Hand Incineration

Creation of Heaven and Earth deck.

This was the series used in the anime by Noah Kaiba... or rather, by Noah Kaiba's personality AI. Its composition blended myths and legends from around the world with all manner of natural and man-made disasters.

Of course, no such archetype existed in the real card game. Aside from the Spirit Monsters supposedly based on Eastern legends, the vast majority of these cards had never been printed.

As for why, Yu Ming felt it was probably because some of the cards in it were still ridiculously bizarre even now.

Like the card Noah had just activated—"Ice Age Chaos."

Although its activation condition was the same as the "Unexpected Dai" Yu Ming possessed, its effect was clearly far more powerful.

Level 4, EARTH.

That meant that, aside from cards whose text prevented them from being Special Summoned, anything meeting the conditions could be freely deployed from the Deck.

At that thought, all sorts of combos had already surfaced in Yu Ming's mind.

"I Special Summon this from my Deck—"Hardened Armored Dragon.""

But none of them fit the current situation.

Rumble.

"Hardened Armored Dragon (Lv. 4)"

"Attribute/EARTH"

"Type/Dinosaur"

"ATK/1500 DEF/800"

Watching the dinosaur, wrapped in a shell resembling bone, break through the glacier and arrive on the field, Yu Ming could not help but sigh.

This monster was indeed no ordinary card, but it clearly was not the sort of combo piece used for milling or searching.

Still, it could not be called a terrible play. Setting aside the available card pool, the means of Summoning it were quite limited in the first place.

And without relying on the Extra Deck, there was only one path available to him.

"Yu Ming... that is what you are called now, right?"

"Hm?"

Yu Ming froze.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Nothing."

Noah asked with a smile.

"May I use your Set Card?"

"Be my guest."

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

Light appeared within Yu Ming's Graveyard, and a card popped out.

"By this card's effect, I awaken the monster sleeping in the Graveyard."

As Yu Ming placed the card in the Monster Zone, a phantom image of a card appeared on Noah's Duel Disk as well.

""Spirit of the Books.""

"Kurri kurri!"

A little furry creature appeared on the battlefield.

"Spirit of the Books (Lv. 2)"

"Attribute/DARK"

"Type/Fiend"

"ATK/550 DEF/400"

Though it seemed determined to make itself look as fierce as possible, neither its appearance nor its abilities allowed it to do so.

But that was fine. In truth, its purpose had appeared the moment it was Summoned—tribute fodder!

""Spirit of the Books" and "Hardened Armored Dragon." The two monsters on my field shall usher in a calamity beyond your imagination."

Along with Noah's chant-like words, entirely different flames appeared upon the field.

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

"Appear, "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi.""

The flames converged, spiritual energy spilled outward, and a fierce man took shape.

"Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi (Lv. 8)"

"Attribute/FIRE"

"Type/Pyro"

"ATK/2800 DEF/2900"

It was here—a Spirit Monster.

The moment the god Kagu-Tsuchi appeared, Yu Ming could not help straightening up.

Unlike the "Gears" and "Mechs" displayed earlier, this was Noah Kaiba's true mainstay in the original work.

More importantly, its appearance even signified that the game was ending early.

Gradually, Yu Ming's gaze shifted toward Mr. Demon King and his teammate, whose field was empty save for a single Set Card.

However, it was worth mentioning that the people involved did not seem to realize their predicament.

"Now, I enter the Battle Phase. "Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi," attack directly—Hellfire Fist!"

The moment the Eastern fire god leaped forward, a hint of savagery appeared on the Demon King's face.

"Useless! I activate a Trap Card!"

His body even swelled in size, while the armor encasing him unfolded blades like circular saws.

And the card artwork was practically a perfect recreation of a certain card.

Yu Ming was certain that every duelist had heard its famous name:

""Blast Armor!""

The Demon King roared loudly.

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

But unfortunately, this card had never accomplished much in the anime.

And now, it was about to meet the same fate.

Bang!

"OOOOOH!"

When that heavy fist wreathed in flames came crashing down, the Pitch-Black King was sent flying.

Amid the scattering waves of scorching air, Yu Ming could even smell a foul, burnt stench.

Dark Invader & Pitch-Black King Life Points: 8000 → 5200

"Then I Set two cards in my back row, and activate the Spell Card "Spirit Energy Stabilizer." The Spirit Monster on the field does not need to return to the hand. Next, I discard one card to maintain the device's existence. My turn ends."

"No, impossible! My Trap... why didn't my armor work?!"

The Demon King desperately raised his head, only to see the phantom image of a dinosaur before him.

"Monsters Level 7 or higher that use "Hardened Armored Dragon" as a Tribute cannot be destroyed by effects."

"What..."

Clutching his cracked armor, the Demon King's scarlet eyes widened.

But he quickly calmed down.

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

Struggling to rise from the floor, the Demon King roared.

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

"..."

Yet the field was utterly silent. No one responded to Mr. Demon King's bold declaration.

Even the Demon King himself vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

"Partner?"

The Demon King looked toward the dark-gold demon beside him.

But the figure that normally reassured him now displayed an unsettling silence.

Only then did the Invader slowly raise his head in response to the Demon King's question.

"What do you think?"

"..."

The Demon King looked closely, only to discover that at some unknown point, a ball of fire had appeared by his partner.

The flame quietly swirled around the Invader's hand, enveloping it.

"You seem pretty relaxed. You must be very confident."

"I..."

The moment those words came out, Yu Ming could even see a red glow spreading across the Invader's dark face, as though an intense chemical reaction were taking place.

But in the end, it subsided.

"From now on..."

"Huh?"

"From now on, I never want to team up with you again."

Boom!

The flames burst forth, burning the Invader's cloak to nothing. Even his hand was reduced to ashes along with it.

"W-Why?"

This scene left Mr. Demon King dumbfounded.

The terror and demonic aura seemed to vanish entirely from his face. Rubbing his head, he could not help turning his gaze toward the fire man standing on the field.

Behind the god Kagu-Tsuchi, Noah Kaiba smiled.

""Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi's" flames are divine fire that burns even gods. They do not disappear when the attack ends. Instead, they remain upon whoever they touch, and when the next turn's Draw Phase arrives..."

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

"They burn every card in the opponent's hand."

"How can there be an effect like that?!"