Usurpation

There were many famous characters in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh! Many of them were associated with cards, while others were known for their unique dueling performances.

Seto Kaiba happened to be both.

As everyone knew, aside from his flashy Blue-Eyes summoning, President Kaiba only had one opening strategy when he dueled.

Though that statement carried a hint of teasing, it was also true.

Whenever he dueled, he relied on overwhelming force and maxed-out attack power. Even if he opened with a Level 4 Normal Monster, it had to be something like "Bloody Beastman," with 1900 ATK—a powerhouse that was difficult to remove without losses on the first turn in that era.

Then, for some reason, his brain worked in such a way that because he pursued attack power himself, he instinctively believed everyone else did too. He stubbornly assumed that any capable duelist had to be like him.

Completely ignoring the fact that he had been repeatedly humiliated since the early days by all kinds of low-Level "trash☆fish" whose combined ATK and DEF did not even reach 1000, he forcibly equated attack power with a duelist's own strength and came up with his only strategy:

Virus Cards.

More precisely, one particular card that card players were undoubtedly familiar with:

"Crush Card Virus."

In the anime, its effect was already absurdly powerful, requiring only a DARK monster with 1000 or less ATK to activate and destroy not only the opponent's monsters but cards in their Deck as well. After being printed in real life, it became even more ridiculous as the game gradually shifted away from Spell and Trap resource gaps toward Chaos decks and high-ATK monsters.

And the card Yu Ming had activated was this card's "brother" born after its OCG adaptation!

Although its effect was no longer as cheap as its original "brother's," the format was clearly the same.

Their entire family worked on the premise of restricting certain conditions—then destroying the field and locking the opponent down!

"DEF of 1500 or less..."

Muttering that keyword, Keith looked toward his field.

"Cannon Soldier"

"DEF/1300"

"Motor Smasher"

"DEF/1200"

Naturally, both steel beasts had already been wrapped in the virus that seemed to be laughing.

As that pitch-black fluid dripped down, the two machines that should have secured victory instantly crumbled apart.

"Cannon Soldier and Motor Smasher are destroyed."

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

Having snapped back to his senses as well, Keith spoke.

"Are you going to summon Machine Motor next? Then use Seven Card to raise its attack power?"

The sudden question made his breath catch.

After the black virus dissipated, the air did not become fresher. Instead, it grew even heavier.

He instinctively looked around. The shadows cast by the dim candlelight were like a giant hand squeezing tightly around his throat—the Virus Card had exposed his hand as well!

But...

"So what?!"

His gaze fell on his hand. The monster card still in his grasp gave him a sense of relief.

"At worst, I'll just defeat you in a different way."

He raised the card in his hand.

At the same time, the two fragile, lonely Motor Tokens in front of him began to leak overloaded electricity.

"Now, I'll offer these two Parts as tributes and summon my current ace monster!"

Electricity surged. Amid the thunderous roar of turning motors, a flash of red light appeared, and a steel giant with blades growing from both arms emerged.

"Machine Motor Omega!"

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

Of course, since it had only appeared and left the field within a single turn in the manga, it had not exactly been impressive. Still, Yu Ming thought it looked pretty cool.

"Machine Motor Omega (LV8)"

"Attribute/DARK"

"Type/Machine"

"ATK/2800 DEF/2000"

As a Level 8 monster, its attack power was not low at all, but it was now caught in an awkward position.

After all...

"Dark Blade's attack power is also 2800 now."

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

But the stalemate was quickly broken.

"Your monster only reached that level by relying on equipment! My machine can reach even greater heights!"

Bzzzt.

With the sound of electricity, the phantom image of a slot machine faintly appeared directly above Machine Motor Omega.

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

7

"Equip Spell—Seven Card," Keith said coldly.

"As an attachment for a Machine monster, this card can increase that monster's ATK or DEF by 700."

"Machine Motor Omega"

"ATK/2800 → 3500"

"But it isn't over yet."

Then Keith waved his hand again.

"Machine Motor can overload its engine and gain even greater power—Engine Overload!"

Boom!

Arcs of electricity shot through the air, accompanied by the heavy rumble of cylinders.

Within the thick black smoke that erupted forth, the mechanical giant's bright yellow primary monitor flashed crimson.

Then its attack power rose further!

"ATK/3500 → 4500"

"4500 attack power..."

"Even the ace monster of that eldest son from the Kaiba family only has that much attack power. This ends it!"

Keith's roar echoed alongside the engine's thunderous rumbling.

"Battle!

"Machine Motor Omega, attack Dark Blade!"

Boom!

Having received its orders, the robot that was already at the edge of its limits instantly lunged forward.

Then it swung its wildly rotating, trembling arm blade.

"Overload Execution—this ends now!"

Machine Motor Omega had 4500 ATK, while the Warrior of Darkworld wielding Axe of Despair had 2800 ATK. The difference was indeed enough to end this duel.

But...

"Activate my Set Card."

Hummm.

Ripples suddenly spread across the battlefield that should have decided the match.

Within that frozen stillness, a door-like vortex appeared behind the warrior from Darkworld.

A single glance revealed countless weapons within the vortex!

"At the moment you declared your attack, I activated this Trap—Weapon Call," Yu Ming said.

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

"An Equip Card..."

Keith's Adam's apple bobbed.

With the mind of an American champion, he frantically considered what equipment could make up for a damage difference of at least 1700.

Megamorph?

That was clearly impossible. Even if Megamorph's conditions were met, it only doubled the monster's original ATK. It could not possibly surpass Machine Motor Omega.

Even a second Axe of Despair would still leave a difference of 700!

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

While Keith desperately searched for the answer, the warrior had already moved.

He reached one hand into the vortex and pulled a golden piece of jewelry from among the countless weapons.

"That equipment is..."

"Amulet of Usurpation—only Normal Monsters can equip this card..."

"But its attack power hasn't risen at all!"

Before Yu Ming could finish, the crimson machine had already charged forward, crossing the line defended by the Sword of Revealing Light.

Amid Keith's impatient roar, the violently vibrating blade descended upon the lone warrior with merciless force.

"I've won..."

Clang!

Yet when the sound of collision rang out, Keith did not see the scene he had expected.

The Warrior of Darkworld stood firm, using the battle-axe in his hand to forcibly block the strike.

"That's impossible! Machine Motor has higher attack power!"

"Until damage calculation, that was indeed true."

Hummm.

As the battle remained deadlocked, the golden jewelry worn by the warrior suddenly opened an eye.

An invisible pressure spread outward, as if even the wildly roaring engine were gradually falling silent.

"What is this...?"

"The effect of Amulet of Usurpation."

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

"When the equipped monster battles a monster of a higher Level, its attack power rises only during damage calculation."

As for the amount...

"For every Level of difference between the two monsters, its attack power increases by 500."

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

"Machine Motor is Level 8!"

"Dark Blade is Level 4."

Yu Ming took a deep breath.

"So, Dark Blade's attack power rises by 2000."

"Then its final attack power will be..."

Keith was temporarily speechless, but reality no longer needed explanation.

"Warrior of Darkworld - Dark Blade"

"ATK/2800 → 4800"

Crack.

At that moment, a crisp sound rang out.

Machine Motor had cracked.