Amulet of Usurpation

In the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, there are many famous characters, many of whom are associated with specific cards, while others are known for their unique dueling styles.

Seto Kaiba, coincidentally, fits both descriptions.

It's common knowledge that, aside from his flashy summons of Blue-Eyes White Dragon, President Kaiba typically employs only one strategy at the start of a duel.

While this might sound a bit like teasing, it's largely true.

When he duels, he's always about raw power, maximizing attack, even if he starts with a 4-star Normal Monster. It's always something like Bloody Beastman, with 1900 ATK, a powerhouse that was incredibly difficult to deal with without losses on the first turn in that era.

Then, his mind, for some reason, gets fixated on the idea that because he pursues high attack values, everyone else must too. He firmly believes that capable duelists are just like him.

Completely disregarding the fact that he'd been repeatedly blindsided by various 'misfits'—low-star monsters whose combined stats didn't even reach 1000—since the early days, he forcibly equates attack power with a duelist's skill. This leads to his single, overarching strategy:

Virus Cards.

Specifically, a single card that duelists are undoubtedly familiar with:

Crush Card Virus.

In the anime, its effect—destroying the opponent's entire deck if triggered by a DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK—was incredibly overpowered. After its real-life release, as the meta shifted from spell/trap advantage to chaos decks and high-ATK monsters, its abstract power was pushed to the extreme.

And the card Yu Ming activated was precisely the 'sibling' derived from this card after its OCG release!

While no longer as cheap in effect as its original 'sibling,' the format is clearly consistent.

Their entire family of cards sets specific conditions as prerequisites for field destruction and lockdown!

"Defense of 1500 or less…"

Muttering the key phrase, Keith looked at his field.

Cannon Soldier DEF/1300

Motor Smasher DEF/1200

As expected, the two steel beasts were already enveloped by the seemingly laughing virus.

As the dark liquid dripped, the two machines, which should have secured his victory, instantly crumbled.

"Cannon Soldier and Motor Smasher are eliminated."

"Even so, when Motor Smasher is destroyed, it leaves two tokens on my field!"

Regaining his composure, Keith stated.

"Are you going to summon Machine Motor? And then use Seven Card to boost its ATK?"

The sudden question made him catch his breath.

When the dark virus dissipated, the air, instead of clearing, grew heavier.

He instinctively looked around. The shadows cast by the dim candlelight felt like a large hand tightly gripping his neck—the Virus Card had also exposed his hand!

But…

"So what?!"

His gaze fell upon his hand. The monsters still there brought a sense of relief.

"Ultimately, this just means I'll defeat you in a different way."

He raised the card in his hand.

At the same time, the two fragile, solitary Motor tokens in front of him began to emit overloaded currents.

"Now, I'll sacrifice these two tokens to summon my current ace monster!"

Electricity crackled, and amidst the roar of motors, a flash of red light appeared, revealing a steel giant with blades for forearms.

"Machine Motor Omega!"

This was Keith's card from the manga, his ace.

Of course, in the manga, it would appear and disappear within a single turn, so it didn't have much presence. But Yu Ming actually thought it looked quite cool.

Machine Motor Omega (LV8) Attribute/DARK Type/Machine ATK/2800 DEF/2000

As an 8-star monster, its ATK wasn't low, but it was currently stuck at a problematic point.

After all…

"Dark Blade also has 2800 ATK now."

On the field, two monsters of vastly different sizes stared at each other, their auras clashing intensely.

But soon, the stalemate was broken.

"Your monster only reached that level because of an equip spell. My machines can reach even greater heights!"

'Zzzzt'

As electricity buzzed, a shimmering illusion of a slot machine vaguely appeared above Machine Motor.

It had three screens in total, and the first already displayed a number:

7

"Equip Spell – 'Seven Card'."

Keith said coldly.

"As a plug-in for this Machine-Type monster, this card increases a Machine-Type monster's ATK or DEF by 700."

「Machine Motor Omega」

「ATK/2800→3500」

"But it's not over yet."

Then, Keith waved his hand.

"Machine Motor can overload its own engine to gain greater power – Engine Overload!"

'Boom'

Arcs of electricity coursed, and the heavy sound of pistons echoed.

Amidst the thick black smoke erupting, the mechanical giant's bright yellow main monitor flashed crimson.

Then, its ATK increased further!

「ATK/3500→4500」

"4500 ATK…"

"Even President Kaiba's ace monster only has that much ATK. This is the end!"

Keith's roar echoed amidst the engine's rumble.

"Battle!

"'Machine Motor Omega' attacks 'Dark Blade'!"

'Boom'

Upon receiving the command, the robot, already pushed to its limits, instantly lunged forward.

Then, it swung its wildly spinning, vibrating arm blades.

"Overload Execution – this is where it ends!"

Machine Motor's ATK was 4500, and Warrior of Darkworld, holding Axe of Despair, had an ATK of 2800. The difference was indeed enough to end this battle.

But…

"Open Set Card."

'Buzz'

On the battlefield, which should have been decided, ripples suddenly spread.

In that moment of stillness, as if time had frozen, a gateless vortex appeared behind Warrior of Darkworld.

Looking inside, the vortex contained a vast number of weapons!

"At the moment you declare an attack, I activate this Trap Card – 'Weapon Call'."

Yu Ming said.

"By this card's effect, I can add one Equip Spell Card from my Deck to my hand, then equip it to a monster on the field."

"Equip Card…"

Keith's Adam's apple bobbed.

With his mind as the All-American Champion, he frantically considered what equipment could possibly make up for the damage difference of at least seventeen hundred.

'Megamorph'?

That was clearly impossible, because even if 'Megamorph' met its conditions, it only doubled the 'original ATK', which still wouldn't surpass his Machine Motor.

And even a second Axe of Despair would still leave a seven hundred point gap!

"I'll add this card from my Deck to my hand, then equip it."

Just as Keith was desperately searching for the ultimate answer, the warrior made his move.

He reached one hand into the vortex and pulled out a golden amulet from among the many weapons.

"That equipment is…"

"'Amulet of Usurpation' – this card can only be equipped to Normal Monsters…"

"But its ATK didn't increase at all!"

Before Yu Ming could finish speaking, the crimson machine had already charged forward, bypassing the battle line protected by the Blade of Light.

Amidst Keith's impatient roar, the frantically vibrating blade, imbued with cruel power, smashed down onto the lone warrior.

"I win…"

Clang

But as the sound of impact echoed, Keith didn't see the scene he expected.

Warrior of Darkworld stood firm, blocking the attack with its battle-axe.

"That's impossible! Machine Motor clearly has higher ATK!"

"It did, right up until damage calculation."

Buzz

As the battle stalemated, the golden amulet worn by the Warrior suddenly opened an eye.

An invisible pressure spread, as if even the wildly roaring engines began to quiet down.

"What in the world is happening…"

"That's the effect of Amulet of Usurpation."

Yu Ming slowly spoke, meeting Keith's uneasy and astonished gaze.

"When the equipped monster battles a monster with a higher Level, its ATK increases only during the Damage Step."

As for the amount…

"For every 1 Level difference between them, its ATK increases by 500."

Upon hearing the effect, Keith seemed to awaken from a dream.

"Machine Motor's Level is 8!"

"Dark Blade's Level is 4."

Yu Ming took a deep breath.

"So, Dark Blade's ATK will increase by 2000."

"Then its final ATK will be…"

Keith was speechless for a moment, but the reality no longer needed explaining.

Warrior of Darkworld, Dark Blade

[ATK/2800→4800]

Crack

At that moment, a crisp sound rang out.

Machine Motor shattered.