The Supreme King frowned slightly; seeing that he couldn't directly summon Neos Ultimate, he opted for a secondary approach: "The Fusion Conditions are a monster that is LV 5 or higher and a Hero monster."
Upon hearing these Fusion Conditions, Tenjo Hikari furrowed his brows slightly.
"I will fuse the Evil Hero Sinister Necrom in my hand card with Neos."
"Dark Fusion, Evil Hero Malicious Bane!"
A demon, bearing a seven-tenths resemblance to Vicious Claws but more brawny and enormous, with a dragon's tail, appeared with laughter.
Evil Hero Malicious Bane, LV 8, Dark Attribute, Fiend-Type, ATK 3000→2600.
With the appearance of this monster, countless purple puppet strings instantly coiled around The Supreme King's wrist, preventing him from Special Summoning.
"Malicious Bane cannot be destroyed by battle or effect..." Tenjo Hikari's brows slightly knit together.
If it were another monster fused through Dark Fusion, Tenjo Hikari wouldn't actually be nervous. Because when Tenjo Hikari's own monster is destroyed, he can still use Vicious Claws for a secondary defense!
Even though Dark Fusion comes with "the monster fused cannot be selected as effect targets on the turn it was summoned," the destruction effects of Phoenixman and Vicious Claws don't target; similarly, even though The Supreme King's Dark Fusion is likely what was originally "Dark Fusion," the monster fused through it cannot be destroyed by Spell and Trap Cards' effects for that turn, yet the destruction by Phoenixman and Vicious Claws are Monster Effects, which this effect from Dark Fusion also cannot protect against.
Therefore, a regular Dark Fusion cannot perfectly address Tenjo Hikari's current situation; even if it's enough to deal with Midrash, something will still be missing.
However—
Malicious Bane happens to be that card which can almost handle all of Tenjo Hikari's scenarios!
"Malicious Bane's effect, once per turn, activates during your Main Phase. Destroy all monsters on the opponent's field with ATK less than or equal to this card's, and this card's ATK increases by the number of monsters destroyed x200 points."
"Tsk..."
Now, Tenjo Hikari, who already couldn't Special Summon, had the field cleaned up entirely.
And the power of the two monsters also poured into Malicious Bane's body afterward.
"Sorry, Geo Squid—"
Buzz—
Geo Squid didn't mind at all; as they, the Earthbound Gods, said before, for Earth's Earthbound Servants, just being able to come out for a stroll and breathe fresh air is already very rare.
Malicious Bane swung the claw blade of its right hand, then threw it, scraping across Tenjo Hikari's field, easily erasing the "cards" on Tenjo Hikari's field like an eraser.
In almost an instant, Geo Squid and Phoenixman were destroyed.
However—
"Midrash cannot be destroyed by the opponent's effects."
Yes!
Even so, Midrash still stands on the field!
Malicious Bane, ATK: 2600→3000→3400.
"Destroyer Phoenix Enforcer's effect activates when this card is destroyed by battle or effect, Special Summon 1 Destiny Hero from the Graveyard during the next turn's Standby Phase."
"Amazing..." Judai was astounded.
With just one Special Summon, Tenjo Hikari's entire protection for Midrash was easily destroyed, and they even found a means to battle-destroy Midrash!
But...
The Supreme King, in his view, considered this turn as "a failure."
Because, due to Midrash, before dealing with Midrash in the Battle Phase, he couldn't Special Summon further. Originally, there were other methods to continue the duel, but he was forced, prior to engaging in battle and dealing damage, to prioritize destroying Midrash, which was not in line with his plan.
"Battle!" The Supreme King casually swung his hand, "Malicious Bane attacks Midrash."
Malicious Bane aimed at Midrash and swung its massive evil blade. Although the guard dragon for Midrash lunged in front of it instantly, amidst the crackling and sizzling destruction sound, the dragon was destroyed, followed by the obliteration of Midrash.
Tenjo Hikari, LP: 3000→1800.
Tenjo Hikari propped his left hand forward, and just as Tenjo Hikari prepared to act, a sharp blade had already pierced through the thunder-filled Dueling Arena, stabbing into Tenjo Hikari's chest instantly.
Ahh!
Tenjo Hikari felt as if hit by a massive hammer; the colors of the world in his eyes instantly vanished; everything, in that moment, became black and white.
"Cough—" Tenjo Hikari spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.
"Hikari!?"
"Tenjo Hikari?"
Tenjo Hikari wobbled his body, coughed twice more, spat out two streaks of clotted blood, quickly wiped the corners of his mouth, and shouted, "Activate Monster Effect—Midrash's effect, recover Shaddoll Fusion from the Graveyard... then, activate Vicious Claws' effect from the Graveyard, Special Summon in Defense Position!"
The Vicious Claws exchanged by Judai to Tenjo Hikari jumped enthusiastically from Tenjo Hikari's Graveyard to the field, standing with hands on hips in an invincible manner.
Evil Hero Vicious Claws, LV 7, Dark Attribute, Fiend-Type, DEF 2500.
Tenjo Hikari gasped twice, gradually regaining his senses.
Tierra extended a hand, blue flames gently igniting on Tenjo Hikari's body; because earlier she'd lightly modified Tenjo Hikari's life form, Tierra could "heal" Tenjo Hikari's body in her more adept manner.
She clearly realized something, her expression icy.
"What is the situation?" Judai, in the Spiritual World, slapped both hands on the "Window of the Heart," questioning The Supreme King.