"Shield in the Right Hand, Sword in the Left Hand, let all the monsters on the field swap their attack power!"
[Maze Wall, Attack Power 0→Attack Power 3000]
[Thunder Emperor Zaborger, Attack Power 2400→Attack Power 1000]
As everyone knows, the low defense is a common weakness of the entire royal package. All the emperors have an attack power of 2400 and defense power of 1000. When attack and defense are swapped, they instantly drop from the True Red-Eyed Black Dragon level to the Wingman level of weaklings...
However, Jim's Maze Wall is just the opposite; with the attack and defense swap, it immediately becomes a big boss at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon level.
At this moment, Yugen's remaining Life Points are 1800. This battle will directly secure Jim's victory!
"Maze Wall, attack Thunder Emperor Zaborger!"
Jim shouted the order, holding his breath.
It seemed like a perfect opportunity, with hope for a one-hit kill.
But...is it really that simple to win?
Of course, Jim might have guessed that the answer is, of course not.
Boom!
The moving maze roared as it crushed the white emperor on Yugen's field. The emperor exploded, and the lightning burst forth, rushing towards Yugen, but it all crashed into a transparent barrier that blocked the shock wave.
Jim sighed helplessly, "As expected...it's not that easy."
"During the damage calculation phase, I discarded this card from my hand and activated its effect."
Yugen revealed a card from his hand.
"Chestnut Ball. By discarding it, I can reduce the battle damage to zero."
Yugen pointed to a Trap Card in his back row that was disappearing.
"And just at the moment of the attack declaration, I also activated this card.
The Trap Card 'Sacrificial Treasure Scroll'. When the total attack power of my monsters is less than the opposing monster with the lowest attack power, I draw two cards from my deck.
But as a cost, I can't summon monsters in any form this turn." (Original effect)
Jim understood, "When the Trap was activated, due to the attack and defense swap effect, I only had Maze Wall with an attack power of three thousand on my field, while your field had only Thunder Emperor with an attack power of one thousand..."
Jim picked another card from his hand.
"Covering a card, turn ended."
"My turn, draw."
Yugen waved his hand.
"Activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Descent Ceremony'.
Select a monster with 'Tomb Guardian' in its name from the graveyard, and Special Summon it onto my field."
"Wait a moment..."
Jim raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you say that in this Royal Valley of Eternal Rest, all acts that desecrate the dead are taboo?"
You promised that effects affecting the graveyard would be nullified?
"Oh, that." Yugen smiled, "That's for outsiders. Only outsiders who dare to offend the Valley of Eternal Rest will be punished.
But the Tomb Guardian Race is designated by the Royal Family as the chosen watchers, bearing sacred powers. They have privileges and are not bound by the rules of the Valley of Eternal Rest."
Jim: "..."
It's a pure black curtain, a blatant cheat.
In what world is digging graves an offense, while resurrecting is a righteous privilege?
However, Yugen wasn't just spouting nonsense; it's written in the card's notes. The Descent Ceremony's effect will not be negated by the "Royal Valley of Eternal Rest".
"Revive 'Tomb Guardian Commander' from the graveyard."
[Tomb Guardian Commander, Attack Power 1600]
"Then use 'Tomb Guardian Commander' as a sacrifice for an Upper-level Summon..."
Yugen raised his hand. The Commander was wrapped in a whirl of sacrifice, turning pitch black amidst the cyclone, with a pair of dark red eyes glowing in the darkness.
"The dark and evil emperor awakens from the abyss of the Netherworld—
—Evil Emperor Gaius, summon!"
The dark storm swept the entire field, the pitch-black cloak billowing. An evil emperor emerged slowly from the abyss, exuding a menacing aura.
The Evil Emperor spread his arms wide, a wave of darkness surging skyward, seemingly laughing silently—
—Finally, it's my turn to shine!
[Evil Emperor Gaius, Attack Power 2400]
Upon the successful summoning of the Evil Emperor, remove any card from the field from play. The pitch-black storm swept through, converging on Jim's field and gathering at his back row, lifting the Covering Card.
Trap Card - Blast Armor!
Yugen: "..."
Hmm, he seemed to recall that Jim had used this card during a duel with the Overlord in the animation. At that time, Jim tried to counterattack the Overlord's Evil Heart Hero with Blast Armor, but the Evil Heart had resistance to destruction, so the Blast Armor continued its tragic fate throughout Yu-Gi-Oh!'s history...
Jim gritted his teeth, "My Blast Armor..."
"Blast Armor is a powerful Trap that can destroy an attacking monster during its attack, what a pity."
Yugen smiled, then waved his hand.
"Now, Evil Emperor Gaius attacks the Maze Wall."
Having finally gotten a chance to appear, the Evil Emperor stood tall and proud, determined not to be underestimated by that Soga guy this time.
He gathered his power in his palm, conjuring a swirling energy ball. As the energy gathered, the ball grew larger, until it became a massive black energy bullet. The walls of the Maze Wall were easily pierced and shattered, and as the darkness struck Jim, he felt as if he'd fallen into hell. Though it should only be a hologram, he actually felt his limbs turning cold.
[Jim, LP4000→ LP1600]
Jim staggered back two steps, wiped his mouth, and smiled wryly.
"Really, no room to catch your breath, huh."
The effect of the attack-defense swap with Shield in the Right Hand, Sword in the Left Hand can only last for one turn. By the end of the turn, the Maze Wall's attack power would revert to 0.
Originally, Jim planned to swap Maze Wall's attack and defense to output damage, then leave it with 0 attack power as bait, luring the opponent to trigger his Blast Armor trap. The idea was good, but he overlooked the curse placed upon the Blast Armor by the Great Cosmos' will. If it had been a Holy Defense or something similar, it might have worked...
"Covering two cards, turn ended."
Jim took a deep breath.
Fossil Fusion was sealed, and this Valley of Eternal Rest had sealed most of his deck's strength. He hadn't even managed to unleash a tenth of his usual abilities in this duel.
He never expected, having no enmity with the Duel King, that this person would use such a thing against him...
Jim looked at his deck.
He had to come up with something with this turn's draw, otherwise, this might very well be his final turn.
"My turn, draw!"
Jim felt a twinge in his heart as he inserted the drawn card directly into his Duel Disc.
"Magic Card 'Pot of Magic Book'! Both players draw three cards from their decks!"
With another draw from the deck, his eyes lit up instantly.
"Thank you, my deck!"
Jim chuckled and then played the key card he'd drawn that could turn the tables.
"Field Spell—
—Guardian Barrier of the Holy Land!!!"