Absolute Zero!
The fierce blow froze the entire field in an instant, sealing Manjome's strategy in ice. The poor Wish Dragon was shattered into pieces before it could manifest its power.
"Tch," Manjome gritted his teeth, "Did he really see through my strategy?"
Had he known Judai better, he would realize he's overthinking it. Judai's style relies more on intuition, preferring instinctive card plays over thoughtful strategies, and there's no such thing as seeing through tactics...
"Turn over," Judai declared, "And with the end phase effect of 'Undersea Raid', Absolute Zero returns to the field!"
Waves rushed as the Hero's body emerged from the sea, tapping the surface and leaving all around encased in crystal ice.
[Elemental Hero Absolute Zero, ATK 2500]
"Then it's my turn!"
Although his original plan of using his ace monster as a sacrificial step was disrupted, he still had other ways!
"First is the Trap Card 'Crevice Into the Different Dimension', declare an attribute, and banish two monsters of that attribute from both players' graveyards.
I declare Light Attribute, and banish 'Eclipse Wyvern' from this game. Then, with the effect of 'Eclipse Wyvern' in the graveyard; when this card is banished from the game, I add the banished 'Light and Darkness Dragon' to my hand!"
Manjome reclaimed the previously banished "Light and Darkness Dragon." The dragon's form briefly flashed in the air, its radiant brilliance spilling onto the field.
"Oh oh, is it coming?" Judai began to anticipate.
Manjome frowned slightly.
Though eager to summon "Light and Darkness Dragon" immediately, with "Undersea Raid" and "Absolute Zero" on the field, his summoned sacrifice could be obliterated by Judai at any moment.
Manjome instinctively glanced at Youyu on the podium.
This must be a combination developed by that master?
As expected of the Duel King, a terrifying combo indeed.
...but not invincible!
The prerequisite for 'Undersea Raid' to work is the presence of Field Magic 'Umi.' If this field disappears, the entire combo collapses.
Sure, "Undersea Raid" can protect the field from effect destruction... but only effect destruction, nothing more.
"I activate Field Magic from the hand..." Manjome lifted one card high, "The Tomb of the King of Abandoned Emperor!"
The terrain transformed, turbulent seas receding, disappearing in a flash. An ancient tomb emerged, eerie fires kindling in basins, casting distorted shadows on the walls. Terracotta soldiers lined deep pits, reminiscent of a dormant army.
"Amazing counter!" Mitsuzawa Daichi remarked, "With the new Field Magic activated, 'Umi' is replaced... not to mention, the new field has its effects..."
"Activate the field effect of 'The Tomb of the King of Abandoned Emperor'!" Manjome proclaimed, "Pay 1000 Life Points, and use it as a substitute for tribute needed for Tribute Summon!" (Animation effect)
Everyone held their breath as he drew the card from his hand.
"I pay 1000 Life Points, using the terracotta soldiers as sacrifice with 'The Tomb of the King of Abandoned Emperor,' for a Tribute Summon!
Embodiment of light and shadow, dragon that judges guilt—
—Light and Darkness Dragon, Summon!!!"
[Manjome, LP 1400 →LP 400]
From the apparition finally emerged a tangible dragon, unfurling massive wings. Black and white feathers interwove in the air, drifting down like snowflakes. The dragon gazed upon the world below, half of its body as elegant as an angel, while the other half bore the menacing visage of a demon.
[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 2800]
"Incredible..." Judai stared in awe, "This is Manjome's spirit..."
He was lost in thought for some time, barely catching Manjome's command "Attack." Until the Light and Darkness Dragon unleashed black and white lightning from its maw, piercing Elemental Hero Absolute Zero's chest like an electrified spear.
[Judai, LP 2000 →LP 1700]
It wasn't until struck by the virtual imagery that Judai snapped back, alongside Yubel's voice ringing in his ear, "You idiot, is now the time to be captivated by someone's spirit?"
"Hehe, sorry." Judai sheepishly scratched his head, then yelled, "Then, the effect of 'Absolute Zero!' When destroyed, all opponent monsters on the field are destroyed!"
Absolute Zero's ability released once more! The freezing domain expanded, instantly sealing the ancient tomb in ice, extinguishing the flames dancing in basins.
"Muda!" Manjome shouted, "Ju↑da↓i! If your ace is Absolute Zero, then mine is Light and Darkness!
Activate Light and Darkness Dragon's effect! When Magic, Trap, or Monster Effects activate, Light and Darkness Dragon decreases ATK and DEF by 500 to negate that effect!"
[Light and Darkness Dragon, ATK 2800/DEF 2400 →ATK 2300/DEF 1900]
A powerful burst of light and darkness surged from the dragon, shattering the incoming ice crystals!
"Such a terrifying effect," Asuka exclaimed, "Light and Darkness Dragon has 2400 DEF, which means it can negate up to four card effects?"
In the Yu-Gi-Oh card game, negating an opponent's actions and interrupting their strategy is always a favored effect, such as the iconic Counter Trap "Solemn Judgment"—nicknamed "Unlockable."