The failure of the Mirror Force caught Darkness off guard, but it wasn't to the point of being completely defeated.
"Tch, flip the cover card!" Darkness had to use the second life-saving trap, "Kunai with Chain! When the opponent's monster declares an attack, that monster is switched to defense position!"
A shimmering boomerang flew out with a faint sound of slicing through the air, its long chain clinking with metal as it firmly bound Dakini in mid-attack.
The Mechanical Angel's four arms were all bound, leaving it unable to continue its assault and forcing it to temporarily retreat.
[Cyber Angel Dakini, ATK 3700 → DEF 3400]
The onlookers began to chatter again.
"Wow, not only does he play Red-Eyes, but he even has a boomerang? Are you sure you're not related to Joey Wheeler?"
"Are you a descendant of the God of Gamblers?"
"..."
Although the main offensive was halted, Asuka's attack wasn't entirely over.
"Then I still have 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands' on the field that hasn't attacked," she said, "Direct attack with 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands'!"
Even though it was a lower-level monster compared to Dakini, the direct attack under the influence of the Darkness Game was still significant. This strike sent Darkness stumbling backward, almost coughing up blood.
[Darkness, LP 4000 → LP 2600]
"Set one card facedown, turn ends," Asuka said. "During the End Phase, activate the follow-up effect of 'Cyber Angel Dakini', allowing me to add one Ritual Monster or one 'Machine Angel Ritual' from the graveyard to my hand."
She drew a card from the graveyard.
"I retrieve the Ritual Magic 'Machine Angel Ritual' to my hand."
Though there was a setback, and she wasn't able to complete the kill, she had successfully gained the upper hand in the duel's rhythm. Both in terms of field and resources, she had gained the duel advantage. If it were a normal play strategy, she would have secured it over halfway.
Of course, that's among card enthusiasts.
Duel animation characters is not like that. As long as the opponent's Life Points remain and there are opportunities to draw, no situation should be treated lightly.
Even one card can overturn your most perfect scenario.
"I admit I've underestimated you a bit," Darkness brushed the dust off his clothes, coldly standing up. "You are indeed a worthy opponent to go all out against."
"Spare me the compliments," Asuka was unmoved.
"Hmpf, then it's my turn."
Darkness drew a card, scanned it, and immediately revealed it.
"Magic Card 'Roll of Fate'. Roll one die, and draw cards from the deck based on the number rolled. Then banish an equivalent number of cards from the top of your deck."
The crowd erupted again.
"What? Are you ripping off Joey Wheeler's deck?"
"Isn't this real evidence?"
Unfortunately, Darkness may have only stolen Joey's deck without matching luck. The dice rolled a "4," which was decent.
Enough for him.
"Activate Magic Card 'Monster Reborn'!" Darkness held up a newly drawn card, "Revive from the grave, the soul of the dragon, my spirit—
—Red-Eyes Black Dragon!!!"
The dragon, shrouded in magma, soared upward, returning from the underworld!
[Red-Eyes Black Dragon, ATK 2400]
"Magic Card 'Black Flame Bullet'!" Darkness shouted, "Abandon this turn's attack of the 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' to deal damage equal to its original attack points to the opponent player!"
In this 4000 LP environment, a single 2400 damage Black Flame Bullet is indeed quite powerful.
The roar of the Black Dragon released a dark bullet, which exploded at Asuka's feet. The girl couldn't help but cry out in pain, her petite body half-kneeling on the ground.
[Asuka, LP 2800 → LP 400]
Cola Sprite felt her blood pressure skyrocket, her heart in her throat. The sandbag club president beside her started swearing, uttering something about no card principles or whatever.
Darkness paid no attention, continuing, "Next, I sacrifice the 'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' on the field to Special Summon from my hand the ultimate new form of the evolved Red-Eyes, descending with ultimate darkness—
—Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, Summon!!!"
The body of the Black Dragon gradually vanished, as if consumed by a torrent of darkness. The torrent converged and erupted with the pillar of fire rising from below!
Clad in steel armor, the black dragon bore dark red patterns along special lines on its body, a dark storm erupting as its wings expanded.
Summoned, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon!
[Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, ATK 2400]
"The attack power of Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon increases by 300 points for each Dragon-Type monster in my graveyard," Darkness shouted. "Currently, I have Black Dragon's Chick and Red-Eyes Black Dragon in the graveyard, as well as the 'Red-Eyes Wyvern' and 'Troop Dragon' discarded in the first turn, so the attack power increases by 1200!"
[Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon, ATK 2400 → ATK 3600]
The quietly observing Hayato finally couldn't help but express his concern: "Oh no! Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands has only 1400 attack power, if it's attacked by the 3600 attack power Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon...."
"Hmpf, it's over," Darkness sneered. "Though it was a decent duel, it's over now. Go, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon! Attack 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands'!!!"
The steel Black Dragon opened its mouth, bringing with it a roar of despair!
"Flip the cover card!" Asuka's small hand rose gently, "Trap Card - Shift! Swap the positions of 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands' and 'Cyber Angel Dakini'!"
Thus, Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon's attack target became Dakini!
[Cyber Angel Dakini, DEF 3400]
The Black Dragon's flames tore through the body of the mechanical angel, revealing countless circuits inside her broken arm, the blade spinning into the floor.
"Avoided a disaster?" Darkness said blandly, "But it's a shame. If Dakini were in attack position and you used 'Shift's effect to change the attack target, she'd be able to counter my 'Red-Eyes Darkness Dragon', right?"
"Indeed," Asuka didn't deny it, but she confidently smiled, "But I have plenty of chances to defeat you."
"Arrogant."
Darkness clearly disagreed.
"Then I'll set two more face-down cards and end my turn."
"To my turn!"
Asuka glanced at the card she drew, considered briefly, then added it to her hand and immediately played another card from her hand.
"I'm going to play the card I searched for at the end of the last turn... Ritual Magic 'Machine Angel Ritual'! Sacrifice monsters from the hand or field until the combined levels equal or surpass the level of the Ritual Summoned Monster, and Ritual Summon one 'Cyber Angel' Ritual Monster from the hand!"
"So you're counterattacking with a Ritual Summon, huh?" Darkness said gravely, "As expected! Flip the cover card!
Counter Trap - Solemn Judgment!"
Asuka: "!"