"Simply standing on the field can block the effects of an entire race of monsters..."
Marufuji Ryo's face paled.
Such targeted effects spell death for a Pure Dragon Race card deck duelist, don't they?
Keihei, who has always been incredibly confident in his brother, couldn't help but swallow nervously and began to sweat for Kaiba.
"But even so, the Attack Power of Blue-Eyes Light Dragon is still higher..." Judai said.
"No." Keihei said solemnly, "That warrior has other terrifying effects..."
Sure enough, Yugen continued, "The Dragon-Destroying Knight's secondary effect: For each Dragon Race monster on the opponent's field or graveyard, this card's Attack Power increases by 1000 points!"
"Nani!?"
The spectators were astonished once more.
One Dragon Race monster increases by a thousand points?
The Attack Power of Blue-Eyes Light Dragon also increases through accumulating Dragons in the graveyard, but it can only increase by 300 points per card. Dragon Destruction Sword not only absorbs, but increases by 1000 points per Dragon Race card in the field or graveyard.
In other words, no matter how hard you try, there will always be a huge gap between Blue-Eyes Light Dragon and Dragon Destruction Sword's Attack Power. The more Dragons accrue in the graveyard, the bigger the disparity grows, an unbridgeable divide.
"There are six Dragon Race cards in the President's graveyard, and White Spirit Dragon and Blue-Eyes Light Dragon on the field," Yugen said, "In total, eight Dragon Race cards.
Thus, Dragon Destruction Knight - Destruction Knight's Attack Power increases by 8000 points!"
[Dragon Destruction Knight - Destruction Knight, Attack Power 2800→Attack Power 10800]
Keihei's face turned pale: "Attack Power... ten thousand eight hundred..."
"At the same time, while Dragon Destruction Sword is on the field, all opponent's Dragon Race monsters must change to Defense position," Yugen said, "and if the attacking monster's Attack Power exceeds Defense Power, the excess damage is dealt as piercing damage."
Kaiba frowned: "Blue-Eyes Light Dragon chooses not to accept this effect, therefore no need to change to Defense position. Only 'White Spirit Dragon' switches to defense."
[White Spirit Dragon, Attack Power 2500→Defense Power 2000]
"Such terrifying suppression power." Marufuji Ryo couldn't help but say, looking at the Swordsman, "Limited only by having Dragon Race users as opponents, this Swordsman's oppression is far beyond legendary gods..."
The Dragon Race has always been favored in the Dueling Realm, attracting duelist masses with both strength and appearance. The debut of such a card undoubtedly causes a seismic impact on the world of dueling.
Those using Dragon Race cards face this monster, and almost half their chance to win evaporates before the fight begins.
Unable to attack, unable to use effects, with the opponent's Attack Power casually reaching tens of thousands, what is there left to do?
"Next, I'll activate the Magic Card 'Pot of Greed'," Yugen declared, "drawing two more cards from the deck."
Yugen drew two cards, glanced at them, pondered briefly, then immediately stepped forward.
"Battle!"
Dragon Destruction Knight - Destruction Knight attacks 'Blue-Eyes Light Dragon'!"
The Warrior raised his Dragon-slaying Greatsword, the blade shimmered, white light fell from the sword like a galaxy!
"Heh, I've long anticipated you'll use this ultimate Dragon-Slaying Knight," Kaiba shouted, "If not facing an opponent who goes all out, there's no point at all!
Blue-Eyes Light Dragon still harbors its final ability, Shining New Star!!!"
"It's useless, President!" Yugen shouted, "Shining New Star requires active activation! While Dragon Destruction Knight is on the field, you cannot activate any Dragon Race monster effects!"
Keihei was very surprised: "But Blue-Eyes Light Dragon can freely choose whether to accept monster effects..."
"Only limited to 'impacting monster effects'," Judai explained to him, "But 'Opponent cannot activate any Dragon Race effects', obviously restricts the player."
Marufuji Ryo nodded: "It doesn't affect the monster but restricts the player's ability to issue the 'use effects' command. No matter how strong the monster is or how perfect its resistance, if it can't accept the duelist's command, it makes no difference."
Now they realize that this Destruction Knight is truly the nemesis to Blue-Eyes Light Dragon.
At first glance, it seems Blue-Eyes Light Dragon has nearly invincible capabilities, but all its abilities are entirely countered by this Destruction Knight.
Truly worthy of the name Dragon Slayer Knight, it indeed is a lethal weapon against Dragon Race.
Kaiba was also somewhat surprised.
Surprised not because his opponent didn't let him mouth off, but because the opponent seemed to know the hidden ability content of Blue-Eyes Light Dragon...
But amidst pitched battle, he didn't have time to think carefully.
"I've calculated this sort of extent! Activate Cover Card!" Kaiba shouted, "Continuous Trap 'DNA Surgery'!
Declare a race, and all monsters on the field become the declared race!"
Yugen frowned: "Declare race... I see."
"Indeed, I declare 'Phantom Divine Beast Race'!" Kaiba shouted, "All monsters on the field… turn to Divine Race!!!"
Three monsters on the field, two dragons and the Dragon-Slaying Knight, all were instantly enveloped in a fantastical halo. Already awe-inspiring super monsters appeared increasingly sacred under this halo.
Of course, the race was obviously randomly declared by the President, just declaring Divine Race adds a stylish flair to the scene.
His true purpose was to change his monsters' race to something other than Dragon Race.
"Blue-Eyes Light Dragon may choose whether to accept effect influences. I choose to accept the influence of 'DNA Surgery'," Kaiba said, "Hence, Blue-Eyes Light Dragon and White Spirit Dragon both change to Phantom Divine Beast race.
The number of Dragon Race monsters on the field decreases by two; Destruction Sword's Attack Power drops by two thousand points!"
[Dragon Destruction Knight - Destruction Knight, Attack Power 10800→Attack Power 8800]
Keihei worried: "But even like this, it's still over eight thousand… ah, that's it, no longer being Dragon Race..."
"Indeed, as the 'Blue-Eyes Light Dragon' is no longer Dragon Race, it's not restricted by Destruction Knight's effect activation limitation!" Kaiba shouted, "Hence, Blue-Eyes Light Dragon's final ability, Shining New Star activates!
Sacrifice itself, destroying any card on the field!"
Kaiba voiced solemnly.
"Moreover, this effect… can activate even during the opponent's turn!"
Although the anime translation team translated as "destroy any one card on the field," you can hear Kaiba's original saying "any card" without specifying just one.
Only the anime used this effect twice, both times either the game or Kaiba only chose to destroy one card, leaving ongoing debate on the anime effect's card-destroying limit.
In the Japanese anime, the lazily drawn after cardification card's picture substituted effects, none aligned with the animation's effects. Yet in the English anime card text, the animation dragon's card effect description stated "destroy any card," not specifying how many cards.
Therefore, interpreting based on K-language, even choosing quantity seems arbitrary.
Judai was shocked: "Destroying any card, able to activate during the opponent's turn!?"
Although everyone knows that in Yu-Gi-Oh!'s future, second-speed destruction of the field isn't an uncommon thing, with current effects, it feels inconceivable.
Being able to destroy any card at any time during the opponent's turn, overturn the table and reset the opponent's actions to zero; how can the opponent still play?