The Protagonist of the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Might Be the Same Person

As a result of this card's activation, if there are any face-down monsters on the opponent's field, all of them are flipped face-up.

While this card is in the Spell & Trap Zone, your opponent's monsters cannot declare an attack.

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[Marik Ishtar Hand: 3 → 2]

With the activation of this card, the three monsters on Jonouchi's field were instantly sealed by a barrage of light swords.

"It's Swords of Revealing Light..."

Jonouchi was startled. With this, his monsters would be immobilized for the next three turns.

However, Marik paused for a long moment, seemingly still hesitant about something.

"Hey, are you done with your turn?"

Jonouchi grew increasingly impatient.

"No, I haven't said I'm done. I'm going to seal this card in the Sacred Box of the Temple."

At this moment, Marik placed a card from his hand face-down into a slot in the field zone, alongside Temple of the Kings.

[Marik Ishtar Hand: 2 → 1]

"Sealing a card..."

More of Jonouchi's incomprehensible pronouncements.

Soon, a card appeared above a box within the temple behind Marik and slowly descended into it.

"This sealed card will be immune to all effects. I'll play one final face-down card, and then my turn ends."

With another card added to his back row, he ended his turn.

[Marik Ishtar Hand: 1 → 0]

"What was that card...?"

Marik's peculiar move left Jonouchi completely bewildered.

"Tch, he sure put on a show, but whatever..."

Jonouchi decided not to dwell on it and focused on his own turn.

"My turn!"

[Katsuya Jonouchi Hand: 0 → 1]

He glanced at the card in his hand, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Heh, while that sealed card might be unaffected, the same can't be said for that face-down card."

With that, he placed the card onto his Duel Disk.

"I offer Flame Swordsman as a tribute to summon Man-Eater Bug!"

Flame Swordsman vanished, and a tall figure with bulging veins on its head and a long neck was projected.

[Man-Eater Bug: ATK 2400]

[Katsuya Jonouchi Hand: 1 → 0]

"This monster is..."

Marik didn't seem to recognize the card.

"Man-Eater Bug has an effect that can destroy Trap Cards on the opponent's field. Therefore, I activate Man-Eater Bug's special ability, Trap Search!"

The Man-Eater Bug's eyes shot red beams towards Marik's back row. However, as the light pierced through, the face-down card remained completely unaffected.

"What!? Why wasn't it destroyed?"

Seeing no reaction from his opponent, Jonouchi was stunned.

"Too naive, Jonouchi. While most of my face-down cards are Trap Cards, unfortunately, that particular one is a Spell Card. Therefore, Man-Eater Bug's effect had no use."

Marik explained regretfully to Jonouchi.

"Tch, but your remaining traps are sealed by me. Let's see what other tricks you have. My turn ends."

Jonouchi decisively ended his turn.

Chapter 31: The Lightning Warrior

"My turn!"

[Marik Ishtar Hand: 0 → 1]

Marik glanced at the card he drew and placed it in his left hand.

"My turn ends."

He had nothing to do this turn either.

"What? You were acting so smug just now, I thought you had some amazing move planned... but this is it?"

Jonouchi said dismissively.

"..."

"Marik" continued to calmly watch Jonouchi.

At this moment, Jonouchi drew another card.

"My turn!"

[Jonouchi Katsuya Hand: 0 → 1]

After glancing at the card, he did nothing else.

"I end my turn."

The effect of Swords of Revealing Light would still take one more turn to end.

"My turn!"

["Marik Ishtar" Hand: 1 → 2]

"Hmm..."

"Marik" nodded slightly.

"Everything is ready now. I've gathered the three cards needed to summon the guardian god of the temple, the three special cards that hold the mysterious power of the God Cards."

He then held the two cards in his hand with his right hand.

"You said the guardian god of the temple..."

Hearing this, Jonouchi felt a sense of unease.

"Just watch! The Spell Card [Graveyard of the Pharaohs], then I activate the Trap Card [Seal of the Ancients], and finally, [Temple of the Kings]! When these three Spell Cards appear simultaneously, a sacred ritual will be performed to summon Guardian Sphinx!"

["Marik Ishtar" Hand: 2 → 0]

The golden chalice gushed black mist, and a pair of eyes lit up within the mist.

"Guardian Sphinx..."

Jonouchi grew a little nervous.

"That's right! Invader who trespasses upon Saint Domain, your monster will become prey for the guardian god. Reveal yourself now, summon [Guardian Sphinx]!"

Roar--!!

When the smoke cleared, a giant crimson scorpion stood guard on the temple behind "Marik".

[Guardian Sphinx: ATK 2500]

"So this is the so-called guardian god..."

Although its attack power wasn't too high, Jonouchi still felt the pressure.

"[Guardian Sphinx] is the sacred guardian of the sacred cards sealed within the holy coffer of [Temple of the Kings]!"

"Marik" continued.

"Sacred cards... Could it be that the cards placed in [Temple of the Kings] are..."

Jonouchi suddenly realized something.

"That's right, it's the God Card [The Winged Dragon of Ra]!"

As "Marik" spoke, the Guardian Sphinx roared along.

Hearing the name, Jonouchi immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

"[Guardian Sphinx] cannot attack this turn as it was Special Summoned. However, as a guardian god, it can sacrifice half of my Life Points within [Temple of the Kings] to awaken the God Card slumbering in the holy coffer!"

Saying this, "Marik" turned towards the box within the temple.

"What did you say..."

Jonouchi was greatly surprised.

This way, the God Card, which originally required three tributes, could now be summoned by "Marik" with just one monster.

"But I won't do that now. To allow the god to descend in a better state, I will continuously evolve the Guardian Sphinx. Turn end."

"Marik" turned back and declared the end of his turn.

"I see..."

Jonouchi breathed a sigh of relief. This meant he still had time to prepare his defenses.

"My turn!"

[Jonouchi Katsuya Hand: 1 → 2]

He first put away the card he drew, then rotated two cards on his Duel Disk.

"I will change [Man-Eater Bug] and [Fuh-Raid the Iron Knight] to Defense Position. Turn end."

He quickly ended his turn, and at the same time, the light swords sealing the monsters disappeared.

[Man-Eater Bug: DEF 1500]

[Fuh-Raid the Iron Knight: DEF 1600]

Playing against a stall player is truly torture.

"Then, my turn!"

["Marik Ishtar" Hand: 0 → 1]

Marik could finally make a move and immediately entered the Battle Phase.

"Here I come, Jonouchi! I'll use [Guardian Sphinx] to attack [Man-Eater Bug]!"

Following his attack command, the Guardian Sphinx's claws instantly lunged towards the Man-Eater Bug.

Once the Man-Eater Bug was gone, Jonouchi's means of dealing with stall tactics would disappear. Therefore, to protect this card, he quickly flipped over his set card.

"Not so fast! I activate the Trap Card [Monster Reborn]!"

Can be activated when the opponent declares an attack with a monster. Return 1 monster on your field to your hand, then Special Summon 1 Level 4 monster from your hand.

"The monster I want to retrieve is, of course, [Man-Eater Bug], and I'll Special Summon [Amazoness Fighter] from my hand."

The Man-Eater Bug instantly vanished from his field, and then a blonde female warrior wearing a hat and a tattered cape was projected.

[Amazoness Fighter: ATK 1100]

"Although [Man-Eater Bug] is saved, the monster you summoned is in Attack Position. You're truly careless, Jonouchi!"

Marik said, shaking his head.

"Uh, oh no!!"

Jonouchi looked extremely flustered.

"Then, devour it, [Guardian Sphinx]!"

The Guardian Sphinx's claws instantly grabbed the female warrior, stuffed her into its mouth, and ate her.

"Eek--!"

Jonouchi and the audience below were startled by the scene.