The silver bullet-like impact tore through the body of the cavalry, and the horse let out a sorrowful cry before its death. Technology triumphed over magic, and the invincible knight was shredded into pieces amid the deafening explosion.
[Yugi, LP 2000 → LP 1100]
Reflexively, Yugi raised his hand to shield himself, his body once again retreating half a step due to the impact.
"This truly marks the end!" Youyu continued to shout, "Shining Flare Wingman, activate effect! When a monster is destroyed in battle, it deals damage equal to the destroyed monster's original attack power to the opponent player!
The original attack power of the Dark Magician Knight is 2800, so take 2800 effect damage, Yugi!"
Having slain the monster and broken the barrier, Shining Flare Wingman soared high into the air, then plunged down in front of Yugi, arms crossed, its body radiating with light.
Youyu's pupils contracted, feeling as if his heartbeat had vanished.
—I won!
This time, it was a true victory!
He had really done it, capturing the championship of Duel City and the title of Duel King!
"I see, so it had such an effect..." Yugi suddenly muttered to himself.
Evidently, he hadn't known that Shining Flare Wingman had an additional damage effect before this.
Suddenly, Yugi raised his head and chuckled.
"It's indeed a very powerful special ability, one could be instant-killed if not careful. But at this moment, that powerful effect has become a burden."
Youyu felt a deep sense of dread, his gaze quickly shifting to Yugi's feet—
—there was still a Set Card there!
Throughout the history of the Duel King, has there ever been a duel where the King's Set Card wasn't useful?
It seems... there truly hasn't been.
"At the moment your 'Shining Flare Wingman' activated its effect, my Set Card was also activated!" Yugi shouted, "Counter Trap - Face-Off!
It can be used when a monster effect, magic, or Trap Card is activated during a battle between monsters! That effect is negated, and that card is destroyed!"
"What!?" Youyu was taken aback.
There was actually such a move?
In real cards, Face-Off should be a card that can only be activated during the damage calculation step of a battle. However, after the Dark Magician Knight was destroyed, the damage calculation step should have ended.
Yet the monster battle process in the DM period obviously wasn't as meticulously divided. Many cards in real cards specify that they can only be activated during the "attack declaration" or "damage calculation" when monsters are battling, but in the animation, it's uniformly referred to as "can be activated during the battle of both monsters."
"It's a shame, Youyu. If this effect had gone through, and I took the 2800 attack points of your super magic knight - Dark Magician Knight, I would have lost." Yugi said, "But according to the effect of 'Face-Off', the Shining Flare Wingman's ability activation will be negated, and it will itself be destroyed.
And because this effect does not target specific cards, your Equip Magic 'Adored Hero' also can't protect your monster from this effect!"
"Nice counter!" Jonouchi cheered, "As expected of Yugi, there's always a card left to play till the very end!"
Kaiba snorted, "Is the outcome finally decided this time?"
Shining Flare Wingman was destroyed, Youyu's hand was emptied, leaving him to face the next turn of Yugi.
With LP down to 500, passing the turn under such circumstances is basically a death sentence.
However, up to this point, the reversals in this duel have been numerous enough.
Both sides had already given it their all, all trump cards revealed. Even in defeat now, no one would underestimate Youyu because of this result.
But... is this really the end?
"Alright, Yugi, you are indeed formidable." Youyu smiled weakly, "I was hoping to gamble on this turn, to surpass my limits, and see if there was a chance to defeat you...
...But unfortunately, it always seemed just a bit out of reach. I have to say, as expected of the Duel King, surpassing you is not so easy."
"But at the same time, I've already given it my all as well." Yugi smiled, "You also played exceptionally. This is also my last move. I too have no more tricks left."
The implication was, this is my last printed card, printing more would feel excessive even to myself...
Youyu closed his eyes.
"In that case... let me show you the respect you deserve." He opened his eyes, gaze resolute.
Now to borrow your strength, President!
"Flip Cover Card!" Youyu shouted, "Trap Card - Ring of Destruction!"
"What!!?" x10086
Everyone was shocked, especially President Kaiba, who had entrusted his younger brother to hand this "Ring of Destruction" to Youyu.
Could it be... that there was still a hidden Ring of Destruction at this very last moment?
Yugi nodded knowingly, "A card that was already covered last turn?"
"Exactly." Youyu smiled, "Ring of Destruction is a card that destroys a monster on the field and deals damage to both players equal to the monster's attack power.
Originally, before you summoned 'Dark Magician Knight', I had the chance to use Ring of Destruction to blow up my Fire-Winged Man, leading directly to the current conclusion.
But I still wanted to try and surpass you... unfortunately, I just couldn't achieve it."
After all, it was once a permanently banned card, and the reason Ring of Destruction is known as the "Forced Draw Ring" is justified.
Youyu shrugged helplessly.
People, after all, need to know when to be satisfied.
Getting to this point, he had already given it his all, and there was nothing to regret.
"So in the very end, at least allow me to flip the table once."
"I see." Yugi chuckled softly, closing his eyes, "Then let me receive your fiery strike of determination!"
Adored Hero makes the equipped monster "unable to be targeted by opponent's effects", but since Ring of Destruction is activated by Youyu himself, it can still target Shining Flare Wingman.
According to real card rules, Ring of Destruction as a normal trap card can't chain to a Counter Trap like 'Face-Off', but there's evidently no mention of effect speed handling in the current duel rules.
Handled by real card rules, both sides have bluffed, nobody has the right to criticize the other...
"Ring of Destruction, activate effect!" Youyu shouted, raising his hand, "Destroy my own 'Shining Flare Wingman', and then we both take the current attack power of Shining Flare Wingman...
...which is a total of 7000 damage!"
The Ring of Destruction activated, Shining Flare Wingman exploded with a brilliant burst at the center of the field, erupting into dazzling fireworks, and bringing a long-awaited end to this duel.
[Yugi, LP 1100 → LP 0]
[Youyu, LP 500 → LP 0]