[Extra Chapter]
Next Goal: 300 PS
=====
Makoto let out a long, heavy sigh.
He was dumb.
He had watched yesterday's match and thought Kira would just banish all his monsters like he did to Chazz Princetone. He never expected the guy would switch tactics and start playing stall.
But why does this guy have so many different troll strategies?
Isn't there a single honest tactic?
Now Makoto finally realized he wasn't facing a human, but a dog. His Perfect Machine King hadn't even attacked yet, but even if it did, it'd be pointless.
'Power of the Guardians' doesn't say "once per turn." Even if he summoned five monsters and attacked all at once, it would just repeat the "add counter—remove counter—battle protection" cycle.
Helpless, he could only end his turn.
Now it was Kira's turn. He didn't say much, didn't even summon any more monsters, just went straight to the Battle Phase. Spell Striker arrogantly flew past the front line and unleashed another direct hit.
As it attacked, 'Power of the Guardians' triggered again, adding a counter. Spell Striker's ATK rose back to 1100, landing a critical hit.
[Makoto, LP 3400 → LP 2300]
"I set one card and end my turn," said Kira.
"Damn… my turn."
Makoto's sense of crisis grew. He needed a way to deal with that blasted combo, or else he really would get poked to death.
"Draw!"
When Makoto saw his draw, he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Using the synergy of Equip and Monster effects to create an unbreakable combo is indeed a beautiful tactic. But! My countermeasure is even better! Quick-Play Spell—Double Cyclone! Destroy one Spell or Trap on the field. I'll destroy 'Power of the Guardians'!"
A black whirlwind swept up, and Kira's Equip Spell was shredded. Spell Striker's golden aura faded, and its ATK dropped back to normal.
Makoto had studied his opponent's matches—he'd noticed Kira loved stall and floodgate cards.
So his deck was loaded with three Cyclones and one Heavy Storm—built specifically to counter stall.
[Spell Striker, ATK 1100 → ATK 600]
"Nice tactic, but that Equip Spell was your combo's weak point," Makoto said smugly. "Battle! Go, Perfect Machine King, crush that disgusting runt!"
Even the Perfect Machine King seemed raring to go. It leaped at the command, swinging its hammer to smash the annoying little thing.
"Flip face-down card."
Kira snapped his fingers, revealing his set card.
"Continuous Trap—Gravity Bind. All level 4 or higher monsters on both sides cannot attack."
Makoto: "..."
You mother F-!
He had a level 4 and a level 8 monster on the field, but his only Cyclone was already used on Power of the Guardians. This one card completely locked out his offense.
But he still had options!
"I Normal Summon 'Dark Catapulter' in Defense Position."
[Dark Catapulter, DEF 1500]
"End turn."
"So that's your move," Kira understood.
He remembered this card too—Jaden used it in the anime. Its effect: next turn, it can destroy an opponent's Spell/Trap card.
If this thing survived, it could blow up Gravity Bind and unlock attacks.
A neat adjustment Makoto made for the match—a living duelist's struggle against a dead stall player.
But it didn't matter.
"My turn, draw."
Kira drew and declared, "I activate the Continuous Spell 'Level Limit – Area B.' As long as this card is on the field, all level 4 or higher monsters are switched to Defense Position."
[Robotic Knight, ATK 1600 → DEF 1800]
[Perfect Machine King, ATK 3700 → DEF 1500]
Makoto spat blood.
Bro, how do you also have this card?
Makoto was stunned. He never imagined someone could stall so hard in a card game—it's like he wasn't here for a tournament, but to annoy people!
Even if the next turn Dark Catapulter blew up one card, as long as either Gravity Bind or Level Limit-Area B remained, he still couldn't attack.
He also noticed Spell Striker is level 3, just under the level 4 threshold. In other words, only Makoto is locked down—Kira can attack freely.
Kira: "Just to be safe, I'll play the Spell 'Shield Crush' to destroy your Defense Position 'Dark Catapulter.'"
Makoto: "..."
But it wasn't over yet.
"And I summon 'Servant of Catabolism' in Attack Position."
[Servant of Catabolism, ATK 700]
"This card can also attack directly. And, by the way, it's also level 3, so it ignores Gravity Bind and Level Limit- Area B."
Makoto: "..."
"Spell Striker, Servant of Catabolism, direct attack!"
Double direct hit!
Perfect Machine King and Robotic Knight could only watch helplessly as these two stall monsters flew right over their heads, pounding their master into the ground.
The monsters were furious but powerless.
[Makoto, LP 2300 → LP 1000]
Makoto said nothing, but veins bulged on his hand and forehead—his rage meter was at 90%.
"I set one card and end my turn."
"My turn."
Makoto took a deep breath.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
Like his dojo master said: the more dire the situation, the less you should panic. You never know the outcome until the last card is played.
Trust your deck, and remember your daily card-drawing drills.
Now was the time to test the results.
Makoto closed his eyes and prayed.
One more Cyclone, please!
"Draw!"
The next moment, Makoto almost jumped for joy.
This draw was a miracle!
"I play the Spell Card 'Heavy Storm' from my hand!"
Makoto lifted the card like a ritual priest.
"Destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field!"
Heavy Storm, the ultimate backrow wiper.
"You actually drew Heavy Storm this turn…"
Kira muttered, "Guess in the anime world, even the side characters get miracle topdecks?"
But—
Kira snapped his fingers.
"Flip face-down card. Counter Trap—Judgment of Anubis."
Makoto was still gloating: "No way! Heavy Storm is the strongest backrow hater, nothing can—wait, what's that?"
"Judgment of Anubis can only be activated when your opponent plays a Spell Card that destroys Spell/Trap cards."
Kira explained calmly.
"Discard a card, negate and destroy that Spell. Then, destroy one face-up monster on your opponent's field and inflict damage equal to its ATK."
Makoto's eyes glazed over.
Negate Heavy Storm and destroy one monster for its ATK in damage…
"..."
What!???
While Makoto was still reeling, the storm faded under an invisible curse. Black mist spread, forming the fierce visage of Anubis, glaring at Makoto's field.
"By its effect, I destroy your 'Perfect Machine King.' Take 3700 points of damage."
Anubis opened its maw, unleashing a terrifying black breath. Perfect Machine King's body melted away, and the dark torrent engulfed Makoto as well.
"Ughhh!!!"
A 3700-point shock sent Makoto crashing to the floor, eyes wide open, as if he couldn't die in peace.
[Makoto, LP 1000 → LP 0]