King's Monster

"I can't enter the Battle Phase. I see." Kira nodded.

The Doctor's only monster on the field last turn had already been sent to the next turn by Wormhole in advance to burn Life Points. With no monster defenses currently on the field, it was only natural that he had defensive measures in his Back Row.

"Then I activate this Field Spell."

Kira played another card from his hand.

"Field Spell, 'Catapult Zone.'"

Under this era's rules, only one Field Card could exist on the Duel Arena, unlike in later times when each player could use one Field Spell. Activating a new field meant the old one had to be pushed out.

Cosmic space vanished, replaced by an ancient, primitive catapult field beneath the star-filled sky.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Gate.'" Kira said. "I Tribute a monster on my field and reveal cards from the Top of Deck until a monster that can be Normal Summoned appears.

That monster is Special Summoned, while every other revealed card is Sent to the Graveyard.

I Tribute 'Machina Fortress,' whose ATK has dropped to 1000, and begin revealing cards from my Deck."

Kira continued drawing. This time, he revealed nine cards in one go before showing the cards he had revealed.

"I Special Summon 'Rock Spirit Soldier' in Defense Position."

A new identity for the legendary old card, Giant Soldier of Stone—the card Yugi once used to attack the moon.

Rock Spirit Soldier, DEF 2000

"Then I set two cards and End Turn."

Bainstein's tiny eyes behind his glasses narrowed even further.

Something really was strange. He could see Kira's Deck shrinking at a visible rate. In just two turns, nearly half his Deck had been sent down, yet he showed no particularly strong desire to attack.

What was he