Hand Destruction

Creation of Heaven and Earth deck.

This is a series used by Noah Kaiba—or rather, Noah Kaiba's AI persona—in the anime. It's a mix of various myths and legends from around the world, along with different natural disasters and human calamities.

Of course, these fields don't exist in the real card game. Aside from the Spirit Monster cards, which are said to be inspired by Eastern legends, most of the cards were never made into physical versions.

As for why, Yu Ming felt it might be because some of the cards in it are just too abstract, even for today.

For example, the card Noah just activated—Ice Age Chaos.

While its activation condition is the same as Yu Ming's Unexpected Dai, its effect is clearly much stronger.

It's a Level 4, EARTH attribute monster.

This means that, aside from cards whose text prevents special summoning, any eligible card can be freely called from the deck.

As he thought about this, various combos began to form in Yu Ming's mind.

"I'm special summoning this from my deck—Hardened Armored Dragon."

However, none of them seemed to fit the current situation.

BOOM

Hardened Armored Dragon (LV4)

Attribute/EARTH

Type/Dinosaur

ATK/1500 DEF/800

Watching the dinosaur, encased in bone-like armor, burst through the ice and appear on the field, Yu Ming couldn't help but sigh.

This monster certainly wasn't a Normal Monster, but it clearly wasn't a combo-starting card meant for graveyard setup or searching.

Still, it wasn't a bad play, as, regardless of the card pool, its summoning methods were quite limited.

And without relying on the Extra Deck, he only had one path.

"Yu Ming… that's your name now, right?"

"Hm?"

Yu Ming was taken aback.

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason," Noah asked with a smile.

"May I use your Set card?"

"Go ahead."

"Then I activate the Continuous Trap, Call of the Haunted."

A light appeared in Yu Ming's graveyard, and a card was ejected.

"With this card's effect, I will awaken a monster slumbering in the graveyard."

As Yu Ming placed the card in his Monster Zone, a holographic image of the card also appeared on Noah's Duel Disk.

"Spirit of the Books."

"Kuri kuri!"

A fluffy little creature appeared on the battlefield.

Spirit of the Books (LV2)

Attribute/DARK

Type/Fiend

ATK/550 DEF/400

Although it seemed to try its best to look fierce, neither its appearance nor its abilities allowed it to do so.

But it didn't matter; its true purpose had already been served the moment it was summoned—it was a tribute!

"Spirit of the Books and Hardened Armored Dragon, the two monsters on my field will lead to a disaster you can scarcely imagine."

Accompanying Noah's chanting-like words, completely different flames appeared on the field.

They gradually engulfed the two monsters on the field, and then...

"Appear, Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi."

The flames converged, spiritual energy overflowed, and a fierce male figure emerged.

Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi (LV8)

Attribute/FIRE

Type/Pyro

ATK/2800 DEF/2900

Here it comes, a Spirit Monster.

The moment Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi appeared, Yu Ming couldn't help but stand up straight.

Unlike the "Gear" and "Mecha" shown before, this was Noah Kaiba's main monster in the original series.

More importantly, its appearance even meant the game ended early.

Gradually, Yu Ming's gaze shifted to the empty field where Mr. Pitch-Black King and his teammate stood, with only one facedown card.

However, it was worth noting that the individuals involved seemed unaware of their predicament.

"Now entering the Battle Phase! Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi attacks directly—Infernal Flame Fist!"

The moment the Eastern fire god soared forward, a ferocious expression appeared on the King's face.

"It's useless! I activate my Trap Card!"

His body even swelled, and the armor covering his form unfolded into saw-like blades.

And that card art was practically a perfect replication of a certain card.

Yu Ming even believed that all duelists must have heard of this card's famous name:

"Blast Armor!"

The Pitch-Black King roared loudly.

"The monster attacking me will be destroyed by this armor!"

But unfortunately, this card never achieved anything in the anime.

And now it was about to meet the same end.

"Thud"

"Ooooh!"

As the flame-wreathed heavy fist slammed down, the Pitch-Black King was sent flying backward.

Along with the dissipating hot air, Yu Ming even smelled a foul, burnt odor.

Dark Invader & Pitch-Black King LP: 8000 → 5200

"Then, I set two cards in my back row, and activate the Spell Card 'Spirit Energy Stabilizer.' Spirit Monsters on the field do not return to the hand. Next, I discard one card from my hand to maintain the device's existence. Turn end."

"No, that's impossible! My trap... why didn't my armor activate?!"

The Pitch-Black King desperately looked up, only to see the phantom of a dinosaur.

"Monsters Level 7 or higher tributed with Hardened Armored Dragon cannot be destroyed by card effects."

"What..."

Clutching his cracked armor, the Pitch-Black King's scarlet eyes widened.

But soon, he calmed down.

"But it doesn't matter, I still have LP left, and your turn is over."

Struggling to get up from the floor, the Pitch-Black King roared loudly.

"Next turn, my partner will destroy all of you!"

"..."

However, the field was silent; no one responded to Mr. Pitch-Black King's grand pronouncements.

Faintly, even the King himself felt something was amiss.

"Partner?"

The Pitch-Black King looked at the dark-gold demon beside him.

However, the figure that usually brought reassurance now displayed an unsettling silence.

Meeting the King's inquiry, the Invader slowly looked up:

"What do you think?"

"..."

The Pitch-Black King observed carefully, only to find that at some point, a ball of flame had appeared in his partner's hand.

The ball of fire quietly circulated in the Invader's hand, enveloping it.

"Quite leisurely, aren't you? You must be very confident."

"I..."

At these words, Yu Ming could even see a red glow appearing on the Invader's dark face, as if a fierce chemical reaction was occurring.

But finally, it subsided.

"Later..."

"Huh?"

"I never want to team up with you again."

BOOM!

Flames erupted, incinerating the Invader's cloak and turning his hand into ash.

"Wh-why?"

The Demon King stared, dumbfounded.

All traces of terror and demonic malice seemed to vanish from his face as he scratched his head and looked toward the fiery figure standing tall on the field.

Behind Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi, Noah Kaiba smiled.

"Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi's flames are divine fire, capable of burning gods. They don't disappear when the attack ends; instead, they linger on the opponent. Then, at the start of their next Draw Phase…"

He slowly extended his hand, clenching it as if grasping something.

"They burn away all cards in the opponent's hand."

"How can it have an effect like that?!"