Chapter 43: Next, let your body be buried in darkness!

Malik: "It's not over yet. I activate a Magic Card from my hand—【Swords of Revealing Light】."

"This card seals your attacks for three turns."

As he spoke, three blades of light plunged into You Tian's field.

"End of my turn!"

Below the stage, Game's brow tightened further.

Is Malik trying to use 【Swords of Revealing Light】 to protect his Tributes and Summon 【Slifer the Sky Dragon】 within these three turns?

You Tian, however, secretly rejoiced.

Yes! That's it, Malik! My 【Dimensional Wall】 is already ready—we'll end this soon!

"My turn, Draw Phase."

"I set one monster, changing 【Giant Rat】 to Defense Position. End of turn!"

"What!"

Seeing You Tian end his turn so simply, Game was deeply puzzled.

What's going on? Malik's field already has three Tributes ready to Summon 【Slifer the Sky Dragon】—why did You Tian end his turn so casually?

Hm?

Malik also sensed something was off.

This guy…

"My turn, Draw Phase."

This turn, I could fully Summon 【Ra】…

"From my hand, I activate the Magic Card—【Doll of Demise】!"

You Tian's pupils contracted.

Damn it!

"This card flips one face-down card on your field. If it's a Trap Card, it must be activated. If not, it's returned face-down."

Hum~

【Doll of Demise】 activated successfully—【Dimensional Wall】 on You Tian's field was flipped open.

"Oh~ 【Dimensional Wall】? You really hid a cunning trap!"

You Tian's expression darkened.

"The second effect of 【Doll of Demise】 activates: if the flipped Trap Card's activation timing is incorrect, that card is destroyed!"

Boom! 【Dimensional Wall】—destroyed!

Game: So it was 【Dimensional Wall】. No wonder You Tian was so confident.

"Damn! Malik almost fell into You Tian's trap!" Jonouchi lamented.

You Tian exhaled.

I underestimated him!

But it doesn't matter—my set monster is 【Dark Mask】, which can return 【Dimensional Wall】 from the Graveyard.

【Giant Rat】 is still on the field; I still have a chance to Summon 【Amazon's Female Swordsman】 with 【Ra】.

"Ehehehehe, you really want me to Summon 【Ra】, don't you?" Malik said.

You Tian's spirit tightened.

"But unfortunately, this card is enough to deal with you!"

"I'll offer your two weak monsters as Tributes and Summon this card onto your field!"

"Come forth, 【Lava Golem】!"

"No good!" You Tian cried out in alarm.

Instantly, the stage floor cracked open; scorching magma erupted from the fissures, and a crimson Lava Golem rose up, seizing both of You Tian's monsters in one grasp.

Hisss! ×2, the two monsters melted into magma and merged into the Golem's body.

You Tian turned back—【Lava Golem】 had appeared.

By the time he regained his senses, he was trapped inside a small iron cage of 【Lava Golem】.

【Lava Golem】 【Attack Power: 3000】

The crowd: "You Tian!!!"

"Ahahahahaha!" Malik danced with delight.

"How's that? Aren't you thrilled to get such a powerful monster?"

You Tian's face was grim.

The two cards sacrificed to 【Lava Golem】 cannot activate their effects!

Watching You Tian's expression, Malik was ecstatic.

"Perfect expression~~"

"If you keep looking like that, I might even feel like showing you mercy."

You Tian: …

"But unfortunately, before I send you into darkness, I won't stop!"

"My Battle Phase!"

The crowd: "What? Battle Phase? Is he insane? 【Lava Golem】 has 3000 Attack Power!"

Malik pointed to his own field's 【Giga Drill Bug】.

"This card can perform a direct attack if the opponent's field has only monsters with 1600 or more Attack Power!"

Jonouchi, Game: No!

"Go, Giga Drill Bug! Launch a direct attack on You Tian!!"

Following Malik's command, the fully drill-covered Giga Drill Bug leaped straight over the towering Lava Golem and entered the iron cage where You Tian was imprisoned.

Jonouchi: "You Tian!!!"

In the next instant, Giga Drill Bug's drills pierced You Tian from every angle of 360 degrees.

"Aaaaaaah!!!"

【You Tian LP: 3200→1600】

"Ahaahaha! Ahaaha!" Seeing You Tian's agony, Malik erupted again in manic facial contortions.

"I really can't bear to hurt you anymore~ So I'll just end my turn~"

"Ugh, ah, ha…" You Tian gasped heavily as he struggled to rise from the ground.

"My turn, Draw Phase."

"Ahahaha!" For no reason, Malik burst into another wild laugh.

"Unfortunately, let me tell you—Lava Golem has a special effect."

Everyone: Special effect?

"At your Preparation Phase each turn, this card deals 1000 damage to its controller! Ahaaha!"

As expected, the moment You Tian drew his card, a drop of scorching magma dripped from the Lava Golem's mouth and landed directly on You Tian.

"Aaaaaaah!!!!"

【You Tian LP: 1600→600】

"Ahaahaha! Disgusting!!"

Everyone: "You Tian!!!"

Slap!

Suddenly, a sharp, clear slap echoed out of place.

"Hm?" Malik frowned, looking toward You Tian.

Jonouchi: "Y-You Tian?"

"Why? You Tian? Why did you slap yourself?"

Yes, that slap had been self-inflicted by You Tian.

You Tian rubbed his right cheek, where he had just struck himself.

"I'm sorry, Malik…"

Malik's brow twitched slightly.

Everyone:???

"Sorry? Are you begging me?"

"Huh? Hahaha? Begging? Hahaha!"

Malik wore a deeply mocking expression.

"Do you think slapping yourself and saying 'sorry' will make me spare you?"

"Ahaahaha, you're dreaming too hard."

Game frowned deeply; the CEO also remained silent, his face grim.

"No," You Tian said.

"I'm apologizing for not treating you as a worthy opponent."

Malik:?

"Have you lost your mind? Not treating me as an opponent? What nonsense are you spouting?"

You Tian slowly lifted his head, revealing his sharp eyes.

"To be honest, my deck contains two card spirits that can ease some of the pain from Yami's Game."

"But just now, I didn't let either spirit help me."

Malik's brow furrowed.

"For certain reasons, from the very start of this Duel, I never regarded you as an opponent—my focus was entirely on Ra's Slifer the Sky Dragon."

Here, You Tian slowly closed his eyes.

"I'm sorry—after taking those two hits, I'm finally awake."

Malik's brow tightened further.

"What do you mean? Are you bluffing?"

You Tian exhaled another slow, heavy breath, then opened his eyes, his gaze resolute.

"Now, prepare to be swallowed by darkness, Malik!"

The CEO's eyes gleamed. At this moment, he felt—the You Tian from yesterday had returned!