Quick-Play Spell—Mystik Wok!

"I Tribute 'Orichalcos Kyutora' on my field," the Arbiter shouted, "and recover LP equal to Kyutora's ATK!"

Dark red light enveloped Kyutora's body. The large eye closed, and with an explosive boom, it shattered on the field.

[Arbiter, LP 9000 → LP 10000]

But in the instant that small spherical body exploded, the vast energy stored within erupted. A blinding light that was almost impossible to look at pierced the sky. A burly, solid green form emerged from the beam, landing imposingly on the field.

The deep green colossal god statue, with an emotionless face, stood silently yet naturally exuded an awe-inspiring pressure.

"As expected," Midori said gravely. "That monster..."

Orichalcos Shunoros, that terrifying monster.

And this time, it was more than that.

Unlike when it defeated Koyo, this Shunoros came with two additional components.

The green massive god statue landed, and then its left and right arms detached from the body with a clack. The arms didn't fall after detaching; they eerily floated in mid-air, drifting forward one on each side.

Shunoros landed in the Orichalcos barrier's back row zone, standing in what should have been the center of the Spell/Trap Zone. Its left and right arms separated and moved forward, each occupying a Monster Zone in the front row, flanking Shunoros.

Clearly, the implication was that without first defeating these literal "right-hand and left-hand men," one couldn't attack Shunoros itself.

"When Kyutora leaves the field, Special Summon these three cards from the Deck," the Arbiter said calmly. "Descend.

Orichalcos Shunoros! Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel-fire.ɴet

Orichalcos Dexia!

Orichalcos Aristeros!"

Among them, Dexia was Shunoros' right arm, and Aristeros was the left arm. The god statue's arms had detached and each transformed into separate monsters on the field.

"Orichalcos Shunoros' ATK is determined by the battle damage Kyutora absorbed before leaving the field, as you should know," the Arbiter said calmly. "Therefore, Shunoros' ATK now is..."

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK ? → ATK 18400]

"ATK 18,400..." Zane couldn't help but say.

"Under the Orichalcos barrier's boost, it gains an extra 500 ATK," the Arbiter said.

[Orichalcos Shunoros, ATK 18400 → ATK 18900]

Such terrifying ATK, plus the barrier's immunity to Spells and Traps...

Kira also frowned slightly.

The opponent had hidden a self-destruction method; this way, he couldn't prevent Shunoros' appearance.

"Shunoros' right hand, Dexia, is the strongest spear. When this card battles a monster, its ATK becomes that monster's ATK +300.

The left hand, Aristeros, is the strongest shield. When attacked by a monster, its DEF becomes that monster's ATK +300!"

"Eh, isn't that invincible?" Jaden was surprised.

But Kira knew the cheating description wasn't complete. Shunoros' left and right hands' ATK/DEF changes aren't unlimited—they revert after the Damage Step of battle, and the values are deducted from "Orichalcos Shunoros'" ATK.

In other words, their ATK/DEF can't exceed Shunoros' ATK. And each battle causes Shunoros' ATK to decrease accordingly.

Even if Shunoros itself attacks, it's the same.

After Shunoros battles, if against an Attack Position monster, deduct that monster's ATK from its own. If against a Defense Position monster, deduct the DEF.

Thus, Shunoros' ATK looks exaggerated, but it's like a one-time battery. It consumes energy reserves with each battle, dropping lower the more battles occur.

Of course, that's assuming the opponent can survive long enough against such power.

To date, only four duelists have faced this demon god. Among them, Kaiba and Koyo were instantly crushed by its overwhelming power upon its appearance. The only one in history to defeat it head-on was Atem.

Now, Kira was the fourth.

Mokuba's face was ashen: "ATK 18,000, and it's still in the Battle Phase. Kira has no monsters on the field, his Set cards are used up. And the opponent has the third barrier's resistance..."

Kaiba also frowned in thought, perhaps recalling the helplessness he felt back then facing the same god statue in a similar scenario.

Fujiki Kira, can you prove once again that you've surpassed the me of that time?

The Arbiter gently raised his hand.

"It's over."

The Arbiter shouted.

"Orichalcos Shunoros' direct attack, Ring of Destruction!"

A deep green ring slowly rose from Shunoros' base, flying out from the god statue's head. The ring spun rapidly like a sharp circular saw, whirling toward Kira to slice him!

Like the might of a god, even Kira could feel the suffocating pressure encircling his heart. Without the support of spirits and divine artifacts, he might not even be able to stand firm.

Indeed, Kira had no more monsters to serve as a barrier. If this hit solidly, he would likely fall like the two before him who had taken this move.

With no time to think, he raised his Duel Disk, and a card ejected from his Graveyard.

Kuriboh, save me again!

As the Kuriboh spun out onto the field, the Arbiter's brows twitched.

"Clear Kuriboh? But you've already used that monster..."

"It's the second effect that's meaningful in the Graveyard!" Kira said. "When Clear Kuriboh is in the Graveyard and the opponent declares a direct attack, banish this card from the Graveyard from the game.

Then draw one card from the Deck. If it's a monster, you can Special Summon it, and the attack target shifts to that monster!"

"In the end, you're entrusting your hope to an unknown draw?"

The Arbiter sneered.

"But you have to draw a monster for it to work. And no matter what monster it is, it's useless—before Shunoros, any wall will only be shattered."

Kira didn't respond, only reaching to touch his Deck.

This draw absolutely had to be a monster.

He knew it would be.

This was the culmination of all his experiences in this world up to now. He had battled and learned step by step, growing stronger one foot at a time. This draw would be the proof of all those results.

And in the instant before that draw.

Hanging from his chest, the inverted triangular golden pendant suddenly burst with a piercing golden light from the Eye of Horus.

PS: Bonus chapters at 2000 PS