"The effect of Hellish Aggregation, by sacrificing the covered monsters on the field..."
Marufuji Ryo's smile gradually became sinister, with a beast-like light in his eyes.
"Sacrifice the 'Elemental Hero Phoenix Lad' you just successfully Fusion Summoned... Hand it over to me!"
This unexpected turn certainly wasn't part of Ed's plan. He hadn't anticipated that the opponent playing Cyber Dragon, seemingly straightforward, would not take the initiative to attack but opt for a full defensive setup, using such a highly targeted Minotaur strategy.
But this level of tactics couldn't stop him.
"Speed Attack Magic 'Fusion Dispel'!"
Ed immediately initiated a chain.
"Dispel the Fusion Monster on the field! Return the target monster to the Fusion Card Deck, and Special Summon the Fusion Materials used from the graveyard to the field!
I dispel the Fusion of 'Elemental Hero Phoenix Lad'!"
At this moment, the monster on Marufuji Ryo's side of the field had vanished as a sacrifice, transforming into energy which merged into the Trap he activated in the back field.
Flames surged, as if erupting from the depths of Hell, engulfing "Elemental Hero Phoenix Lad". It seemed as though a Demon's Hand was reaching from within the fire to grab him across the way.
However, Ed responded swiftly, Phoenix Lad split abruptly, his form dividing just in time before the claws could grasp him, retreating separately to the left and right. The Demon's Claw grasped nothing, and Phoenix Lad re-divided into Wingman and Blast Lady, landing on Ed's left and right.
[Elemental Hero Wingman, Attack Power 1000]
[Elemental Hero Blazing Lady, Attack Power 1200]
"Returning Phoenix Lad to the Fusion Card Deck, Special Summoning Wingman and Blazing Lady used as Fusion Material from the graveyard." Ed sneered, "This way, the target of 'Hellish Aggregation' disappears, unable to gain control.
However, 'sacrificing one monster as a tribute from your field' is the COST to activate the Trap, even if the effect target is lost, the COST must be paid.
So now your field is completely empty."
Indeed, Marufuji Ryo's front field had become empty, devoid of any defense.
"Trying to turn against my hero with a strategy aimed at Fusion, not a bad tactic. But my heroes and my strategy are superior to that!"
Ed shouted as he punched the air.
"Fight! Elemental Hero Wingman, Elemental Hero Blazing Lady's direct attack!"
Although he commanded both monsters to directly attack simultaneously, the rules dictated a sequence. Wingman, being named first, charged ahead, with Blazing Lady trailing behind.
Wingman pushed off, wings spread, soaring, his wings like a myriad of darts scattering directly towards Marufuji Ryo.
"Hah, it's only natural to defend against this level."
Marufuji Ryo was unsurprised, softly scoffing, as he raised his arm.
"Activate the Cover Card! Trap Card 'Divine Protective Shield - Reflective Mirror Force'!
Upon declaring an attack, destroy all the opponent's attacking Monster Cards in Attack Position!"
Ed: "!"
Again, it was the so-called strongest shield of traps!
Stepping into two traps in succession, this time it was the dueling realm's renowned strongest shield. Ed no longer had any way to defend; Wingman's shots hit the sacred mirror surface, triggering a fierce counterattack, a dazzling blue light sweeping sweeping everything aside, blasting both of his Elemental Heroes.
"Hey, it seems your attack outcome wasn't quite ideal."
Marufuji Ryo crossed his arms, softly taunting.
"Is that so? But I'm not finished yet."
Ed waved his hand once more.
"Trap Card 'Elemental Illusion'. When my 'Elemental Hero' monsters on the field are destroyed by the opponent's card effect, activate it, and return all the destroyed monsters to the field in the same position!" (Original Card)
Although this card hadn't been made into a Physical Card, the Destiny Hero version corresponding to it, "Destiny Illusion", had been released as a Physical Card.
He swiftly drew the two cards that exited the graveyard.
"Elemental Hero Wingman! Blazing Lady, come back!"
[Elemental Hero Wingman, Attack Power 1000]
[Elemental Hero Blazing Lady, Attack Power 1200]
"Wingman and Blazing Lady's direct attack!"
Both heroes launched an attack again. Though he ordered a simultaneous direct attack, naturally Wingman commenced the assault first.
Despite stepping into two traps, after the strongest shield swept across the field, there was still such resilience, even got Marufuji Ryo had to admire it. No wonder he was the strongest newcomer with thirty consecutive wins, truly remarkable.
Wingman's attack came through, piercing through Marufuji Ryo.
[Marufuji Ryo, LP 4000→LP 3000]
Ed: "And now Blazing Lady's direct attack!"
With crossed palms, Blazing Lady gathered flames into a Fireball, blasting forward.
But Marufuji Ryo's stance seemed firm, with yet another uncanny smile.
Seeing his smile, Ed felt a jolt in his heart, a sense of danger welling up.
"Activate Cover Card, Trap Card 'Trap in the Darkness'!" Marufuji Ryo declared, "When your Life Points are below 3000, pay 1000 Life Points to banish one Trap Card from your graveyard, this card's effect replicates that Trap's effect."
[Marufuji Ryo, LP 3000→LP 2000]
"I pay 1000 Life Points, the effect I want... naturally, this one."
Marufuji Ryo sneered.
"Divine Protective Shield - Reflective Mirror Force!"
"Ugh..."
Ed's expression twitched, unable to speak momentarily.
Again!?
"Destroy all the opponent's attacking Monster Cards in Attack Position," Marufuji Ryo laughed, "Disappear, heroes!"
The holy light swept across again, both Elemental Heroes were eliminated.
"Tch..."
Ed kept a cold face.
"Then, my Battle Phase ends, entering Main Phase 2...
Activate Magic Card 'Revive the Dead', allowing a monster from the graveyard to be resurrected. I Special Summon 'Heroic Lad' from the graveyard."
[Heroic Lad, Defense Power 600]
"When 'Heroic Lad' is Special Summoned successfully, I can Special Summon any number of 'Heroic Lad' from the Card Deck. Therefore, I'll Special Summon two more Heroic Lads."
[Heroic Lad, Defense Power 600] x2
"Lastly, I cover one card, ending my turn."
"I see, using Heroic Lad's effect to defend, ensuring there's no empty field next turn," Marufuji Ryo noted, "After facing so many traps continuously, you still have such a defense, worthy of being the winner of thirty consecutive wins."
Ed kept a sullen face, momentarily silent.
Hellish Aggregation... Notably used to target his primarily Fusion-based Elemental Hero.
However theoretically, this was his first time publicly using Elemental Heroes on stage; his opponent shouldn't possess information on his Card Deck. Why such a direct targeting?
Was it just a coincidence?
"My turn, draw a card."
Marufuji Ryo calmly said.
"Activate Magic Card 'Reversing Treasure Scroll'. When the opponent has a Special Summoned monster on the field, and I have no monsters on my field, draw two cards from the Card Deck." (Original Card)
"I summon 'Electronic Dark Wing Blade'."
[Electronic Dark Wing Blade, Attack Power 800]
"The effect of Electronic Dark Wing Blade, upon successful summon, equip an Equipment Card from the graveyard containing a monster of Level 4 or lower." (Original Effect)
Marufuji Ryo withdraws a card from the graveyard.
"I'll equip the monster used as a tribute in last round for 'Hellish Aggregation'—
—Hell Dragon as Equipment!"