Who Let Him Play Yu-Gi-Oh!

[Caius the Shadow Monarch, ATK 2400]

Zane's expression tightened: "The legendary Shadow Monarch…"

The form of the Caius the Shadow Monarch was shrouded in pitch-black mist, his crimson eyes appearing all the more mysterious and ethereal in the darkness.

"The effect of Caius the Shadow Monarch: When it's Tribute Summoned, you can banish any card on the field."

Kira pointed again at the massive dragon dominating Zane's field.

"Cyber End Dragon is banished!"

The demon god rising from the darkness flashed with red light in its eyes as black energy began to gather in its palm.

As if it contained the chaotic origin of countless negative emotions, the energy twisted the air, tearing through the field like a comet. Space itself seemed to be dragged and warped by an invisible hand, the dimension's structure collapsing, with the path of destruction stretching straight toward Cyber End Dragon.

Even with an attack power of 16,000, Cyber End Dragon was powerless before the might of the Shadow Monarch. A direct hit would erase it completely!

"Then I'll activate a set card—once again, this one!"

Zane flipped a Spell in his back row.

"Quick-Play Spell: 'Cybernetic Zone'!"

"Oh?" Kira murmured, "You actually had a second copy?"

"Cybernetic Zone's effect: It banishes a face-up Fusion Monster on the field until the end of the turn," Zane explained. "Cyber End Dragon, dodge the Shadow Monarch's attack!"

A bluish magic barrier fell once again, and Cyber End Dragon vanished in the nick of time. Caius the Shadow Monarch's black energy sphere howled past Zane's side.

"That was close."

Even the spectators couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Zane.

This duel was nerve-wracking for everyone, no matter which side they supported. Zane's extreme OTK style of aggressive offense seemed, so far, to be calmly neutralized by Kira. But if even a single attack slipped through, it could mean instant defeat.

Cyber End Dragon looked dazzling, but he was walking a razor's edge. The opponent avoided direct confrontation, instead bombarding him with removal and banishment effects. One careless move could end the match.

"You actually protected it, as expected of Kaiser," Kira said. "But thanks to 'One Day of Peace,' no damage can be dealt this turn."

He drew three more cards from his hand.

"I set three cards face-down in my back row and end my turn."

"End Phase: Cybernetic Zone's effect! Cyber End Dragon returns! And its ATK doubles again!"

Zane called out.

"This is the ultimate duel I pursue—the strongest moment! Return in your invincible form, Cyber End Dragon!"

[Cyber End Dragon, ATK 16,000 → ATK 32,000]

"Thirty-two thousand attack power!"

The watching students were stunned. They gazed up at the three-headed dragon, momentarily feeling as if Zane had fused with the metallic fortress behind him.

It was as if Cyber End Dragon was his avatar, the crystallization of his duelist's soul burning at its peak—the symbol of his pursuit of the highest summit.

"As expected of you," Kira smiled. "But don't forget—monsters powered up by 'Cybernetic Zone' are destroyed during your next Standby Phase, right?"

Such strength was only surface-level; the power brought by this card truly was a fleeting beauty that seemed to burn up the soul and life itself, with the cost being an early demise.

But Zane only smiled: "Thanks for the reminder, but I have my own plan."

"My turn, draw!"

Zane drew a card, then swept his hand to reveal another set card.

"Trap Card: 'Solomon's Lawbook'! This card lets me skip my next Standby Phase!"

"Oh?" Even Kira raised an eyebrow.

That was creative.

The audience exploded.

Skip your next Standby Phase? That's possible!?

"The downside of the power boost from Cybernetic Zone is that the monster self-destructs in the next Standby Phase," a Blue Dorm student explained. "But if you skip that phase…"

"A thirty-two thousand ATK Cyber End Dragon stays on the field and doesn't self-destruct!" a Yellow Dorm student shook his friend in excitement. "Kaiser is insanely powerful! This is too much!"

Zane glanced at the card he drew, then at Kira's three set cards. After thinking for a moment, he showed his hand: "Next, I play Spell Card, 'Card of Sanctity'! Both players draw until they have six cards in hand!"

After replenishing his hand and checking his cards, he finally seemed to settle and swept his arm forward.

"Battle! Cyber End Dragon, attack 'Caius the Shadow Monarch'!

Eternal Evolution Ray!"

Countless streams of electronic pulses flowed along the dragon's silver body, surging into its mouth and gathering energy like a cannon.

A dazzling beam erupted—a concentrated burst of electronic energy, roaring with deafening thunder.

Thirty-two thousand attack power: a touch is instant annihilation!

But of course, Kira wouldn't let it pass so easily: "I activate a set card—Trap Card, 'Dimensional Prison'!"

Electricity crackled as a rift in space exploded open, a massive chasm to the abyss forming in front of Cyber End Dragon!

Zane tensed.

Another banishment!

It was as if the traps never ended—no matter how he tried, he couldn't break through, no matter how strong his monsters were.

He had poured everything into creating the ultimate Cyber End Dragon, but his opponent kept sidestepping his challenge. Even with such overwhelming attack power, it felt like punching into cotton.

But he had another move.

"Quick-Play Spell: 'De-Fusion'!"

Zane called out.

"De-Fusing Cyber End Dragon!"

A golden light enveloped the three-headed steel dragon, splitting it back into three Cyber Dragons.

"By de-fusing Cyber End Dragon, I Special Summon the Fusion Materials from the Graveyard: two 'Cyber Dragons' and one 'Proto-Cyber Dragon!'"

[Cyber Dragon, ATK 2100] x2

[Proto-Cyber Dragon, ATK 1100]

"This way, 'Dimensional Prison' loses its target," Kira nodded. "But your Cyber End Dragon is gone now. How unfortunate; a thirty-two thousand ATK dragon, wasted."

Kira feigned regret.

Zane: "..."

It was true, but hearing it from the culprit was infuriating.

Still, he composed himself and pressed on.

"You must think my Cyber Dragons can't defeat your Emperors. But my attack isn't over yet."

A glint flashed in Zane's eyes as he revealed another card.

"Quick-Play Spell: Limiter Removal!"

PS: Bonus chapter at 500 PS