Seeing his ace, the ultimate Worm, finally appear, Luca felt happier than ever—almost like his life was complete.
Now victory was within reach!
"Worm Zero's effect depends on the number of fusion materials. First effect—"
"With two or more materials, once per turn, I can Special Summon a Reptile from my graveyard in face-down defense position.
I set 'Worm Apocalypse,' discarded by 'Card Destruction' in turn one."
A shadow flickered on his field as Apocalypse appeared face-down.
"Second effect: with four or more materials, I can banish a Reptile from my graveyard to send a monster from the field to the graveyard.
I banish 'Worm Barses' from my graveyard to send your 'Granmarg' to the graveyard."
"Of course, thanks to your own Macro Cosmos, it's banished instead.
Now taste your own medicine—banished!"
Luca was elated. Worm Zero's effect engulfed Granmarg in darkness, banishing it.
"Hahahaha, banished! Now, die! Battle!
Worm Zero attacks 'D.D. Scout Plane'!"
13,500 ATK versus 800 ATK—a guaranteed kill.
"It's over!" Luca yelled.
Suddenly, a turtle spirit appeared, unleashing an electromagnetic wave that deflected Worm Zero's attack.
"What?" Luca frowned.
"'Electromagnetic Turtle' in the graveyard—banish it during the opponent's Battle Phase to end the Battle Phase."
"Card Destruction filled my resources, too, you know."
"Tch, saved yourself." Luca scowled.
No matter—Worm Zero was on the field with 13,500 ATK.
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"Worm Zero's third effect: with six or more materials, draw a card once per turn."
Luca drew, then played a card.
"Continuous Spell 'Mirage of Nightmare.' During each of your Standby Phases, I can draw until I have four cards in hand."
Kira: "My turn, draw."
"Now, Mirage of Nightmare's effect—I draw until I have four cards."
Kira watched, not in a hurry: "To draw Parallel World Fusion at that critical moment, breaking the lock with Macro Cosmos—impressive. You really are one of Doma's Three Swordsmen, not bad."
At first, it sounded like praise, but the more he listened, the more annoying it got.
He realized Kira had a terrifying talent—not just for dueling, but for influencing others' mindsets, affecting their momentum and performance.
Luca steadied himself, determined to keep a calm mind no matter what Kira did next. This was not an opponent to take lightly.
"I tribute 'D.D. Scout Plane.'
Sky's ruler, embodiment of the storm—descend—
—Raiza the Storm Monarch, summon!"
Green winds howled, swirling the black clouds as the green monarch descended.
[Raiza the Storm Monarch, ATK 2400]
"Raiza's effect: on Tribute Summon, return a card on the field to the top of its owner's deck.
Sorry, but your ultimate Worm is leaving—'Worm Zero' goes back to the Extra Deck."
A tornado surged upward, aiming straight for Worm Zero.
"Not so fast!" Luca sneered. "I activate my set card, Trap Card 'Skill Prisoner'!
Select one card on my field—its effects are negated for this turn!"
A protective barrier surrounded Worm Zero, blocking the tornado.
"Hahaha, did you think I wouldn't expect a Monarch effect?"
Luca laughed. With Worm Zero on the field, his confidence had returned.
"Nice try! This turn, all effects targeting Worm Zero are nullified—even if you summon more Monarchs."
Kira: "I activate my set card, Trap Card 'Spiritual Wind Art - Miyabi.' I tribute a WIND monster to return a card on your field to the bottom of your deck.
I tribute 'Raiza' to send 'Worm Zero' to the bottom of your deck."
Raiza, despite being negated, surged with energy, self-destructing to fuel the storm. The barrier was shattered, and Worm Zero was swept away by the tornado, vanishing into the sky.
Luca was on the verge of losing it.
His Worm Zero—twenty-six materials, 13,500 ATK—
Not a single attack landed before it was blown away.
"I know you're in a hurry, but just relax."
"You never know what'll happen until the duel's over; mindset is everything, right?"