At this moment, the Flame Sword Three Knights had gradually adapted to this spiritual pollution, appearing once again beside Tenjo Hikari, cautiously on guard.
Tenjo Hikari frowned, somewhat helpless.
Surrender.
Really going for [Round Two].
"Xyz Summon Outer Entity Nyarla!"
In the darkness, countless tentacles rolled in like flowing water, accompanied by gaping, bloodthirsty mouths that sent chills down one's spine.
Because of this, the Flame Sword Three Knights shuddered again, clearly uncomfortable due to the spiritual pollution once more.
But with the experience from the first encounter, their adaptability seemed to have improved significantly, and they weren't severely affected.
Outer Entity Nyarla, Rank 4, Earth Attribute, Fiend-Type, Attack Power 0.
"Effect of Cthugha, if the monster used as an Xyz Material successfully performs an Xyz Summon, draw 1 card."
It drew a card from the Deck, then revealed: "Spell Card, Xyz Gift, can only be activated when there are 2 or more Xyz Monsters on your field. Remove 2 Xyz Materials from your field and draw two cards from your Deck.
I will remove two Baby Spiders and draw two cards."
He drew two cards but didn't care.
Because, now, it was about to win!
"Activate Trap Card Destruction Ring! Destroy 1 face-up monster on your field, both players take 1000 damage! I will destroy, ■■■■■■!"
It couldn't even pronounce Azathot's name.
Tenjo Hikari looked at the monsters on the field, speculating about the upcoming events.
A ring embedded itself onto one of Azathot's tentacles, then exploded with a bang. Although theoretically Azathot had been destroyed, its presence remained on the field, unable to dissipate.
Tenjo Hikari, LP: 4000→3000.
Diabolos, LP: 3000→2000.
"Destroying its own Ace Monster? What on earth is this guy thinking?" asked Flame Swordsman, puzzled.
"No idea, this guy is completely crazy—" Black Flame grumbled irritably.
"Activate another Trap Card, Xyz Soul! Can only be activated by selecting 1 Xyz Monster in either the player's or opponent's Graveyard. All monsters on your field gain ATK equal to the selected monster's Rank X 200 until the end of the turn. Afterwards, the selected monster can be returned to the Extra Deck."
A group of Spirits' expressions changed drastically.
1000 ATK was nothing; they all knew that wasn't the point.
The point was…
Azathot was back!
"Don't, don't panic…" Crystal was a bit tense, "It no longer has other Xyz Materials."
"Hahaha—naive, too naive, let me show you, the ultimate power bestowed upon me by the Gods, surpassing all!"
"What?" Flame Sword asked nervously.
"Rank-Up!"
Rank-Up?
The three Spirits and Tierra all looked puzzled; it was the first time they had heard the term, yet Tenjo Hikari had silently opened a Set Card.
"That's right, Rank-Up! The ascension of the soul, the ascension of matter, this is exactly the power controlled by Xyz—hahaha, Gods, grant me this great power!
■■■■■■ can be placed on top of an existing [Outer Entity] Xyz Monster on your field to Xyz Summon it!"
Nyarla giggled a couple of times, then transformed into a massive black sphere, merging with the purple and white spheres beside it.
The three-colored monsters soared through the air, circling onto that great card.
"Xyz Summon!"
Outer Entity Azathot!
"Hehehehehehahaha, in the turn it was Xyz Summoned… you cannot activate Monster Effects."
"Oh no." The three Spirits gasped softly.
They had expended so much effort, only to summon Azathot?
But—
It was worth it!
Because Azathot's appearance signified that nothing could stop it this turn for Tenjo Hikari!
"But, Defending is something the Blue-Eyes White Dragon has with 2500 DEF!" Flame Sword said, beads of sweat forming on its forehead; Azathot's reappearance made it feel uncomfortable all over. But it wasn't speaking out of discomfort; it realized that its master was about to face something truly terrifying.
Thus, it instinctively said so, hoping to embolden its master.
But Tenjo Hikari remained far more composed.
"Spell Card, Riryoku." Diabolos laughed maniacally, "Halve your monster's ATK while boosting my God's ATK by that amount."
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, ATK: 3000→1500.
Outer Entity Azathot, ATK: 2400→3900.
"But, with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in Defense Position… it should be fine."
"Fine? Too naive!" The Demonic Dragon roared with a visage of broken wings, "When my master uses a Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz Monster as materials, removing 1 Xyz Material activates its Divine Might—destroying all cards on your field!"
It's bad!!!
The Three Knights' hearts sank.
"Hahahaha—"
"Wuhu, wuhu!"
"Sisi, heheheheh."
The spirits of the dark world began to burst into hysterical laughter as if infected.
"Oh no." Ah Bu Si covered his forehead, speaking painfully, "There's no way to stop it!"
Sacrificing itself 1000 LP only to lower the opponent's life and recycle Azathot!
As long as Azathot is around, the opposing Monster Effects will pose no threat, clearing all the opposing cards and using Azathot for a direct attack would likely secure the duel!
This was Diabolos' strategy!
In the past, it once reigned as the overlord of this dimension, possessing different strategies and methods from the present, but those strategies and methods were too old-fashioned, too laughable!