The green halo emerged layer by layer, and black claws extended from the vortex of energy. Armor materialized inch by inch like a living entity, constructing the full form of the Armored Wings, its blade-like wings slicing through space, causing a disturbance.
The crimson eyes scanned the battlefield, the engine roared, the storm of data and the flying Yusei particles cheered in the air, heralding the first Synchro Summon of this duel.
[Black Feather - Armored Wings, Attack Power 2500]
Leo: "Summoning the ace card in the first turn! Kro is indeed amazing!"
"No matter when, the great Kro is always in full firepower mode!" Kro said, "Go, Black Feather - Armored Wings, attack 'Chaos Core'!"
Summoning Armored Wings in the first turn was within Yugen's expectations.
At this moment, neither Kro himself nor the Black Feather were perfect. Early on, Armored Wings was Kro's core ace. Of course, the effects of Armored Wings during that era were also quite powerful, even Yugen had suffered significant losses from this thing when Yu-Gi-Oh! first entered the Synchro version.
Black Feather - Armored Wings, 2500 Attack Power, can't be destroyed by battle, and causes 0 battle damage to its controller. Plus, when this card attacks an opponent's monster, it can place a 'Wedge Indicator' on that monster after the battle.
By removing the placed Wedge Indicator, it can turn that monster's Attack Power and Defense Power to 0 only during this turn until the turn ends.
So, this effect is clear, when it comes to fighting, this thing is almost invincible. No matter how high your Attack Power is, you can't destroy it, nor cause damage. And once you've battled with it, your Attack Power returns to zero, becoming fragile.
Although, looking through modern eyes, mere resistance to battle destruction is nothing special; you can directly remove, banish, or bounce it away to solve it. But back then, seeing a buddy pull out this thing was shockingly unexpected, even questioning if he was bluffing with a fake card, otherwise, why would there be something so unreasonably strong...
Watching as Armored Wings charged toward him aggressively, Yugen couldn't help but display a reminiscent expression.
"Such a nostalgic monster..."
It reminded him of those carefree days playing cards with friends, not knowing what a forbidden list was.
However...
At the moment of being attacked, above the Chaos Core, the Void space began to distort as if a rift in time and space was suddenly torn open. A deep, majestic light shot out instantly, transforming into golden and blue phantoms like ancient ghosts.
Thunder Emperor Harmon! Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil!
The phantom of the Phantom Demon Emperor was like countless flowing light shadows, transcending reality. Thunder Emperor Harmon was the embodiment of thunder, surrounded by constantly jumping arcs of electricity, each thunderclap resonating like echoes from the depths of the cosmos.
"Nani!?"
The three opponents were instantly stunned.
Phantom Demons!
Even if they were just ghostly phantoms, the oppressive aura emanating from their bodies, inherited from ancient times, involuntarily stirred fear and awe in one's heart.
"Don't be nervous, they haven't made their entrance yet." Yugen smiled and said, "This is the Monster Effect of 'Chaos Core.'
This card can activate when it becomes the target of an attack or card effect. It can send 'Divine Flame Emperor Uriah,' 'Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil,' and 'Thunder Emperor Harmon,' up to one each from hand or deck to the graveyard."
Yugen displayed the uniquely colored monster cards in yellow-blue hues, then sent them to the graveyard.
"I sent the Phantom Demon Emperor and Thunder Emperor, two phantom demons to the graveyard from the deck."
Kro came to his senses: "Then the attack continues, you'll take 2500 battle damage..."
"Haha, unfortunately, no need." Yugen said, "After sending the phantom demons to the graveyard, Chaos Core places two 'Phantom Demon Indicators' on itself.
This turn, the battle damage I receive becomes 0. Also, if Chaos Core would be destroyed by battle or effect, it can remove one indicator to substitute."
Armored Wings' fist pounded to within half a meter of Chaos Core, but couldn't advance even a step further after hitting a barrier, and had to retract helplessly. Ripples spread in front of Chaos Core, but didn't harm its true form at all.
Kro: "Then I'll use 'Black Feather - Shilock of Dawn,' to continue attacking 'Chaos Core'!"
[Black Feather - Shilock of Dawn, Attack Power 2000]
The bird-beast warrior of the Black Feather charged forward, launching a punch. Of course, unsurprisingly, the attack was once again blocked by the invisible barrier in front of Chaos Core.
Though it didn't achieve any results, Jack nodded: "That's good, Kro. By doing this, 'Chaos Core''s indicators are consumed instantly, so the substitute destruction effect disappears!"
Kro: "Set one card face-down, and end the turn!"
Yusei remained silent.
The Three Phantom Demons are legendary-level monsters in Duel Monsters history, there should be three of them. From the effect just observed, Chaos Core should be able to send all three to the graveyard from the deck.
But the opponent only chose to send two, the Phantom Demon Emperor and Thunder Emperor, to the graveyard. Yusei wouldn't optimistically think there isn't a third phantom demon in the opponent's deck.
Then a big possibility is...
"Everyone, be cautious!"
Yusei warned.
"Godwin probably already has one of the phantom demons in his hand!"
Everyone: "!"
Yugen laughed heartily.
"Indeed, Yusei Fudo, your thinking is indeed swift. Kro Hogan is also quite good, immediately launching such a fierce attack in the first turn... looks like I'll have to be a bit serious as well."
Yugen smiled slightly.
"My turn, draw a card."
"Activate the Magic Card 'Handwriting Erasure.'" Yugen said, "Both parties discard all cards in hand, then draw the same number from the deck."
He discarded all cards in hand at once, then drew new cards.
"Next, activate the cover card." Yugen opened the backfield, "Continuous Trap 'Triangle Barrier'!
This card can activate all cards of the same name from the graveyard when activated on the field." (Original Card)
Triangle Barrier, upon activation, can activate same-name cards from the graveyard, and when three cards are together on the field, once per turn, it can nullify battle damage from one monster.
The ability to nullify battle damage is pretty negligible, but quickly gathering three traps, this effect makes it clear it's a dedicated card for Divine Flame Emperor.
It's one of the traps Yubel specifically matched to the Phantom Demon Card Deck in the GX series.
"Just as Yusei speculated, yes, I already have a Phantom Demon in my hand."
Yugen waved his hand, and seemed to explode invisible airwaves from the three traps in front of him.
"Now, let me show you... what Phantom Demon truly is!"