Who asked him to play Yu-Gi-Oh

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Sanze's premonition was, to some extent, correct. Chaos Decks didn't rely much on the power of Traps, and in fact, the champion builds back then often included "Royal Decree" to lock down Traps.

Because the main force of Chaos was overwhelmingly stronger compared to other decks at the time, it was natural that Chaos would have the advantage when both sides were under a Trap lockdown.

You Xuan: "I activate the Continuous Spell 'Mirage of Nightmare'. During the opponent's Standby Phase, I draw cards until I have four in my hand, but during my own Standby Phase, I must randomly discard the same number of cards drawn.

Finally, I Set one card face-down and end my turn."

Sanze: "My turn, draw!"

In a single turn, the situation had drastically reversed, becoming overwhelmingly unfavorable for him. He had to come up with something this turn.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Adversity'! If my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster and I control no monsters, I draw two cards from my Deck!" (Anime card effect)

A life-saving draw. Seeing one of the two new cards he drew, Sanze couldn't help but show a joyful expression.

It's here! The card for a comeback!

"It seems my Deck hasn't given up on the top spot yet."

Sanze looked up, smiled, and at the same time, raised the Duel Disk on his arm. A dazzling golden light bloomed from the Graveyard area of his Duel Disk.

"Number One, do you know what happens when carbon is subjected to immense pressure?"

You Xuan: "It turns into a diamond?"

He vaguely remembered Sanze saying something similar in the original series.

"Oh, as expected of Number One. Correct!" Sanze said. "The monster I sent to the Graveyard with 'Mathematician's' effect on my first turn was 'Carboneddon'!

Effect of Carboneddon. This card can only be activated after it enters the Graveyard and there are ten or more cards stacked above this card in the Graveyard!

Banish 'Carboneddon' from the game, and I can Special Summon one 'Hyozanryu' from my hand or Graveyard!" (Anime effect)

A unique effect that perfectly matched Sanze's studious persona, though this anime effect was a bit difficult to use. When Carboneddon was released as a real card, it received a major buff: it no longer needed to satisfy the annoying condition of "ten cards stacked in the Graveyard." Simply banishing itself from the Graveyard allowed one to summon a Level 7 or lower Dragon-Type Normal Monster from the Deck or Graveyard, not limited to "Hyozanryu," though it added the restriction that it must be summoned in Defense Position.

"Now, there are already more than ten cards stacked above 'Carboneddon' in my Graveyard, so its effect activates! Transform and descend in the form of a brilliant diamond—

—Level 7, Hyozanryu, summon!"

Before the dragon even appeared, its dazzling light was almost blinding. A giant dragon, its entire body crystal clear, soared into the sky, specks of light scattering like raindrops—a diamond dragon exuding an unparalleled aura of nobility.

[Hyozanryu, ATK 2100]

A typical card that might not be incredibly powerful but definitely looked expensive.

Asuka from the stands: "The monster sent to the Graveyard with 'Mathematician's' effect on the first turn... so that Daichi Misawa had been setting up this far ahead since the beginning of the duel?"

"But Hyozanryu's power isn't enough to break the current situation," Ryo Marufuji said. "He should have some other follow-up, right?"

Indeed, Sanze smiled confidently: "After Chaos Soldier, it was Meteor Black Dragon, legendary monsters one after another... Then I too must burn with all my might to fight you!

From my hand, I activate the Equip Spell 'Megamorph', equipping it to 'Hyozanryu'!

When my Life Points are lower than my opponent's, the equipped monster's original ATK is doubled!"

[Hyozanryu, ATK 2100 → ATK 4200]

"An ATK of four thousand two hundred!" The students couldn't help but stir again.

The situation reversed once more!

"Go, Hyozanryu! Attack 'Chaos Sorcerer'!"

You Xuan's remaining Life Points were 1600, and Chaos Sorcerer's ATK was only 2300. This attack could directly inflict a massive 1900 damage.

Sanze's desperate counter-kill!

Hyozanryu opened its mouth, and the glittering light flowing throughout its body surged into its maw, transforming into a spiraling beam of light that rushed forth!

"Activate face-down card!" You Xuan waved his hand. "Trap Card - Ambush Alarm!"

"Muda!" Sanze shouted. "'Royal Decree' is still on the field! All Traps are useless!"

"I know." You Xuan raised his hand. "Therefore, I chain my second face-down card, Quick-Play Spell - Malevolent Nuzzler! Discard one card from my hand; destroy all Continuous Trap Cards on the field.

Destroy 'Royal Decree'!"

Sanze instantly understood: "I see. The card activated later resolves first, so by the time 'Ambush Alarm's' effect applies, the Continuous Trap 'Royal Decree' will no longer be on the field, allowing the Trap effect to resolve normally..."

"Precisely."

As they spoke, a black storm had already swept up the Trap in the back row, and the overwhelming impact crushed the Trap Card to dust.

"Therefore, the effect of 'Ambush Alarm' applies normally. When an opponent's monster declares an attack, Special Summon one monster from your hand. And the attacking monster must be forced to attack the monster I summoned!" (Anime effect)

Ambush Alarm, also from the DM spin-off Yu-Gi-Oh! R, a Trap from the Mecha archetype.

Sanze understood: "I see. This way, by summoning a monster in Defense Position from my hand, I can both avoid damage and protect 'Chaos Sorcerer'..."

"That's right, but what I intend to do is more than just avoid damage."

You Xuan smiled and waved his hand grandly.

"According to the effect of 'Ambush Alarm', I Special Summon 'D.D. Warrior Lady' from my hand in Defense Position, and force it to battle with 'Hyozanryu'!"

Sanze: "Nani!!??"

It's D.D. Warrior Lady!

[D.D. Warrior Lady, DEF 1600]

As a good student, Sanze couldn't possibly forget; this monster's effect was...

"Stop! I'm not attacking! Hyozanryu, return!"

"Muda. The monster summoned by 'Ambush Alarm' must battle the monster that declared the attack!" You Xuan said. "And then, the effect of 'D.D. Warrior Lady'!

After battling an opponent's monster, both monsters are banished from the game!"

D.D. Warrior Lady leaped up and launched a self-sacrificing attack. She took Hyozanryu's attack head-on, her longsword slashed, space shattered, and a powerful gravitational force instantly sucked both Hyozanryu and herself into a swirling vortex, joining their teammates on their journey to a different dimension.

Sanze's eyes were about to turn red: "My Hyozanryu..."

Hyozanryu with four thousand two hundred ATK, that's practically an Obelisk rounded up...

"Ugh... then I Set three cards face-down and end my turn," Sanze said.

With Royal Decree destroyed, his underhanded lockdown strategy was officially broken. But on the bright side, at least he could use Traps now. In this overwhelmingly unfavorable situation, that might not necessarily be a bad thing.

There's still a chance!

"My turn, draw," You Xuan said. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Mystical Space Typhoon', destroying 'Mirage of Nightmare', so I don't have to discard cards due to its side effect.

Then, Battle Phase. 'Meteor Black Dragon' direct attack—"

"Not so fast! The moment you enter the Battle Phase, I activate my face-down card! Trap Card 'Threatening Roar'!"

Rings of invisible sound waves erupted from the Trap Card, sweeping across You Xuan's field. Meteor Black Dragon let out a low roar and raised its dragon claws to cover its ears.

Sanze: "In the turn Threatening Roar is activated, the opponent cannot declare an attack!"

You Xuan: "If that's the case, then I Set one more monster card face-down on the field and end my turn."

"My turn!

I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed', drawing two more cards from my Deck."

Sanze drew his cards and frowned slightly; it seemed he hadn't drawn a game-changing card.

"Time to gamble! Activate face-down card, Trap Card 'Reckless Greed'! At the cost of skipping my next two Draw Phases, I draw two more cards from my Deck!"

At this stage of the duel, if he couldn't secure victory this turn, his chances were already becoming increasingly slim.

A do-or-die battle!

"Activate face-down card, Continuous Trap 'Call of the Haunted'! Special Summon one monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position!" Sanze shouted. "I resurrect this card that I sent to the Graveyard on my first turn!

Ruler of the Cosmos, Sovereign of a Myriad Worlds—

—Level 8, Cosmo Queen!"

[Cosmo Queen, ATK 2900]

"Then, from my hand, I activate the Ritual Spell 'Lytmus's Death Ritual'!" Sanze shouted. "Tribute monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels equal 8 or more; Ritual Summon 'Lytmus Doom Swordsman' from your hand!

I Tribute the Level 8 'Cosmo Queen' on my field!

Cut down all darkness and sin with the sword in your hand! Ritual Summon—

—Level 8, Lytmus Doom Swordsman!!!"

Cosmo Queen vanished in the flames of the ritual, replaced by a swordsman wielding dual blades, his red cloak flying elegantly.

[Lytmus Doom Swordsman, ATK 0]

"Lytmus Doom Swordsman's own ATK is 0, but when there is a face-up Trap Card on the field, its ATK increases by 3000!" Sanze declared. "I have the Continuous Trap 'Call of the Haunted' on my field, so its ATK increases by 3000!"

[Lytmus Doom Swordsman, ATK 0 → ATK 3000]

This was indeed the final ace monster Sanze summoned in his duel against Judai in the original series.

"I see," You Xuan smiled. "'Lytmus Doom Swordsman' is a Ritual Monster unaffected by any Trap Card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle.

Did you specifically choose this to fight me as another countermeasure besides 'Royal Decree'?"

"Correct, this is the ace I've chosen as most suitable to decide the outcome with you!"

"But I probably don't need to remind you, even with a Trap on the field, its ATK still can't match 'Meteor Black Dragon', right?"

"I know!" Sanze said. "But I haven't Normal Summoned this turn yet...

The card I'm summoning is this one, the monster I'm entrusting this match to—

—Mimiclay!"

A Level 1 Spellcaster-Type monster, holding a small mirror that obscured its face.

[Mimiclay, ATK 0]

"Effect of Mimiclay: it can copy the original ATK and DEF values of one monster on your opponent's field! I use this card to copy your 'Meteor Black Dragon'!"

The small illusionist's mirror locked onto the enormous black dragon. The dragon's image was reflected in the mirror, and the small magician instantly transformed, copying the same massive black dragon form!

[Mimiclay, ATK 0 → ATK 3500]

The situation on the field instantly became a standoff between two Meteor Black Dragons!

"It's not over yet! I activate the Spell Card 'Double Attack'! Discard one monster card from my hand, then select one monster on your field with a Level lower than the discarded monster. The selected monster can attack twice this turn!"

Sanze sent a card from his hand to the Graveyard.

"I discard the Level 8 'Aqua Dragon' from my hand and select the Level 1 'Mimiclay' on my field!

This turn, 'Mimiclay' can attack twice!"

The spectating students in the entire venue stirred once again.

From such a desperate situation, facing the absolute suppression of Chaos power, Daichi Misawa had once again tenaciously punched through an opening!

Judai outside the field became even more excited: "To turn things around from such a situation... Sanze is so strong too!"

Manjoume narrowed his eyes, staring at You Xuan, and said as if to himself, "You shouldn't be just this much, right?"

He wouldn't allow this dog-coin to lose to someone else before their rematch!

"'Mimiclay', first attack, attack 'Chaos Sorcerer'!"

The illusionist, transformed by mimicry into a black dragon, opened its mouth, and an overwhelming blast erupted. Chaos Sorcerer was instantly engulfed in flames and blasted to ashes in a single blow.

[You Xuan, LP 1600 → LP 400]

You Xuan staggered back two steps, then smiled: "Impressive, Number Two."

"Still so composed, Number One," Sanze laughed. "Then it seems I'll have to try even harder.

Next is the second attack! Mimiclay, attack 'Meteor Black Dragon'!"

The two powerful black dragons opened their mouths in unison, torrents of fiery meteors pouring towards each other without reservation! The meteor flames collided in the center of the dueling field, and endless molten lava spread out, covering the entire surrounding area, until both black dragons were melted away.

Sanze's momentum was like a rainbow.

Meteor Black Dragon, destroyed!

"Then, 'Lytmus Doom Swordsman', attack the face-down monster!"

He could feel it, he could feel the scales of victory tipping back towards him!

Lytmus Doom Swordsman was one of his strongest aces. Blue-Eyes White Dragon-level ATK, indestructible by battle, and powerful resistance to Traps—it was the perfect ace to deal with this opponent!

He could already see the dawn of victory...

"The face-down monster you're attacking is 'D.D. Warrior'." You Xuan said calmly. "When this card battles a monster, that monster and this card are banished from the game."

[D.D. Warrior, DEF 1000]

Sanze: "..."

Spectating Students: "..."

Once again, the dimension cracked open, boundless gravitational force was released, and Sanze's invincible Lytmus Doom Swordsman and D.D. Warrior were both sucked into the vortex, vanishing without a trace.

What destruction immunity, what Trap immunity, all became fleeting clouds for a moment.

Before the invincible dimensional slash, all beings are equal, all dispatched to a different dimension.

No one exclaimed, no one commentated, for a moment no one made any sound.

An eerie silence.

After a long silence, Ryo Marufuji said gloomily, "Your assessment of him was correct. He's indeed not a duelist whose tactics can be easily sealed."

"Mm..." Asuka's expression was complicated.

How to put it...

One could only say that sometimes, when a dog wants to mess with someone's mind, it might be unstoppable...

"My turn, draw."

You Xuan calmly continued his operations amidst the silence.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Spell of Demise', banishing three Spell Cards from my Graveyard to draw two cards from my Deck." (Anime card)

Images of three Spell Cards emerged from the Graveyard and dissipated into golden light.

"I banish 'Delinquent Duo', 'Card Destruction', and 'Graceful Charity' from my Graveyard and draw two cards."

"I activate the Spell Card 'The Warrior Returning Alive', returning one Warrior-Type monster from my Graveyard to my hand.

I return 'Chaos Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning' to my hand.

Next, I banish this LIGHT attribute 'Shining Angel' that was previously discarded to the Graveyard by 'Card Destruction', and the DARK attribute 'Chaos Sorcerer' from my Graveyard.

Offer the souls of Light and Dark to the field of Chaos, call forth the legendary strongest warrior! Heaven and Earth Sundered—

—Level 8, Chaos Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, re-descends!"

Dazzling golden light erupted from the vortex of chaos, and an overwhelming beam of light slammed onto the ground. The blade of light and dark cleaved chaos, and the legendary swordsman stood ready.

[Chaos Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, ATK 3000]

Sanze: "..."

"Chaos Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning, direct attack on student Sanze—

—Envoy's Dual Destruction Slash!!!"

The power of light and dark converged on the blade, and the sword light fell. Sanze looked up, staring blankly as the sword light drew closer and closer, then let out a long breath and closed his eyes.

Forget it, forget it...

He had done his best.

[Sanze, LP 500 → LP 0]