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# Chapter 637: Humans Can't Out-Draw a Lucky Dog
"Magic Card, [Black Hole]!"
Alister's two lower-Level [Meklord] monsters had a certain resistance due to [Machina Defense Perimeter]. Normal Targeting destruction methods and Battle Destruction couldn't deal with them.
Therefore, Rafael's divine draw was the [Black Hole] he just Activated.
Light twisted around a pitch-black point that suddenly appeared on Rafael's Field. In just an instant, Alister's three monsters on the Field were crushed and destroyed by the distorting force field without any resistance, and the Field was swept clean.
"A [Black Hole] that destroys all monsters on the Field without Targeting..." Frowning, Alister sent his three Monster Cards on the Field to the Graveyard.
"Normally, using [Black Hole] would inevitably come with the cost of destroying all monsters on my Field as well, but since I currently have no monsters on my Field, the only monsters that will be destroyed are yours, Alister."
"It's a pity that the Field I set up was swept clean, but Rafael, you should know the nature of my [Meklord] Deck, right?"
Looking at the large pile of scrap metal left behind after his [Meklord] monsters on the Field were destroyed, Alister waved his hand and said, "Not with the inextinguishable flames of revenge, but with the resolve in my inner heart as fuel, revive, my monster!"
"[Machina Megaform]!"
From the ruins, the damaged parts pieced themselves back together and self-repaired using the spare resources around them. With an appearance similar yet different from [Machina Fortress], the mechanical giant stood tall on the Earth!
[Machina Megaform] [ATK2600]
"When [Machina Fortress] on my Field is sent to the Graveyard while [Machina Megaform], which was used as the Special Summon Cost for [Machina Fortress] last Turn, exists in the Graveyard, I can activate its Effect."
As Alister spoke, he took out the [Machina Fortress] Card that was just sent to the Graveyard. "Banish [Machina Fortress], and Special Summon [Machina Megaform] from the Graveyard in Attack Position!"
"Not only that, the second Effect of [Machina Defense Perimeter] is that if a Machine-Type Monster on my Field in Face-up Position is destroyed, I can Add one Machine-Type Monster from my Graveyard to my Hand."
"I choose [Machina Sniper]."
Watching Alister return the Card from the Graveyard to his Hand, Rafael raised an eyebrow.
He had just used [Black Hole] to clear Alister's Field, but in the blink of an eye, his opponent brought a monster back. Furthermore, if [Machina Sniper] was returned to his hand, it meant Alister could achieve an Attack Lock next Turn.
Although stall tactics were beneficial to him, Rafael didn't want to waste too much time in a duel against Alister, who shouldn't have been his opponent.
"The combo of [Machina Defense Perimeter] and [Machina Sniper] has a necessary condition, which is that you, Alister, must have a Machine-Type Monster with Level 7☆ or higher on your Field." As he spoke, Rafael played a Card from his Hand. "In that case, I just need to destroy [Machina Megaform] this Turn."
"I Activate the Equip Spell Card [Meteor Flare], and Equip it to [Machina Megaform] on your Field!"
As Rafael played a Card, a ball of fire flew out from the Card Activated in his Spell/Trap Zone and rushed towards the standing [Machina Megaform] on Alister's Field. Upon landing in its Hand, it adapted to the size of the giant mechanical soldier and transformed into a long bow wreathed in flames.
It felt quite strange to see a mechanical soldier using a retro, even somewhat magical-style long bow.
And in fact, the appearance of [Meteor Flare] was indeed negative for Alister.
"[Meteor Flare], I remember that Card is the necessary condition for [Guardian Grarl]'s appearance," Yugi, having dueled Rafael just the day before, still had an impression of this Card. "But besides that, I remember its Effect is to decrease the Equip Monster's ATK by 1000 points?"
As Yugi said, the flames burning on [Meteor Flare] were not a good thing for mechanical equipment. The high temperature not only deformed the metal armor, which was already a repaired item, but also greatly interfered with the operation of the internal circuits.
The giant mechanical soldier's feet stiffened, and it half-knelt directly on the Earth.
[Machina Megaform] [ATK2600 → 1600]
"Powerful Cards are often accompanied by great risk, aren't they? Compared to the Direct Attack ability [Meteor Flare] grants to [Machina Megaform], a mere 1000 point decrease in ATK is nothing at all, right?"
Rafael said with a light chuckle, his tone sarcastic, his expression looking very much like he was about to say, "Aren't you going to thank Wu Ying Ge?" He played his last Card from his Hand. "Because of the existence of [Meteor Flare], I Normal Summon [Guardian Grarl] from my Hand in Attack Position."
A Pyro Type wolf-beast warrior wearing lava armor appeared on Rafael's Field. Although his hands were empty without the corresponding weapon, judging by the extremely professional combat stance he struck, this was a qualified archer.
[Guardian Grarl] [ATK1700]
Unfortunately, although [Machina Megaform]'s Original Attack was higher, due to [Meteor Flare], [Guardian Grarl]'s ATK was now 100 points higher.
Although it was a small amount, Rafael wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
"Enter Battle Phase," With a wave of his hand, Rafael looked at [Machina Megaform] on Alister's Field and ordered [Guardian Grarl], "Attack [Machina Megaform], Dolphin Cyclone!"
Without his usual bow and arrow, [Guardian Grarl] attacked the giant mechanical soldier by waving his fists. After a few punches and kicks, a scene of "Hand-Tearing Gundam" was staged before everyone's eyes. Alister's countermeasure against [Black Hole], [Machina Megaform], was once again sent back to the Graveyard, and his Life Points also decreased by 100 points.
[Alister: 4000 → 3900 LP]
Since they weren't in a dark game, a mere 100 points of damage didn't even give Alister the qualification to frown. He helplessly put [Machina Megaform] into the Graveyard and said, "What a pity, the Recycling Effect of [Machina Defense Perimeter] has a Once Per Turn restriction, so I can't use it a second time this Turn."
"However, because [Machina Megaform] was sent to the Graveyard, Rafael, the [Meteor Flare] you Activated must also be destroyed and sent to the Graveyard."
"You don't need to tell me that." Rafael picked up [Meteor Flare], which had lost its Equip Monster, and shook it slightly in his hand to show Alister, then sent it to the Graveyard. He then continued, "Next, I End my Turn."
[Rafael: 2500 LP, Hand 0]
[Guardian Grarl] [ATK1700]
[Graceful Charity] [Wall of Revealing Light]
"My Turn, Draw." Rafael declared, drawing two Cards from his Deck. However, compared to the divine draw last Turn, which didn't even try to hide it, bringing out [Black Hole], a [Guardian], and its corresponding Equip Card, the Cards Rafael drew this Turn were much more "normal".
"I Set one Card from my Hand, and I Activate the Magic Card [Graceful Charity]. Both Players Draw Cards from their Decks until they have six Cards in their Hand. Since my Hand is 0, I can Draw six Cards."
Rafael perfectly demonstrated the saying, "A True Duelist can even decide their Draw," by drawing [Graceful Charity], a Card so powerful it was relegated to a Limited Card.
Seeing Rafael start to Draw, Alister also drew Cards.
"You're not the only one with 0 Cards in Hand. I can also Draw six Cards."
[Rafael: Hand 0 → 6]
[Alister: Hand 0 → 6]
Looking at the Cards he drew, Alister found his luck was quite good. He had already drawn a Card that could Break Through the Lock of [Wall of Revealing Light]. But before he could get happy, he heard Rafael's voice.
"Set Defense Position Summon [Backup Gardna], then Activate the Equip Spell Card [Spiritual Wind Sword], and Equip it to [Backup Gardna]."
As the two Cards were played, a Monster holding a long sword appeared on Rafael's Field. However, compared to [Backup Gardna], what was more eye-catching at the moment was Rafael, surrounded by white light and radiating an imposing aura.
"The Deck Rafael uses is a [Guardian] Deck that uses Monsters and Equip Spell Cards in conjunction," Outside the duel, Yugi, one of only two people present who had dueled Rafael, explained to everyone. "Without the matching Equip Spell Card, the Monster cannot be Summoned. This is a Deck that only True Duelists deeply favored by cards can use freely."
Although Yugi's explanation sounded nice, everyone actually understood. "Deeply favored by cards" was just another way of saying "lucky draw".
"And the Card [Spiritual Wind Sword] also corresponds to a [Guardian] Monster. That Monster is the Ace Card in Rafael's Deck." Watching Rafael raise a Card above his head, Yugi took a deep breath and said, "In fact, I was defeated by that Monster last time."
"Nani!?" Everyone showed surprised expressions, turning to look at Rafael, wanting to see what kind of Monster could actually defeat Yugi.
"Holy Sword that illuminates the heart, liberate the soul, awaken the World! Gather the holy wings of the hawk spirit! Let the soul ride the wind and travel the World!" Rafael raised the Card and shouted, "Because [Spiritual Wind Sword] exists on my Field and I have no Monster Cards in my Graveyard, I Special Summon this Card from my Hand!"
"Come forth, Wagatama Soul!"
"[Guardian Eatos]!"
[Guardian Eatos] [ATK2500]
Watching the angelic [Guardian Eatos] descent, Marik narrowed his eyes. "That Monster is the one that stopped me from intercepting the airplane yesterday!"
"Is that Rafael's card spirit..." Rex said sourly, looking at someone else's card spirit as usual.
As for Alister, even though he was previously single-mindedly focused on revenge against KaibaCorp, having been Rafael's companion for over ten years, he understood Rafael's [Guardian Eatos] better than anyone else present.
"An Effect that increases ATK based on the power of the Monsters in my Graveyard, right?" Alister shrugged. "But Rafael, don't forget that [Machina Fortress] on my Field is in Defense Position. No matter how high its ATK is, it can't inflict even a single point of damage to me."
Rafael nodded upon hearing this. "Indeed, although you, Alister, previously sent so many Monster Cards to the Graveyard which can serve as the source of power to increase [Eatos]'s ATK, not having Piercing Battle Damage is indeed a major flaw."
"However, what about adding this Card?" As Rafael spoke, he played a Card that made Alister's expression turn sour. "I Activate the Magic Card [Mind Control]!"
"Magic Card, [Black Hole]!"
Alister's two lower-Level [Meklord] monsters had a certain resistance due to [Machina Defense Perimeter]. Normal Targeting destruction methods and Battle Destruction couldn't deal with them.
Therefore, Rafael's divine draw was the [Black Hole] he just Activated.
Light twisted around a pitch-black point that suddenly appeared on Rafael's Field. In just an instant, Alister's three monsters on the Field were crushed and destroyed by the distorting force field without any resistance, and the Field was swept clean.
"A [Black Hole] that destroys all monsters on the Field without Targeting..." Frowning, Alister sent his three Monster Cards on the Field to the Graveyard.
"Normally, using [Black Hole] would inevitably come with the cost of destroying all monsters on my Field as well, but since I currently have no monsters on my Field, the only monsters that will be destroyed are yours, Alister."
"It's a pity that the Field I set up was swept clean, but Rafael, you should know the nature of my [Meklord] Deck, right?"
Looking at the large pile of scrap metal left behind after his [Meklord] monsters on the Field were destroyed, Alister waved his hand and said, "Not with the inextinguishable flames of revenge, but with the resolve in my inner heart as fuel, revive, my monster!"
"[Machina Megaform]!"
From the ruins, the damaged parts pieced themselves back together and self-repaired using the spare resources around them. With an appearance similar yet different from [Machina Fortress], the mechanical giant stood tall on the Earth!
[Machina Megaform] [ATK2600]
"When [Machina Fortress] on my Field is sent to the Graveyard while [Machina Megaform], which was used as the Special Summon Cost for [Machina Fortress] last Turn, exists in the Graveyard, I can activate its Effect."
As Alister spoke, he took out the [Machina Fortress] Card that was just sent to the Graveyard. "Banish [Machina Fortress], and Special Summon [Machina Megaform] from the Graveyard in Attack Position!"
"Not only that, the second Effect of [Machina Defense Perimeter] is that if a Machine-Type Monster on my Field in Face-up Position is destroyed, I can Add one Machine-Type Monster from my Graveyard to my Hand."
"I choose [Machina Sniper]."
Watching Alister return the Card from the Graveyard to his Hand, Rafael raised an eyebrow.
He had just used [Black Hole] to clear Alister's Field, but in the blink of an eye, his opponent brought a monster back. Furthermore, if [Machina Sniper] was returned to his hand, it meant Alister could achieve an Attack Lock next Turn.
Although stall tactics were beneficial to him, Rafael didn't want to waste too much time in a duel against Alister, who shouldn't have been his opponent.
"The combo of [Machina Defense Perimeter] and [Machina Sniper] has a necessary condition, which is that you, Alister, must have a Machine-Type Monster with Level 7☆ or higher on your Field." As he spoke, Rafael played a Card from his Hand. "In that case, I just need to destroy [Machina Megaform] this Turn."
"I Activate the Equip Spell Card [Meteor Flare], and Equip it to [Machina Megaform] on your Field!"
As Rafael played a Card, a ball of fire flew out from the Card Activated in his Spell/Trap Zone and rushed towards the standing [Machina Megaform] on Alister's Field. Upon landing in its Hand, it adapted to the size of the giant mechanical soldier and transformed into a long bow wreathed in flames.
It felt quite strange to see a mechanical soldier using a retro, even somewhat magical-style long bow.
And in fact, the appearance of [Meteor Flare] was indeed negative for Alister.
"[Meteor Flare], I remember that Card is the necessary condition for [Guardian Grarl]'s appearance," Yugi, having dueled Rafael just the day before, still had an impression of this Card. "But besides that, I remember its Effect is to decrease the Equip Monster's ATK by 1000 points?"
As Yugi said, the flames burning on [Meteor Flare] were not a good thing for mechanical equipment. The high temperature not only deformed the metal armor, which was already a repaired item, but also greatly interfered with the operation of the internal circuits.
The giant mechanical soldier's feet stiffened, and it half-knelt directly on the Earth.
[Machina Megaform] [ATK2600 → 1600]
"Powerful Cards are often accompanied by great risk, aren't they? Compared to the Direct Attack ability [Meteor Flare] grants to [Machina Megaform], a mere 1000 point decrease in ATK is nothing at all, right?"
Rafael said with a light chuckle, his tone sarcastic, his expression looking very much like he was about to say, "Aren't you going to thank Wu Ying Ge?" He played his last Card from his Hand. "Because of the existence of [Meteor Flare], I Normal Summon [Guardian Grarl] from my Hand in Attack Position."
A Pyro Type wolf-beast warrior wearing lava armor appeared on Rafael's Field. Although his hands were empty without the corresponding weapon, judging by the extremely professional combat stance he struck, this was a qualified archer.
[Guardian Grarl] [ATK1700]
Unfortunately, although [Machina Megaform]'s Original Attack was higher, due to [Meteor Flare], [Guardian Grarl]'s ATK was now 100 points higher.
Although it was a small amount, Rafael wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
"Enter Battle Phase," With a wave of his hand, Rafael looked at [Machina Megaform] on Alister's Field and ordered [Guardian Grarl], "Attack [Machina Megaform], Dolphin Cyclone!"
Without his usual bow and arrow, [Guardian Grarl] attacked the giant mechanical soldier by waving his fists. After a few punches and kicks, a scene of "Hand-Tearing Gundam" was staged before everyone's eyes. Alister's countermeasure against [Black Hole], [Machina Megaform], was once again sent back to the Graveyard, and his Life Points also decreased by 100 points.
[Alister: 4000 → 3900 LP]
Since they weren't in a dark game, a mere 100 points of damage didn't even give Alister the qualification to frown. He helplessly put [Machina Megaform] into the Graveyard and said, "What a pity, the Recycling Effect of [Machina Defense Perimeter] has a Once Per Turn restriction, so I can't use it a second time this Turn."
"However, because [Machina Megaform] was sent to the Graveyard, Rafael, the [Meteor Flare] you Activated must also be destroyed and sent to the Graveyard."
"You don't need to tell me that." Rafael picked up [Meteor Flare], which had lost its Equip Monster, and shook it slightly in his hand to show Alister, then sent it to the Graveyard. He then continued, "Next, I End my Turn."
[Rafael: 2500 LP, Hand 0]
[Guardian Grarl] [ATK1700]
[Graceful Charity] [Wall of Revealing Light]
"My Turn, Draw." Rafael declared, drawing two Cards from his Deck. However, compared to the divine draw last Turn, which didn't even try to hide it, bringing out [Black Hole], a [Guardian], and its corresponding Equip Card, the Cards Rafael drew this Turn were much more "normal".
"I Set one Card from my Hand, and I Activate the Magic Card [Graceful Charity]. Both Players Draw Cards from their Decks until they have six Cards in their Hand. Since my Hand is 0, I can Draw six Cards."
Rafael perfectly demonstrated the saying, "A True Duelist can even decide their Draw," by drawing [Graceful Charity], a Card so powerful it was relegated to a Limited Card.
Seeing Rafael start to Draw, Alister also drew Cards.
"You're not the only one with 0 Cards in Hand. I can also Draw six Cards."
[Rafael: Hand 0 → 6]
[Alister: Hand 0 → 6]
Looking at the Cards he drew, Alister found his luck was quite good. He had already drawn a Card that could Break Through the Lock of [Wall of Revealing Light]. But before he could get happy, he heard Rafael's voice.
"Set Defense Position Summon [Backup Gardna], then Activate the Equip Spell Card [Spiritual Wind Sword], and Equip it to [Backup Gardna]."
As the two Cards were played, a Monster holding a long sword appeared on Rafael's Field. However, compared to [Backup Gardna], what was more eye-catching at the moment was Rafael, surrounded by white light and radiating an imposing aura.
"The Deck Rafael uses is a [Guardian] Deck that uses Monsters and Equip Spell Cards in conjunction," Outside the duel, Yugi, one of only two people present who had dueled Rafael, explained to everyone. "Without the matching Equip Spell Card, the Monster cannot be Summoned. This is a Deck that only True Duelists deeply favored by cards can use freely."
Although Yugi's explanation sounded nice, everyone actually understood. "Deeply favored by cards" was just another way of saying "lucky draw".
"And the Card [Spiritual Wind Sword] also corresponds to a [Guardian] Monster. That Monster is the Ace Card in Rafael's Deck." Watching Rafael raise a Card above his head, Yugi took a deep breath and said, "In fact, I was defeated by that Monster last time."
"Nani!?" Everyone showed surprised expressions, turning to look at Rafael, wanting to see what kind of Monster could actually defeat Yugi.
"Holy Sword that illuminates the heart, liberate the soul, awaken the World! Gather the holy wings of the hawk spirit! Let the soul ride the wind and travel the World!" Rafael raised the Card and shouted, "Because [Spiritual Wind Sword] exists on my Field and I have no Monster Cards in my Graveyard, I Special Summon this Card from my Hand!"
"Come forth, Wagatama Soul!"
"[Guardian Eatos]!"
[Guardian Eatos] [ATK2500]
Watching the angelic [Guardian Eatos] descent, Marik narrowed his eyes. "That Monster is the one that stopped me from intercepting the airplane yesterday!"
"Is that Rafael's card spirit..." Rex said sourly, looking at someone else's card spirit as usual.
As for Alister, even though he was previously single-mindedly focused on revenge against KaibaCorp, having been Rafael's companion for over ten years, he understood Rafael's [Guardian Eatos] better than anyone else present.
"An Effect that increases ATK based on the power of the Monsters in my Graveyard, right?" Alister shrugged. "But Rafael, don't forget that [Machina Fortress] on my Field is in Defense Position. No matter how high its ATK is, it can't inflict even a single point of damage to me."
Rafael nodded upon hearing this. "Indeed, although you, Alister, previously sent so many Monster Cards to the Graveyard which can serve as the source of power to increase [Eatos]'s ATK, not having Piercing Battle Damage is indeed a major flaw."
"However, what about adding this Card?" As Rafael spoke, he played a Card that made Alister's expression turn sour. "I Activate the Magic Card [Mind Control]!"
