Machina Suppression

Dinosaur Ryuzaki let out a long breath.

Tri-Horned Dragon was sent to the Graveyard, but it was okay. Although it was a bit frustrating, so far, things were still within his expectations.

Ryuzaki was someone who had seen big storms. He had survived things like his Red-Eyes being spun into a fossil by Tsuchikure Jonouchi's Time Wizard back in the day. Compared to that, this was just a minor scene.

"But my turn isn't over yet."

Ryuzaki drew another card.

"From my hand, I activate the Continuous Spell, Mirage of Nightmare. This card allows me to draw cards from my Deck until my hand reaches four during my opponent's Standby Phase.

However, as a side effect, I must randomly discard the same number of cards drawn during my own Standby Phase."

Kira remained expressionless.

Yep, truly the anime world. He just casually played a Forbidden Card that's been banned for ages.

"Next, I Set two cards in my Back Row. I end my turn."

It was Kira's turn to draw: "Then it's my turn, Draw."

"At this moment, the effect of 'Mirage of Nightmare' activates," Ryuzaki said. "I draw four cards from my Deck."

As expected of a Forbidden Card's power, Ryuzaki's hand, which was empty after his turn, immediately returned to four cards.

However, Kira calmly played the card he drew: "Spell Card, Pot of Greed. I draw two more cards from my Deck."

It's like he's saying, 'Who doesn't have a few Forbidden Cards?'

After drawing, Kira continued: "First, I summon the card I searched last turn."

The Monster Card slammed onto the Monster Zone of the Duel Disk with a crisp slap.

"Machina Mech-Frame, in Attack Position."

[Machina Mech-Frame, ATK 1800]

"Machina Mech-Frame's effect activates. When this card is Normal Summoned, I can add one 'Machina' card from my Deck to my hand, except 'Machina Mech-Frame'."

"I see, the Machina Peacekeeper that was destroyed last turn had the ability to search 'Machina Mech-Frame' when destroyed, and 'Machina Mech-Frame''s ability can search 'Machina Fortress'.

So it seems Kira's setup from the start was for this 'Machina Fortress'!"

"It looks like the situation is about to get interesting," Commentator Sasaki also chuckled.

"From my Deck, this card..."

Kira revealed the card drawn from his Deck.

"...'Machina Fortress', is added to my hand."

He then showed both Fortress and another Monster Card from his hand.

"Next is 'Machina Fortress''s effect. Although this card is a Level 7 Tribute Monster, it can be Special Summoned from my hand or Graveyard by discarding Machine-Type Monsters from my hand whose total Levels are 8 or more.

I discard the Level 8 'Machina Megaform' from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon 'Machina Fortress' from my hand!"

One card from his hand was Sent to Graveyard, and the heavy alloy fortress immediately leaped onto his field. Its thick metal treads, light blue armor, and long, thick cannon barrel seemed to declare, "Caliber is Justice."

[Machina Fortress, ATK 2500]

"Battle," Kira declared. "First, 'Machina Fortress', attack the Set 'Tri-Horned Dragon'!"

[Tri-Horned Dragon, DEF 2350]

The huge main cannon on Fortress slowly lowered, locked onto its target, and loaded ammunition. The heavy cannon boomed out of the barrel with a roar and a flash of light. The spinning shell slammed onto the Set Card. Poor Tri-Horned Dragon was instantly blasted into dust with a loud boom, never seeing the light of day again.

"Followed by Machina Mech-Frame's Direct Attack!"

The red Machina warrior pushed off, its metal body soaring forward with transparent air currents. Ryuzaki quickly covered his head and crouched defensively, but he was still knocked over by the visual impact of the alloy kick.

[Ryuzaki, LP 2600 → LP 800]

The audience immediately gasped in surprise.

A returning legend against a newcomer who had just emerged. They thought it would be a completely one-sided match with no suspense, but who would have thought that it was indeed one-sided, just completely reversed.

That Dinosaur Ryuzaki was actually being suppressed?

"This is quite an unexpected development..."

Even the commentators couldn't help but feel their pre-match predictions waver upon seeing this.

"Ryuzaki's field seems to be in a bit of a bad state," Commentator Xiao Du said.

"Indeed, he's completely suppressed on the field, and his Life Points are only eight hundred. On the other hand, Kira's LP hasn't budged at all so far."

[Kira, LP 4000]

Unable to resist confirming Kira's unmoving LP again, Commentator Sasaki couldn't help but frown.

Is this really a newcomer?

From his previous matches until now, he's come through with an overwhelming dominance. Looking back at all his Duels so far, one can't feel any pressure from them.

Now he can even suppress that Dinosaur Ryuzaki to such an extent...

Where did this unprecedented monster suddenly pop out from?

"Main Phase 2."

Kira's turn continued.

"I activate the other effect of 'Machina Mech-Frame'.

Once per turn, this card can equip itself as an Equip Card to one Machine-Type monster I control.

I equip 'Mech-Frame' to 'Machina Fortress' on my field."

Mech-Frame leaped up, transforming with a series of clanking sounds, and combined onto Fortress.

"When the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, Mech-Frame can be destroyed instead," Kira said. "Also, once per turn, while equipped, Mech-Frame can Special Summon itself back to my field."

"What a great combination!" Commentator Xiao Du exclaimed. "Not only can Mech-Frame search Fortress from the deck, but it can also equip itself to Fortress to grant it destruction resistance?"

"Not just that," Commentator Sasaki added. "Equipping itself also provides a layer of protection for 'Machina Mech-Frame'. This way, the opponent can't target the Mech-Frame with its lower ATK to break through.

Furthermore, even if it's needed to attack and help finish off the opponent next turn, it has the ability to Special Summon itself back to the field."

"A combination that's strong both offensively and defensively, it's too powerful," Commentator Xiao Du couldn't help but say. "This Fujiki Kira... is he really a rookie?"

Sasasaki was speechless for a moment as well.

"I Set two cards to the field."

Two more Set Cards appeared beside Kira's feet. He looked up at the Continuous Spell in Ryuzaki's Back Row and sighed inwardly.

The deck he was currently using had three copies of a Wind card in its Deck Build. Any one of them in his hand could have blown away that "Mirage of Nightmare" before the Standby Phase. If he could have destroyed it, while victory wouldn't be guaranteed, his chances would definitely have increased further.

What a shame, he didn't draw any of them.

Another day wishing for a Divine Draw...

"I end my turn," Kira said.

"You damn brat, you really dare to duel like this..."

Ryuzaki gritted his teeth.

"It's my turn, Draw!"

After the Draw Phase came Ryuzaki's Standby Phase.

"At this time, the side effect of 'Mirage of Nightmare' activates. Normally, I would have to discard four cards from my hand... However!"

Ryuzaki flipped over a card in his Back Row.

"At this moment, I first activate my Set Trap Card, 'Reckless Greed'!

I can draw two cards from my deck, but the cost is that I must skip my next two Draw Phases."

A card with huge benefits, but equally huge risks. Ryuzaki drew two more cards using it.

"And then, I immediately activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Emergency Provisions'!"

Ryuzaki flipped over his second Back Row card.

"I can send Spell/Trap Cards on my field, other than 'Emergency Provisions', to the Graveyard, and for each card sent, I gain 1000 Life Points!

I send 'Reckless Greed', which is currently active on the field, and 'Mirage of Nightmare' to the Graveyard together, and gain 2000 Life Points!"

The two cards in the Back Row vanished simultaneously under a golden light, becoming sustenance absorbed into Ryuzaki's body.

[Ryuzaki, LP 800 → LP 2800]

"Oh, that was a beautiful move!" Commentator Xiao Du couldn't help but exclaim. "First, activate Reckless Greed, then Chain the Trap and activate 'Emergency Provisions'.

Although the Trap Card has already been activated, it remains on the field when 'Emergency Provisions' resolves, and can still be sent to the Graveyard as a cost for 'Emergency Provisions' to recover Life Points."

"Exactly. At the same time, by sending 'Mirage of Nightmare' to the Graveyard with 'Emergency Provisions', he avoided the side effect of having to discard cards during the Standby Phase."

Commentator Sasaki also nodded.

"Ryuzaki is indeed Ryuzaki. His Dueling skill is undeniably strong."

Ryuzaki rubbed his nose, seemingly proud of his expert maneuver: "Too bad, it looks like your attack last turn was all for nothing."

However, Kira remained unfazed.

He didn't think it was particularly high-level play; he just wanted to ask Ryuzaki where he bought that 502 Glue.

He had wanted to ask for a long time: Why are 'Mirage of Nightmare' and 'Emergency Provisions' in your anime duels always stuck together with 502 Glue? I've never seen anyone fail to draw that combo