The Dark Duelist Titan took the first turn.
He first activated a Pot of Greed to draw two cards, followed by a Book of Magic from the Pot to draw three cards. In the blink of an eye, he had a handful of cards, accumulating them quickly.
It was clear that all these inconsistent elements were temporarily shoved in by a certain someone.
Titan activated a "Foolish Burial," sending the Monster Card "Annihilator Archfiend" from the card deck to the graveyard.
Next, he normally summoned "Archfiend Cavalry," and when there was a "Archfiend" Monster on the field, he also special summoned "Archfiend Commander" from his hand.
Then, "Archfiend Commander" activated the effect of destroying bridges as it crossed — when he was special summoned directly, he destroyed other "Archfiend" Monsters on the field. So he immediately blew up "Archfiend Cavalry," which served as his stepping stone.
Similar to the previous game, but with some differences. After his "Archfiend Cavalry" was blown up, it immediately activated its effect, pulling the "Annihilator Archfiend" from the graveyard back to the field.
The defense of Annihilator Archfiend was as high as three thousand, so large that even the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon couldn't shake it, utterly terrifying.
Look, even Judai's companions turned pale with fright.
"Starting off with Attack 2500 and Defense 3000 Monsters!" Judai's sidekick Marufuji Xiang exclaimed.
"This guy is really strong!" Judai's roommate Maeda Hayato said, "Could he really be a Dark Duelist?"
Titan laughed loudly upon hearing this.
"I've already said, today your souls will be laid to rest here! Brace yourselves, kids, for this is your burial ground!
Behold! This is the proof of the Dark Duel!"
He groped under his wide robes and unexpectedly pulled out an inverted pyramid-shaped golden ornament. The thick chain was attached to the cone-shaped item, and the golden eye engraved on its shell glimmered.
Marufuji Xiang croaked, exclaiming: "Millennium Pendant!"
"Ha ha ha, this kid knows his stuff!" Titan laughed heartily. "That's right! This is the legendary Millennium Pendant, proof of the Darkness Game!"
Judai was puzzled: "Your Millennium Pendant seems to look a bit different..."
Though it had been quite some time, years ago Judai had seen the genuine pendant in Muto Yugi's hand.
Comparing it to the pendant in his memory, the one Titan held...how to put it? It felt like a cheap imitation from an untrustworthy shady vendor.
"Besides, isn't the Millennium Pendant a prop of Duel King Muto Yugi?" Hayato wondered.
"Ignorance. Let me tell you!" Titan laughed, "There are a total of seven Millennium Pendants in the world! And the one in my hand is one of those seven!"
Judai x Xiang x Hayato: "..."
Observing from the shadows, Youyu couldn't help but cover his face.
Damn this idiot, he already spouted such nonsense despite being half-baked. Now it's worse, he's overacting, directly revealing himself...
Judai reminded: "Um... you probably meant the Seven Millennium Item? It's usually referred to as the Seven Great Millennium Item, not seven Millennium Pendants..."
Titan looked bewildered: "Is that so?"
"Yeah, it is." Marufuji Xiang nodded, "Isn't that common knowledge? How could a Darkness Duelist not understand this?"
"Plus, there are eight pieces among the Seven Millennium Item." Judai educated the big guy, "The eighth piece is currently with the Kaiba Group."
Titan fell silent for a moment.
Then he waved his big hand: "N-nonsense! Anyway, this is a Dark Duel! That young girl's soul has already been consumed in the duel!"
He pointed to Asuka, who he had "taken hostage."
"Alright, draw your cards quickly! If you can't beat me in the duel, your souls will also be consumed!"
No matter how convincing his act is, Titan now could only bite the bullet and continue.
Because Youyu said only by winning this card game could he let bygones be bygones and let Titan go, this was his only chance.
Thinking of this, Titan glanced at Judai, who seemed naive, his brain not looking very functional, and couldn't help but sneer.
Hm, to beat this jellyfish-headed kid, isn't it a piece of cake?
Xiang and Hayato were also worried.
"The opponent summoned such powerful demons in the first round, it's really hard to break through," Xiang said.
"Exactly," Hayato agreed, "In that case, we might have to stay on the defensive first."
Apparently, Titan thought the same, his face beneath the mask filled with confidence, as if victory was assured.
Judai drew a card and first used the Magic Card "Take Over 5," discarding five cards from the top of the deck — this card originally was Judai's in the animation, but at this stage, Judai hadn't realized its usefulness, with Youyu helping him recognize this point early on.
Judai drew a card, shouting: "Alright! I'll use this card to attack!"
Titan sneered: "Bring it on, kid! Do you have the means to break through my demons?"
"Well, I won't be polite then!"
"Come on, let's see how strong you are!"
"Then I will use your 'Annihilator Archfiend' and 'Archfiend Commander' on the field as sacrifices to special summon this card ——
—— Level eight powerful Monster, Lava Golem!!!"
Titan: "......"
He watched as his two powerful demons successively disappeared from the field, and a grotesque and hideous lava giant burst from the ground, surrounded by steaming white mist. Its gigantic, rough hands slammed onto the ground with a "sizzling" sound.
Lava Golem, Summon!
[Lava Golem, Attack Power 3000]
Titan's facial muscles twitched briefly, then he sneered, "Hey, a brat is just a brat, actually giving me a monster with attack power equal to the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Next turn, I'll use this monster you gave me..."
Judai ignored him, indicating that they would directly fuse from the hand!
Taking the diligent couple... no, wait, it's Avian and Burstinatrix, and fusing them, Fusion Summon "Elemental Hero Flame Wingman"!
Although Youyu had mentioned to Judai that this hand fusion, a three-for-one move, is quite a loss, and that Elemental Heroes actually have no future... but since Judai insisted, he just let it be.
He could modify Judai's card deck, letting him cram in more inexplicable things to strengthen his combat power. But if he were to make Judai replace the deck itself, not even allowing him to use the signature Flame Wingman, then Yuki Judai would no longer be Yuki Judai.
That might actually be detrimental to his growth.
Anyway, now Judai's deck is packed with enough cards that generate card advantage violently, plus his "Innate Card Body" and divine draws are destined, so if he likes three-for-one moves, Youyu just goes with it, as there's nothing bad about it...
So here, Judai directly fused his most beloved hero—Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!
[Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, Attack Power 2100]
Titan's lips curled: "Heh, are you out of your mind? This kind of hero can't possibly beat the 'Lava Golem' you gave me..."
"Field Magic 'Skyscraper'! When Elemental Hero battles an opponent, if its attack power is lower, it can increase by 1000 points!"
The skyscraper rose from the ground, the spire pointing straight at the moonlight, with the green hero standing tall atop it, a whirlwind swirling around!
[Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, Attack Power 3100]
Titan's face changed slightly: "Damn it!"
The hero, backlit by the moon, dived down from the top of the tower! He turned into a flaming projectile, piercing through the body of the Lava Golem, and the burning giant fell with a crash!
A powerful impact penetrated from Lava Golem's back, and flames engulfed Titan!
"Flame Wingman's effect, he can inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster's attack power to the opponent. So, it's a total of 3100 points of damage!" Judai said.
[Titan, LP 4000 → LP 900]
Titan gritted his teeth: "Tch, at this level..."
"In this turn, from the cards sent to the graveyard by the Magic Card 'Take Over 5', there is a 'Makyura the Destructor'. In the turn that card is sent to the graveyard, I can activate Trap Cards from my hand."
Judai drew a card from his hand.
"Trap Card 'Time Machine'! When a monster on your or your opponent's field is destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard, you can Special Summon that monster on the controller's field at the time of its destruction!"
The silhouette of the Time Machine flashed, and the lava giant rose once more, returning to Titan's field.
Titan: "?"
Why is this brat so kind-hearted? Giving back such a powerful monster to him?
Is it because of overconfidence in his strength, thinking that giving an eight-star monster to the opponent doesn't matter?
"The turn ends." Judai smiled.
Titan sneered coldly.
Hmph, after all, he's just a brat, actually doing such a meaningless operation. This kind of brat will eventually meet defeat due to his arrogance...
"My turn, draw a card!"
"At this instant, the effect of Lava Golem activates." Judai smiled, "Lava Golem inflicts 1000 points of effect damage to its controller during each Standby Phase."
Titan's expression instantly froze.
Na-na-na-nani!?
He looked up in horror at the eight-star monster on his field, only to see the eight-star monster also looking down at him.
One master and one servant stared wide-eyed, awkwardly frozen.
Until the Lava Golem began to emit scorching bubbles, with burning lava dripping from it, falling towards Titan face-first...
Ah ah ah, don't come over!!! Titan screamed inwardly.
But it was already too late.
The outcome was already decided.
[Titan, LP 900 → LP 0]
"I win!" Judai cheerfully struck a classic pose towards Titan, "What an interesting duel it was!"
Titan lay on the ground, devoid of hope.
Interesting my ***...