a step, he struggled to steady himself, gritting his teeth and shoving back against the force.
"Activate the monster effect of Krebons!
When this card is selected as the attack target, I pay 800 Life Points to negate the attack of that monster!"
The circus clown-like psychic monster—Krebons—stood bravely before the Blue-Eyes, swiftly tossing psychic objects between his hands. Golden light condensed in front of him, forming a whirlwind-like shield. The destructive white light crashed furiously onto the shield, but this tiny monster tenaciously held its ground.
[Sayer: LP 4000 → LP 3200]
The attack failed to connect, but at least each attack could shave off 800 Life Points. Naturally, Kira didn't waste the opportunity and gestured again.
"Then, Malefic Cyber End Dragon, attack Krebons as well."
The triple jaws of Cyber End Dragon parted. A thunderous roar, like a turbine engine, echoed from its steel-plated body. Surging electricity gathered, blending with dazzling flames into a massive cannon blast, erupting from the Cyber Dragon like a volcanic explosion.
Malefic Evolution Shockwave!
"Then I activate Krebons's monster effect again!"
Sayer shielded his face, barely able to face the beast's immense pressure.
"Pay another 800 Life Points to negate the attack targeting Krebons!"
[Sayer: LP 3200 → LP 2400]
Reliable as ever, Krebons projected another barrier. The shockwave was once again blocked, but Sayer was still forced back by the residual force, overwhelmed by the oppressive aura radiating from both the monsters and their Duelists.
Looking across at the calm, collected Director, Sayer now had no doubts.
This is—without exception—the most dangerous duel of my life, against the most terrifying opponent I've ever faced!
"This thing's defense is impressive," Kira chuckled.
Krebons's attack-negating effect had no "once per turn" restriction, making it a solid defensive line for any Psychic Deck.
"And I activate a set card!" Sayer gasped. "Trap card: Card of Sacrifice!
If the opponent's lowest-ATK monster is higher than the combined ATK of your own monsters, draw two cards from the Deck!"
Sayer drew two cards.
Kira: "Then I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
To any real-life competitive player, a Malefic Deck would never be considered strong—it wouldn't even touch the lowest competitive threshold. Sure, you could summon huge monsters for very little cost, but its weaknesses and restrictions were stark.
Other than their high ATK and easy summoning, these big monsters have no resistance, no way to disrupt the opponent, and are wiped out easily by simple removals or disruptions. And then there's their greatest flaw: "Malefic World." If the Field Spell leaves play, all Malefic monsters self-destruct.
But in an environment like the anime, where players adore gigantic monster slugfests, the Malefic Deck holds near-unmatched dominance against regular duelists. Especially since all these "Malefic" monsters are top-tier powerhouses collected by Paradox from every dimension and timeline—their aura alone can overwhelm ordinary duelists.
Right now, Sayer was experiencing just that.
"Don't count me out yet!" Sayer roared. "My turn! Draw!"
"I Normal Summon Mind Protector!"
A not-so-bright looking psychic monster appeared on the field. Electric currents sparked across its forehead and channeled into its hands, forming a transparent shield.
[Mind Protector: DEF 2200]
"Next, I play Quick-Play Spell Emergency Teleport from my hand!
This card Special Summons a Level 3 or lower Psychic-Type monster from my hand or Deck, but it's banished at the end of the turn."
Kira rubbed his chin, "Emergency Teleport, huh."
It had been a while since he watched 5D's; he'd forgotten that this was one of Sayer's signature cards. But this card is still powerful—even in the modern game, it's a staple.
Directly pulls a Psychic monster from the Deck—a precise search and a free summon; little else needs to be said.
Kira couldn't help but smile.
He'd thought Sayer's deck was always bottom-tier—nothing worth collecting. But today, he was surprised there were still gems to be found.
"By the effect of Emergency Teleport, I Special Summon another Mind Protector from the deck!"
A second Mind Protector appeared on the field, palms pressed forward, electric currents forming a shield and linking up with the first.
[Mind Protector: DEF 2200]
"Level 2, Tuner Monster Krebons!
Level 3, two Mind Protectors!
Tuning—!"
[2+3+3=8]
"Spin! Black smoke of my vengeance! Synchro Summon—
Level 8, Thought Ruler Archfiend!"
The Tuner and the two monsters vanished into the swirling starlight at the center of the duel field, forming a vortex of dark matter. Clad in skeletal armor, demon wings of inky green emerged from the dimensional rift, golden lightning crackling around its form.
[Thought Ruler Archfiend: ATK 2700]
"Oh? Here comes the ace," Kira smiled. "A whopping 2700 ATK. Impressive."
Sayer snorted.
"Don't get cocky, Goodwin!" Sayer roared. "I activate Equip Spell Megamorph, equipping Thought Ruler Archfiend!
When my Life Points are lower than yours, the equipped monster's ATK doubles!"
Sayer's LP now was 2400, lower than Kira's. Thought Ruler Archfiend became enveloped in turbulent green energy and grew to double its original size, roaring at the two dragons on Kira's field.
[Thought Ruler Archfiend: ATK 2700 → ATK 5400]
"I don't know what tricks you used to assemble a deck like this, but even then, you're no match for me!
With the power of Thought Ruler Archfiend, taste the strength of my psychic might!"
Sayer waved his hand.
"Battle!
Thought Ruler Archfiend, attack Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"
Now empowered, Thought Ruler lashed out with lightning-wrapped claws. Cyber End Dragon's light beam was cleaved apart and the dragon itself was pierced, crashing down in flames.
[Kira: LP 4000 → LP 2600]
"We're not done! Thought Ruler Archfiend's monster effect activates!" Sayer laughed.
"When this card destroys a monster by battle, I gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's ATK!
Malefic Cyber End Dragon's original ATK is 4000—all converted into my Life Points!"
[Sayer: LP 2400 → LP 6400]
…